Health officials have been warning us for some time that this winter is going to be different and difficult. To save lives, Governor Inslee has announced a new set of restrictions for Washington State that go into effect Tuesday, November 17th at midnight and are set to be in effect for a period of four weeks. You can read about the new restrictions here.

This has been tough, and the reality of the situation is that is that we will have to find ways to be resilient for a while longer. Quarantine fatigue is real so reach out for help! You are not alone! Special days look different this year. We've celebrated Passover, Easter, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Diwali, birthdays, weddings, and and unfortunately many funerals, in new and creative ways that keep ourselves and our loved ones protected. Thanksgiving will be the same. Hang in there! We can do this, Washington!

Yours in community,

The Staff and Board of NAMI Washington

Recordings from the 2020 NAMI Virtual Conference are now avalible for download.

Click here to download!

NAMI Washington is sad to bid farewell to Michelle Strait, Program Manager. Michelle originally joined the team as an MSW/MPW Intern in 2016, and was then on the board, and then joined the staff. Michelle is moving to a research position with the University of Washington. We are also saying goodbye to our Director of Philanthropy, Lauren Hunter. Lauren led us through the year of virtual events, and we are very grateful. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Position announcements for Program Manager and Director of Philanthropy can be found here!

A huge thank you for taking the time and energy to fill out our recent survey as a part of our feedback loop for public policy. Your effort is greatly appreciated and is helping to identify strengths, gaps, and to inform efforts to advance behavioral health policy in our state. If there is anything you would like to connect on please let our Director of Public Policy, Katherine Seibel, know!

You can connect with Katherine by emailing her at kseibel@namiwa.org

The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored. The disparity in access to mental health care in communities of color cannot be ignored. The inequality and lack of cultural competency in mental health treatment cannot be ignored.

While there is much we need to do to address racism in our country, we must not forget the importance of mental health as we do so. Racism is a public health crisis.

Read the newly adopted NAMI Board of Director's Resolution Against Racism.

You can read NAMI National's statement on racism and recent racist incidents here.

Join Peer Legislative Advocates for a conversation with Chief Justice Elect Steve Gonzalez!

Date: Monday, December 14th

Time: 12:00 noon - 1:15pm PST

Where: Virtually through Zoom

Registration Link: Click here!

Justice Steven González was elected by his peers to serve as the next Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court, beginning January 11, 2021.

The conference brings together a diverse group of presenters to share information about therapeutic interventions, recovery supports, promising programs, and policies that advance best practices. Our goal is to provide a learning experience that expands professional knowledge, promotes community partnerships, and helps make recovery a reality.

Click here for more information, the application, and to see the variety of topics of particular interest!

The Washington State Health Care Authority is pleased to announce that the young adult lived expert survey is now live!

You can participate by either taking the survey or speaking with Sazi Wald. Virtual gift cards are available, $10 (survey) and $25 (interviews).

Surveys

• Youth lived expert age 18-25
• Adult lived expert age 26-35
• Caregiver and parent
• Inpatient/hospital service provider
• Outpatient/community service provider

If you have questions or want to participate please email Sazi Wald or call directly (360) 790-4560.

Days: Weekly on Thursdays

Time: 10:30AM - NOON PST

Join Thriving Thursdays, a weekly peer meeting hosted by Peer Kent, Peer Workforce Alliance, WSCC, and NAMI Washington!

Each Family/Peer meeting will feature

• updates from HCA on COVID-19
• check-in time for your community
• a dose of joy to carry you through your day
• special guest Jane Beyer from the Office of the Insurance Commisioner, speaking on teleheath on November 19th!

Registration is required.

For registration information and other questions, contact Karen Kelley at karenkelley@wscsupport.org

The Critical Health + Social Ecology Lab (http://chselab.com/about/) is looking for women of color to participate in their Fighting Displacement/Housing Advocacy study.

The purpose of the study is to gather experiences of women of color who are involved in the struggle for affordable housing nationwide, from both the tenant and activist perspective. This information will be used to ensure future research is both informed by AND supportive of the work that is already happening in communities.

Participation in the study involves a 40-60 minute interview and compensation is a $30 VISA gift card. All responses are completely confidential and will be used for research purposes only. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, complete the consent form.  

For more information, contact Okie Nwakanma at (347) 380-0920 or onwakanma@fordham.edu

Day: Monday, November 23rd

Time: 12pm to 1:30pm

Location: virtually via zoom

A free workshop presented by the Social Security Administration.

• Information regarding Disability Benefits and the disability filing process

• How to file online and help a client qualify for monthly benefits or file appeals

• How to use your my Social Security Online Account and other SSA Online Services

• info on Supplemental Security Income Benefits
• Reporting requirements when receiving benefits
• Review of other Social Security programs

Please Note – You should create your my Social Security Account before attending the class and printout your Social Security Statement if you are not currently receiving benefits. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount for instructions on both.

Click here for registration information!

Call 1-833-681-0211 to be connected to a live support specialist. The support specialist will listen and connect you to community resources in your area. The program is anonymous and no identifying information is maintained.

For more resources and to find out more, go to www.walistens.org

The Veteran Training Support Center is working to identify professional development opportunities to fill the 2021 training calendar! Submissions are officially open for subject-matter experts who can contribute to trainings in one of three areas:

1. Professional development trainings (continuing education)
2. Speciality trainings
3. Veteran trainings

Interested professionals will have until December 3rd to submit their training proposals. Trainers are encouraged to submit any and all training proposals they feel will aide in the mission of ‘advancing understanding of veterans and their family members.’

For more information contact Tom.Hove@DVA.WA.GOV

Radical Readings exists as a platform for sharing the work of people of color as it relates to racism, trauma, and mental health.

This issue's spotlight is about the importance of balancing representation of Black trauma with images and stories of Black joy.

Read Pop culture is full of black trauma. Watch these films to celebrate black joy.

by Paulina Jayne Isaac.

We would love to spotlight your stories here. You can submit your stories to Sophia at anytime.