NAMI Minnesota

10/16/2025

Cuts at SAMHSA threaten vital funding for the 988 hotline, community mental health grants, and support programs for underserved populations — we risk rolling back years of progress just when help is needed most.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a grantmaking agency that provides funding and support for state mental health programs, has been hit with "reduction in force" notices.

10/16/2025

After twenty-four years, it is hard to say goodbye. Together – board, staff, members, and volunteers – we have grown our movement. Our core mission continues stronger than ever due to people’s passion. People willing to educate others, share their stories to change public attitudes, organize for change, and connect with others so they know they are not alone.

Over time, we have significantly expanded our programming to include su***de prevention, a focus on employment, psychosis, older adults, teens, culturally diverse communities, physical health, and so much more. NAMI Minnesota is leading the movement to build a mental health system.
I feel honored to have had the opportunity to listen to and lead our grassroots to make meaningful changes at the legislature. NAMI Minnesota’s work is rooted in those who had the courage to come forward to share their stories on a wide range of issues, such as CADI waivers, crisis services, su***de, solitary confinement, and postpartum depression. Their stories had a tremendous impact.

This work was not done in isolation. I have greatly appreciated the partnerships and collaborations that have developed over the years through the Mental Health Legislation Network, Agency Commissioners, department staff, legislators, and legislative staff. Working with so many of these groups on task forces and commissions has reinforced the idea that the best solutions and legislation come from engaging all sides and working together to create solutions.

I want to thank the media for their work, for shining a light on the crucial issues facing our mental health community. And of course, the foundations and donors who make NAMI’s work possible.

As I look back at my career, it’s always been about the people. The people who believed in creating change, the people who held on to hope, the people who simply never gave up.

People know that I have a long list of favorite quotes. But the one that rings true for me now is that we are here to plant the seeds of trees under whose shade we do not expect to sit. Please continue to tend to these seeds and carry on NAMI’s mission. My work here is done. Thank you.

10/16/2025

NAMI Minnesota’s Senior Policy Coordinator will moderate a panel of three experts in Minnesota’s juvenile justice system for a discussion on the experiences of BIPOC youth in the system. Learn about the barriers and successes of different efforts in the state to decrease youth incarceration, eliminate disparities, and reduce harm, and how those efforts intersect with building the children’s mental health system. https://namimn.org/bipoc-youth-and-juvenile-justice/

Thank you Acquire Mental Health Clinic for sponsoring this important event.

Some of the most pressing issues facing Minnesota today, including BIPOC youth and juvenile justice and school absenteeism and refusal, will be discussed at

10/16/2025

Sue Abderholden is retiring after more than two decades leading NAMI Minnesota, the state's chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness.

As one of the state’s most influential voices for mental health, she’s helped raise awareness, change laws and expand access to care.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with Abderholden about how far Minnesota has come — and what work still lies ahead.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with Sue Abderholden about her long career shaping public policies that improve the lives of people with mental illnesses or disabilities.

10/15/2025

Explore psychosomatic theory, movement, and grounding practices to help each nervous system embody presence. With play and gentleness, participants will attune themselves to their surroundings and their needs for freedom, connection, and rest.

Join us on Saturday, November 1st for the annual NAMI Minnesota State Conference to attend workshops of your choosing, help us recognize the contributions of this year’s NAMI award winners during our annual Awards Luncheon and hear from our panel of Keynote speakers.

CEUs: 4.5 hours for social workers from the Minnesota Board of Social Work, for LPCs/LPCCs and LADCs from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy, and for LMFTs from the Minnesota Board of Marriage & Family Therapy.

Thank you MinnPost, Progress Valley, Inc., and HP Psychological Associates for sponsoring this event.

Cost: Tickets cost $85 for general admission. CEU credits cost an additional $40. Scholarships are available upon request.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-nami-minnesota-state-conference-tickets-1538295566449

10/15/2025

The work of the staff at SAMHSA saves lives. Unfortunately, mass staff reduction of force risks the progress we’ve made as a country in addressing our mental health crisis – a crisis that impacts nearly every family in every corner of our country, including Minnesota.

Sources tell NPR that more than 100 employees have been laid off at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had some cuts reversed late Saturday.

10/15/2025

Today is the last day of Sue Abderholden as our executive director. We are going to miss her!
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/11/sue-abderholden-qa-nami-minnesota/

Via Pioneer Press

Abderholden retires on Wednesday after 24 years as executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

10/15/2025

The article “Ruling focuses on bed space need for mentally ill” (Oct. 9) focused on the court’s decision regarding who pays for legal fees, but included in it is the problem Minnesota and many other states are facing: increasing numbers of people with mental illnesses deemed incompetent to stand trial.

In 2013 when the original law requiring people in jail deemed incompetent and committed to be moved within 48 hours, there were only 46 people waiting for a state hospital bed. That number jumped to 424 in 2024. That law was suspended because the deadline could never be met.

It’s important to note that actions are being taken, from a legislatively directed task force in 2019 to review competency restoration issues, to the forming of the priority admissions task force in 2023. Both groups developed recommendations on how to address this issue, several of which have been implemented.

While adding 50 new beds at Anoka Regional Treatment Center was a key recommendation, we knew we could not build our way out of this problem. Those beds are a “backdoor issue” and we need to look at the “front door” of the jails. How do we intervene early before someone has a mental health crisis and comes into contact with police? (Note that the person at the center of the lawsuit in the article was in a hospital when arrested.)

The new voluntary engagement pilots will hopefully prove to be effective in intervening and engaging people in treatment voluntarily before a crisis. Mobile mental health crisis teams covering all 87 counties are effective but are woefully underfunded. First Episode of Psychosis programs help young people change the trajectory of their lives, but we have too few programs to meet the needs. We have more services than ever before, but it’s difficult to expand them because Medicaid rates, the largest payer of mental health services, are very low compared to the cost of providing treatment.

We know what to do — and have known for many years. We need to fund it.

Sue Abderholden, St. Paul

The writer is executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

This state Supreme Court ruling highlights known cracks in our mental health system.

10/14/2025

Unfortunately, the federal government shutdown, which started October 1, has now stretched on for two full weeks, making it the fifth longest shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown not only disrupts or threatens services, but over the weekend, a large number of federal employees received layoff notices, including many reported layoffs at SAMHSA.

NAMI National issued a statement today on the layoffs.

NAMI is deeply alarmed by reports of significant staffing cuts at the SAMHSA that threaten to weaken the stability of our nation’s mental health and substance use systems—especially during a time of growing need.

SAMHSA’s leadership in advancing prevention, treatment, and crisis care—especially through initiatives like the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline—is essential. These professionals help millions of Americans access hope, healing, and community support.

As the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, NAMI calls on policymakers to protect and strengthen SAMHSA’s capacity to serve people and families in every community. Now more than ever, we must invest in the people and programs that make recovery possible.

Read our full statement: https://www.nami.org/nami-news/nami-condemns-layoffs-at-samhsa-and-other-federal-agencies/

10/14/2025

Hundreds of federal employees working on mental health services, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness were among those hit by the Trump administration’s mass firings.

Federal employees working on mental health services, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness were among those hit by the Trump administration’s mass firings over the weekend.

10/14/2025

NAMI Minnesota is hosting its annual State Conference, From Advocacy to Action: Mobilizing for Mental Health Equity, on November 1, 2025, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Key sessions will tackle topics like red flag laws, AI’s impact on mental health, school absenteeism, mobile crisis response, and affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community. Marcus Schmit, the organization’s new Executive Director, will join us—alongside former NAMI Minnesota leadership and national advocacy experts—to spark dialogue and shape mental health policy. Registration is open now and includes lunch.

From Advocacy to Action: Mobilizing for Mental Health Equity

10/14/2025

NAMI Minnesota is hosting its annual State Conference, From Advocacy to Action: Mobilizing for Mental Health Equity, on November 1, 2025, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Key sessions will tackle topics like red flag laws, AI’s impact on mental health, school absenteeism, mobile crisis response, and affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community. Marcus Schmit, the organization’s new Executive Director, will join us—alongside former NAMI Minnesota leadership and national advocacy experts—to spark dialogue and shape mental health policy. Registration is open now and includes lunch. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-nami-minnesota-state-conference-tickets-1538295566449