ALBANY - NAMI-NYS is the statewide chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and is comprised of affiliates from all over New York State. The NAMI-NYS 2021 Education Conference, Recovering Together: Achieving Mental Wellness is being held October 22-23.

Traditionally a live and in-person, full weekend conference held in Albany, due to COVID - for the second year - the annual conference will be taking place virtually as an online event. Every year as part of an awards ceremony, the Muriel Shepherd Award (named for NAMI-NYS’s founding president) is presented. It is the highest award NAMI-NYS bestows upon one of its members. This year, the Muriel Shepherd Award is being presented to NAMI Sullivan County’s Eileen Geysen of Forestburgh.

Eileen has demonstrated tremendous dedication to NAMI Sullivan County for more than 25 years, especially in her almost 20 years of service as President of their Board of Directors. The award is also given in thanks on behalf of the countless people in Sullivan County impacted by mental illness who have benefitted from Eileen’s tireless efforts.

She has made a positive difference in the lives of both peers and families through her consistent care and devotion as a NAMI Signature Programs leader, as well as her participation in the affiliate’s Compeer functions, appearing with a warm smile and fully “decked out” in Halloween costumes for her affiliate’s Monster Mash parties and always displaying festive dress for the Holiday parties. Last year during COVID, those ‘parties’ were done as drive-by visits. Eileen, as a “witch” for the Halloween drive-by and “Frosty” for the Holiday drive-by, took pictures with everyone to help the peers feel less isolated, spurring them to revel in the holiday spirit.

Eileen is also a fierce advocate who shares her invaluable insight and experience with families who are just starting out on their advocacy journeys and has made herself available any time, day or night. This year Eileen also played a major role in the success of the NAMI-NYS 2021 Off the Mask event.

The Muriel Shepherd Award will be presented to Eileen Geysen during the virtual conference as part of the Annual Business Meeting scheduled for Saturday morning, October 23rd. NAMI Sullivan County is proud of NAMI-NYS’s recognition and delighted to see this prestigious award go to our own, treasured Eileen.