NAMI Greater OKC

NAMI Greater OKC An all-volunteer affiliate of NAMI now serving all of Oklahoma County.

Support, education, and advocacy for those suffering with mental illness and their families.

Food for thought. . . .
03/23/2026

Food for thought. . . .

Emerging research links the gut microbiome to mood stability. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits, limitations, and safety of probiotics. Learn more -> https://bit.ly/4rPE2zN

52 page guide on NAVIGATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM from NAMI
03/23/2026

52 page guide on NAVIGATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM from NAMI

NAMI has released Navigating the Criminal Justice System: A NAMI resource for people with mental illness and their families.

This resource guide was created to help people with mental illness and their families better understand what to expect — from arrest through prosecution, incarceration, and community re-entry — and how to navigate each stage.

Download the guide at nami.org/CJGuide

03/21/2026

2026 NAMIWalks Oklahoma Kickoff Event!
Date: Saturday, March 28th, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual / Zoom

Registration is required to attend.

NAMI Oklahoma is excited to launch the 2026 NAMIWalks season with our official Kickoff Celebration, and you’re invited to be part of the momentum that fuels hope, community, and mental health awareness across Oklahoma.

Our Kickoff brings together team captains, community partners, sponsors, volunteers, and new friends who want to make a difference. Whether you’re returning for another inspiring year or joining us for the first time, this event will set the tone for an unforgettable Walk season.

Why This Matters

Every step taken at NAMIWalks fuels free mental health education, support groups, and advocacy efforts for thousands of individuals and families. The Kickoff is where our shared purpose comes alive and where we begin building the energy that carries us to Walk Day on May 16, 2026.

Register for NAMIWalks today. Let’s come together, lift each other, and show Oklahoma what it looks like when a community stands united for mental health.

We can’t wait to Kickoff with you.

Have a question? Send an email to namiwalks@namioklahoma.org.

Register for the KickOff Event! at https://bit.ly/OKWalkKO26

Register for NAMIWalks Oklahoma at https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma

Important event for families who have loved ones with mental illness.
03/11/2026

Important event for families who have loved ones with mental illness.

Join Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Police Department's Hefner Division for When Crisis Calls: Understanding OKCPD’s Crisis Intervention Response on Tuesday, March 24, from 6-7:30 PM at the Belle Isle Library!

Presented by Lori Osborn, a 25-year veteran officer and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator, this town hall explains how officers recognize people in crisis, how 911 intake and diversion work, and the tools used- including alternatives to arrest and the iPad Tele-med program- to better serve individuals affected by mental illness.

Register here to help provide a headcount for snacks: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7vqvequ

If you have ever heard,"there is nothing you can do", come and be inspired at a support group convenient to you.
03/09/2026

If you have ever heard,"there is nothing you can do", come and be inspired at a support group convenient to you.

This is a great opportunity for advocates. Our voices matter.
03/09/2026

This is a great opportunity for advocates. Our voices matter.

01/26/2026

Caregiver guilt is common — but often misplaced — in brain disorders.

Families blame themselves for symptoms they did not cause, could not control, and cannot “fix.” That guilt is understandable, but it’s built on misunderstanding how brain disorders actually work.

Why caregiver guilt shows up:

• Symptoms are misread as choices
When behavior changes suddenly or dramatically, it’s easy to think something was handled wrong. Brain disorders distort judgment, insight, and behavior.

• Outcomes are unpredictable
Even with early intervention, best practices, and constant advocacy, symptoms can escalate. That is not failure — it is the nature of brain-based illness.

• Systems put pressure on families
Caregivers are often treated as the safety net for gaps in care. When systems fail, families are left holding responsibility they were never meant to carry.

• Hindsight bias
Looking back makes it seem like warning signs were obvious. In real time, symptoms are subtle, confusing, and often masked.

• Love creates responsibility — not control
Caring deeply does not grant power over illness progression. Compassion does not equal causation.

What guilt gets wrong:

• You did not cause the disorder
• You did not miss a single moment that would have changed everything
• You cannot outwork a neurological illness
• You are not responsible for symptoms driven by brain dysfunction

Caregivers do not fail their loved ones.
They carry illness alongside them — often without adequate support.

Brain disorders are not a choice — for the person experiencing them or the family supporting them.

This content is for educational and advocacy purposes only and is not medical advice. Diagnosis and treatment decisions must be made by qualified healthcare professionals.

If you care – Share

📧 bmsbdac@gmail.com | 🌐 brettstaples.org




Presented by the Brett M. Staples Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition

01/17/2026

Time to sign up for NAMI’s Family to Family class! 💚

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Edmond, OK
73083

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The NAMI Effect

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) began as a network of grassroots advocates. That spirit is alive and well in our organization. Our affiliate formerly known as NAMI Edmond-North OKC is an all volunteer group with a passion for helping others and improving the lives of those with serious mental illness.

Our affiliate is geographically defined by Oklahoma County. Because we are an active affiliate, we attract members from a wide attendance area. Our name change to NAMI Greater OKC reflects the area that we cover. Our name has changed but our mission and passion remains the same.

The mission of NAMI Greater OKC is to provide help and hope to individuals and families affected by mental illness throughout Oklahoma County. This is accomplished in several ways. We offer regularly scheduled family support group meetings. We provide much needed education by offering regularly scheduled NAMI signature family education programs developed by NAMI National. We also organize and encourage volunteers for the purpose of advocacy. Priorities include serving on community coalitions, participating in legislative advocacy, and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) booster activities.

Membership and Support Groups: Membership in NAMI is open to all. By joining an affiliate, members also join that state NAMI organization and the national organization. It is not necessary to be a member to participate in any of the programs. However, membership is a requirement for volunteer and leadership positions.