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About ShaRonda Young Calderon ShaRonda Young Calderon is a mental health advocate and suicide awareness educator, that lost her husband Deputy Homero "Omar" Calderon, by suicide, June of 2018. ShaRonda resides in the DFW metroplex and dedicates her time to raising awareness through First Responder trainings and crisis call operator interventions. She currently serves on the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of North Texas. ShaRonda is also a representative of 1st H.E.L.P., currently leading the Blue H.E.L.P Family Division Advisory Committee.

Education is the Key to Understanding NAMI Ending the Silence for Families is a free 1 -hour mental health education presentation for parents and caregivers to help them better understand the emotional and behavioral difficulties that may be early warning signs of mental health conditions in children and adolescents. This program works hand-in-hand with the presentations for students and educators to help foster conversations, improve understanding, and decrease the stigma that often surrounds mental health conditions. The program covers issues frequently faced by parents and other family caregivers to give them a better understanding of: The facts about mental health and youth The early warning signs of a mental health condition How to work with schools to support their child's education Resources available in the community The perspective of a teacher with concerns about a student “I love that this program exists for parents. Having this information presented so clearly is very helpful.”

Public Documents Bylaws Operating Policies & Procedures Impact Reports 2023 Impact Report 2022 Impact Report 2021 Impact Report 2020 Impact Report 2019 Impact Report For any reports prior to 2019 please contact us

About Grissell Castro Grissell currently the Instructional Associate at the Law Enforcement Academy and the Public Safety Training Center at Tarrant County College. She is passionate about First Responder and Military Mental Health & Wellness and am constantly pursuing higher education at the graduate level to help me help others. Grissell is a Certified Paraprofessional in EMDR for First Responders, a Police & Fire Chaplain, a member of the Overwatch Peer Support (OPS), and hold an Advanced Certificate in Hostage/Crisis Negotiations. I was an advanced Public Safety Dispatcher for almost 7 years, she also hold a Certificate for Emergency Medical Dispatch, and have dispatched for both Police & Fire and was also a Communications Training Officer for Fire Dispatch.

It's not how far we walk at NAMIWalks North Texas on May 17, 2025 at Grandscape, but how far we've come to make our milestones count. With your support and high spirits, we intend to make an unprecedented impact on mental health in our community. Give your all for Mental Health for All. Join Us Together we can achieve more. At NAMI North Texas we strive to make sure we create a stigma-free, supportive community. Please join us in being apart of the change for Mental Health for All. Register Here Donate If you're unable to join us at the event in person, you can still make a meaningful impact by contributing to ending the stigma through donations. Your support is greatly appreciated! Donate Sponsor To sponsor, fill out our packet! Our Walks Manager will contact you once submitted. For sponsorship details, reach out to Marisa Alonso, Marketing & Events Coordinator, at marisa@naminorthtexas.org Sponsor Packet Brittney Johnson 2025 Walk Chair Brittney Johnson is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who serves as co-anchor of NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Before moving to DFW, Brittney spent six years in Charlotte, North Carolina where she anchored the market’s top-rated morning newscasts and delivered in-depth and investigative stories on the affordable housing crisis, mental health, and the foster care system. Her TV news career has also taken her to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Monroe, Louisiana. Brittney is a proud graduate of Howard University and the University of California at Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. She is also a fitness enthusiast. The NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach teaches group fitness classes, has run several marathons, practices yoga, and enjoys indoor cycling. Brittney enjoys mentoring and serving the community. In addition to serving as a speaker and emcee for charities across DFW, she delivers lunch to seniors every Tuesday for Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County; is a frequent platelet donor through Carter BloodCare, serves as Honorary Chair for the Community Council of Greater Dallas’ Family Fit Fest, is co-sponsor of a scholarship for college students through the Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists. Volunteer at NAMIWalks Interested in Volunteering? We’d love to have you on board! Please fill out the volunteer application. We’ll be holding a volunteer orientation in May (date to be determined), and all individuals who apply will receive an email with full details once it's scheduled. Thank you for your interest in supporting NAMIWalks and helping us make this event a success! Volunteer Application

Silence Can be a Threat to Hope NAMI Ending the Silence for Students is an innovative 50-minute presentation that helps middle and high school students better understand mental health. Students learn early warning signs of a potential mental health issue and are given ideas about how to help themselves, friends, or family members who may be in need of support. The presentation includes personal testimony from a young adult who shares an authentic journey of courage and recovery in his/her experience with mental health challenges, as well as educational slides, videos and discussion. Why Ending The Silence Matters 1 in 5 kids experiences a mental health condition; only 50% of them actually get help About 50% of students ages 14+ with a mental health condition will drop out of school Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds The earlier the better: early identification and intervention provides better outcomes What Your Students Will Hear Ending the Silence delivers a message of hope and recovery, helping to end stigma and empower safe, open communication around mental health conditions. Moving stories from positive role models have the power to change kids' views. The discussion gives students the rare opportunity to ask questions about mental health challenges to people who have lived it. The presentation’s message of empathy and hope encourages students to actively care for themselves and their friends. It also teaches them it's okay to talk about what they're feeling. NAMI Ending the Silence covers: Early warning signs of declining mental health Facts and statistics about youth and mental health conditions Personal perspectives on the experience of living with mental illness Recovery and coping strategies When, where and how to get help for themselves or their friends What Your Students Will Receive Resources they can use if they have concerns or questions about mental health, including: Contact information for mental health agencies and youth support services A list warning signs of declining mental health Recommendations on how to help themselves or a friend who is experiencing mental health problems Research on the Effectiveness of Ending the Silence for Middle and High School Students Download Research Reports "This program will prevent many people from feeling alone or having suicidal thoughts."

About Jessica Russell Jessa is a Captain at Highland Park DPS with 16 years of experience. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS in Kinesiology and from Texas Christian University with a Master’s in Criminal Justice. She holds a master TCOLE Peace Officer License, Advanced Structure Fire Certification, and Paramedic License. Jessa has served as a Field Training Officer, Police Academy adjunct instructor, Peer Support Coordinator, and Public Information Officer.

Resources IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY HELP, PLEASE CALL 911.  If you are in CRISIS and need to speak with someone IMMEDIATELY, please call one of the following: Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas: 214-828-1000 Collin County (Lifepath): 877-422-5939 Denton County (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team): 800-762- 0157 Denton County Mental Health Treatment Court Program: 940-349-2190 North Texas Behavioral Health Authority: 866-260-8000 Resources United Way Metropolitan Dallas Get Assistance United Way Denton County Community Resources United Way Denton County & Credible Minds NAMI Help Line Here For Texas Find Help Resources for Children & Families Navigate Life Texas North Texas Help Texas Transition and Employment Guide Psychiatric & Emergency Services EMERGENCY: 911 Suicide Crisis Line: 988 Poison Help: 800-222-1222 Spanish Helpline: 972-233-2428

Mohammad 'Pasha' Rahman Vice President Pharm D., MHA, FACHE Pasha Rahman is the Director of Pharmacy Services at Medical City Green Oaks Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Medical City Green Oaks Hospital is dedicated to inpatient psychiatric care, and has multiple outpatient programs and locations in North Texas. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

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Sharonda Young Calderon ShaRonda Young Calderon is a mental health advocate that lives in the DFW Metroplex with her three children. In June of 2018, ShaRonda lost her husband, Deputy Homero Calderon, to suicide. Homero, an 18yr veteran of the Dallas County Sheriff Dept, suffered with PTSI. ShaRonda has used the traumatic loss of her husband as a catalyst to educate and spread awareness of mental health and suicide prevention within the law enforcement community. 作为一名前职业足球运动员，我可以获得心理健康资源。 NFL 和 NFL 球员协会联手创建了一个心理健康资源，供前任和现任球员在需要时寻求帮助。这是对我们和我们家人的免费服务。 我会在必要时使用这些资源，甚至只是检查一下我在生活中的位置和正在发生的事情。 上周，NAMI North Texas 开始了一项培训计划，旨在为执法部门（以及最终所有急救人员及其家人）提供一个完全保密、免费、无污名的心理健康支持网络。 通过设计，它解决了急救人员倾向于不寻求心理保健的最突出原因；社会和职业耻辱、对降职或失业的恐惧、无法找到能够与引起对心理健康专业人员需求的重复性创伤相关的提供者。该计划将是心理健康护理完全保密的第一步，使急救人员更容易寻求帮助。同伴支持者也将成为专业心理健康服务的桥梁。他们将接受培训，以识别同事的需求何时超过他们接受的培训，并帮助他们与具有与急救人员合作经验的治疗师、精神病医生或其他专业服务人员建立联系。 我一直尊重执法人员，是的，即使在一些困难的情况下，因为他们也有家庭，他们的首要任务是为社区提供服务，保护和服务。 蒂米纽瑟姆 NAMI NTX 总裁 有关我们的更多信息 守望先锋同伴支持计划（OPS） ， 联系我们的项目和运营总监， 克里斯托弗·佩恩 。

Jump to: Request Support | Family Support Group | OPS Trainings | Meet Our Instructors | Events Built BY First Responders, FOR First Responders The award-winning NAMI North Texas OPS program is the first of its kind: in-person, no-cost, confidential, community-based, inter-agency peer support network for first responders. This innovative program provides a private option to take the first step towards mental health care, making it easier for first responders to seek help, prioritize their own well-being, and connect with vetted, culturally appropriate clinical care when necessary. Intended to be supplementary to intra-agency support teams, OPS serves as an additional resource to optimize first responder wellness and professional performance. After more than a decade of experience working with law enforcement, NAMI North Texas developed the 16-hour, high quality, law enforcement peer support certification course in 2021-2022 with the help of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Once a first responder completes this training, they receive an OPS certification and are eligible to provide 1-1 support to other first responders who request assistance through OPS. First responders are also trained to recognize when peer support is not enough, thus serving as bridges to professional mental health services that specialize in treating first responders. During the summer of 2023, the OPS program expanded to all first responder professionals, including communications/dispatch, corrections, and civilian employees of law enforcement agencies, and fire/ems personnel. Help support first responder mental health in North Texas Supporting first responder mental health in North Texas is crucial to ensure the well-being of those who tirelessly serve and protect our communities. Overwatch Peer Support has trained individuals across 35 departments and two federal agencies, extending their invaluable education and support to over 2549 individuals last year alone. You can directly contribute to providing essential mental health support and resources to those utilizing OPS, and help first responders cope with the challenges they face daily. Your generosity can make a significant difference in enhancing the mental resilience and overall welfare of our North Texas first responders and their civilian colleagues. Your contribution is greatly appreciated! Donate If you are a member of the first responder community (sworn or civilian), and would like to be connected with an OPS Peer Supporter, please register using the button below. Information you provide will be reviewed only by the program coordinator and your confidentiality will be protected. Request Peer Support Overwatch Family Support NAMI Overwatch Family Support is a free, 90-minute monthly support group. Overwatch Family Support are no-cost, confidential, community-based groups led BY family members of first responders FOR family members of first responders. This includes fire, EMS, law enforcement, dispatchers, corrections officers, probation officers, and civilian employees of First Responder agencies. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Registration OPS BAsic CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FIRST RESPONDERS & CIVILIAN COLLEAGUES April 21-22 8am-5pm Bill J. Priest Center - Dallas College 1402 Corinth Street, Dallas, 75215 Register Here OPS ADVANCED Trainings FOR OPS PEER SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE 16 HOUR BASIC TRAINING TBA TBA OPS Training Fee Policy Learn More In response to the increasing demand for our OPS Basic Course, we are implementing a new training fee policy tailored to accommodate the needs of first responders in and out of our service area. The new policy aims to balance accessibility with the quality of instructors, materials for the course, and ensuring that every first responder and their civilian colleagues receive valuable information from the course. By implementing this new approach, we are reaffirming our commitment to supporting those who dedicate their lives to public service, empowering them with the tools they need to prioritize their mental health and effectively serve those in need. Meet our Instructors Revved Up Resilience Car Show A community event dedicated to supporting first responder wellness April 19, 2025 | 9 AM - 1 PM American Eagle Harley Davidson 5920 S Interstate 35, Corinth, TX 76210 About Detective Michelle Horridge Det. Michelle Horridge, who has been with FMPD for 18 years and also serves as NAMI North Texas’ Frontline Wellness Coordinator. For more information: Contact Detective Michelle Horridge Flower Mound Police Department & NAMI North Texas Frontline Wellness Coordinator MichelleH@NAMINorthTexas.org