NAMI Central Oregon

17/09/2025

NAMI Oregon Policy Update – September 2025: Our legislation slightly lowering criteria for civil commitment is in the first stages of implementation. Read more about this and other key updates in this month's report.

* Speaking of policy work, our legislation slightly lowering criteria for civil commitment is in the first stages of implementation. The section of HB 2005 that is our legislation takes effect on Jan. 1. To ensure clinicians, providers, hospitals, and others who do this day-to-day know what to do, t...

16/09/2025

Our La Pine In Person Peer Connection Support Group meets today (Tuesday) at 3 pm!

-1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 3-4:30 p.m.
-Open to adults 18 and older with mental health challenges
-La Pine Activity Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine, OR 97739

This is a free mental health support group, led by trained Central Oregon facilitators, for adults 18 and older living with mental health challenges.

15/09/2025

Only a few tickets left for the NAMI Central Oregon Salsa Dance Fundraiser this Friday at Hollinshead Barn. We'd love to see you there!

What: Salsa Dance Fundraiser
When: Friday, September 19, 6 to 9 PM
Where: Hollinshead Barn, 1235 NE Jones Rd, Bend, OR 97701
Purchase tickets: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/k-eWcbWWD1gAFSI2TkvEwg

We’re thrilled to welcome international dance choreographer Lionel Araya for a fun, beginner-friendly salsa lesson. Enjoy dinner and drinks, browse our silent auction featuring fantastic items from local businesses, and spend the night dancing in support of mental wellness.

Get ready to move for a great cause! We look forward to seeing you for an evening of dancing, community, and connection—all to support free mental health programs in our region.

15/09/2025

We had a great time training a new amazing crew of NAMI Central Oregon Family Support Group Facilitators in Madras last week!

These folks will help us create and sustain free support groups for families and loved ones of people with mental health challenges across Central Oregon.

A mix of both volunteers and staff, they care about our community and gave 2 whole days to get properly trained to lead these types of groups.

Family members provide a large part of the support that people with mental health challenges need. Often, they do it in isolation with little support for themselves. They need a specific type of support too.

Big thanks to our Volunteer Teachers James Ramirez and Linda Jackson-Shaw and the wonderful BestCare Treatment Jefferson County team for hosting us in their space and the warm hospitality.

15/09/2025

Join us tomorrow (Monday 9/15) at the Juniper Street Picnic area at Ochoco Creek Park in Prineville at 10am for walk 2 in our Fall walking group! Hope to see you there!

Let's Walk Together is on Monday September 8, 2025 to Monday October 13, 2025.

12/09/2025

Our In Person Peer Mental Health Support Group meets this Sunday, at The Taylor Center in Bend at 3 p.m. Come join us. It's OK to ask for support and share in our confidential groups.

This is a free, peer-led support group for adults 18 and older living with mental health challenges. No diagnosis required.

What: Peer Connections Support Group
Where: The Taylor Center, 358 NE Marshall Ave, Bend, OR 97701
When: 3 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month

11/09/2025

Learn more about volunteering opportunities with NAMI Central Oregon, including training requirements for our free mental health related programs, support groups, classes and workshops, and how you can be of service to your community!

What: Volunteer Information Session (Virtual)
When: Sep 17th (3rd Wednesday of each month)
Time: 6-7 pm PT
Where: Virtual – Zoom Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8CKWfk2VTIKClH-lkd7vrg

11/09/2025

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Mental illness in the United States has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the percentage of adults aged 18 to 59 living with any mental illness rose from 18.1% in 2009 to 20.6% in 2019.As September 10 marks Wo...

10/09/2025

NAMI Central Oregon Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Jackson-Shaw: https://namicentraloregon.org/volunteer-spotlight-linda-jackson-shaw/

Meet our remarkable NAMI Central Oregon Volunteer Linda Jackson-Shaw, who’s volunteered for NAMI for over 25 years!

For the past several years, Linda has facilitated a monthly online Family Support Group. This week, she’s leading a 2-day Family Support Group Facilitator training in Madras, because her heart led her to help that rural region of the community.

"I truly believe that education is the starting point for understanding mental illness. NAMI resources and opportunities for learning play a major role in my volunteer efforts with peers and families."

09/09/2025

NAMI Central Oregon was recently on KPOV High Desert Community Radio "The Point" show in light of Su***de Awareness Month this September.

Our Programs Director Casey Munck chatted with KPOV’s Claire Meredith and talked about the “Question, Persuade, and Respond” training the NAMI crew received from the Deschutes County Health Services Su***de Prevention Team.

Take a listen to hear what we learned to help someone who might be considering su***de.

https://namicentraloregon.org/su***de-awareness-month-nami-and-kpov-radio-interview/

***dePreventionMonth

09/09/2025

NAMI Central Oregon's In Person Family Support Group meets this Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Embark Coworking Community, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR 97703.

This In Person Family Support Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

NAMI's Family Support Group is a peer-led support group program for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental health challenges. In these groups, which meet weekly or monthly, family members can talk frankly about their challenges and help one another through their learned wisdom.

NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model to ensure you and others in the group have an opportunity to be heard and to get what you need.

09/09/2025