NAMI MN Sue Abderholden to retire as executive director after 24 years

After years in her role National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota s executive director Sue Abderholden is retiring Abderholden will remain in her role until Oct according to a release from the organization The NAMI Minnesota of Directors will begin a leadership transition process in the next several months It has formed a succession committee and retained the executive search firm Ballinger Leafblad Inc When Abderholden began with the organization in it had two and half staff members and a budget Since that time it has grown to staffers and is a million organization Sue Abderholden s leadership has been nothing short of transformational announced Jessica Gourneau president of the NAMI Minnesota Board of Directors in a message She has led NAMI Minnesota with vision heart and an unwavering commitment to those living with mental illnesses and their families Because of Sue our organization has grown in reach reputation and impact Her fierce advocacy at the legislature her strategic partnerships across sectors and her tireless work to create culturally responsive person-centered care have set the gold standard for mental healthcare advocacy Abderholden s advocacy has helped pass more than two dozen laws affecting tuition healthcare housing and criminal justice for people with mental illnesses according to the organization This has included advocating for laws requiring mental vitality training for teachers getting mental vitality screenings for those entering jails reforming the state s commitment laws to promote voluntary engagement in recovery expanding situation and early interventions services the diversity of the workforce and strengthening mental medical parity protections She also worked to restrict the use of solitary confinement in prisons for people with mental illness Abderholden s work has been recognized with multiple awards including the Minneapolis Wellbeing Department s Medical Equity Award Macalester College s Distinguished Citizen Award the National NAMI Rona and Ken Purdy Award to End Discrimination and multiple recognitions as one of Minnesota Physician s Majority Influential Medical Care Leaders In addition to her work with NAMI Minnesota Abderholden also has taught about soundness and mental strength protocol at the University of Minnesota s School of Social Work and served on several state advisory committees and task forces according to the University It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of this movement Abderholden reported in a report The people who courageously shared their stories the families who organized for change and the advocates who never gave up they are the reason for our success I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside so countless incredible individuals to help build a better more compassionate mental medical system for Minnesota Related Articles Homicide in St Paul s Frogtown under review State fines Regions Hospital for improper physiological waste disposal St Paul police nd grader disclosed he brought gun to school to show friends Metro State University lockdown prompted by man firing shots at his mother hurt in shooting in St Paul apartment police arrest of the injured