NAMI Central Oregon

03/09/2026

There are still several spots available in our upcoming NAMI Hearts & Minds class, beginning September 16.

This 5-week class is about something we don't talk about enough: mental health and physical health are deeply connected.

We'll explore practical ways to better understand your body, advocate for your health, support your mental wellness, and build habits that help you feel better—without the pressure to completely overhaul your life. One step at a time.

This is a judgement-free zone!

If you've been wanting to take better care of yourself but aren't sure where to start, this might be a good place.

Starts September 16 in Bend.
FREE. Registration required.

https://namicentraloregon.org/event/nami-hearts-and-minds-class/2026-09-16/

01/09/2026

Mental health matters, and connection strengthens communities.

Each week, NAMI Central Oregon offers free mental health support groups that create opportunities for people to connect, share experiences, and find support.

Check out this week's support groups!

For full details and registration information, visit the NAMI Central Oregon calendar: https://namicentraloregon.org/calendar/

31/08/2026

Got salsa moves? Two left feet? Either way, you're invited!

Join us for the NAMI Central Oregon Salsa Dance Fundraiser on Sept. 12th and spend the evening dancing, enjoying delicious food/drinks, and generally having a very good time for a very good cause. 💚

🌶️ Saturday, Sept. 12 | 5–7 PM
📍 Private residence in Bend
🎟️ $20 | Only 25 spots
💃 Get your tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ytych53j

We’re welcoming back international dance choreographer Lionel Araya for a beginner friendly salsa lesson, so no experience required. Just bring yourself and your willingness to move. 😉

Every ticket helps fund NAMI Central Oregon’s free peer led education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.

31/08/2026

28/08/2026

Do you want NAMI Central Oregon to keep going? We need your help.

Donate or become a monthly donor: https://tinyurl.com/namicentralorg Even $5 or $10 a month can help sustain our community.

For the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing stories from people across Central Oregon about what NAMI means to them. Our final video brings those voices together and reminds us what this community has built.

Connection. Support. Education. Advocacy. A place to turn when you or someone you love is struggling.

NAMI Central Oregon provides these programs for free. But free doesn’t mean free to provide. With grant funding getting tighter, we need our local community to help sustain them.

It takes all of us. 💙

🎥 A huge thank you to Bola Film Productions for helping us tell these stories and capture what NAMI means to Central Oregon.

27/08/2026

Hey, can we talk?

Opening up about your mental health can be hard, especially when you’re not sure how to start the conversation.

Our newest Youth Voices resource, Hey, Can We Talk? Talking to a Trusted Adult About Your Mental Health, was created to help young people navigate those conversations.

The toolkit shares practical ways to talk with a trusted adult, explain what you’re feeling, ask for support, and keep advocating for yourself when you need to.

Most importantly, it’s a reminder that you don’t have to go through difficult things alone—and you don’t have to find the perfect words before asking for help.

Read the toolkit and article on the NAMI Central Oregon website:
https://namicentraloregon.org/youth-voices-hey-can-we-talk-talking-to-a-trusted-adult-about-your-mental-health/

27/08/2026

We’re excited to see Respite Ready: Central Oregon getting some local news love! 💚

Thank you to Bend Source for sharing the story behind this new free training and why it matters for youth, families and our whole community.

We’re bringing this free 2 hour training to Bend, Madras and Prineville starting next month. Because supporting the mental health of our kids really is a community effort. 💚

Read the story from The Source and learn more about Respite Ready:

Families of children with behavioral health concerns often rely on relatives, friends, and other trusted adults for backup and short-term relief, particularly during periods of stress or emerging issues. This informal support, known as respite care, can give parents and guardians a needed break, whi...

26/08/2026

🐾 Happy International Dog Day! 🐾 Dogs are pretty incredible. Whether they’re emotional support animals, service animals, therapy dogs, or simply our best friends, they have a special way of showing up for us when we need them most. 💛

They remind us to get outside, take a break, slow down, be present, and do the thing with a little more love. Sometimes, a cuddle, a wagging tail, or a walk around the block is exactly what we need.

Today, we’re celebrating all the amazing pups who help make our lives a little brighter and our mental health journeys a little easier. 🐶❤️

Share a photo of your favorite pup in the comments and give them two paws up from us! 🐾📸

24/08/2026

Looking for a space where you feel understood? Join us at our free mental health support groups this week to connect with others, find encouragement, and feel more supported.

Peer Support Groups (open to adults 18+):
⭐️Online Connection Peer Support Group: August 24 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT
⭐️In-Person S2LGBTQIA Peer Connection Support Group in Bend: August 25 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
⭐️Online Veteran’s Connection Support Group: August 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
⭐️In-Person Sisters OR Peer Connection Support Group: August 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Family/Caregiver Support Groups:
⭐In-Person Prineville Family Support Group: August 25 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
⭐In-Person Bend Family Support Group: August 26 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
⭐Online Family Support Group: August 27 @ 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm

Find more information about our free mental health support groups (including locations and online links) here: https://namicentraloregon.org/calendar

19/08/2026

Our affiliate, NAMI Central Oregon, is offering an In Our Own Voice (IOOV) Presenter Training for individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions who are ready to share their journey and make a difference in their community.

This free, one-day training will prepare participants to become official NAMI IOOV Presenters and share stories of challenge, resilience, and recovery with schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, community organizations, and other groups throughout Oregon.

Saturday, September 5, 2026
9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Attend in person in Bend or virtually from anywhere in Oregon.

No previous public speaking experience is required. We’ll provide the training and support you need to share your story in a hopeful, recovery-focused way.

If you’re interested in helping reduce stigma and create more understanding around mental health, we invite you to join us.

*Especially recruiting those with law enforcement encounters as a part of their mental health story to contribute to educating local officers.

Learn more and register here: https://namicentraloregon.org/event/in-our-own-voice-presenter-training/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTxu1RwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVVVQ3RpbU8zWUtMWFF0d1FzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNbM8FpWVxKYYEfm3rWquIcTI3H09F9GRIttd5tDtwbsh_vYxFk-49MA9VM4_aem_5zoPqTFoH6LZvsSk5xHHYw

Questions? Email NAMI Central Oregon at [email protected]