The Voice E-News
May 3rd, 2020
NAMI Washington's New Affiliate & Membership Manager
NAMI Washington is proud to welcome our first ever Affiliate & Membership Manager, Summer Starr.

Summer Starr was born and raised in Whatcom County where she currently resides. She has a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington and a Master's degree in International Affairs and Non-profit Management from University of California, San Diego. She spent much of her early career working in Africa and India on grassroots initiatives to address poverty including providing organizational capacity building support for nonprofits as a consultant and an Executive Director. She returned to the US in 2013 and has most recently been managing the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County at the Opportunity Council. In 2007 Summer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and it has been a professional goal to use her non-profit skills to support peer-led mental health initiatives. As an In Our Own Voice speaker for NAMI Whatcom, Summer has seen the powerful way NAMI supports individuals and families facing the challenges of mental health issues. She also brings a holistic perspective to mental health as a dancer, poet, published author, facilitator of community discussions on equity issues, board member for an inclusive spirituality retreat center and an intuitive healer.

Summer's first day on staff is May 10th and she'll lead our new Affiliate & Membership Department, and will provide leadership for the development, implementation, monitoring, and support of NAMI Affiliates across Washington State, with special focus on rural areas and with the Washington State Tribes, assuring stability and sustainability of the affiliates. Her email is SStarr@namiwa.org. Welcome Summer!
NAMI Washington News & Events
May is Mental Health Awareness Month -- and there's lots to do!!
May 7th is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day! Be sure that you're following our social media so you don't miss out on our Children's Mental Health Awareness Day surprise!

May 15th is all about renewal and restoration. Click here to register for NAMI Washington's self-care and renewal event!

Join NAMI Eastside on May 21st and 22nd for their 11th Annual Youth Mental Health Conference! Click here for more information and to register.

We're officially Kicking off our 2021 NAMIWalks Your Way Washington event on May 22 at 11 am. Come (virtually) to hear about our plans for event day, what NAMIWalks Your Way is all about, easy ways to fundraise, and more. RSVP here.

Finally, join NAMI Washington on May 29th for a sneak peek of the upcoming PBS documentary "Mysteries of Mental Illness"

Stay tuned for more information!
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day | Meet Little Monster !
Meet Little Monster! is a FREE coloring and activity book for elementary-aged youth that teaches emotional literacy, communication, and social skills through fun coloring pages and puzzles!

Meet Little Monster! is a collaborative project between NAMI WA and social worker/illustrator/superstar Honor Heindl

Meet Little Monster! will be available for free as a digital download on our website beginning on Children's Mental Health Awareness Day (May 7th), and in printed copy from select NAMI affiliates across the state.

And guess what? Subscribers to The Voice get a sneak peek! Click to download Little Monster's Feelings Wheel and Little Monster's Feelings Plan.

Want more ways to celebrate Children's Mental Health Awareness Week? Check out this free week of virtual children's programming from our friends at the Youth Mental Health Project!
Activities include ribbon dance, glitter jars, mindfulness workshops and the Youth Edition of the Mental Health Monologues.

For a full list of programming and to register, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page!
Tomorrow starts two BIG days of giving! Join thousands who are showing their support for their favorite nonprofits. Every donation made to NAMI Washington will help us go further to achieve our mission to improve the lives of people affected by mental health conditions.
 
Here’s how you can help:
1.      Give (BIG) to NAMI Washington at www.GiveBigWA.org/namiwa.
2.      Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to help build our momentum by telling all your friends and family why you support our organization through #GiveBIG.
3.      Spread the word! Forward this email to your family and friends along with a personal note as to why you believe in our work, and why they should give to NAMI Washington today.
 
Tomorrow is your chance to make a real difference right here in your community. Thanks for your support!
NAMI Washington Education Trainings and Programs
NAMI Connections Support Group
June 25th-27th | apply by May 9, 2021

NAMI Family Support Group
July 23rd-25th | apply by June 7, 2021

NAMI Basics
Aug 13-15 | apply by June 27, 2021


Not sure which training is right for you? Click here to read about NAMI's programming.

Don't see what you're looking for? Click here to view a complete calendar of trainings.

NOTE: All listed trainings are currently being conducted virtually through Zoom as part of NAMI's efforts to remain accessible and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAMI Washington Public Policy and Advocacy
A new report on the lack of mental health supports in Washington has been published in the Winter 2021 issue of the City Journal. This important and difficult report can be accessed here.

Are you curious to know what NAMI Washington is up to with policy and advocacy?
You can use this link to sign up for our action alerts and weekly legislative updates! That link will also take you to our public bill tracker so that you can see all the bills we are tracking and their up-to-date status anytime! You can also see our policy and advocacy one-pagers with this handy link.

Did you know that NAMI Washington is also a part of groups that provide feedback and suggestions on key issues like the ITA, Trueblood, and policing?
It's important for us to hear from you so that we can uplift your suggestions and experiences to make the systemic changes we want to see. To provide feedback, suggestions, or share experiences that you want heard you can use the following links at any time:
Volunteer Opportunities!
NAMI Washington is seeking volunteers and interns!

  • SOCIAL MEDIA
  • BUILDING WEBSITES ON WIX
  • CODING (PHP)
  • FUNDRAISING WITH NAMIWALKS
  • LOTS OF COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Cmt
  • FaithNet Cmt
  • Philanthropy Cmt
  • Veteran & Service Members Cmt
Join Thriving Thursdays, a weekly peer meeting hosted by Peer Kent, Peer Workforce Alliance, WSCC, and NAMI Washington! Each meeting will feature updates from HCA on COVID-19, check-in time for your community, and a dose of joy to carry you through your day. Click here to register. For registration information and other questions, contact Karen Kelly at karenkelly@wscsupport.org
Have Private Insurance?
Is your health insurance company making it hard for you to get coverage for mental health and/or substance use disorder services? The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner can help you if you are on a commercial, fully insured plan or a Qualified Health Plan through the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange.

Contact us if:
  • You can’t find a provider in your network.
  • Your claims for services are being delayed or denied.
  • You have questions about your insurance rights.


For questions concerning complaint confidentiality, click here to learn how the OIC protects information provided to us to the full extent of the law.
Radical Readings


This issue's spotlight is about PTSD and the Rwandan Genocide. Read Victoria Uwonkunda's work, "Mental health: Trauma, genocide and my invisible illness"


For more information and continuing education about healing and governance in Rwanda post-genocide, consider attending this presentation by Athena Phillips, LCSW & Yvonne Uwamahoro :

Trauma-Informed Governance in Rwanda:
An inspirational presentation on Rwanda's recovery efforts and application of trauma-informed principles


Radical Readings exists as a platform for sharing the work of people of color as it relates to racism, trauma, and mental health. We would love to spotlight your stories here. You can submit your stories to Sophia at any time.
Affiliate News & Events
NAMI Eastside is hosting a discussion about what to expect when you come to the Emergency Department for a psychiatric emergency. Click here for more information. For registration, click here.

Join NAMI Eastside for a LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) Workshop on Saturday, June 26th. The 3-hour workshop will focus on teaching skills to build mutual, respectful, and trusting relationships that lead to treatment and recovery. For more information and to register, click here.
NAMI Pierce County is hosting the following events in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month!

  • In Our Own Voice (IOOV) presentation on Saturday May 8
  • Pierce County Co-Responder Team & 9-8-8 Crisis Line Presentation May 15
  • Pierce County Juvenile Court & Kids Mental Health PC presentations May 19
  • NAMI Pierce  "Sharing your story" and "behind the story of 'Bust or Break the Stigma'
  • Family to Family: beginning May 25 Tuesdays thru July 13 @ 6:00 pm
  • Peer to Peer: beginning May 28 Fridays thru July 16 @ 6:30 pm 
  • Veterans & Military Families Self-Care Workshop beginning June 1 Tuesdays thru June 29
For more information or to register: 
 info@namipierce.org or 253-677-6629
NAMI Seattle is offering several opportunities to get involved and get support! (Click the links to learn more and register)

  • Ending the Silence - Youth Mental Health Training for School Staff, May 7 1-2:30PM, Click here.
  • LEAP Workshop - Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner, based on teachings from "I'm Not Sick, I Don't Need Help" by Dr. Xavier Amador, May 15 9:30AM-12:30PM, Click here.
  • Parent Support Calls - Are you a parent or guardian of a school-age child or young adult? Are you looking for extra support and connection, or help navigating resources during these hard times? Join fellow parents and community providers to ask questions and get ideas and support. We know your life is busy – stay for the whole call or leave early if you need to. 2nd and 4th Friday of the Month 6-7PM, Click here for 2nd Fridays, Click here for 4th Fridays.
NAMI Skagit is accepting applications for Peer-to-Peer, the classes will be on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10AM to 12:30PM from June 1st till the 29th. To sign up please contact Polly!
NAMI Yakima is offering English and Spanish-language programming in May!

  • Autorregulacion / Self Regulation en Espanol, a 3 week webinar series in Spanish, May 5th, 12th, and 19th from 7-8PM.
  • Become a Trusted Adult, a week webinar series in English, May 10th, 17th, and 24th from 7-8PM

National News & Events
NAMI is joining with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for a virtual panel discussion focused on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 among adolescents. The panel will be hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel Gillison Jr. & Michelle A. Williams, Dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It will be moderated by Nightline's Juju Chang and will feature the following estemeed panelists.

  • Archana Basu, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 
  • Christine Crawford, M.D., Adult and Child Psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director, NAMI (@DrChrissyCrawf) 
  • Corinne Foxx, Actress, Producer, Writer and Influencer, NAMI Ambassador (@corinnefoxx)
  • Garth Graham, M.D., Director and Global Head of Healthcare and Public Health at Google/YouTube
  • Aija Mayrock, Poet, Author and Influencer, NAMI Ambassador


May 6, 2021, 1–2 p.m. ET/10-11 a.m. PT. Click here to register.
NAMI's CEO has issued a statement on the outcome Derek Chauvin trial. To read it, please click here.
COVID-19 Resources and Information
The FCC has announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit to cover part of your broadband bill during the pandemic. This program starts May 12. Click here to learn more.

All Washingtonians 16+ Vaccine Eligible Now!

Everyone 16 and older is currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination!




Don't get it twisted: COVID -19 remains a serious risk. It will take many, many months before we can control the spread of the virus through vaccination alone. Until then, wearing a mask and vigilant social distancing remains our best defense against community spread.

COVID-19 Resources



  • WA Listens 1-833-681-0211
Survey and Research Opportunitites
The Harborview Behavioral Health Institute in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority is conducting a consumer telehealth survey to assess the adequacy and experience of behavioral health services during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is available in ten languages. 
Community News & Connections
If you are a local organization and you would like NAMI to promote anything for you in our social media, please contact us!
Veterans and Service Members
You have questions. VA has answers.
Call VA today.
1-800-MyVA411
(1-800-698-2411)
The number to call when you don’t know who to call.
 
You only need to remember one number for information on VA care, benefits, and services or to speak to a live agent for assistance!
Our Premiere Walk Sponsor
Fairfax Behavioral Health Introduces Telehealth Services

Fairfax Behavioral Health now offers Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program via TELEHEALTH! Telehealth services at Fairfax use technology to delivery care,
allowing participants to access services from the comfort of their own homes.
Please click here for more information about this program.