NAMI Chicago

Last week, we held a special event to celebrate our faith-based leaders for their collaboration in designing a program at the intersection of 💚 mental health and faith.

Special thanks to Latasha Brown, our Sr. Education and Engagement Specialist, and Casey Shearson, our Grants Manager, for leading this initiative. More to come!

Dr. Lauren Smith, our Director of Education and Engagement, led a Fundamentals of Workplace Wellness Training for .

This program recruits individuals from underserved communities and equips them with essential hospitality skills, helping them secure jobs in unionized culinary positions. We're proud to support the UHCHI apprentices.

Learn more about our Workplace Wellness program here: ➡️ https://www.namichicago.org/request-a-training

We’re honored to be recognized as one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in 2026🏆by The Best and Brightest Programs National Association for Business Resources.

This award isn’t about a title—it’s about our people.

We’re proud to strengthen the employee experience by developing a mission aligned people strategy, and even prouder of the culture we’ve built together. 🙌

Learn more here: ➡️ https://www.namichicago.org/media

Sec. Kennedy and MAHA are advancing the message that mental health has been “overmedicalized” with a detailed focus on overprescribing, the detrimental impacts and side-effects of antidepressants, specifically Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and the need for more detailed guidelines for tapering off these medications.

The plan emphasizes patient choice, holistic care, and reevaluating long-term medication use—but advocates and experts say the conversation must also address gaps in access, treatment options, and ongoing need to improve access to care and effective treatment. Hear what our Sr. Director of Policy, Jim Poole, had to say on this topic with WTTW - Chicago PBS, Chicago Tonight.

"And I think our concern at NAMI Chicago is that this reinforces sort of a medication stigma that people might feel, that there's something shameful about using a mental health medication. And we know from our conversations every day, that's a really important tool for lots of folks in their recovery. And it's life changing, lifesaving for many of our neighbors."- Sr. Director of Policy, Jim Poole

Learn more: ➡️ https://news.wttw.com/2026/05/13/rfk-jr-launches-plan-address-overuse-psychiatric-medications

We are proud to be recognized as a 🌟 2026 Gold Star recipient of the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America.

The Bell Seal is the nation’s leading recognition for employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.

NAMI Chicago received an overall score of 👏 90%, including 100% in both Caring Beyond Compliance and Holistic Wellness at Work. These areas assess how employers foster inclusive and psychologically safe work environments, prioritize prevention and early intervention, promote awareness, support peer connection, and offer resources that support employees’ whole health.

Read more: ➡️ https://www.namichicago.org/media

Support is something we don’t talk about enough.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness month, we want to share why getting support is so crucial.

Su***de remains the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-14 in the U.S. and the third leading cause among young people ages 15-24.

A recent study published by JAMA highlighted an 11% decline in youth su***de deaths since the launch of the 988 Crisis Lifeline💚. The findings suggest that prevention efforts, open conversations, and access to support can not only make a difference but can also save lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.📱Call or text #988, available 24/7. Learn more about 988 here: https://www.namichicago.org/988

#988

THANK YOU for walking with purpose! 💚💙

Walking side by side, you demonstrated what it truly means to stand together. Every stride represented a message: "You are not alone".

Together, we pushed past stigma and moved our community forward. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. To our walkers, volunteers, community members, speakers, sponsors, and partners—THANK YOU for showing up!👟✨

Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BMO U.S., for their unwavering support and commitment to mental health—and we can’t wait to do it again next year.💚

If you weren’t able to give yet, there’s still time to donate and support this important work. Donate 🔗 here: https://www.namiwalks.org/chicago