Sheldon A. Jacobs, PsyD, is Secretary of the NAMI Board of Directors and Vice President of NAMI Southern Nevada for four years.
He first learned about NAMI through a family member's mental health crisis in 1999, who was attending a peer-to-peer support group and invited Sheldon to attend with him. The family member credits NAMI for saving his life which has inspired Sheldon in his role with NAMI to remain inclusive of all individuals that experience mental health conditions across the spectrum. Sheldon also lives with Posttraumatic stress and NAMI has helped to share his lived experience with individuals from various walks of life.
As owner to his own practice that provides various counseling services, he has worked for Clark County in the juvenile justice and child welfare settings for over 12 years and helped to advocate for student "mental health days" in Nevada, which became law in July, 2021. He also serves as a clinical fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT).
Sheldon is the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards for efforts in increasing mental health awareness amongst underserved communities, as well as written several academic articles in professional journals and has published the book "48: An Experiential Memoir on Homelessness” in November 2020.
Dr. Jacobs earned a BA in Communications and English Minor from The Ohio State University; masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, and doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University.