This week we are pleased to welcome Matt Shapiro, Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for NAMI-NYS to the podcast. Matt's passion for fair and equal treatment for individuals with mental health struggles really comes through as he shares with us. Matt breaks down the deep need for customized, person-centered mental health services based on the needs of the individual as well as community demographics.

As we discuss, mental illness does not discriminate. Whether you live on a dead end dirt road or in a penthouse, mental illness has likely touched your life in some way. Even more broadly speaking, we ALL have mental health. In our conversation, Matt speaks of his lifelong struggle with his own mental health...feeling like he never fit in, an outsider.

Finding your community helps you build a bridge from illness to wellness. Matt serves as more than an advocate. He's also a mental health chaperone, holding out his hand and offering to lead those in need to a better place across that bridge. We greatly appreciate Matt and NAMI-NYS for bridging the gap and serving all those in need.

NAMI NYS Annual Education Conference is coming soon! Nov 8&9 at the Desmond in Albany. Packed with speakers and vendors(like us!). Come on out and say hi!

We are very grateful to all our listeners.
We'd love to hear your feedback or ideas for future episode topics.
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected].

Reminder - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 



Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You 
by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91