Supportive Community: Harriett Shetler

My idea for this quilt began with a desire to depict the power and resilience of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support groups. Made up of families who have first-hand experience living with mental illness, these communities reach out to those who seek to care for their loved ones through a most difficult journey.

The collective hands lift up the newer members, bringing light where there was darkness by sharing love, resources, courage, and understanding. I chose bright fabrics to construct the hands to symbolize the multi-faceted support and the hope that they inspire.

Harriett Shetler co-founded National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization supporting millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Cottons