NAMI Central Iowa

01/04/2026

We are incredibly thankful & excited to share we have reached over 1,000 followers on our page! THANK YOU ☺️ 1,147 to be exact!
This means we have 1,147 touched opportunities for impact in 2026! 😁
When you like and share our posts you are part of giving back by raising awareness of mental health, along with awareness of what NAMI Central Iowa has to offer for Supports, Education and Advocating opportunity! We appreciate you & welcome you to our incredible NAMI community & efforts to impact across our communities & beyond!

01/04/2026

Did you know💡💡💡💡

Hydration is crucial for mental health as it supports optimal brain function, affecting mood, focus, and stress response; dehydration can lead to fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and increased anxiety or depression by impairing neurotransmitter production (like serotonin) and oxygen flow, making clear thinking difficult, while staying hydrated promotes calm, alertness, and emotional stability.
Drink water 💦 friends!

01/03/2026

We often think that recovery is impossible. Recovery is always possible when there is connection, support and understanding of the situation available. We offer that connection, understanding and support here at NAMI Central Iowa through our peer support team. We offer a low barrier entry level program to support and walk you or your loved ones through their journey, connect to resources. We offer classes and support groups that provide community, connection and understanding.
Remember, you do not have to face this alone. 💚

01/03/2026

Have you ever had someone ask you, why did you do that?
Or say why can’t you stop doing that? Then sat there feeling helpless because you couldn’t give an answer?
It’s important to know that sometimes there is no easy or quick answer to something you yourself haven’t quite figured out. THAT’S OK.
It’s important to acknowledge there is an issue so you and your loved ones can start to understand the roots in the soil. You can’t address the addiction until the roots have been identified.

12/29/2025

Information about the Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments (HOME) waiver redesign program.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas 🎄 to all.
In honor of the holidays our office & wellness recovery center will be closed so our staff can enjoy time with their families. We will resume, January, 5th.
If you are looking for resources contact 211.
If you are needing someone to talk to
Call 800-950-6264, text “NAMI” to 62640.
In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7). 💚

12/15/2025

So often we associate guilt to not doing something we think we should. It’s okay to give ourselves some grace in these moments and let go of the guilt. Being still & pausing is also appropriate for necessary healing or mental health. 💚

12/12/2025

Creating change one conversation & county at a time:

Wednesday and Thursday our President/ CEO took part in a two day Marshall county Sequential Intercept Model Mapping with other leaders that live or serve in that county. This initiative was lead by NCSC in partnership with Iowa’s statewide Behavioral Health Judicial Branch. We are thrilled to have been hand selected to participate in this incredible project to shape the future of our BH judicial system.

12/10/2025

NAMI’s weather policy follows the Ames School District delays and cancellations for our Wellness & Recovery Center. Tomorrow our center will open at 11:00 AM to allow staff who commute to make it in safely.

The Ames Community School District is delaying start times by two hours on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, due to inclement weather.

No early kindergarten
K-5: starts at 9:40 am
Middle School: starts at 10:40 am
High School: starts at 10:30 am
No morning activities
Grab-and-go breakfast will be available upon student arrival

12/04/2025

It has been an honor this week here in Washington, D.C, to work alongside these incredible leaders. Together we truly do make a difference.
Pictured below:
NAMI State office, Executive Director and other affiliate Executive Directors that represent Iowa. It truly takes a village to create change. We are all so proud and committed to do the work that all Iowans can benefit from. We look forward to continuing the good work, together into 2026.
Roxanne Petersen- President & Chief Executive Officer

12/03/2025

Roxanne Petersen , President and CEO of NAMI Central Iowa, is in Washington, D.C. December, 1st through December 6th.

Roxanne is representing Iowa alongside many other leaders from across the US. She is focusing on 3 bipartisan bills:

Strengthening the peer specialist workforce.

Barriers to su***de act.

Ensure Health Insurance is affordable for all Iowans.

With Roxanne’s leadership she is comitted to representing Iowans and will continue to press forward in creating change and build stronger communities.