Understanding Mental Illnesses

Sue Abderholden has devoted her career to changing laws and attitudes that affect people with disabilities and their families.  For the past thirteen years she has served as the executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota, focusing on reducing the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and the need to ensure accessible mental health care for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families.

She has held leadership positions with Arc of Minnesota, U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone and PACER Center (Minnesota’s Parent Training and Information Center).  Sue has a B.A. in political science from Macalester College and a master’s degree in public health administration from the University of Minnesota.

Ms. Abderholden has received numerous awards for her advocacy including the 2013 Gaylord Anderson Leadership Award from the U of M School of Public Health and the  National Council for Behavioral Health 2013 Advocacy Leadership Award.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. NAMI Minnesota offers education, support and advocacy. NAMI Minnesota vigorously promotes the development of community mental health programs and services, improved access to services, increased opportunities for recovery, reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased public understanding of mental illness.