NAMI Chicago

Eat Happy. 🫶 Give Back.

Join NAMI Chicago’s Associate Board and Mendocino Farms for a special fundraiser on 📅 Thursday, October 8 at the 📍 River North location, 508 N. Clark Street from 2 pm to close.

You can also order online for pickup or delivery using the promo code “GIVEBACK”!

30% 💚 of all proceeds will go towards supporting our mission to educate, advocate, and support those on their mental health journey.

GREAT 💚 NEWS!

NAMI Chicago welcomes the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ crisis services through the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline’s “Press 3” option.

Special thanks to Raja Krishnamoorthi, The Trevor Project, Equality Illinois, and the many advocates, providers, and young people who supported the push for the "Press 3" option. https://namichicago.org/blog/restoration-of-988-lgbtq-crisis-services/

Strong doesn't mean silent, 💚 those who do protect us need protection too!

Join the 25th District Council for a conversation about how policing impacts both officers and the communities they serve.

The panel will feature Laney Chace, Senior Manager of Clinical Support at NAMI Chicago, and Jermaine Harris, 11th District Field Lieutenant with the Chicago Police Department.

📆 When: Tomorrow, Thurs, Oct. 1
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Where: Bethel New Life - 1150 N Lamon Ave

Register 🔗 here: https://namichicago.org/calendar-events/wellness-when-servng-the-community-a-conversation-on-police-officers-mental-health-and-wellness/

The Beyond Crisis Summit was just the beginning — and now the work is moving forward.

We’ve released the Beyond Crisis Summit Report, capturing what more than 300 people with lived experience, providers, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders identified as key opportunities to better support people experiencing repeated cycles of mental health crisis.

The report looks at where our current systems fall short, what stronger community-based support could look like, and the ideas that will help inform the Coalition’s work ahead.

If you care about how Chicago can better support people before, during, and after a mental health crisis, we hope you’ll take a look.

Read the report: 🔗 https://namichicago.org/policy-reports/

Support starts with a conversation. 💛 YOU are not alone.

Our Chief Program Officer, Jasmine Watkins, spoke with ABC 7 Chicago's Samantha Chatman to talk about su***de prevention, including signs, interventions, and the value of connection for those experiencing a crisis.

Dr. Wallace and Monique Pollard also joined Chatman to remember Landon Wallace, also known as DJ Commando, and share tips for parents and loved ones of individuals who are struggling.

Watch it here: https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-dr-lance-wallace-father-landon-known-dj-commando-shares-story-during-su***de-prevention-month-2026/19877872/

If you or someone you know is struggling, please 📱call or text #988 anytime, day or night. Be sure to check in with family and friends. Ask how they're really doing, and listen without judgement. ***dePreventionMonth

Our Chicago: DJ Commando's father shares his story during Su***de Prevention Month The father of Landon Wallace, known by many around Chicago as DJ Commando, has said he's not afraid to talk about how his son died.

Your story is 💚 powerful.

Sharing your experience 📢 can help policymakers understand what helps and what's needed to support people living with mental health conditions.

Join us virtually for NAMI Smarts for Advocacy workshop on Wednesday, September 30 at 12 pm to learn how you can turn your experience with mental health conditions into a grassroots advocacy story.

Register here ➡️: https://namichicago.zoom.us/meeting/register/7iU83eeCTmWr-lV2Z2WTOw

The Beyond Crisis Coalition is moving from conversation to action with our first meeting in the books! 📢On September 10, Coalition members came together to:

✅ Reflect on what we heard at the Summit
✅ Review findings from the tabletop exercise
✅ Work together to identify priorities across four areas: Health, Home, Belonging, and Purpose.

This is still the beginning, and the Coalition is continuing to grow.

If you want to help shape stronger community-based systems of support for people experiencing repeated cycles of mental health crisis, we’d love to have you involved.

Join the work: https://namichicago.org/beyondcrisis/

On behalf of the entire NAMI Chicago team, THANK YOU🧡!!!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community — TOGETHER, we raised nearly $700,000 for mental health care, advocacy, and support at this year's Light the Darkness 2026. This is a record-breaking amount and it's all made possible by each and every one of you.

Every donation and every contribution supports a better mental health future for Chicago, one that makes communities feel prioritized, understood, and supported.

If you weren't able to give and simply want to keep the momentum going, it's not too late — you can still donate and help NAMI Chicago bring hope and support to those who need it most. ➡️ https://onecau.se/ltd26

Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed ? SAME, because our 🌐 website is currently down :(

But at NAMI Chicago, we believe 😊 that hope is always possible!

Check out our upcoming Support Groups! To register 📱 call or text the Helpline at 833-626-4244 or email us at 🔗 [email protected]

UPDATE: Good news, our website is back up❗Learn more here: https://namichicago.org/

Our website is temporarily unavailable, but our team is still here and ready to 💚 help.

If you’re looking for information or resources, want to sign up for a support group, have questions about our services or career opportunities, 📱 call or text our Helpline at 833-626-4244 or email 📧 us at [email protected].

We’ll share an update as soon as the website is back online.