Stacy Helfstein became involved with NAMI-NYC because of her passion for breaking down the stigma around mental illness, and her desire to support those living with mental illness and their family members. This passion came out of her work as a social worker and her personal mental health journey.

Stacy received her Bachelor of Social Work from Syracuse University and Masters in Social Work from Columbia University, with a concentration in Health and Mental Health. After graduating from Columbia, she worked at the Jewish Guild for the Blind’s Continuing Day Treatment Center. Stacy sits on the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Board of Visitors at Syracuse University and on the Center for Hearing and Communication Board of Directors. Stacy is actively involved with the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, City of David in Israel and UJA Federation of New York.

NAMI-NYC’s social media campaign #IWillListen has become an important mantra to Stacy. “Saying ‘I will listen’ means first listening to yourself and loving yourself enough to get help. By helping ourselves, we can then help others. During my mental health journey, I found NAMI-NYC through my doctor. Given my background as a social worker in mental health and now my personal journey, she suggested getting involved. I loved the idea. I went home, did my research, met all the amazing people at NAMI-NYC and the rest is history! I am proud to serve as the NAMI-NYC Seeds of Hope Gala Chair.