The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Oregon (NAMI Oregon) is a statewide grassroots organization with more than 1,500 members in 15 affiliates; it is one of 50 state organizations that comprise the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Our mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illnesses and their families through education, support, and advocacy. Our statewide toll-freeHelpline (800-343-6264) is answered by trained volunteers and staff who provide information and referrals to mental health resources.
NAMI Oregon's affiliates, which rely on the support of dedicated volunteers, are vital to providing programs and services locally to let you know you are not alone. NAMI Oregon also works to ensure that everyone affected by mental illness is represented wherever decisions are made. NAMI Oregon testifies before the state legislature, serves on state planning and advisory committees, actively partners with strategic coalitions, and participates in task forces and other policy forums.
Read below for the latest news and events at NAMI Oregon.
It's Walk time!
Walk day is less than two weeks away! Join us to raise funds and awareness, and support mental health advocacy. If you are interested in volunteering on walk day, please contact NAMI Oregon at (503)230-8009 or namioregon@namior.org.
Check out this video of Dave Dahl, founder of Dave's Killer Bread, on why he supports NAMI and our mission. Huge thanks to Eric Eaklor/ESquared Productions for donating the time and talent to make this video, and big thanks to Dave Dahl and our friends at Dave's Killer Bread for all of their support!
2012 New Freedom Award Recipients Named
Former Oregon State Senator Avel Gordly and Oregon Partnership Founder and CEO Judy Cushing have been selected to be the 2012 co-recipients of the Gordon and Sharon Smith New Freedom Award. Gordly and Cushing will receive their award at a dinner to be held at the Portland Downtown Waterfront Marriott on October 9. Read the Press Release.
Upcoming Trainings
NAMI Oregon has several education and support program trainings scheduled in the next few months:
June 8-10: Family-to-Family teacher training at the Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center in Tualatin
June 22-24: Basics teacher training at the Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center in Tualatin
July 6-8: Connection Support Group facilitator training at the NAMI Washington County office in Aloha
Schedules and application forms for these trainings are available on the Upcoming Trainings page of the NAMI Oregon website. Contact Education Programs Manager Peter Link at (503) 230-8009 or pete@namior.org with questions about any of the trainings.
Peer Advocacy and Community Supports
NAMI Oregon is now offering Peer Advocacy and Community Supports (PACS) appointments for Multnomah county residents. Started by staff at NAMI of Washington County, PACS is a one-on-one resource referral service to help individuals living with mental illness access a wide range of resources. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact NAMI Oregon at 503-230-8009 or namioregon@namior.org.
Community Resources
NAMI Oregon is rebuilding its Community Resources webpage. We have added many new resources statewide and will continue adding more in the weeks to come. Please take a look. If you know of a resource in your community that falls under one of the categories covered and should be included but is not, please email the suggested addition to pete@namior.org.
NAMI Oregon Releases Health Transformation Guide
Many Oregonians may still be puzzled by the term "health transformation," but the changes forthcoming in Oregon's Medicaid system could vastly improve health care in our state or just be another shot in the dark that fails to hit its intended target. NAMI Oregon has long advocated for an integrated health care system that focuses on individual and family health. To that end, NAMI Oregon is pleased to issue its "Policy Guide to Health Transformation and Integration in Oregon" that collects all of NAMI's various positions on health care transformation into one document. This will serve as our guiding vision for our advocacy on health care reform.
Oregon
