NAMI Southwest Washington

10/14/2025

🍪 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 🍰

Today we’re celebrating the little things that bring sweetness into our lives — whether that’s a cookie shared with a friend, a quiet moment with a warm slice of pie, or a scoop of ice cream after a long day.

Taking time to enjoy life’s small joys isn’t just fun — it’s a form of self-care.
Moments like these remind us that even on difficult days, comfort and connection can be found in simple pleasures.

So today, savor something sweet — not just on your plate, but in your spirit. And maybe even share that sweetness with someone who could use a reminder that they’re not alone. 💬

10/11/2025

💬 When mental health conditions impact a loved one, it can affect the whole family — especially teens and young adults.

Learn more at YouTalkWA.com and explore blogs, education, and tools to help you navigate your journey.

🌟 Welcome to YouTalk Washington! 🌟
YouTalk is a project by NAMI Southwest Washington, created to support teens and young adults who have a parent or loved one living with a mental illness.

We understand that navigating responsibilities and emotions at home can be challenging. YouTalk WA is here to offer a supportive space filled with 🧠 mental health information, 📚 helpful resources, and 💬 positive affirmations for youth and young adults.
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🔗 Explore more at youtalkwa.com — where you'll find blogs, education, and tools to support you on your journey.
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10/10/2025

🌍💚 Today is World Mental Health Day — a day recognized around the globe to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and remind us that mental health is just as important as physical health.

With more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiencing mental illness each year, this day matters. It’s about breaking silence, sharing stories, and creating compassionate communities where no one has to struggle alone.

Read the full post here: https://namiswwa.org/world-mental-health-day-breaking-stigma-building-hope/

10/10/2025

💙 Did you know?
More than 1 in 7 youth in the U.S. (ages 6–17) experiences a mental health condition each year.

That means in nearly every classroom, on every sports team, and in every friend group, someone is struggling — often silently. Too many young people still feel alone, misunderstood, or afraid to speak up.

At NAMI Southwest Washington, we believe no one should face mental health challenges by themselves. Together, we can break down stigma, open up conversations, and make sure young people know support is out there. 🌟

✨ Let’s keep reminding the youth in our lives: You are not alone. Your voice matters. Help and hope are always within reach. https://namiswwa.org/

10/09/2025

Did you know? 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝟓 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. That’s millions of people — friends, family, coworkers, neighbors — showing us that mental health is a part of all our lives.

This week, we come together to raise awareness, break stigma, and remind one another: you are not alone. Support, understanding, and hope are out there.

✨ Let’s build a community where conversations about mental health are open, compassionate, and stigma-free.

10/08/2025

For some, grief looks like tears and talking. For others, it’s silence, long walks, or staying busy. Sometimes grief shows up in laughter at a memory, or in moments when we feel numb. There’s no single “right” way to grieve, and no timeline for how long it should take.

What matters is giving yourself permission to feel what you feel, in your own way, at your own pace. And remembering that you don’t have to go through it alone — support is always here when you need it.

10/07/2025

“For most of my twenties, I felt like nobody really understood what I was going through. Every time I tried to explain my depression and anxiety, I was told to ‘just think positive.’ It made me feel more alone than ever.

Then, I walked into a NAMI support group. That evening changed my life. For the first time, I didn’t have to explain myself — everyone just understood. I wasn’t alone anymore.” ~Maria

Learn more about our FREE support groups here: https://namiswwa.org/support-groups/

10/05/2025

🌍💚 Mental Illness Awareness Week is almost here, and this year’s theme says it all: Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together.

This week, let’s commit to lifting each other up:
✨ Listen without judgment
✨ Check in on loved ones
✨ Encourage seeking help when needed
✨ Talk openly about mental health

Together, we can replace stigma with understanding, silence with dialogue, and despair with hope. Read our full blog post here: https://namiswwa.org/october-2025-mental-illness-awareness-week/

10/04/2025

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞. We offer free support groups for individuals living with mental health conditions and for their families and loved ones. These groups provide a safe, welcoming space to share experiences, receive encouragement, and know that you’re not alone in your journey.

Whether you’re looking for understanding, hope, or connection, our peer-led groups are here to support you. 💜

👉 Learn more and find a group that’s right for you: https://namiswwa.org/support-groups/

10/03/2025

We’re starting October with immense gratitude.

Thank you to every donor, advocate, volunteer, and voice for mental health who stood with us through Give More 24!. With special appreciation to the Firstenburg Foundation and to the Hugh and Mair Lewis Charitable Fund and the Teresa Pauletto Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, your generosity made this campaign even more impactful.

With your support, we raised over $17,000, and together, we proved that when we speak up and show up, we can end the stigma and remind our community that no one walks alone.

Let’s keep building a future where mental health is spoken about openly, supported fully, and never hidden in shame.

10/02/2025

As we close out Su***de Prevention and Awareness Month, we want to say this loud and clear: It’s okay to talk about the hard stuff.

Su***de thrives in silence, but when we open up — without shame or judgment — we give people a chance to feel seen and supported.

If you’re worried about someone you love — or struggling yourself — please know: you are not alone. You are not a burden. Your pain matters. And there are people ready to listen.

📞 Call or text 988 anytime to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
🌐 Reach out to a counselor, a trusted adult, or a friend.

Read more on YouTalkWA!

Su***de Prevention Month: How to Talk About the Hard Stuff Su***de Let’s face it — talking about su***de can feel terrifying. Maybe you’ve heard people mention it quietly, like it’s something shameful. Maybe you’ve felt scared that someone you love is thinking about it. Or maybe the though...

10/01/2025

Every dollar received through Give More 24! translates into lives changed.

"After my son’s diagnosis, I didn’t know where to turn. NAMI gave me the tools to help him and myself." — NAMI Client

These stories define our mission — and you made them possible.