News — September 2025

September 2025

Join Us for NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025!

Keynote Speaker: Assemblymember Gail Pellerin of California’s 28th District!

Honorary Chair: Jeff Bell, award-winning journalist and mental health advocate.

Be Part of Something BIG—Join Us for Our 10th Annual NAMIWalks Silicon Valley!

Walk with us. Walk for mental health.

The countdown is on to NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025, happening Saturday, October 4th at History Park in San Jose—and this, as we celebrate our 50^th anniversary year, promises to be our most exciting yet!

✅ Free lunch provided by Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution
✅ Live music to keep the energy high
✅ 25+ community partners in our sponsor tents
✅ Fun activities for the entire family
✅ Keynote Speaker: Assemblymember Gail Pellerin
✅ Honorary Chair: Jeff Bell, award-winning journalist and mental health advocate

You can start a team, join a team, or walk as an individual—every step makes a difference in breaking the stigma and supporting mental health for all.

👉 Sign up now: https://www.namiwalks.org/siliconvalley

Together, we can make this year’s walk unforgettable. Let’s walk for hope, for health, and for each other!

For more event information, visit www.namisantaclara.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest updates, stories, and ways to get involved.

Interested in volunteering at the walk? Sign up here: https://namiscc.ivolunteer.com/event_009

back to top

Upcoming September 9 General Meeting

Dr. Hogan Shy:  Psychiatric Care in Medicine, a Physician’s Perspective

Dr. Hogan Shy will present a review of mental health within primary care, examining the current state of mental health in the general population and emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues. He will explore the role of primary care physicians in identifying, managing, and supporting patients with mental health concerns, while acknowledging the limitations they face in providing specialized treatment. Finally, he will outline practical goals and strategies to optimize mental health care delivery within the primary care setting, aiming to improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.

Dr. Shy, a native of Cupertino, earned his degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UC Berkeley with honors, followed by medical school at UC Davis and an Internal Medicine residency at Oregon Health Sciences University. He practiced at Kaiser Permanente for 12 years, developing a deep commitment to long-term patient care, before transitioning to private practice to spend more time with each patient. Dr. Shy has also served underserved communities, including Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas and the Washington Clinic in Downtown San Jose. He currently practices general internal medicine at Sutter Health Los Gatos.  

When: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Register for Zoom Link

Click here to see details.

back to top

Education Classes

Ongoing NAMI-SCC Classes

All Classes are Free

The following classes begin in September for the fall session: Family to Family, Familia a Familia, Peer-to-Peer, and Persona a Persona. (There will be no Provider Course in September.) 

To learn about our educational programs, visit: https://namisantaclara.org/classes/general-class-information/

If you would like to register for a class, please contact the NAMI-SCC Helpline: 408-453-0400, Option 1; M-F, 10 A.M.-6 P.M.; Walk-ins 10 A.M. –2 P.M.

Family to Family is a 9-week course for family members who have an adult loved one (age 18 and over) with a mental health condition. Classes are offered in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean.

Peer-to-Peer is a 9-week experiential course focusing on recovery for individuals 18 and above. Classes are offered in English and Spanish.  

Provider Class is a 5-week course for professionals who work with clients who have a mental illness.

back to top

NAMI California Conference

Former MLB Player & Mental Health Advocate

Drew Robinson to Keynote Day One

Former MLB player and mental health advocate Drew Robinson will kick off the 2025, NAMI California Annual Conference as the day one Keynote Speaker. The conference takes place October 16–17, 2025 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento—where the change happens!

Drew Robinson is a former Major League Baseball player, mental health advocate, and professional speaker. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Drew was drafted by the Texas Rangers out of high school and went on to play parts of 12 seasons with the Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants organizations.

In 2020, Drew miraculously survived a suicide attempt, resulting in a newfound purpose of helping others and destigmatizing mental health. Leveraging his tagline, Strength Isn’t Always Physical®, Drew is dedicated to sharing his journey and showcasing vulnerability to prevent suicide and promote mental health care. Drew currently works in the mental health and wellness department with the San Francisco Giants where he advocates for player mental health and peer-to-peer support. To learn more about Drew, follow him on Instagram @Drewrobbb.

Visit namica.org/conference for information.

back to top

September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Week is September 7-13. Suicide rates have increased more than 30 percent in half of all U.S. states since 1999, according to the CDC. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death of people ages 10-34. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s signature fundraising event is the Out of the Darkness Walk—a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge how suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

Out of the Darkness Walk in San Francisco

WHEN: September 20
WHERE: Pier 27 in San Francisco
REGISTRATION START TIME: 9:30 A.M.
PROGRAM START TIME: 11:00 A.M.
CONTACT: Hilary Aster, 707-721-4062

Please click here go to this website for more information!

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741 any time of the day, 7 days per week. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

back to top

Maternal Mental Health Symposium

El Camino Health invites you to join them for the 8th Annual Maternal Mental Health Symposium. (This event is presented through a gift from the Keller family.)

This virtual event will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. and will feature presentations by leaders in the perinatal mental health field. There is no charge to attend and continuing education units will be provided. Register now and join us for this year’s Maternal Mental Health Symposium.

Questions about the event?

Email: Maternalmentalhealth@elcaminohealth.org

back to top

NAMIWalks Silicon Valley Kickoff Recap

A Great Start to an Inspiring Season

On Saturday, August 2nd, we kicked off NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025 with an energetic and inspiring event! Attendees reflected on the amazing success of last year’s walk and learned about our goals for this year’s milestone event.

The kickoff featured heartfelt stories from team captains Harold Brown and Sarah Prabhu, who shared their powerful personal journeys with NAMI and what this walk means to them. We also welcomed new team members and saw incredible enthusiasm as participants signed up to walk, start teams, and bring the movement to life.

Our community is growing every day—and we’re just getting started! This year’s walk will feature Keynote Speaker Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and our Honorary Chair Jeff Bell—an award-winning journalist, author, and mental health advocate formerly with KCBS Radio.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us as we build toward October 4, 2025 at History Park, San Jose.

For more details, visit www.namisantaclara.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for up-to-date information and event highlights.

back to top

New Tool to Report “Problem”, Unlicensed Group Housing

By Lorraine Zeller, Founder, Community Living Coalition and  Co-facilitator ILH Workgroup

Many of you are familiar with the saying “housing is healthcare.” In the best of circumstances, that can indeed be true. However, that is often not the case for behavioral health clients referred or placed into unregulated “room and board” group housing. That’s why NAMI-Santa Clara County, in partnership with Community Living Coalition and Disability Rights California, now has a tool available for people to report potential “problem” independent living homes (ILHs) by calling the NAMI Helpline.

Family members and residents in unregulated group housing have, for many years, called the NAMI Helpline with reports of residents living in squalor and ill-treatment by operators, staff, or housemates. Since 2011, advocates from Community Living Coalition, NAMI-SCC, Disability Rights California, Law Foundation, and other stakeholder groups have been pushing for oversight and improvement of this housing to ensure that residents don’t live in environments that jeopardize their health, wellness, and recovery.

With this new tool, NAMI Helpline staff and volunteers ask specific questions geared toward identifying ILHs whose residents and, in some cases, staff may need support. Staff and volunteers then forward these reports to a small advisory group consisting of behavioral health professionals, advocates, consumers, and family members who will determine the best course of action, often including making direct contact with the caller.

It’s important to understand that use of this tool and this advisory group may result in needed improvements, but there is no guarantee. Equally important is identifying “problem” ILHs and ensuring that providers are aware of the living conditions where they place their clients.

If you would like to report an ILH, simply call the NAMI Helpline at 408-453-0400, option 1, between 10 A.M and 6 P.M. weekdays or leave a message anytime and someone will get back to you.

Some red flag-raising cues:

• • • Mattresses and/or large appliances left outside
    • Clothes, personal belongings strewn on the lawn, sidewalk, or street gutter
    • Fences surrounding the house and front yard that block access to the house
    • No trespassing signs and cameras
    • Broken windows and/or steps, trash, peeling paint, and other obvious blight
    • People sitting outside, some smoking
    • High levels of foot traffic, visits by police and other emergency providers
    • Loud arguments
    • Apparent drug use

back to top

SCC Behavioral Health Board

Personal Story: Jeff and Tardive Dyskinesia

Meet Jeff. Jeff is living with Schizophrenia and Tardive Dyskinesia.

About a week after Jeff’s 17^th birthday, he was hospitalized and took an antipsychotic medication for the first time. Years later, he was diagnosed with Tardive Dyskinesia (TD). TD is an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable movements of the face, torso, limbs, and fingers or toes. TD is associated with the use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. TD is estimated to affect at least 800,000 adults in the U.S.

There are times when Jeff’s symptoms and experiences with TD impact his everyday tasks, like brushing his teeth, getting dressed, or taking his public transit commute. Jeff’s physical symptoms, such as grimacing, cause others to stare, especially children, which saddens Jeff. This highlights the physical, social, and emotional effects of TD. Jeff finds awareness of TD to be important for not only families and patients, but for the general public as well. Education on TD allows people to have a better understanding and feel more comfortable when interacting with someone who experiences TD.

Of those living with TD, approximately 60% remain undiagnosed. If you believe you may experience or may know someone who experiences TD, Jeff advises a consult with a doctor. Jeff reminds others that despite his diagnosis with schizophrenia and TD, not only is it possible to live a normal life, it is possible to live a wonderful life.

Consulting a healthcare provider regarding the impact of abnormal, involuntary, and repetitive movements and available treatment options can be made easier when you use a Doctor Discussion Guide. Find this resource and more at namisantaclara.org/resources-2/tardive-dyskinesia-td

back to top