STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Trustees for the Wood River Valley chapter of NAMI voted to expand their board of directors at its annual meeting held last week.

New members include Jason Barbee, mental health therapist; Kathleen Hansen, a health unit coordinator for St. Luke’s Wood River; Page Klune, small business owner and actor, and Alyson Witmer, a family therapist and small business owner.

In addition, Daniel Hansen has been appointed to serve as board president for the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hansen is the marketing coordinator for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.

Dr. Gary Hoffman has been appointed vice president; Kathleen Hansen, secretary, and Elaine Niedrich, treasurer.

The board will join Executive Director Christina Cernansky, who has led the organization since 2017. Under Cernansky’s leadership, the organization has seen an increase in participation, program offerings and volunteerism. It now offers support groups for youth in the middle and high schools.

“This is an inspiring time at NAMI-WRV,” said Daniel Hansen. “We’re seeing the need for more mental health resources and advocacy in our modern societies than ever before, and it’s amazing and empowering to see how our community has responded to this need.

“The talent and dedication of more community members determined to help by getting involved with our organization, including the new board members, will undoubtedly increase our ability to bring more mental health resources to the community for the upcoming year.”

For more information, contact Christina Cernansky at 208-481-0686 or email info@namiwrv.org.