NAMI’s three main missions are education, support, and advocacy for everyone affected by mental illness. Our Snohomish Affiliate exercised some valuable local advocacy with many members sending e-mails to their Snohomish County Council representatives in support of the Ordinance 21-098 for 1/10th of one percent sales tax earmarked for behavioral health and affordable housing. Following readings and council discussion, there were three more hours of Zoom testimony by residents and housing and human service leaders. Everett Herald article

Some of the most memorable comments were made by NAMI member and Public Policy Advocate Volunteer Gay-Lynn Beighton. Her descriptions of attempting to find housing for a homeless relative in mental health crisis were confirmed by Duane Leonard, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO). HASCO has not been able to process applications for affordable housing since January 2014, and is still working on applications from December 2013 since there is a ten-year wait for housing. Gay-Lynn mentioned that after hours of talking with the 211 operator, she discovered that only five percent of those seeking housing actually find something. Once her relative applied for the one open housing spot, documents stated that the wait list could be ten years.

Thanks to all of you who e-mailed your reps and those NAMI members who testified during the 4.5-hour meeting on December 15 -- it passed! You make a difference! This is really a reason to celebrate for all of us attempting to find treatment for behavioral health or locate affordable housing. NAMI is the voice for our most vulnerable loved ones who cannot speak for themselves.

What do these acronyms have in common: NAVIGATE, PREP, EDAPT, PART, CREW, and PRIME? These are some of the many abbreviations for a treatment program called First Episode Psychosis or FEP, which is a team intervention approach also known as Coordinated Services Care (CSC). Program Directory of Early Psychosis Intervention

One of the best known FEP programs in the US is OnTrackNYC. The north counties of Snohomish, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom have not been able to offer what is known in WA state as NAVIGATE (a comprehensive program designed to provide early and effective treatment to individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis) or STEP (interdisciplinary team that seeks to provide comprehensive care for individuals who are early in the course of a psychotic illness in order to prevent symptoms from becoming disabling) but they may be coming soon. Join Whatcom NAMI for more information or e-mail Kim ksauter@namiwhatcom.org on January 20, 2022.

The Washington State Healthcare Authority and a team from New Journeys will hold a virtual community conversation on Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 pm. New Journeys started in Washington State in 2015 in Yakima County as an early intervention program using a shared decision-making model between coordinated specialty care centers and youth and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Since that time, the program has grown to have locations in nine counties and has served over 200 youth, young adults, and their families, with more sites being opened every year to address the needs of those requiring assistance with early intervention for psychosis. Those interested in this program can have their questions answered at the January 20 Zoom conversation. Registration opening soon. More information

In response to the rise in mental health conditions among the younger population, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a public advisory that declares a “mental health crisis” among young people. The advisory was accompanied by a 53-page report outlining the factors contributing to rising rates of mental health distress. The report also proposed ways to begin addressing them at the local, community, and individual level. The announcement represents the first time mental health has been identified at the federal level as a public health crisis. Read more.

The NAMI National Convention is June 15-18, 2022 and the organizers are seeking workshop and talk proposals that encourage mental health education and innovation and are informed by theory, research, and practice. Proposals are due January 31. Details

Our neighbors at Whatcom NAMI are sponsoring a free six-part Zoom series on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, an evidence-based program developed by the University of Illinois Chicago College of

Medicine. NAMI promotes all forms of self care and this one begins Tuesday January 11 through February 15 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. To register, contact Whatcom NAMI at namiwhatcom.org. Details

Whether your preference is curling up with books in the dark Snohomish County winter, watching streaming services, or listening to podcasts, there are many platforms to learn more about mental illness. Here are some recommendations from local NAMI members on books, podcasts, and documentaries.

Written ten years ago, Randy Kaye's book Ben Behind His Voices describes her son Ben's journey with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Each chapter includes portions of the twelve week NAMI Family to Family curriculum which NAMI now offers in an eight-week format.

Former Minnesota state representative and another active NAMI leader, Mindy Greiling, recently published Fix What You Can, an illuminating and frank account of caring for a person with a mental illness, told by a parent and advocate.

Miriam Feldman, author of He Came In With It, has connections with Washington State. It is a story about how her son's schizophrenia affected the entire family.

These three mothers of children with schizophrenia who have written best selling books on their experiences have now teamed up to present podcasts titled Three Moms in the Trenches on subjects related to families and schizophrenia. The most recent of these podcasts features an interview with Jerri Clark of Southwest Washington, founder Mothers of Mentally Ill (MOMI).

From Chehalis, Washington, author Grace Cho's new book, Tastes Like War, has been featured in several NPR interviews in the past weeks. Here is one of those interviews.

If your taste tends more to viewing streaming services and you have Apple TV+, you may enjoy the Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry six-part documentary series on mental illness titled The Me You Can't See. The series features illuminating stories from across the globe on trauma, abuse, and depression.

All in-person classes and support groups have been suspended due to the COVID-19 emergency. However, you can participate in online support groups during this time.