NAMI Western Carolina

01/09/2026

Hey all!!! Our Parents and Caregivers of Teens Support Group will now be hosted virtually.

We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

This is a group for all parents and caregivers of teens (ages 12-18) who have mental health challenges and are looking to connect with others who share similar experiences.

Register for our next group on January 13th at https://namiwnc.org/parents-and-caregivers-of-teens-group-will-now-be-virtuall/

01/07/2026

As we enter the new year, we’re setting the intention to grow our programs, expand our partnerships, and deepen connection within our community. As this work unfolds, our volunteer needs are naturally growing as well. We’d love to gather together to connect with one another, weave a stronger sense of community, and stay informed about upcoming opportunities to get involved.

01/06/2026

Hey all! We’re reaching out to ask for snack donations. We offer snacks to anyone who walks through our doors. Many of the folks we serve are navigating mental health challenges and housing insecurity.

Our space operates with an open-door policy, and our goal is to be a comforting, welcoming place where people feel supported as they move toward wellness. Having snacks available helps us meet immediate needs and show care in a very tangible way.

If you’re able to donate snacks or share this post, we’d be so grateful. Every contribution helps us continue supporting our community. 💙

01/06/2026

12/23/2025

Growing Around Grief is a model created by grief counselor Dr. Lois Tonkin. Tonkin came up with the model after speaking to a client about the death of their child. The woman told Tonkin that at first grief filled every part of her life. She drew a picture with a circle to represent her life and shading to indicate her grief. It was all-consuming.⁠
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She had thought that as time went by the grief would shrink and become a much smaller part of her life. But what happened was different. The grief stayed just as big, but her life grew around it. There were times where she felt the grief as intensely as when her child first died. But there were other times where she felt she lived her life in the space outside the circle.⁠
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This view of grief does not tell someone that their grief will go away in time. You will never be "over it." It acknowledges that there will be some days where you feel grief as strongly as you did when the person first died. But there will also be days when you are able to move on with other parts of your life.⁠
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The "growing around grief" model shows how we can still grieve the loss of our loved one while carrying on with our own lives. It shows that we can grow a new life which includes the loss.⁠

🎨 Art by creative.clinical.psychologist on Instagram
✍️ Words by Cruse Bereavement Support

12/22/2025

If this season feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone.

The NAMI HelpLine is here for you. Call 1-800-950-6264 or text 'NAMI' to 62640.

12/20/2025

Season’s Greetings! Please note we will be closed for the holidays from December 24 to January 1st. We will reopen on January 2. Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to serving you in the new year!

12/11/2025

We’re always looking for volunteers to help lead support groups, spread the word in the community, and assist with events and activities. Please fill our our interest form if you are interested in getting involved!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfs5qv0kAm6RFHZvKWg7zioYwILmJR1bVl25ASIFra1sF-5zA/viewform?usp=header

12/10/2025

Our Parents and Caregivers of Teens Support Group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. This group offers connection, resources, and support for any adult caring for a loved one ages 12–18 who is experiencing mental health challenges.

12/08/2025

Our Annual Dinner was a wonderful success! We were proud to honor our Volunteers of the Year, Theo Solomon and Grant Hellyer, as well as our CIT Officer of the Year, Adam Hunnicutt. The evening was filled with connection, interactive activities, and powerful stories shared by local musicians about overcoming challenge. Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our mission.

12/01/2025

Hello all!!! This is your gentle reminder to register for our annual dinner if you haven't done so! :) You can do so by filling this form our here : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI1Gr9siOraxsI-FLxIM6TXPnFBQ_A9XPBpJj4NtjECEecxQ/viewform?usp=header

Hello all! We’re excited to gather for our Winter Wonderland Annual Dinner on Thursday, December 4, from 5–7 PM at St. Marks Lutheran Church. It’s a chance to share a meal, and spend time with our community.

If you’d like to join us, please RSVP using this google form : https://forms.gle/EEsRDRzbGGzwL6Wf7

or reach out to info@namiwnc.org or (828) 505-7353.
We hope to see you there! :)

11/19/2025

We are excited to share that NAMI Western Carolina received Affiliate of the Year at NAMI North Carolina's state conference! We are so so grateful for our large team of volunteers who make this work possible.