NAMI Spokane is dedicated to empowering all who have been affected by mental illness through Advocacy, Awareness, Education, and Support.

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Seeking to Improve the Lives of People with Mental Illness

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Laree’s Thoughts

One of the reasons I wanted to work for NAMI Spokane so badly was to be able to advocate for people with mental health challenges and to protect their VOICE. Coming from Eastern State Hospital, I learned how precious self-determination can be and how easily well-intended.

With Self-Determination
• You control your own destiny
• You map out how to achieve your goals
• You experience the consequences of your own choices
Self-Determination is necessary for adults to have a satisfying life. It is essential for recovery. Current practices in mental health treatment often aim to restrict autonomy, which serves to make individuals more dependent, less capable.

Self-Determination has three components:
• Autonomy (You are the captain of your own ship)
• Competence (Skills and abilities), and
• Relatedness (A sense of belonging).

One could argue that every recovery plan, every treatment intervention, all the therapeutic activity MUST incorporate the concepts of self-determination as a measure of efficacy and the degree of benefit to the individual receiving care. Any intervention, whether in-patient, out-patient, or support through peers and other non-clinical means should give you choices, respect your input (voice), encourage you to develop goals, facilitate learning skills that YOU value, and provide opportunities to engage and connect with others in a way that is meaningful to YOU.

Further, you define what success means to you, so set your expectations high to keep yourself growing and becoming who you are meant to be. Don’t short-change yourself. To be your best, own your stuff, advocate, learn about and understand both your strengths and what challenges you. Use technology and other tools to compensate for areas of need. Know that being self-directed isn’t easy, and it takes grace, humility, and resilience to keep going when your choices don’t turn out as planned. All the more reason to have a support network to help you back up if you fall and people you respect who will challenge you if you seem to be going down a path that’s not helpful or recovery-focused.

At NAMI Spokane, we are here to support you and empower you to make the best decisions for you.

If You Are in Crisis

For emergencies: Dial ‘911’

Regional Behavior Health Crisis Line (formerly First Call for Help): (877) 266-1818

NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or Text “NAMI” to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: – 1-800-273-8255 or Online Chat

National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or Text 66008 or Online Chat

National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or Online Chat

Get Involved

NAMI Spokane is a grassroots, nonprofit, all volunteer organization. We advocate for those who live with mental illnesses and their families. We rely on the talents and generosity of our member volunteers to maintain our office headquarters in the Peyton Building and leading our many education and support programs.
We are excited to have new people join our organization, assisting as we continue the advocacy to erase the stigma of living with mental illness. Please join us today! Dues are only $35 per year. If you are considering financial gifting, we would like to remind you that donations to NAMI Spokane are tax deductible.

To pay dues or to donate to NAMI Spokane using a credit card or PayPal:

From NAMI.ORG

NAMI Received Four Stars From Charity Navigator! This rating shows that NAMI adheres to best practices and fulfills our mission in a financially efficient way.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Spokane County Behavioral Health Organization for the sizeable donation! This donation will be used for NAMI Spokane programming!!!

What's New in Spokane

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Research Opportunity (and get paid!)

Oladunni Oluwoye, PhD, CHES is conducting a nationwide survey that aims to collect 200+ surveys from family members of those who have a loved one who has experienced or is currently experiencing early psychosis. This survey is part of a larger study funded by the...

We Need You!

In 2020, for the first time, training for NAMI Spokane signature programs will be held in Spokane. If you’ve been thinking about taking on a role with our programming, let’s meet and figure out the right program for you. Call 509-838-5515 and let us know you’re...

Kudos!

I want to give a big shout-out to the office volunteers that help out every week, particularly with the phone calls. People call in looking for resources, or asking how to find a community provider, or parents looking for a runaway family member…We’ve had a call from...

Give back this holiday season with AmazonSmile

Do you shop on Amazon during the holidays? If so, check out AmazonSmile! It’s the same Amazon you know — the same products, prices, and service — but this special feature has an added bonus: AmazonSmile will donate a percentage of what you spend to NAMI Spokane. To...

NAMI Spokane Hires First Full Time Executive Director in agency’s 40-year history!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/3/2019 Contact: Alina Morrisey, Board President (Incoming) 509-838-5515 alinam@namispokane.org NAMI Spokane Hires First Full Time Executive Director in agency’s 40-year history! Spokane, WA – NAMI Spokane announced Laree Shanda as Executive...

Save the Date: Volunteer Dinner and Annual Meeting – May 3

We love our volunteers! Please save the date for our Volunteer Dinner and Annual Meeting on May 3rd, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. Formal invitations will be sent out soon. See you there!

March Appreciation

From Teri - Special thanks to Rich Wallis, who has acted as my mentor during my time as President. His support has been beyond compare. From Teri - Thanks to the past Board members and volunteers that are no longer actively volunteering; you have enriched my life more...

NAMI is hiring an executive director

NAMI Spokane envisions a world where all those impacted by mental health conditions know they are not alone and are empowered to live their most fulfilling lives. We are the Spokane affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a small non-profit 501(c)(3)...

Inland Northwest Behavioral Health Opens

Spokane’s newest psychiatric hospital was officially unveiled Sept 22nd. The INBH hospital, which opens to patients in October, will serve up to 100 patients when completed, and rely on upward of 200 employees. The facility at 5th Ave and Brown, will be split into...

MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK – OCTOBER 7 – 13

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends, or coworkers. Despite mental illnesses’ reach and prevalence, stigma and...