Beth Clay, executive director of The Connection is featured in a new report: “Backbone Leadership is Different: The Skills and Mindset Shifts Needed for Collective Impact,” authored by Dominique Samari, JD and Paul Schmitz.  The report draws from the authors' observations partnering with and supporting dozens of collaboratives over the past 10 years, including the Northeast Wisconsin Mental Health Connection. 

Beth, who was interviewed for the report, shares her insights on how leading a coalition focused on collective impact is more complex than leading a traditional organization.

The authors share what they have seen practiced by successful backbone teams including three critical mindset shifts and six skill sets that, when distributed across a backbone team, supports their work in guiding and facilitating their collaborative, ultimately helping the group reach their shared goals.

Mental Health America, in partnership with Heckrodt Wetland Preserve in Menasha, is hosting a weekly nature walk at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome for this inclusive and rejuvenating weekly event. The event is free of charge and no registration is required. 

Meet by the large stones outside the Nature Center, 1305 Plank Rd, Menasha, WI 54952

An Intimate Conversation on Mental Health
with Writer Meg Kissinger

Hosted by: The Connection & NAMI Fox Valley 
When: 6 - 8 p.m., Tues., Sept. 17, 2024
Where: Bubolz Nature Preserve, Great Blue Heron Hall, 4815 N Lynndale Drive, Appleton, WI 54913

Join us for an evening with award-winning journalist and author Meg Kissinger for a heartfelt and insightful book chat about her acclaimed memoir, While You Were Out: An Intimate Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. 

This special event offers an opportunity to explore the personal and societal aspects of mental illness through the lens of Meg’s powerful storytelling.

The event is free of charge, but registration is required. 

About the Book
In While You Were Out, Meg Kissinger offers a poignant and personal look at mental illness through the story of her own family. With empathy and clarity, Kissinger explores the challenges of mental health and the silence that often surrounds it. This memoir not only sheds light on the struggles of her family but also serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.