September 23, 2020

Message from CEO Jessica Cruz

The countdown is officially on for our annual conference set for October 12 to 13. We're also weeks away from Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4 to 10) and World Mental Health Day on October 10, and we're making Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) by elevating Latinx voices in our communities.... We hope you are safe from the wildfires that have devastated our state and communities. Our Wildfire Information and Resource Guide has been updated with ways to get informed, be prepared, and stay well, including advice on managing stress and maintaining mental health. We are also continuing to update our resources to help during the pandemic and recently added advice from community members to our school guide. One of my own self-care tips is to stay active and I published an op-ed on the mental health benefits of exercise. More below!

EVENTS

NAMI California Annual Conference

Have you registered for our virtual conference October 12-13? Attendees are already connecting and interacting on the Whova app we are using for the event. Our conference agenda and list of speakers is up and we're also accepting questions for our Ask the Doctors sessions. Find out more, register, download the app, and spread the word!

Town Hall Meetings

September 29: The California Alliance of California Alliance of Child and Family Services will join us. October 29: The California Association of Local Behavioral Health Boards and Commissions (CalBHBC) will join us.  Find out more and watch video replays of recent Town Hall meetings.

WHAT'S NEW: RESOURCES, UPDATES, WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hispanic Heritage Month

We mark Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) each year to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans and put a focus on advocating for better mental health services for their communities. Find out more, including mental health challenges faced by Latinx communities. Do you identify as Latinx and have insights or a story to share about your lived experience with a mental health condition?

Advice for Families with Students

We have comments from community leaders, including the First Partner of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, about maintaining mental wellness with kids back in school during the pandemic. Do you have advice to share for parents or students? Is there something you’ve done to make this time easier for your family? Share what you are doing to help maintain mental health for you and your family during the pandemic.

Mental Illness Awareness Week: Sharing and Understanding

While mental health awareness is something we work on every day, we join others in efforts to educate and inspire the public for Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4 to 10). Our focus this year is on understanding. Those impacted by mental illness often feel misunderstood. But those in our NAMI community know that the support we give and receive when we share our stories helps us. Connecting with others who understand what we are going through helps support us and provide us with strength in our recovery. When we share information, insights, and personal stories, we can also help end stigma and encourage others to get the help they need. What do you want others to understand about living with a mental health condition or about what it's like to be a family member of someone living with mental illness? Share your answer by form here or on the social media posts we share the week of October 4. Find more ways to share insights and stories.

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. Find out more and apply.

Advocacy Updates and Actions Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, putting the country on track to make a three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis line fully operational. Thank you to those who signed NAMI's petition! The California State Legislature completed their session at the end of August. Here's our summary, along with and letters to sign for two bills that are on the Governor's desk for his signature: Sign our letter in support of AB 3242 to make mental health assessments and treatment quicker and more accessible through telehealth and other remote technology; and our letter in support of SB 803 to standardize high-quality peer and family mental health support services. Thanks to all who joined us for our recent Advocacy Day! Have you filled out the census? September 30 is the deadline. An accurate count will mean we get more funds and representation for our communities.

Are you registered to vote? Have you checked your registration? Do you have a plan to vote? Are you talking to friends, family and co-workers about voting? Every election provides us with an opportunity to vote for leaders and laws that can improve mental health services for individuals, families, and communities. Every vote counts! Check your registration and find out more.

Support for NAMI California

There are many 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.

During these difficult times, support from our community is more appreciated than ever. Renewing your membership, getting a membership for a loved one, or making a donation goes a long way. As a nonprofit organization, every dollar donated to us funds our vital work to help our communities! In addition to becoming a member, 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!

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