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.
Registration Now Open: Virtual Free Angst Documentary Screening
As families begin discussing the coming school year, anxiety around COVID-19 will likely increase the typical stressors associated with going back to school. NAMI Minnesota and sponsor affiliates are pleased to offer a special event to help families talk about anxiety and panic disorders as they prepare for the coming school year.
Families across Minnesota are invited to attend a free online viewing of the documentary Angst at 7 pm on August 25. This event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion led by experts in the children’s mental health field. This screening is made possible through the financial support of NAMI Dakota County, NAMI Hennepin County, NAMI Ramsey County, and NAMI Washington County. While the film is free, there are only 1,000 viewing tickets.
Register here!
Through candid interviews, the makers of Angst tell the stories of many kids and teens who discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all-time. While “Angst” documents the struggles some people have with anxiety, it also reveals their hope for the future. Noah, a teenager in the film, describes it this way: “Anxiety doesn’t define me. It’s not just a curse; it also gives me strength.”
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the U.S., impacting 54 percent of females and 46 percent of males, with age seven being the median age of onset, according to the World Health Organization. While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only one-third of those suffering receive treatment. For more information, please email directorofoutreach@namimn.org or visit https://angstmovie.com/
Families across Minnesota are invited to attend a free online viewing of the documentary Angst at 7 pm on August 25. This event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion led by experts in the children’s mental health field. This screening is made possible through the financial support of NAMI Dakota County, NAMI Hennepin County, NAMI Ramsey County, and NAMI Washington County. While the film is free, there are only 1,000 viewing tickets.
Register here!
Through candid interviews, the makers of Angst tell the stories of many kids and teens who discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all-time. While “Angst” documents the struggles some people have with anxiety, it also reveals their hope for the future. Noah, a teenager in the film, describes it this way: “Anxiety doesn’t define me. It’s not just a curse; it also gives me strength.”
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the U.S., impacting 54 percent of females and 46 percent of males, with age seven being the median age of onset, according to the World Health Organization. While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only one-third of those suffering receive treatment. For more information, please email directorofoutreach@namimn.org or visit https://angstmovie.com/
Online Support Provides Hope & Help During COVID 19
During this stressful time, NAMI Minnesota is here to help in partnership with its affiliates across Minnesota to continue providing support.
Join us online for a variety of FREE classes via Zoom that cover helpful and meaningful topics. Classes include self-care, dealing with stress caused by COVID-19, children’s mental health, and more. Classes are for people living with a mental illness, people who have a loved one living with a mental illness, professionals, parents, guardians, and the general public.
Visit https://namimn.org/education-public-awareness/classes/scheduled/ for a detailed schedule. We are regularly adding to the schedule, so be sure to check out the site often for new opportunities to connect.
In addition, we are offering FREE online support groups for individuals managing mental illnesses, family members of people who have mental illnesses, and parents of children with mental illnesses. Please join us. Details and links to these support groups, also via Zoom, are located here: https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/.
If you need help navigating the mental health system, you can call the NAMI Minnesota Helpline at (651) 645-2948, ext. 117 or email namihelps@namimn.org. This is a peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to people impacted by mental illnesses. Helpline staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and, able to provide guidance. Note: This is not a crisis line.
Find more information from NAMI Minnesota on Mental Health Support and COVID-19, here. Also find important information from the Minnesota Department of Health covering a number of areas that you may have questions about here: COVID Resources.
The MN Department of Education has also issued guidance for special education students. Their website now includes answers to frequently asked questions, suggestions for distance learning, and other relevant resources for families of special education students. MDE has also issued guidance for school-district obligations for special education services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
NAMI Minnesota is also offering a list of culturally responsive resources to help address the impacts of trauma and racism on African Americans and people of color. Additional resources are meant to evoke thoughtful discussion on confronting bias and helping initiate conversations on addressing racism. Below these resources are organizations that support and address topics on mental health within the black community and communities of color. In addition, we have included an online directory of local Twin Cities mental health agencies. Addressing racism requires ongoing, often difficult work that may be uncomfortable. Racism and discrimination are a public health issue that impacts people’s health and mental health.
Join us online for a variety of FREE classes via Zoom that cover helpful and meaningful topics. Classes include self-care, dealing with stress caused by COVID-19, children’s mental health, and more. Classes are for people living with a mental illness, people who have a loved one living with a mental illness, professionals, parents, guardians, and the general public.
Visit https://namimn.org/education-public-awareness/classes/scheduled/ for a detailed schedule. We are regularly adding to the schedule, so be sure to check out the site often for new opportunities to connect.
In addition, we are offering FREE online support groups for individuals managing mental illnesses, family members of people who have mental illnesses, and parents of children with mental illnesses. Please join us. Details and links to these support groups, also via Zoom, are located here: https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/.
If you need help navigating the mental health system, you can call the NAMI Minnesota Helpline at (651) 645-2948, ext. 117 or email namihelps@namimn.org. This is a peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to people impacted by mental illnesses. Helpline staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and, able to provide guidance. Note: This is not a crisis line.
Find more information from NAMI Minnesota on Mental Health Support and COVID-19, here. Also find important information from the Minnesota Department of Health covering a number of areas that you may have questions about here: COVID Resources.
The MN Department of Education has also issued guidance for special education students. Their website now includes answers to frequently asked questions, suggestions for distance learning, and other relevant resources for families of special education students. MDE has also issued guidance for school-district obligations for special education services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
NAMI Minnesota is also offering a list of culturally responsive resources to help address the impacts of trauma and racism on African Americans and people of color. Additional resources are meant to evoke thoughtful discussion on confronting bias and helping initiate conversations on addressing racism. Below these resources are organizations that support and address topics on mental health within the black community and communities of color. In addition, we have included an online directory of local Twin Cities mental health agencies. Addressing racism requires ongoing, often difficult work that may be uncomfortable. Racism and discrimination are a public health issue that impacts people’s health and mental health.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NAMIWesternMN
NAMI Western Minnesota is a proud affiliate of NAMI Minnesota.
