You Are Not Alone!

The COVID19 pandemic put the world as we know it into Isolation. Isolation from family, friends and colleagues. For those who could, consigned to work at home, or in near-empty office buildings. For those who couldn’t work from home – the anxiety and stress of moving through a world that was shut down, and honestly, dangerous to one’s physical health. Constrained from gatherings, and confused about the level and intensity of our emotional reactions to this turbulent time.

People living with serious mental and behavioral health challenges have been deeply affected by the pandemic and others have experienced mental health issues for the first time. Uncertainty about the future continues to be very real, immediate, and distressing. It is essential to prioritize our mental health and stay connected with friends, family, and peers. No one should feel alone in their mental health journey; this is the theme of NAMI Washington’s 2021 Annual State Conference: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

During our 2021 conference we will endeavor to turn the tragic and life-changing impact of COVID-19 into a spotlight on the growing need for systemic improvements in our behavioral health care system. We will focus on connection, and increased awareness through the presentation of innovative and intersectional behavioral health programs, topics and ideas. Collectively, we can help each other start to heal and find a path to recovery. Together we can realize our shared vision of a state – and nation – where anyone affected by a behavioral health condition can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives –where no one feels alone in their struggle.

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FAQs

What is the cost of the Conference?

In 2020 our first virtual conference was free. We are not able to continue that as there are costs to putting on even a virtual conference. The ticket fees are $25 for NAMI members, $50 for non-members, and $5 for folx on a fixed income and there is an option to give an additional donation to NAMI WA.

Where can I find the Conference agenda?

The Conference agenda will listed on the NAMI Washington website, and the agenda will be emailed out to all registered Conference attendees prior to the start of the Conference. A physical agenda will not be mailed to participants. Once you register, you will be able to access the agenda on our virtual conference platform, Whova, as well.

What breakout session workshops are being offered in 2021?

There will be two 60-minute breakout workshops in the afternoon, offering 5 choices per workshop session:

Real Lives, Real Talk, Real Change: This presentation will illustrate how oppression and discrimination put some communities at much higher risk than others of experiencing harm from interactions with law enforcement officials.

Thrown Away in Our Prison System: This workshop will focus on the intersection of mental illness with involvement in the prison system, which itself is intertwined with issues of race, substance abuse, homelessness and poverty.

Mental Health in a Medical Health Crisis: Today, as people are striving to return to normalcy by returning to routine health examinations, they may discover physical health has been compromised by serious disease.

How to Navigate School for Youth with Mental Health Concerns: For youth, family caregivers, educators, and community partners, this workshop provides key information about how to get more help at school when behavioral health interferes with learning.

Relief for Acute Psychotic Experience: Stabilizing Homes – The Soteria Model: Soteria Models are driven by values of egalitarianism and respect for individual and cultural uniqueness. Soteria models will be compared with current US practises.

Employment & the Clubhouse Model: Hear from a Clubhouse member’s firsthand lived experience how their Clubhouse not only changed their life but saved their life through the employment program. Best practices in employment services and tangible next steps for getting individuals living with mental illness back into the workforce.

Challenging Dads to Become Involved in Mental Health Care: Dads MOVE will demonstrate how we are educating Fathers to be more involved in their children’s lives who struggle with behavioral health concerns and helping families have brighter futures.

Spectrums of Mental Health: Language, Neurodiversity and Access to Care: The ways we conceptualize diagnosis, accessibility and mental healthcare are deeply informed by the language and cultural norms we’re accustomed to.This solutions-focused presentation will look at three key areas of mental healthcare access through the lens of accessible language and applied neurodiversity

Talk Gender to Me: This workshop will focus on the gender identity and sexual orientation and the intersection with mental health care.

NAMI Homefront: A Program for Caregivers and Family Members of Veterans – An introduction and overview of NAMI’s signature program.

When do ticket sales end?

Tickets will be available until 5pm on Thursday, October 14, 2021. After that you will be unable to register for the Conference.