Welcome to NAMI Western Minnesota
One in five people will experience a mental illness each year. These illnesses affect people of any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status, and they affect the entire family. Mental illnesses are biological brain disorders and can disrupt a person’s thinking, feelings, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are treatable medical conditions and thanks to research and medical advances, recovery is possible. Many people feel isolated by a mental illness due to the stigma and misinformation surrounding these conditions. If your life has been touched by a mental illness, you are not alone!
NAMI Western Minnesota is committed to improving the quality of life for people living with mental illnesses, erasing the stigma of mental illness, referring families and friends to existing resources, and influencing public policy. We serve the 5-county area of Western Minnesota including Kandiyohi, Swift, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Big Stone counties. Come to one of our meetings, support groups, classes, or events. All of our programs are offered free of charge.
NAMI Western Minnesota is committed to improving the quality of life for people living with mental illnesses, erasing the stigma of mental illness, referring families and friends to existing resources, and influencing public policy. We serve the 5-county area of Western Minnesota including Kandiyohi, Swift, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Big Stone counties. Come to one of our meetings, support groups, classes, or events. All of our programs are offered free of charge.
NAMI Advocacy Volunteers Should Plan Now to Take Action For 2021 Session

NAMI volunteers across the state are needed now to start preparing for the upcoming state legislative session where there will be budget shortfalls. From now through the end of the legislative session, it will be critical that all NAMI volunteers learn, ban together, and speak with one voice to help advance NAMI legislative priorities and stop potential financial cuts to mental health services.
The two best ways to get involved and stay informed are as follows:
Join the NAMI Legislative Committee. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, contact Sam Smith.
Sign up to receive the Legislative Update e-newsletter. This publication will soon feature information about upcoming advocacy trainings, details for the 2021 Mental Health Day on the Hill, and specifics about the coming session’s legislative priorities.
The two best ways to get involved and stay informed are as follows:
Join the NAMI Legislative Committee. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, contact Sam Smith.
Sign up to receive the Legislative Update e-newsletter. This publication will soon feature information about upcoming advocacy trainings, details for the 2021 Mental Health Day on the Hill, and specifics about the coming session’s legislative priorities.
NAMI Minnesota Invites Affiliates to Annual Research Dinner

NAMI Minnesota is pleased to bring you the latest research from the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry! University researchers will present their latest findings, introduce new studies that are underway and answer your questions about What We Have Learned About Stress & Well-Being Over The Past Year. Join us for an evening of information and hope. This year’s event will be virtual, so enjoy dinner at home while learning about the latest in mental health research.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Register at https://researchdinner2021.eventbrite.com. A Zoom link to attend this event will be sent to you the week of the event after you have registered.
Faculty from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences will talk about what they have learned about stress, mental health, and well-being during the pandemic and the civil unrest. This will be a chance to learn about stress responses and how they affect the brain and body. They will also discuss strategies that help us learn and grow from stressful events. This presentation will be led by Sophia Vinogradov, the Head of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Over the past year, she and her faculty have played a key role in supporting the U of M Medical School in handling the many stressors that healthcare workers have faced. She will talk about what they have learned, and how it applies to all of us.
While there is no cost to attend this year’s event, we welcome donations to support the mission of NAMI Minnesota. To donate, please visit: https://namimn.org/get-involved/donate_now/
For more information or questions, call 651-645-2948, Ext. 118 or email directorofoutreach@namimn.org.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Register at https://researchdinner2021.eventbrite.com. A Zoom link to attend this event will be sent to you the week of the event after you have registered.
Faculty from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences will talk about what they have learned about stress, mental health, and well-being during the pandemic and the civil unrest. This will be a chance to learn about stress responses and how they affect the brain and body. They will also discuss strategies that help us learn and grow from stressful events. This presentation will be led by Sophia Vinogradov, the Head of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Over the past year, she and her faculty have played a key role in supporting the U of M Medical School in handling the many stressors that healthcare workers have faced. She will talk about what they have learned, and how it applies to all of us.
While there is no cost to attend this year’s event, we welcome donations to support the mission of NAMI Minnesota. To donate, please visit: https://namimn.org/get-involved/donate_now/
For more information or questions, call 651-645-2948, Ext. 118 or email directorofoutreach@namimn.org.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NAMIWesternMN
NAMI Western Minnesota is a proud affiliate of NAMI Minnesota.