Education
NAMI Education courses are designed to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness, increase coping skills and empower participants to become advocates for their family members and for themselves.
Support
NAMI Support groups are designed for family members, caregivers and individuals living with mental illness. Our groups are designed for those hoping to gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
Advocacy
NAMI is a strong voice on mental illness; carrying out ongoing advocacy for a public policy agenda to improve mental health services throughout our county, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and support effective treatment and recovery programs.
What people are saying...
Stephen Kaplan
“Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) values the guidance, support and education NAMI SMC provides to family members that have a loved one living with a mental illness. BHRS staff regularly refers NAMI recognizing how important families are to the recovery process. Lastly, we appreciate the strong and effective NAMI advocacy on behalf of families and consumers of our services.”
Stephen Kaplan
LCSW Director, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
San Mateo County
Jim Coffman
“Next to County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, NAMI is the third leg of the stool in the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program since 2005. CIT has trained over 500 first responders that have the knowledge and skills to deal more effectively with people in a mental health crisis. I have personally referred many families to NAMI chapters in the Bay Area in order to help them deal with the life changing events when a loved one suffers their first break. NAMI is an invaluable resource to law enforcement in San Mateo County.”
Jim Coffman
Detective, Psychiatric Emergency Response Team San Mateo County
Calvin Shelton
“NAMI San Mateo gave me a chance to grow. I dealt with a diagnosis of Paranoid Schizophrenia most of my life, and since taking the NAMI Peer-to-Peer class, I am now a Peer Mentor and their lead co-teacher. With the help of NAMI SMC, I have developed my leadership abilities and am a valued team member.”
Calvin Shelton
Redwood City
Teresa Walker
“I am one of the original founders of NAMI which started here in San Mateo County. We called ourselves AMI (Alliance for the Mentally Ill) before the organization went national. At 90 years old, I am proud to be a member of NAMI SMC. Keep up the good work! Thanks for doing what you are doing.”
Teresa Walker — On Sept 9, 2017 our longtime friend and past NAMI SMC Board President past away at 92 years young. Over the years, Terry worked tirelessly in a variety of capacities in the mental illness arena. We salute Terry for her many contributions and appreciate all she has done for our community within NAMI SMC and in the mental health community; increasing awareness, supporting families and improving services! Terry will be greatly missed!
Gina Olinger
“I’m really glad that I took the NAMI Peer-to-Peer class. Within 10 weeks I was able to get lots of new information and learn new techniques that I now use to make progress in my recovery.”
Gina Olinger, San Carlos
Mental health experts declined to commit Thousand Oaks gunman Ian David Long after April disturbance
Police visited the home of Ian David Long, the 28-year-old who killed several people at a bar in Thousand Oaks, earlier this year after a call about a disturbance. Law enforcement officials determined he did not qualify for an involuntarily psychiatric hold, officials...
read moreWhat’s Life Like After Depression? Surprisingly, Little Is Known
Most research on depression focuses on the afflicted, a new paper argues, overlooking a potentially informative group: people who have recovered. A generation ago, depression was viewed as an unwanted guest: a gloomy presence that might appear in the wake of a loss or...
read moreA simpler, better way to diagnose mental illness
Patterns of speech may be telltales of particular symptoms DIAGNOSING MENTAL illness is difficult. Giving broad names such as “schizophrenia” and “bipolar disorder” to particular sets of symptoms helps psychiatrists and patients discuss and treat what is going on, but...
read moreSupport NAMI SMC and help members of your community who face mental illness everyday.
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Take the next step and become a member of NAMI today.
- Nov 19, 2018 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 7:00pm on Monday, repeating until Dec 31, 2018
NAMI Connections
For persons working on their wellness and recovery. Connections provides persons with mental healt...
- Nov 20, 2018 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every month that begins at 6:30pm on day Third of the month, repeating until Dec 18, 2018
NAMI San Mateo Medical Center Support Group
For Family Members. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30p-8pm. 222 W. 39th Avenue & Edison, San Mateo....
- Nov 22, 2018 @ 5:45 pm - 7:00 pm|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every month that begins at 5:45pm on day Fourth of the month, repeating until Dec 27, 2018
NAMI North County Support Group
NAMI North County Support Group for family and friends. 2nd and 4th Thursday, 5:45-7pm. 375 89th Str...
