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When Sue Abderholden took the reins at the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in 2001, the organization ran on duct tape, a few staff, and big hopes.

Two decades later, NAMI MN has become a statewide leader and national model—transforming how mental health is addressed in schools, jails, hospitals, and homes.

In this candid conversation, Sue reflects on 24 years of advocacy, the power of listening, and the long fight to bring dignity and justice to mental health care. We explore words that wound, policies that uplift, and why she never walked away—even on the hard days. This isn’t just a story about mental health—it’s a masterclass in how lasting change begins: one conversation at a time.

Now looking ahead, Sue shares what’s next, what remains unfinished, and what it means to build something solid—ready for the next person to carry forward with clarity and purpose.

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