NAMI Minnesota

05/07/2026

In Minnesota, many people's mental health has been strained by a series of overlapping stresses — from the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School, and more recently, a surge in federal immigration enforcement that has left many communities experiencing fear and uncertainty.

MPR News host Angela Davis MPR talks with Marcus Schmit, the new leader of NAMI Minnesota, about his vision for reaching more Minnesotans with mental health support and how seeking help for his own mental health is shaping the way he leads.

https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2026/05/06/a-new-advocate-steps-in-as-minnesotas-mental-health-needs-rise

05/06/2026

NAMI Minnesota is advocating for legislation this year in response to the significant and growing mental health impacts of gun violence across Minnesota. This effort reflects sustained concern from communities across the state. Families, educators, and young people have consistently raised the need to address the psychological harm caused by gun violence.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a wide-ranging gun safety bill, which now moves to the Minnesota House of Representatives for consideration and would still require approval there to become law. The bill includes a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanded requirements for the safe storage of fi****ms, and increased funding for school safety and mental health care. NAMI Minnesota encourages lawmakers to give full weight to the mental health consequences of gun violence when evaluating these provisions, including the role that assault-style weapons play in the severity and psychological impact of mass casualty events.

NAMI Minnesota urges the Minnesota House of Representatives to pass this legislation. Speak up and share this post!

Brittany Haeg is living with the deep scars of gun violence. Her three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and her 6-year-old son David was hurt during the deadly mass shooting on Aug. 27, 2025.

05/06/2026

Minnesota farmers are increasingly seeking mental health support as financial pressures, rising costs, and uncertainty continue to take a toll on their well-being. Experts working directly with farm families report that stress related to cash flow, expenses, and factors beyond farmers’ control is deeply affecting mental health across rural communities. Support services across the state are seeing a significant increase in calls, reflecting both growing need and a greater willingness among farmers to reach out for help.

These efforts highlight the importance of accessible, confidential support for agricultural communities as they navigate ongoing economic and emotional challenges. Mental health is essential to the stability of our farming families and the future of rural Minnesota.

The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health.

05/06/2026

Learn the three essential steps anyone can take to help save a life during a crisis. This 1.5-hour session in Spanish is approved for 1.5 CEUs for social workers and meets continuing education requirements for teachers. Open to adults 16+. Register on Zoom today and help strengthen your community’s response to mental health emergencies. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_mlA47y6QAaqoZBJyyGuCw

05/05/2026

NAMI Minnesota is advocating for legislation this year in response to the significant and growing mental health impacts of gun violence across Minnesota. This effort reflects sustained concern from communities across the state. Families, educators, and young people have consistently raised the need to address the psychological harm caused by gun violence.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a wide-ranging gun safety bill, which now moves to the Minnesota House of Representatives for consideration and would still require approval there to become law. The bill includes a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanded requirements for the safe storage of fi****ms, and increased funding for school safety and mental health care. NAMI Minnesota encourages lawmakers to give full weight to the mental health consequences of gun violence when evaluating these provisions, including the role that assault-style weapons play in the severity and psychological impact of mass casualty events.

NAMI Minnesota urges the Minnesota House of Representatives to pass this legislation. Speak up and share this post!

Learn more via Minnesota Reformer

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-senate-approves-gun-control-package-but-its-unlikely-to-pass-house/

05/05/2026

NAMI Minnesota is advocating for legislation this year in response to the significant and growing mental health impacts of gun violence across Minnesota. This effort reflects sustained concern from communities across the state. Families, educators, and young people have consistently raised the need to address the psychological harm caused by gun violence.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a wide-ranging gun safety bill, which now moves to the Minnesota House of Representatives for consideration and would still require approval there to become law. The bill includes a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanded requirements for the safe storage of fi****ms, and increased funding for school safety and mental health care. NAMI Minnesota encourages lawmakers to give full weight to the mental health consequences of gun violence when evaluating these provisions, including the role that assault-style weapons play in the severity and psychological impact of mass casualty events.

NAMI Minnesota urges the Minnesota House of Representatives to pass this legislation. Raise your voice and share this post!

The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved a gun control package that bans the future sale of so-called assault weapons and high capacity magazines. For months, Democrats have advocated for an assault weapons ban since a shooter fired more than 100 rounds into Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapoli...

05/05/2026

Several anti-fraud bills have been introduced in both the House and the Senate, but due to a 67-67 tie between Democrats and Republicans in the House, many of the bills have failed to make it out of committee. A package of anti-fraud reforms proposed by Governor Tim Walz to transform the Department of Human Services and improve oversight of Medicaid programs remains in limbo. But with less than three weeks to go, some proposals are inching forward.

Minnesota lawmakers at the Legislature are considering bills to fight fraud in human services programs.

05/05/2026

NAMI Minnesota invites social workers, educators, community leaders, and service providers to share Super Week: Connecting Community and Mental Health, a Mental Health Awareness series conducted entirely in Spanish. Throughout the week, NAMI Minnesota and partner organizations including Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health will offer virtual conversations focused on resources, services, and strategies to support community well-being, creating space for connection and collaboration with the communities you serve.

The series begins Monday, May 11 and continues through Friday, May 15, with four virtual sessions followed by an in-person community celebration at the NAMI Minnesota office. All sessions are facilitated in Spanish, making this a valuable opportunity to connect Spanish-speaking individuals and families with trusted information and local resources.

05/04/2026

NAMI Minnesota, in partnership with Redleaf Center for Family Healing, invites you to attend Beyond the Baby Blues—a full-day conference focused on education, treatment, and community-centered approaches to perinatal mental health.

This in-person event will take place on Tuesday, June 2, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Designed for professionals, caregivers, and families, the conference will explore postpartum mood disorders and anxiety before, during, and after pregnancy through a lens of community safety, healing, and cultural responsiveness.

Attendees will gain practical knowledge and insights from leading voices in the field, including a keynote by Tolu Odebunmi and Fernanda Honebrink, as well as a range of breakout sessions addressing topics such as intergenerational healing, culturally responsive care, LGBTQ+ parent experiences, substance use during the perinatal period, and systems-level support like Minnesota Paid Leave.

The day includes breakfast, lunch, and opportunities for networking and connection. This conference is approved for 6 hours of continuing education (CEU) by the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Registration is $75. Scholarship tickets are available based on need. Register today:

Education and treatment options for Postpartum Mood Disorders before, during and after pregnancy.

05/04/2026

Sessions on workplace wellness, lived experience, culturally responsive approaches, or skill-building. BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply. Submit a proposal for NAMI Minnesota’s 2026 Workplace Symposium by May 29 here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkEGH72nYJCyMCI6eUjC1wNxKC_xOIgUy3kXkj8q8U_TMC3w/viewform

05/04/2026

Looking for support in Mankato? Two peer-led, in-person groups meet at the same time to serve different needs. NAMI Family Mankato is for family members of a person living with mental illness, led by Diane Gerlach. NAMI Connection Mankato is for adults (18+) living with a mental illness, led by Christine Myers. Both groups are free, confidential, and welcoming. Come as you are.

05/03/2026

Evento Online! Panel con Urban Ventures y COPAL MN en el marco de la Super Semana de NAMI Minnesota y Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health. Te invitamos a una conversación sobre servicios, recursos y oportunidades disponibles para la comunidad, con la participación de Urban Ventures y COPAL como panelistas.

La sesión se llevará a cabo el miércoles 13 de mayo, de 11:00 a. m. a 12:30 p. m. Para registrarte, puedes escribir a ffernandez@namimn.org o mcervantes@raicessagradas.org