Come for the help, stay for the hope.

October 2019 Newsletter

New On Our Website

On the News: Our Executive Director, Erin Raftery Ryan, was interviewed by CBS News Los Angeles about a report of first responders saving the life of a man threatening to jump from a freeway overpass. See the video clip. For ADHD Awareness Month: What Parents Can Do To Help Children Living with ADHD . "Why We Need Mental Health Education in High Schools" an essay by Ryan published by Thrive essay on Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington's new wellness-focussed website. 11 Ways to Make Space for the Mental Illness Visiting Your Family by our Board Co-President, Sharon Dunas. Getty Fire: Information and Resources, including how to be prepared. Video clip from the CBS This Morning's special, "Stop the Stigma: A Conversation About Mental Health."

More posts and resources

Community Events

NAMIWALKS Los Angeles

Thanks to all of you who joined us for another fantastic NAMIWalks ! We've posted photos from the event. And let's hear it for our fundraising teams (psssst: it's not too late to make a donation): Best Club You Never Wanted to Join – Shelley Hoffman ; Heal the Brain – Sharon Dunas ; Recovery Not Stigma! – Linda Diamond-Klopert ; We Are Not Alone – Deborah Juster ; Westside Story – NAMI Westside Office ; The Wright Step – Mitzi Wright .

Monthly Speaker Series

Subject : "Planning for the Future: Who Will Care When I Am Not Here?" Speaker : Marc Shulman, founder of the National Institute on Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities Date : Wednesday, November 6, 7 PM Location : The Vista Del Mar Child Study Center: 3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles 90069 ( map ) Parking : Enter via the gate off Motor Ave., drive beyond the security kiosk and up the hill. Follow signs to Shutkin Auditorium, on the left.

LPS Conservatorship Mentoring Meeting

Join us for an LPS Conservatorship Mentoring Meeting program meeting, designed to provide guidance and a greater understanding of involuntary mental health treatment (AKA the LPS Conservatorship). We will discuss various treatment programs that may be more suitable for the recovery of your love ones, how to acquire resources for treatment, and obstacles you may encounter when seeking treatment.  Date : Saturday, November 23, 1-6 pm Location : Kaiser Permanente Medical Hospital, 6041 Cadillac Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 ( map ), Room A&D Participants : Rosa Alvarez of NAMI Urban LA and Elizabeth Stephens of NAMI Westside LA will discuss LPS Conservatorship, AOT and FSP programs Connie Draxler, DMH Deputy Director Public Guardian, will discuss the LPS Conservatorship legal court process and procedures Dr. Amanda Ruiz, MHC Program Manager and Director of Intensive Care Division of DMH, will be our guest speaker to keep us abreast of the changes within the mental health system

More info

Free Movie Screening

There will be a free screening of an HBO documentary, "Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops," at the Museum of Tolerance on Sunday, November 3 at 5 pm. The film shows the officers de-escalate confrontations, divert people to mental health services, and save lives. A Q&A and reception will follow the screening. RSVP is required.

More info & RSVP

Thanks to our friends at BoxUnion and Combo Boxing for partnering together for a Mental Health Awareness Day event to raise awareness — and funds for us. Please contact us if you have opportunities for us to table at events or if you would like to have Westside LA fundraiser for our members.

Community Outreach

Ending the Silence

We're excited to report we started making Ending the Silence presentations  at Fairfax High School  this month. Thanks to school counselor Yelena Ginko, the teachers, and all the students who listened and asked questions. We also gave a presentations to students in the substance abuse program at Palisades Charter High School, and participated in their mental health-themed Community Day, which featured a performance by one of our ambassadors and presenters, Dylan Dunlap. "They emphasized that everyone has mental health. It was cool that they talked about how everyone knows someone with a mental illness." -- one of the students from Pali High.

More about Ending the Silence

Community Action

Action Alert

If you're in a car accident, you don’t have to remember a 10-digit number to get help⁠—a mental health emergency shouldn't be different. Sign NAMI's letter to urge your Senator to support creating a nationwide 9-8-8 number for suicide prevention & mental health crisis.

Community Voices

NAMI California has a monthly question to help reduce stigma and inspire others in our communities. This month's question: Why do you care about making mental health a priority? What is your motivation?

Share your answer!

Community Support

Family Support Groups

Our free family support groups are for family members and loved ones of individuals living with mental health conditions. Mondays, 6:30-8 pm, in Culver City 1st Tuesday of the month, 6-7:30 pm, in Malibu 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 6-7:30 pm, in Topanga 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 10-11:30 am, in Brentwood

Peer Support Groups

Our free peer support groups are for individuals living with mental health conditions. Tuesdays, 6:30-8 pm, at Cedars-Sinai Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm, in Culver City

More about our support groups

NEW! NAMi's Basics Class Online

Are you a parent or caregiver of a young person experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition? NAMI Basics , a free education program, is designed to help you -- and it’s now offered online.

Sign up for NAMI Basics Online

Family-to-Family Classes

Our free Family-to-Family classes for fall are booked and in session. Find out more about the class and sign up for future class.

Peer-to-Peer Classes

Our fall Peer-to-Peer class is in session. Find out more about the class and sign up online for a future class.

More about our classes

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