• 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition.
  • 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in the United States lives with a serious mental illness.
  • 43.8 million people in the United States face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness.
  • Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.
Care is a simple four-letter word, but a powerful way to change lives for people affected by mental illness. With understanding and support, we help and empower those with mental illness. Together, we can create positive change. Navigating life with mental illness can be tough, and NAMI wants to make it easier to find resources and people who care.
 
Whether healthcare is for physical or mental health conditions, ‘care is care’ and people with mental health conditions and addiction issues aren’t getting what they need to achieve and maintain good health. This year, during Mental Health Month in May, we are asking everyone to tell us why you care and use #WhyCare to join us in the conversation and provide examples of what you are doing personally or for your community.
Show you care on social media:
Badges - Starting today, Facebook frames are available for you to declare that you care about mental health.
WhyCare? Signs - Print WhyCare? signs and share why you care about mental health by writing a short phrase on the sign. Share your answers on social media using #WhyCare.
"I Care Do You?" Signs - Print out these signs and take photos of friends together holding them. Post on social media using #WhyCare.
"Share Your Why" Video - Record a video using a mobile phone sharing why you care about mental health. End your video with a call to action for others to show they care by visiting nami.org or sharing why they care on social media using #WhyCare.
Download the Sentimoji Sticker Pack - Show your network you care by using the NAMI sticker pack in text messages and digital communications. The Sentimoji sticker pack allows people to support, understand and encourage those who may be struggling. Go to www.nami.org/sentimoji.
Hang a Poster - Download and print as many WhyCare? posters as you need. Send us a photo of the poster and post on social media using #WhyCare or #NAMICares
During Mental Health Month, our goal is to inspire people to build better lives for the millions with mental illness. Together we can realize our shared vision of a nation where everyone affected by mental illness can find the resources and support they need to live healthier, fulfilling lives.
May Events in the Mental Health Community of NJ
The Top Ten Poems of the 2019 NAMI NJ Dara Axelrod Expressive Arts Mental Health Poetry Contest have been selected!

Help us pick the Top Three Poems. View the poems and cast your vote by Friday, May 31.
Wednesday, May 1 - Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Luncheon, A conversation with Tipper Gore, Advocate, Artist, Philanthropist, and former Second Lady of the United States. Hosted by Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President & CEO, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. Tipper Gore and Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein will discuss public advocacy in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

583 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Reception: 11:00am
Luncheon & Program: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Wednesday, May 1 – You are invited to come and meet Ocean County provider agencies for mental health, housing, and substance abuse treatment and to learn about their resources and services.

The Provider Fair will be from 4:30 to 7:00 pm in the Periodical Area of the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library before and after the Celebrating Wellness Event.
Thursday, May 2 - NAMI NJ's South Asian Outreach Program, SAMHAJ, hosts a "Power of Poetry" Workshop by Jacquese Armstrong to celebrate the impact of creativity and art on our lives.
Weekend, May 4 & 5 - In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Rutgers Chinese Student Organization (CSO) organizes a ChinaNite Fashion Show fundraiser in New Brunswick benefiting NAMI NJ's Chinese American Outreach Program, CAMHOP. The event draws around 200 students.
Saturday, May 4 - COMHCO-NJ Consumer Conference 2019, Ocean Place Conference Center, 1 Ocean Blvd, Long Branch, NJ. Click for more information.
Sunday, May 5 - Join  NAMIWalks Mercer   at ETS, Princeton for NAMI Mercer walk.
Monday, May 6 - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School & its Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association host an Asian American mental health awareness workshop in Newark for first year medical students. Speakers include Dr. Priyanka Upadhyaya, PsyD, and NAMI NJ Asian Outreach Programs Staff, Maggie Luo & Beena Bhatcar.
Monday, May 6 - NAMI Middlesex County & Intensive Family Support Services of Middlesex County (IFSS) Spring Speaker Series: “Pharmacogenetics: Efficacy & Usefulness for Individuals with Mental Illness,” with Speaker Michael Schwartz, President, Health Solutions Network, at UBHC 671 Hoes Lane, Rm. C101, Piscataway, 7:00-9:00pm. Call (732) 235-6184 to register.
Thursday, May 9 - NAMI Gloucester County holds Nacho Nite to start conversations about mental health!
Thursday, May 9 - In recognition of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Dr. Peter Schmidt, Principal Investigator and Chief of the NIMH Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, and Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Kathy Reding, will join NIMH’s Facebook Live event at 2pm to discuss how puberty affects brain development. Details
Thursday, May 9 - NAMI Camden is registered to participate in the Camden County Spring Resource Fair 2019, at the Voorhees Town Center, from 11 to 3pm. The fair is open to the public.
Thursday, May 9 - Community Health Law Project's hosts a Free Law & Disability Issues Conference at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick from 9 am - 1 pm.  Register here. This year's sessions include Integrated Care-Behavioral Health, Physical Health and Social Determinants of Health, Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, Domestic Violence and Special Education.
Saturday, May 11 - Caregiver Care Camp: A Wellness Retreat with Self-Care, Yoga, and Mindfulness Practices and Materials. 10 am - 2 pm, Days Inn, 195 NJ-18 East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Only open to NAMI members & IFSS Staff.
Saturday, May 11  – Life in High School and Beyond Conference & Resource Expo, 8am-4pm, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), 2000 Pennington Road-Education Building, Ewing 08628.  Register  by May 10 (Register as a member at $25 when you state you heard about the conference from NAMI). See flyer
Recommending Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Webinar Series on Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00pm:
Sunday, May 12 - NAMI Middlesex Young Adult Social Club meets for Mini Golf @ Tara Greens in North Brunswick.
This Young Adult Social Club provides recreational opportunities and fellowship. The events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoon of every month at Rutgers Hardenburg Hall in New Brunswick, and range from bowling, to mini-golf, movies and picnics in the park. Contact Laurie (732-822-7832).
Saturday, May 18 - Healthy Together Camden County Women’s Health Expo is at the County College from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. NAMI Camden County is registered to have a table. Attendees must also register. Click here for more information. View flyer.
Saturday, May 18 - NAMI New Jersey Walk Rally, 10 am - 1 pm, 1562 Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. RSVP by May 11, 2019 to (732) 940-0991 or lpowell@naminj.org.
Wednesday, May 8 - NAMI NJ AACT-NOW Advisory Member, Winifred Chain, will be presenting information to the New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council on the Young Adult Society, SJ AACT-NOW, and the Family to Family class she is teaching. This presentation will be given to many heads of state agencies, and hospitals, and members of the Division of Mental Health and Addictions agency and others.
Thursday, May 23 - The New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp, NJ. Register here.
Check out monthly support groups hosted by NAMI local affiliates around the state
#WHYCARE #NAMICARES