NAMI Southwestern Illinois

05/09/2026

Tardive Dyskinesia: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do...
https://namiswi.org/tardive-dyskinesia-what-it-is-why-it-matters-and-what-you-can-do/

05/09/2026

05/08/2026

🎨✨ CALLING ALL ARTISTS ✨🎨
NAMI Southwestern Illinois is excited to announce the Pathways to Hope Art Contest during our upcoming 2-day event on August 21st & 22nd!

We are looking for meaningful artwork centered around mental health and faith-based hope, healing, and recovery. All submitted pieces will be displayed during the event, where guests will vote to choose a winner! 🏆

🖌️ Submissions accepted now through August 21st
📍 Artwork will be showcased at our Pathways to Hope event
💚 Themes must relate to mental health & faith

To submit your artwork or arrange pickup, please contact:

Jessica Bushrow
📧 jbushrow@namiswi.org
📞 618-798-9788 ext. 106

Use your creativity to inspire hope, healing, and connection in our community. We cannot wait to see your incredible work! ✨

05/08/2026

learn more here: https://www.tardiveimpact.com

05/08/2026

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're not just sharing statistics—we're sharing hope.

💙 1 in 5 of us will experience mental illness this year 💙 Half of us will face a mental health condition by age 14 💙 All of us know someone who's struggling—whether they've told us or not

Here's what we know: Mental health conditions are real, they're common, and they're treatable. But stigma keeps people silent. Fear keeps them isolated. And misinformation keeps them from seeking help.

So let's change the narrative. Let's be the community that says: ✨ It's okay to not be okay ✨ Asking for help is strength, not weakness ✨ Treatment works and recovery is real

Your story matters. Your struggle matters. And you are not—and never will be—alone.

💚 Crisis support is available 24/7: Call or text 988

05/07/2026

Congratulations to the East St. Louis Area Board member Ms. Shontay Ford on receiving an award this weekend for her work in the East St. Louis Community. Thank you for all that you do. Shontay woks in Youth Leadership Strategies at East Side Aligned.

05/07/2026

Even when there’s no air left in us, we’re still finding a way to scream what matters. 💚

Because mental health awareness doesn’t always look polished or quiet—it looks like letting it out, shaking off the weight, and refusing to stay silent.

No air? Still a voice. Still a message. Still showing up for mental health.

05/07/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go in challenging the misconceptions surrounding mental illness.

Even today, many people still believe things like:

Mental illness is rare or “won’t happen to me”
People should just “snap out of it” if they try hard enough
Mental health conditions are a sign of weakness
Someone with a diagnosis can’t live a full, successful life
Talking about mental health will make things worse
These beliefs are not only inaccurate—they also create barriers that prevent people from seeking help, offering support, or even having honest conversations.

Mental health conditions are common, treatable, and part of the human experience. They affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. And recovery is not only possible—it happens every day.

Mental Health Awareness Month matters because it creates space to replace misinformation with understanding, silence with conversation, and stigma with support. Every time we challenge a misconception, we make it easier for someone else to reach out without fear.

Awareness is just the beginning. Real change happens when we keep talking, keep learning, and keep showing up for one another.

05/06/2026

💚 The Story Behind Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Did you know Mental Health Awareness Month has been around for over 75 years? Let’s take a quick look at how it all started, and how far we’ve come.

📍 How it began
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 by the Mental Health America (then known as the National Association for Mental Health).
The movement was inspired by advocate Clifford W. Beers, who shared his own experiences with mental illness to push for better care and understanding.

📍 The original goal
The purpose was simple but powerful:
✨ Raise awareness about mental health
✨ Educate the public
✨ Reduce stigma
✨ Celebrate recovery

📍 How it evolved
What started as a single week in 1949 quickly grew into a month-long national movement.
Over time, it has expanded to include:
💬 Open conversations about mental health
📱 Social media campaigns reaching millions
🤝 Community events, advocacy, and education
🌍 A broader focus on overall wellness, not just mental illness

📍 Where we are today
Today, organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness and others continue this mission, reminding us that mental health is just as important as physical health and that no one has to struggle alone.

💚 Why it matters
Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just history, it’s a movement. Every story shared, every conversation started, and every stigma challenged helps create a more understanding and supportive world.

✨ Let’s keep the conversation going.
How do you support your mental health, or someone else’s?

05/06/2026

This afternoon we’ve got team members at Gillespie high school and Touchette Regional. We are so grateful to be able to be in so many places sharing resources and information!