National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
Are you interested in helping to educate our community, provide support to others, and advocate for better mental health and resources? Volunteer with NAMI Anoka County! Contact affiliates@namimn.org for more information.
NAMI Advocacy Volunteers Should Plan Now to Take Action For 2021 Session

NAMI volunteers across the state are needed now to start preparing for the upcoming state legislative session where there will be budget shortfalls. From now through the end of the legislative session, it will be critical that all NAMI volunteers learn, ban together, and speak with one voice to help advance NAMI legislative priorities and stop potential financial cuts to mental health services.
The two best ways to get involved and stay informed are as follows:
Join the NAMI Legislative Committee. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, contact Sam Smith.
Sign up to receive the Legislative Update e-newsletter. This publication will soon feature information about upcoming advocacy trainings, details for the 2021 Mental Health Day on the Hill, and specifics about the coming session’s legislative priorities.
The two best ways to get involved and stay informed are as follows:
Join the NAMI Legislative Committee. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, contact Sam Smith.
Sign up to receive the Legislative Update e-newsletter. This publication will soon feature information about upcoming advocacy trainings, details for the 2021 Mental Health Day on the Hill, and specifics about the coming session’s legislative priorities.
NAMI Minnesota Invites Affiliates to Annual Research Dinner February 23

NAMI Minnesota is pleased to bring you the latest research from the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry! University researchers will present their latest findings, introduce new studies that are underway and answer your questions about What We Have Learned About Stress & Well-Being Over The Past Year.
Join us for an evening of information and hope. This year’s event will be virtual, so enjoy dinner at home while learning about the latest in mental health research.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Register at https://researchdinner2021.eventbrite.com. A Zoom link to attend this event will be sent to you the week of the event after you have registered.
Faculty from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences will talk about what they have learned about stress, mental health, and well-being during the pandemic and the civil unrest. This will be a chance to learn about stress responses and how they affect the brain and body. They will also discuss strategies that help us learn and grow from stressful events. This presentation will be led by Sophia Vinogradov, the Head of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Over the past year, she and her faculty have played a key role in supporting the U of M Medical School in handling the many stressors that healthcare workers have faced. She will talk about what they have learned, and how it applies to all of us.
While there is no cost to attend this year’s event, we welcome donations to support the mission of NAMI Minnesota. To donate, please visit: https://namimn.org/get-involved/donate_now/
For more information or questions, call 651-645-2948, Ext. 118 or email directorofoutreach@namimn.org.
Join us for an evening of information and hope. This year’s event will be virtual, so enjoy dinner at home while learning about the latest in mental health research.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Register at https://researchdinner2021.eventbrite.com. A Zoom link to attend this event will be sent to you the week of the event after you have registered.
Faculty from the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences will talk about what they have learned about stress, mental health, and well-being during the pandemic and the civil unrest. This will be a chance to learn about stress responses and how they affect the brain and body. They will also discuss strategies that help us learn and grow from stressful events. This presentation will be led by Sophia Vinogradov, the Head of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Over the past year, she and her faculty have played a key role in supporting the U of M Medical School in handling the many stressors that healthcare workers have faced. She will talk about what they have learned, and how it applies to all of us.
While there is no cost to attend this year’s event, we welcome donations to support the mission of NAMI Minnesota. To donate, please visit: https://namimn.org/get-involved/donate_now/
For more information or questions, call 651-645-2948, Ext. 118 or email directorofoutreach@namimn.org.
NAMI Anoka is a proud affiliate of NAMI Minnesota.