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Monthly news from NAMI California
Holiday Wishes from TeamNAMICa
We know it's a difficult time of year for our communities. Individuals living with mental health conditions and their families face challenges every day and stresses brought on by the holiday season and the pandemic are making this an especially tough time of the year. We are here for you.

Use -- and share -- our holiday guide for advice on how you and your loved ones can maintain mental health. You can also consult our guide to staying connected for ideas about staying in touch with friends and family you cannot see in person, as we continue to follow the advice of public health officials by staying home and maintaining a physical distance from those outside of our immediate households. Isolation is especially hard on those impacted by mental illness. Please join us in reaching out to those who live alone and who struggle or have struggled with mental health.
EVENTS, TRAININGS, CAMPAIGNS
The Family/Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) Webinar Training Program Training
Sign up for our Winter 2021 Family/Peer Specialist Training Program webinar training. If you're an individual with lived experience with a mental health condition -- as a peer, family member, or both -- you can apply to attend our virtual training, which provides a pathway to employment/volunteer work within the behavioral health field.
Ending the Silence Video Contest
NAMI has announced an Ending the Silence Video Contest open to NAMI members or active volunteers with a NAMI State Organization or NAMI Affiliate. New video submissions would be considered for use in the NAMI Ending the Silence (ETS) for Students presentation program. All video submissions are due by January 11, 2021. More info and the online entry form.
RESOURCES
Time off for the holiday break? Run out of TV shows to binge-watch? Looking to spend less time staring at an electronic screen?

Consider kicking back with a book -- it's good for your mental health. Find out more about how reading can reduce stress, provide us with a healthy distraction, and more.

We have updated our self-care guide to help us through this difficult time. Stress affects your entire body, physically as well as mentally, and some simple actions can help us maintain overall wellness.

Also updated: our guide to help caregivers and family and friends of those living with mental health conditions.

Pandemic Resources: We're keeping our pandemic resource guides updated with new information, including our school guide to help students and parents and mental health impacts and support.
Community Voices
30-Second Surveys and Responses
We have received great responses to our surveys this year!

We plan to share the inspiring answers in the new year to the questions and to continue to provide opportunities for you to share your voice and help others. In the meantime, please take a minute (or two or three!) to answer any questions you might have missed.
Support for NAMI California
This year has been challenging for us all, and we are especially grateful for what we have this year. That includes you! We couldn't make the strides we do to improve mental health for our communities without the input and support of our members.

If you are already a member, we thank you! Won't you consider gifting a membership or making a donation in the name of a family member, friend or colleague? Giving forward will help us improve the lives of more individuals, families and communities impacted by mental illness in California.
Make purchases on Amazon Smile, and a small portion of sales will be donated to support our work. It’s just like shopping on Amazon, but you sign in using this customized link and choose NAMI California as the charity of your choice. No extra cost! You can also purchase gift cards through GiftBar and a portion of proceeds will be donated to NAMI California. More on ways you can give.

There are many other ways you can be involved in our efforts to improve mental health care and service for all Californians. Support advocacy efforts, find out about volunteer opportunities, share your insights and stories, apply to be on NAMI California's Board, and more. And did you know you can support NAMI California by shopping on Amazon or checking a box when you file your taxes? Find out about all the ways you can give to NAMI California. Thank you!