Nami of Whatcom County

NAMI Whatcom is an affiliate of NAMI, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Our mission is to encourage recovery and reintegration of persons with mental illnesses and to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illness and their families.

NAMI Whatcom is fully inclusive of individuals with mental illness and their families of all backgrounds and cultures. Our affiliate collaborates with others to advocate for system change and public policies that best serve to support recovery and resiliency for those whose lives are affected by mental illness.

NAMI Whatcom values support, education, advocacy and research. These are the "four pillars" of NAMI and have long been the foundation upon which we have built the NAMI movement.

But we can't do it without you! Every donation we recieve is used to provide support in the community, power free education courses and support groups, host community education events, and keep us offering the services we provide to those in need. 

We are immensly grateful for every contribution! 

Help us raise fund for our Second Annual Stigma Stomp!

The Sigma Stomp challenges Whatcom county to come together and reject the stigma of mental illness. Together we can stomp out stigma!

On October 8th, 2016, NAMI Whatcom will host the second annual mental health fair and 5k run to stomp out the stigma surrounding mental illness!

The stigma of mental illness encourages societal attitudes of fear, mistrust, and prejudice against those living with a mental illness. Perpetuated stigma causes those living with an illness to delay seeking help and support - oftentimes to the point of crisis or suicide.

The Whatcom Health Department revealed that County residents report higher levels of mental health issues than in the rest of Washington State or in the entire nation. Particularly vunerable populations are youth, adolescents, and young adults. One out of four (28%) high school students and one out of five (19%) of WWU students report depression symptoms or a history of depression diagnosis (HYS, 2010). The depression prevalence at WWU is higher than rates reported nationally (15%). Approximately 7% of high school stuends report suicide attempts and 10% of WWU students report serious consideration or attempts at suicide (NCHA, 2008).

By connecting local health and wellness organizations to each other and community members, NAMI Whatcom hopes to shift the focus from stigmatizing those who are living with a mental illness, to a focus on encouraging health and wellness for all in the county - including at risk populations.

Connecting the community to health and wellness resources and encouraging physicaly activity is the first step to ignite the conversation about mental health. All funds raised go to NAMI Whatcom.

Or visit our website for more information!