NAMI Minnesota

03/13/2026

A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares how teens often turn to their peers for help and support during an emotional crisis. This puts an immense burden on the shoulders of children as they decide how to respond, especially when the communication comes through messaging or gaming apps. She encourages adults to talk openly about su***de with teens, and role play how to if a peer reveals suicidal thoughts.

As a pediatric psychiatrist at a busy children’s hospital, I’m alarmed by this increasingly common narrative.

03/13/2026

Anger can be one of the most misunderstood parts of living with bipolar disorder — and one of the hardest to talk about without shame. It can flare fast, feel outsized, and sometimes leave fallout at home or at work. But anger isn’t a character flaw, and it doesn’t mean you’re “too much.” With practice, support, and a few early-warning strategies, it’s possible to turn rage into insight — and regain a sense of control and peace.

Is bipolar disorder making you angry? Read how one person traded constant rage for productive thinking and found calm.

03/13/2026

Recent media coverage following notable suspected su***des has underscored how urgently we need thoughtful, responsible conversations about mental health. In moments of public attention and community grief, the way we communicate can either increase risk or strengthen prevention.

NAMI Minnesota is offering a one-hour training designed for journalists, communications professionals, and anyone who speaks publicly about mental health and su***de.

Safe Messaging Around Mental Health and Su***de: Best Practices for Journalists and Communications Professionals reviews the scientific evidence behind su***de contagion and shares the most up-to-date guidance for responsible reporting and public communication. Participants will learn how to avoid sensationalizing or oversimplifying su***de, how to use accurate and respectful language, and how to center prevention, recovery, and resources in their messaging.

Thursday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm on Zoom

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BhHJMz5jSBa5J5sRJRn1hw

When communities are looking for understanding, safe and informed messaging matters. We encourage media professionals, nonprofit communicators, public information officers, and community leaders to join us.

03/12/2026

U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Raising Awareness for Youth Su***de Prevention (RAYS) Act, requiring middle and high schools to include mental health and su***de prevention information on student identification cards and school websites. The hotline and text line has been used nearly 20 million times since it was created in 2022.

The Raising Awareness for Youth Su***de Prevention (RAYS) Act requires middle and high schools to include mental health and su***de prevention information on student identification cards and school websites.

03/12/2026

Today we are encouraged to see the release of Minnesota’s Veteran Su***de Prevention Plan, a coordinated effort to reduce su***de among those who have served our country. Every year, far too many veterans in Minnesota lose their lives to su***de. This new plan recognizes that preventing these tragedies requires strong partnerships, improved access to mental health care, and community-wide support for veterans and their families. NAMI Minnesota supports this effort and looks forward to working alongside veterans, families, community organizations, and state leaders to strengthen su***de prevention and expand access to mental health services across the state.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988

At a Minnesota State Capitol hearing Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled its "Veteran Su***de Prevention Plan."

03/12/2026

Navigating the mental health system can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. The NAMI Minnesota Helpline offers short-term guidance, education, and connections to local resources for individuals and families seeking support. Whether you are trying to better understand a mental health condition, looking for therapy or psychiatry options, exploring NAMI Minnesota classes and support groups, or figuring out how to navigate county mental health services, our team can help you understand your options and identify next steps.

The Helpline also supports family members and caregivers who are trying to help a loved one and can help connect people with crisis resources available in their community. To reach the NAMI Minnesota Helpline, call 651-645-2948 ext. 117 or email namihelps@namimn.org. If we are unable to answer, please leave a voicemail with your full name, a phone number where you can be reached, your email address if available, the county you live in, and a brief description of the reason for your call. Providing this information helps us respond more efficiently and connect you with the most appropriate resources. Helpline calls are returned within 1–3 business days, Monday through Friday.

Please note that the Helpline is not a crisis line and does not provide medical, legal, or case management services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or are in immediate danger, call or text 988 or dial 911. You can also contact your county Mobile Crisis Response Team. The most effective way to reach a Mobile Crisis Response Team is to call them directly; their phone numbers are easily found with a quick search at JustCallMN.com.

Learn more: https://namimn.org/support/information-and-resources/nami-helpline/

03/11/2026

Hennepin Healthcare is a critical safety-net provider that serves people who might otherwise have nowhere to turn for care. For people living with mental illness, HCMC can be life-saving. The hospital provides a wide range of mental health services, including inpatient and outpatient care, as well as 24/7 crisis counseling, assessment, and referral. These services are essential for people experiencing acute mental health needs and for families trying to support a loved one during a crisis.

When hospitals that serve large numbers of uninsured and publicly insured patients face financial instability, the consequences are felt throughout the mental health system. Reduced access to emergency care, crisis services, and ongoing treatment can mean longer wait times, fewer available beds, and more barriers for people seeking help when they need it most.

The hospital's future is in the hands of the state Legislature. At NAMI Minnesota, we know that a strong, accessible mental health infrastructure is essential for healthy communities. Ensuring that people living with a mental illness have access to timely, compassionate care must remain a priority.

The fight to keep Minneapolis' Hennepin County Medical Center open is in full swing, with leaders saying the hospital is in grave danger of closing after Medicaid cuts and budget confusion.

03/11/2026

It’s a painful and confusing experience: One day, you’re planning a future with someone who feels like your soulmate, and the next, they have vanished without a trace. In the world of modern dating, we call this “ghosting.” But when bipolar disorder is involved, that sudden silence often has much deeper roots than a simple lack of interest.

For those living with the condition or their loved ones, understanding the difference between a conscious choice to leave and a symptom-driven disappearance is vital for healing. In this article, bipolar relationship expert Julie Fast responds to a reader named Rosa, whose “perfect” romance ended overnight, and explains why what appears to be a cold exit is often a crisis in disguise.

Sudden withdrawal during a bipolar manic episode can look like ghosting. Learn why intense relationships may end abruptly and what’s really happening.

03/11/2026

Many communities across Minnesota have been navigating deep stress, fear, and uncertainty. From the very beginning, NAMI Minnesota spoke out about the mental health impact of the ICE surge and mobilized quickly. That response mattered. It helped prevent isolation and supported families facing overwhelming stress, suicidal thoughts, medication disruptions, and worsening mental health symptoms. But recovery from collective trauma takes time. Many families remain exhausted, caregivers remain overwhelmed, and communities are still working to rebuild a sense of safety and stability.

One meaningful way to support healing is through creativity and connection. Hosting a DIY fundraiser for NAMI Minnesota allows you to turn something you love into an act of support for mental health in your community. Creative projects can help you stay present and mindful, reduce stress, and support brain health. Whether you are learning a new skill or practicing one you already enjoy, the process of planning and completing a project strengthens problem-solving skills and can bring a strong sense of accomplishment. Doing it while raising funds and awareness for mental health helps ensure that no family has to face trauma alone.

As we continue working toward long-term healing across Minnesota, community support is essential to sustain the education, crisis resources, and support groups that so many people rely on.

Take the first step and register your fundraiser before National DIY Day on April 4: doityourway.nami.org/minnesota.

03/10/2026

NAMI Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Prairie Winds Counseling, Inc. invite you to Understanding Minds, Transforming Care: A Mental Health and Neurodiversity Conference on Thursday, April 9, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. This conference brings together community members, providers, and advocates for a day of learning designed to build empathy, deepen understanding, and strengthen skills to better support neurodivergent adults with co-occurring mental illnesses.

Sessions will highlight available services, address common barriers to quality care, and explore practical approaches for mental and physical health care and direct service settings. Neurodivergent adults often experience poorer health outcomes due to misunderstanding, misdiagnosis, and persistent stigma; this event aims to change that by fostering informed, compassionate, and responsive care. This conference is open to anyone interested in improving systems and services for neurodivergent adults.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-care-a-mental-health-and-neurodiversity-conference-tickets-1982457852804

03/10/2026

Cannabis use impacts the brain and body in many ways, depending on age, frequency, potency, and individual health. For youth under 26, cannabis use may increase the risk of psychosis, anxiety, depression, memory problems, and cannabis use disorder. The CDC also warns that pregnant or breastfeeding people should not use cannabis, as it can harm a baby’s health and development.

Researchers followed more than 400,000 teens until they were adults. It found that those who used ma*****na were more likely to develop serious mental illness, as well as depression and anxiety.

03/10/2026

The aftermath of a child’s su***de attempt can be a deeply confusing, scary, and emotional time for parents and caregivers. While healthcare professionals, school leaders, and others may address many of their questions, hearing directly from parents who have been there can be especially supportive.

After Your Child’s Su***de Attempt is helpful for any parent or caregiver whose child has recently made a su***de attempt or talked about su***de. Emergency departments, inpatient hospitals, residential care, crisis services, mobile crisis units, community mental health providers, pediatricians, schools, substance misuse professionals, peer advocates, faith leaders, and other community organizations can all play a role in adding the video to their toolbox of supports for caregivers.

Learn more: zerosu***de.edc.org/parents