RICHLAND COUNTY — A desire to serve others has guided Megan Davidson from her childhood in Shelby to her next role leading the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Richland County.
She will become the organization’s executive director Nov. 2, following the appointment of former Executive Director Aubrie Hall to lead the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
Davidson joined NAMI-RC as an intern in 2023 and has since served in several roles, including mental health advocate, care navigator and perinatal support services coordinator, while also working as a community health worker.
“Each of these experiences has given me a deeper understanding of both the organization and the community we serve,” Davidson said.
A familiar face steps into leadership
Davidson lives in Shelby with her husband of 15 years and their two children. She said her father’s example helped shape her desire to serve others from an early age.
“Growing up, I often heard my father speak about having a ‘servant’s heart,’ and I watched him demonstrate what it meant to care for and support others,” Davidson said.
She plans to build on the organization’s existing programs, strengthen community partnerships and expand NAMI-RC’s reach.
“I am most excited to finish out the year strong for our community while looking ahead to new opportunities, partnerships and initiatives in the coming year,” Davidson said.
Her experiences with individuals and families navigating mental illness fueled her passion for advocacy and education, which led her to NAMI-RC.
During an internship, she discovered NAMI-RC’s approach to supporting people living with mental illness and their loved ones through advocacy, education and peer support.
Together, we can reduce stigma, build stronger connections and create a community where everyone feels supported and knows where to turn for help.
megan davidson, nami-rc executive director
During her time with NAMI-RC, Davidson said she has seen the organization grow while learning more about community needs.
Although Richland County has many organizations dedicated to helping residents, access to resources remains a challenge, and mental health continues to rank among the top needs identified in community health assessments.
Building on NAMI-RC’s foundation
Davidson credited Hall with helping her grow as a leader, demonstrating how empathy and advocacy can create meaningful change.
“More importantly, she has demonstrated that strong leadership is not simply about leading an organization — it is about investing in people, believing in your mission and creating meaningful change within your community,” Davidson said.
Davidson plans to maintain NAMI-RC’s free classes, presentations and support groups while reaching communities where NAMI has less of a presence and increasing awareness of the organization’s services.
She also wants to strengthen youth and adult programming, Perinatal Support Services and work with community partners to address gaps in care.
“For me, strategic growth is not simply about becoming a larger organization,” Davidson said. “It is about becoming more accessible, reaching more people, strengthening the services we already provide and ensuring that NAMI-RC continues to meet the evolving mental health needs of our community.”
Connecting residents with care and support
As Davidson prepares to take over, she wants residents to understand mental illness affects everyone differently and no one should feel ashamed to ask for help or feel they have to face their struggles alone.
“Most importantly, I want people to understand that an individual is not defined by their mental illness,” Davidson said. “With the right support, resources, advocacy and care, people living with mental illness can pursue their goals, build meaningful relationships, contribute to their communities and live fulfilling lives.”
She also emphasized the importance of caregivers looking after their own mental and emotional well-being while supporting loved ones.
“Taking time to care for your own mental and emotional well-being allows you to be a stronger and more sustainable source of support for the people you love,” she said
“Together, we can reduce stigma, build stronger connections and create a community where everyone feels supported and knows where to turn for help,” she said.
