Jeff Fladen
Jeff Fladen is an American nonprofit leader, mental health advocate, and expert in behavioral health and criminal justice reform. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the United States' largest grassroots mental health organization. Fladen’s work includes expanding mental health services, co‑response initiatives, and community‑based advocacy in Tennessee.
Early life and education
Fladen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from The Ohio State University. He completed executive education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Neuroscience for Business. He began his career as a clinician, working as a crisis counselor, case manager, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) clinician.
Career
NAMI Tennessee
From 2013 to 2023, Fladen served as Executive Director of NAMI Tennessee, where he expanded statewide mental health education, access, and crisis response systems.[1] He launched the annual Vision of Hope Gala, diversified the board, and initiated law enforcement crisis training.[2]
Fladen was publicly vocal during high-profile events, including the Antioch theater shooting, advocating for compassion in mental health response.[3]
National NAMI leadership
He was elected to the National NAMI Board of Directors in 2019, served as Treasurer, and became Board President in 2024.[4]
Community and policy work
Fladen helped implement rural co‑response programs that paired law enforcement with mental health specialists. His advocacy led to a trauma-informed response to the Waffle House shooting aftermath.[5]
He also called for enhanced crisis training following a high-profile youth mental health incident in Sumner County.[2]
Consulting and other roles
In 2023, Fladen founded Fladen & Associates, offering consulting on nonprofit strategy and behavioral health policy. He serves on boards including the Tennessee Respite Coalition and the Behavioral Health Foundation. In 2020, he was selected for Executive Peer Circle by The Healing Trust.[6]
Speaking and presentations
He has presented at major conferences, including CIT International, ABA EEOC, NADCP RISE, NAMI National Convention, EAPA, NCCHC, and Suicide in the Black Church.
Awards
- 2018 – Vicki Cottrell Leadership Award, NAMI Executive Directors
- 2020 – Executive Peer Circle participant, The Healing Trust
References
- ↑ Public News Service: Suicide Prevention Month in TN, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 NewsChannel5, 2023
- ↑ The Tennessean, 2015
- ↑ PR Newswire, 2024
- ↑ Fox17, 2023
- ↑ Healing Trust, 2020
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