Come for the help, stay for the hope.
February 2020 Newsletter
Clear Vision for 2020

We're excited to share that we're working on big plans for the year -- and decade! -- as our NAMI affiliate continues to grow and offer expanded mental health resources for our community.

To begin with: more classes and support groups for families and peers, as well as more Ending the Silence presentations for students, from Malibu to Hollywood! 

To help us with our vision and continued growth, we have engaged the leadership and consulting firm, TurningWest, to provide us with board governance education, assistance with nonprofit compliance policies, and HR guidance. We also recently welcomed three new experienced and deeply committed board members: Lanetta Wahlgren, Karena Dawn, and Payal Patel. We will keep you posted on new developments as continue to evolve!
Community Events
Janis Black Warner Monthly Speaker Series
Topic : Dave Leon and The Painted Brain: Using the Arts to Change the Discussion About Mental Health Conditions

Speaker : Dave Leon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founding Director of the Painted Brain. He has extensive social work practice experience in group homes, homeless shelters, hospitals, community mental health centers, and college counseling centers for close to 20 years. He will be joined by a panel of activists and participants from the Painted Brain. 

Date : Wednesday, February 5, 7 pm

Place : The Vista Del Mar Child Study Center: 3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles 90069 ( map )
Community Outreach
Mental Health Town Hall
Our Program Director, Tim Davis, and Outreach coordinator, Elizabeth Stephens, spoke at a mental health-themed town hall for Service Area 5 (Westside LA), to let the community know about the free services we offer for our Westside community. The event was presented by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission, on Saturday, February 25.
NAMI WLA at Sundance
It was an honor to have our Executive Director, Erin Raftery Ryan, included on a panel to discuss mental health, at the Instant Karma pop-up lounge set up for Sundance Film Fest by Backline. Pictured: Ryan with another panelist, Mix Master Mike.

Ending the Silence Expansion
We're happy to welcome a new lead Ending the Silence presenter: Leisle Bartley (pictured here conducting a Q&A at Malibu High with youth presenter Britt Turpack).

Find out how you can bring the (free!) ETS presentation to your school!
Community Action
Action Alert
Let's make the 3-digit suicide and mental health crisis line a reality! The FCC unanimously approved the proposal for the new 3-digit number as the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Here’s how you can help to help support 9-8-8:


Community Voices
Are you a family member or loved one of an individual with a mental health condition or someone with direct experience accessing services in the mental health care system? We want to hear from you! Take NAMI California's stakeholder surveys.

Did you see the Grammy Awards? It was encouraging to hear artists openly discuss mental health. More on our blog.
Community Support
Family Support Group, temporarily at Step Up On Second (formerly Daniel’s Place in Santa Monica)
2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7-8:30 pm
3435 Ocean Park Blvd. #207, Santa Monica 90405
Parking is free on site for meeting times
Special Note on Location : As Daniel's Place has moved out from its prior location and will not be in the new location for a few months, the family support groups will temporarily take place at Step Up On Second.

Family Support Group at the Brentwood Branch Library
2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 10-11 am
11820 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood 90049

Family Support Group at Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center
Mondays, 6:30-8 pm
4760 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90230

NEW! Family-to-Family Class Graduates Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 7:30-9 pm
1444 Roxbury Dr., Los Angeles 90035

Peer Support Group at Cedars-Sinai
Tuesdays, 6:30-8 pm
8700 Beverly Blvd., Briskin Conference Room, Los Angeles 90048

Peer Support Group at Didi Hirsch in Culver City
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
4760 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90230
Your Support
Your membership and donations help us make a difference in the lives of Angelenos living with and impacted by mental health conditions. We hope we can count on your support by being a part of the NAMI Westside Los Angeles member family. Become a member, renew your membership, or make a donation today. Thank you!