Come for the help, stay for the hope.
November 2019 Newsletter
Welcoming the Holidays

We understand that the holidays can be stressful and challenging for individuals and families impacted by mental health conditions. Please know you are not alone. We have support groups (see special holiday hours below) and resources on our website, including these new posts:


We are also grateful for your support! If you are making contributions to good causes on Giving Tuesday, we hope you will consider support for our work.

We hope you and your family have a peaceful and joyful holiday.
Community Support
Special Holiday Hours for Support Groups
Family Support Group at Daniel’s Place
There will be no family support group at Daniel’s Place during the month of December.

Peer Support Group at Cedars-Sinai
The group will not meet on Tuesday, November 26.

Peer Support Group at Didi Hirsch
The group will not meet on Wednesday, November 27.

Peer-to-Peer Class
The class will not meet on Wednesday, November 27.

Family-to-Family Class
The class will not meet on Thursday, November 28.
Family-to-Family Classes
We have 2 new Westside LA Family-to-Family sessions for Winter 2020, starting in January; Mondays at Cedars-Sinai and Tuesdays in Pacific Palisades. Find out more about the class (it's free!) and sign up for a class.
Peer-to-Peer Classes
We have a Winter 2020 Peer-to-Peer class starting in January. The 8-week class is Friday nights in Santa Monica, starting January 9. Find out more about the class (it's free!) and sign up online for the class.
Community Events
Monthly Speaker Series
For the night reserved for our December speaker series, we will have a special film screening: "Two Ways Home." The feature film by Ron Vignone stars Tanna Frederick and shows the impact of mental illness on a family. We will be serving popcorn, soft drinks, and movie candy.

Wednesday, December 4, 7 pm

The Vista Del Mar Child Study Center: 3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles 90069 ( map )
Community Outreach
Our Executive Director, Erin Raftery Ryan, participated in a panel discussion after a special screening at the Museum of Tolerance of HBO’s documentary, “Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops,” about two members of San Antonio Police Department’s mental health unit. We recommend seeing the film!
Members of our staff and board attended the Santa Monica Wellbeing Summit, which included discussions on mental health. Pictured with our Board Co-President, Sharon Dunas: NAMI WLA Peer Mentor Sanjeet Sirota (left) and one of the event's speakers, Dr. Xavier Amador (right, author of "I'm Not Sick, I Don't Need Help").
Ending the Silence
Our Ending the Silence presentations at area schools continue, and we have joined conversations with school counselors and administrators on other ways to support student mental heath.

Last week, we joined representatives from Palisades Charter High School at Beverly Hills High School for a meeting on student wellness.
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.  Share your answer!