NAMI Southwest Washington
@namiswwa.bsky.social
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. All our services are free and led by trained peers!
Generational trauma is real — where the pain of forced relocation, cultural erasure, and family separation lives on in the hearts and bodies of their descendants.
Tallulah, a Native woman, grew up feeling a heaviness she couldn’t explain: namiswwa.org/tallulahs-st...
Tallulah, a Native woman, grew up feeling a heaviness she couldn’t explain: namiswwa.org/tallulahs-st...
November 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Generational trauma is real — where the pain of forced relocation, cultural erasure, and family separation lives on in the hearts and bodies of their descendants.
Tallulah, a Native woman, grew up feeling a heaviness she couldn’t explain: namiswwa.org/tallulahs-st...
Tallulah, a Native woman, grew up feeling a heaviness she couldn’t explain: namiswwa.org/tallulahs-st...
Caring for a loved one with a mental illness is an act of deep love, and often, deep exhaustion.
It can mean sleepless nights, endless phone calls, confusing systems, and carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s pain while trying to hold yourself together.
More: namiswwa.org/introducing-...
It can mean sleepless nights, endless phone calls, confusing systems, and carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s pain while trying to hold yourself together.
More: namiswwa.org/introducing-...
November 21, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Caring for a loved one with a mental illness is an act of deep love, and often, deep exhaustion.
It can mean sleepless nights, endless phone calls, confusing systems, and carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s pain while trying to hold yourself together.
More: namiswwa.org/introducing-...
It can mean sleepless nights, endless phone calls, confusing systems, and carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s pain while trying to hold yourself together.
More: namiswwa.org/introducing-...
“For a long time, I noticed subtle, involuntary movements that I couldn't explain; small facial twitches, involuntary finger and hand movements, jaw tightness, and restlessness that made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin.”
Read the full story here: namiswwa.org/tardive-dysk...
Read the full story here: namiswwa.org/tardive-dysk...
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
“For a long time, I noticed subtle, involuntary movements that I couldn't explain; small facial twitches, involuntary finger and hand movements, jaw tightness, and restlessness that made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin.”
Read the full story here: namiswwa.org/tardive-dysk...
Read the full story here: namiswwa.org/tardive-dysk...
Young people today are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis.
When students learn about mental health early, they’re better equipped to recognize warning signs, seek help, and support one another.
🔗 Explore the interactive map to see where your state stands: bit.ly/491GLAt
When students learn about mental health early, they’re better equipped to recognize warning signs, seek help, and support one another.
🔗 Explore the interactive map to see where your state stands: bit.ly/491GLAt
NAMI's School Mental Health Education Map
The United States is going through a well-documented and ongoing youth mental health crisis, with high rates of suicidal ideation, hopelessness and depression. Mental health conditions typically start...
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Young people today are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis.
When students learn about mental health early, they’re better equipped to recognize warning signs, seek help, and support one another.
🔗 Explore the interactive map to see where your state stands: bit.ly/491GLAt
When students learn about mental health early, they’re better equipped to recognize warning signs, seek help, and support one another.
🔗 Explore the interactive map to see where your state stands: bit.ly/491GLAt
This Mental Illness Awareness Week, let’s commit to building stronger, more compassionate communities. Let’s continue to talk openly about mental health, challenge stigma, and remind one another: you are not alone.
namiswwa.org/october-2025...
namiswwa.org/october-2025...
October 5th-11th | Mental Illness Awareness Week – NAMI Southwest Washington
namiswwa.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This Mental Illness Awareness Week, let’s commit to building stronger, more compassionate communities. Let’s continue to talk openly about mental health, challenge stigma, and remind one another: you are not alone.
namiswwa.org/october-2025...
namiswwa.org/october-2025...
Stories like Johnny’s, who lost a friend to suicide in middle school, show us why these conversations matter. Silence only deepens isolation — but when we talk openly, we create connection, understanding, and the possibility of change.
namiswwa.org/national-sui...
namiswwa.org/national-sui...
National Suicide Prevention Month: Shining the Light Together – NAMI Southwest Washington
namiswwa.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Stories like Johnny’s, who lost a friend to suicide in middle school, show us why these conversations matter. Silence only deepens isolation — but when we talk openly, we create connection, understanding, and the possibility of change.
namiswwa.org/national-sui...
namiswwa.org/national-sui...
This past Saturday, our community came together for the Shine the Light Suicide Prevention & Awareness Summit at Clark College.
Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we are creating change and showing that no one has to walk this path alone. 💜
Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we are creating change and showing that no one has to walk this path alone. 💜
September 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This past Saturday, our community came together for the Shine the Light Suicide Prevention & Awareness Summit at Clark College.
Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we are creating change and showing that no one has to walk this path alone. 💜
Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we are creating change and showing that no one has to walk this path alone. 💜
Jenny Thrasher, our keynote speaker, has graciously offered to do an EXTRA PRESENTATION for those who can not make the summit, right in our Vancouver office!
So if you can not make our September 13th event, please join us:
September 10th from 1:30-3PM
4201 NE 66th Avenue #105 Vancouver, WA
So if you can not make our September 13th event, please join us:
September 10th from 1:30-3PM
4201 NE 66th Avenue #105 Vancouver, WA
September 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Jenny Thrasher, our keynote speaker, has graciously offered to do an EXTRA PRESENTATION for those who can not make the summit, right in our Vancouver office!
So if you can not make our September 13th event, please join us:
September 10th from 1:30-3PM
4201 NE 66th Avenue #105 Vancouver, WA
So if you can not make our September 13th event, please join us:
September 10th from 1:30-3PM
4201 NE 66th Avenue #105 Vancouver, WA
Linea was just 19 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At first, she thought her dreams were gone forever.
Everything changed when she discovered stories of others who had walked the same path and still built lives full of meaning.
www.nami.org/personal-sto...
Everything changed when she discovered stories of others who had walked the same path and still built lives full of meaning.
www.nami.org/personal-sto...
August 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Linea was just 19 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At first, she thought her dreams were gone forever.
Everything changed when she discovered stories of others who had walked the same path and still built lives full of meaning.
www.nami.org/personal-sto...
Everything changed when she discovered stories of others who had walked the same path and still built lives full of meaning.
www.nami.org/personal-sto...
We’re excited to announce the re-launch of YouTalkWA.com — a project by NAMI Southwest Washington designed just for kids and teens who have a parent living with a mental health condition.
Check it out and share it with your friends here: youtalkwa.com
Check it out and share it with your friends here: youtalkwa.com
Home - YouTalkWA
YouTalkWA.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We’re excited to announce the re-launch of YouTalkWA.com — a project by NAMI Southwest Washington designed just for kids and teens who have a parent living with a mental health condition.
Check it out and share it with your friends here: youtalkwa.com
Check it out and share it with your friends here: youtalkwa.com
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 — 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫."
Battling depression, navigating toxic workplaces, surviving the pressure of career and fatherhood — Chris’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose.
Read his full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
Battling depression, navigating toxic workplaces, surviving the pressure of career and fatherhood — Chris’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose.
Read his full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
August 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 — 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫."
Battling depression, navigating toxic workplaces, surviving the pressure of career and fatherhood — Chris’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose.
Read his full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
Battling depression, navigating toxic workplaces, surviving the pressure of career and fatherhood — Chris’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose.
Read his full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
Jamie's heartbreaking story is a powerful reminder that mental illness is not a crime, and suicide loss is not something anyone should face alone.
We must do better. Mental illness deserves the same empathy we offer any other health condition!
We must do better. Mental illness deserves the same empathy we offer any other health condition!
July 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Jamie's heartbreaking story is a powerful reminder that mental illness is not a crime, and suicide loss is not something anyone should face alone.
We must do better. Mental illness deserves the same empathy we offer any other health condition!
We must do better. Mental illness deserves the same empathy we offer any other health condition!
💬 “𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬.”
At 23, she couldn’t get out of bed. The weight of depression was so heavy, it pulled her into darkness—and nearly claimed her life.
She is living proof that recovery is possible!
At 23, she couldn’t get out of bed. The weight of depression was so heavy, it pulled her into darkness—and nearly claimed her life.
She is living proof that recovery is possible!
July 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
💬 “𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬.”
At 23, she couldn’t get out of bed. The weight of depression was so heavy, it pulled her into darkness—and nearly claimed her life.
She is living proof that recovery is possible!
At 23, she couldn’t get out of bed. The weight of depression was so heavy, it pulled her into darkness—and nearly claimed her life.
She is living proof that recovery is possible!
Through NAMI’s Family-to-Family course, she found clarity, support, and hope, and has since become a teacher, support group facilitator, and trainer!
💙 "𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞." -Jonée Shady
💙 "𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞." -Jonée Shady
July 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Through NAMI’s Family-to-Family course, she found clarity, support, and hope, and has since become a teacher, support group facilitator, and trainer!
💙 "𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞." -Jonée Shady
💙 "𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞." -Jonée Shady
"Looking back now, I realize: I wasn’t lazy. I was overwhelmed. I was burned out."
namiswwa.org/youre-not-la...
namiswwa.org/youre-not-la...
You’re Not Lazy — You’re Overwhelmed – NAMI Southwest Washington
namiswwa.org
July 22, 2025 at 12:40 AM
"Looking back now, I realize: I wasn’t lazy. I was overwhelmed. I was burned out."
namiswwa.org/youre-not-la...
namiswwa.org/youre-not-la...
At the Shine the Light Suicide Awareness & Prevention Summit, we’re bringing community members, advocates, and experts together to break the silence, spread hope, and save lives.
Learn more or register for the upcoming Summit on September 13 here: namiswwa.org/suicide-prevention-awareness-summit
Learn more or register for the upcoming Summit on September 13 here: namiswwa.org/suicide-prevention-awareness-summit
July 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
At the Shine the Light Suicide Awareness & Prevention Summit, we’re bringing community members, advocates, and experts together to break the silence, spread hope, and save lives.
Learn more or register for the upcoming Summit on September 13 here: namiswwa.org/suicide-prevention-awareness-summit
Learn more or register for the upcoming Summit on September 13 here: namiswwa.org/suicide-prevention-awareness-summit
𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟗𝟖𝟖 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞. Since then, more than 16.5 million people have received life-saving support.
We have many opportunities for policymakers to better support people experiencing a mental health crisis!
We have many opportunities for policymakers to better support people experiencing a mental health crisis!
July 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟗𝟖𝟖 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞. Since then, more than 16.5 million people have received life-saving support.
We have many opportunities for policymakers to better support people experiencing a mental health crisis!
We have many opportunities for policymakers to better support people experiencing a mental health crisis!
Communities of color face unique mental health challenges shaped by systemic barriers, cultural stigma, and historical trauma. While awareness is an important first step, we must go further.
Read our full post here: namiswwa.org/turn-awarene...
Read our full post here: namiswwa.org/turn-awarene...
July 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Communities of color face unique mental health challenges shaped by systemic barriers, cultural stigma, and historical trauma. While awareness is an important first step, we must go further.
Read our full post here: namiswwa.org/turn-awarene...
Read our full post here: namiswwa.org/turn-awarene...
When Sovereign had a psychotic break, his family had no idea what was happening. They didn’t know how to help. They didn’t even know what questions to ask.
This story isn’t just about mental illness—it’s about the courage to talk about it. Read the full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
This story isn’t just about mental illness—it’s about the courage to talk about it. Read the full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
June 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
When Sovereign had a psychotic break, his family had no idea what was happening. They didn’t know how to help. They didn’t even know what questions to ask.
This story isn’t just about mental illness—it’s about the courage to talk about it. Read the full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
This story isn’t just about mental illness—it’s about the courage to talk about it. Read the full story here: www.nami.org/personal-sto...
This Pride Month, we honor stories like Alex’s—and remind every LGBTQIA+ individual that your mental health matters. You are worthy of being seen, heard, and celebrated—not just in June, but every day.
Read Alex's story here: namiswwa.org/honoring-ide...
Read Alex's story here: namiswwa.org/honoring-ide...
Honoring Identity, Cultivating Resilience – NAMI Southwest Washington
namiswwa.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This Pride Month, we honor stories like Alex’s—and remind every LGBTQIA+ individual that your mental health matters. You are worthy of being seen, heard, and celebrated—not just in June, but every day.
Read Alex's story here: namiswwa.org/honoring-ide...
Read Alex's story here: namiswwa.org/honoring-ide...
World Champion Cyclist and Peloton Instructor Christine D’Ercole reminds us that mental health journeys aren’t always linear. Before Worlds, she struggled with self-doubt, old behaviors, and painful memories—but she also found resilience, determination, and ultimately, joy.
June 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM
World Champion Cyclist and Peloton Instructor Christine D’Ercole reminds us that mental health journeys aren’t always linear. Before Worlds, she struggled with self-doubt, old behaviors, and painful memories—but she also found resilience, determination, and ultimately, joy.
💬 “I wasn’t injured. I was stressed beyond belief.” — Rachel McArthur, ASICS Middle-Distance Track & Field Athlete
Mental health impacts performance. Her story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about listening to your mind and knowing when something’s not right.
Mental health impacts performance. Her story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about listening to your mind and knowing when something’s not right.
June 13, 2025 at 8:05 PM
💬 “I wasn’t injured. I was stressed beyond belief.” — Rachel McArthur, ASICS Middle-Distance Track & Field Athlete
Mental health impacts performance. Her story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about listening to your mind and knowing when something’s not right.
Mental health impacts performance. Her story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about listening to your mind and knowing when something’s not right.
This Pride Month, we celebrate authenticity, resilience, and the right to live unapologetically as yourself.
💬 Your story matters. Your identity matters. Your mental health matters.
You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone. 💙
💬 Your story matters. Your identity matters. Your mental health matters.
You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone. 💙
June 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This Pride Month, we celebrate authenticity, resilience, and the right to live unapologetically as yourself.
💬 Your story matters. Your identity matters. Your mental health matters.
You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone. 💙
💬 Your story matters. Your identity matters. Your mental health matters.
You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone. 💙
Trauma affects each person differently. While some go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, others may process and recover without long-term symptoms.
What matters most is having support, understanding, and access to care, no matter where someone is on their healing journey.
What matters most is having support, understanding, and access to care, no matter where someone is on their healing journey.
June 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Trauma affects each person differently. While some go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, others may process and recover without long-term symptoms.
What matters most is having support, understanding, and access to care, no matter where someone is on their healing journey.
What matters most is having support, understanding, and access to care, no matter where someone is on their healing journey.
PTSD isn’t just a veteran’s story—it’s a story shared by survivors of abuse, first responders, accident victims, and anyone who has faced deep trauma. Complex PTSD also reminds us that long-term, repeated trauma can leave profound wounds.
Read our full blog post here: namiswwa.org/ptsd-awarene...
Read our full blog post here: namiswwa.org/ptsd-awarene...
June 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
PTSD isn’t just a veteran’s story—it’s a story shared by survivors of abuse, first responders, accident victims, and anyone who has faced deep trauma. Complex PTSD also reminds us that long-term, repeated trauma can leave profound wounds.
Read our full blog post here: namiswwa.org/ptsd-awarene...
Read our full blog post here: namiswwa.org/ptsd-awarene...