All NAMI Education classes are Free of cost to the consumers
Family-to-Family education class starts in late April.
Call NAMI Helpline to sign up:
(408) 453-0400 x1
Other Classes:
- 9-week Peer-to-Peer Education Class beginning in May
- 5-week Provider Education Course starting in May
Call NAMI SCC Helpline for details: 408-453-0400 option 1
Upcoming Events
1. General Meeting, Thursday, April 8, Ask the Doctor with Dr. Rona Hu
Date: Tuesday, April 8
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Watch Video
Upcoming Mental Health 101
IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 11: 30 AM – 1: 00 PM
Place: NAMI Santa Clara, 1150 S Bascom Ave #24, San Jose, CA 95128
VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS
Dates:
- Thursday August 21
- Thursday November 20
Time: 11: 30 AM – 1: 00 PM
Research Studies
Relationship Between Sensory Processing Patterns
iExposure Intervention for Social Anxiety
April 2025
NAMI-Santa Clara County’s 50th Anniversary Celebration!
The big day is almost here, and we can’t wait to celebrate NAMI-Santa Clara County’s 50th Anniversary with you! It’s going to be an unforgettable day full of inspiring speakers, meaningful connections, and exciting activities that highlight our shared commitment to mental health advocacy.
This is more than just a celebration—it’s a vital opportunity to continue supporting NAMI-SCC’s mission of education, advocacy, and support within our community.
Learn more about the 50th Anniversary Celebration
Date & Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10:30am to 1:00pm
Location: Villa Ragusa, 35 South Second Street, Campbell, CA 95008
This event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waitlist, please contact Kristina Alaniz at: kalaniz@namisantaclara.org
Meet our Keynote Speaker, Jim Beall
Jim Beall
Legislator in the Assembly and Senate
Member of NAMI-SCC’s Community Advisory Council
San Jose City Councilman (1980-1994)
Santa Clara County Supervisor (1994-2006)
Jim’s roots in Santa Clara County run deep. Born in San Jose, he is a lifelong resident of the city. Jim graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory and then went on to earn his degree in Political Science from San Jose State University with a focus on Urban Planning and Public Finance.
He authored SB 11 and SB 29 (2015) to reduce deadly encounters between police and people with a mental illness or intellectual disability. Read Jim’s full biography here.
March 11 General Meeting Recap
Working in a Stigma-free Environment
By Moryt Milo
Mental health in the workplace, it may be invisible but it’s always there. An employer’s level of transparency and support on the topic can mean the difference between a productive, healthy environment or one where employees may struggle to do their jobs.
On a global level, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2023 that $1 trillion is lost annually due to a decrease in productivity associated with mental health concerns. This could be caused by any range of issues including family problems, substance use, or financial difficulties.
“Workplace mental health is quickly becoming an imperative topic,” Tiffany Austin, NAMI-Santa Clara County Community and Media Liaison, said in a March 11 presentation.
A NAMI 2024 workplace mental health poll found that 74% of employees agree that it’s appropriate to talk about mental health at work. The number, however, drops to 58% when it comes to sharing concerns about their mental health while on the job. It might be driven by fear of retaliation, discrimination, stigma, or an uncertainty as to where the boundaries lie regarding disclosure.
Installation of Board Officers 2025-2026
Our Board Officers for 2025-2026 are:
President: Uday Kapoor
Vice Presidents: Beverly Lozoff, Juan Perez, Frank Alioto, Moryt Milo
Treasurer: Scott Whelton
Secretary: Peter Newman
NAMI-SCC’s annual election of Board officers for 2025-2026 was held in March at the general meeting. Installation of officers will take place at the next general meeting.
Our Board of Directors consists of officers and members at large. Officers are listed above. Members at Large, appointed by the president, are Karen Deloumi, Jillian Wang, and Dolly Sandoval. One additional person rounds out our Board: Past President Vic Ojakian.
Changes to NAMI-Santa Clara County Bylaws
NAMI-Santa Clara County has recently updated its Bylaws. On March 4, 2025, the Board of Directors voted approve the changes. Now, the general membership needs to vote on the changes.
Please go to our website, www.namisantaclara.org, click “About Us” on the drop-down menu, then click “About NAMI-Santa Clara County” to review the changes to the Bylaws in red. We will vote on the changes at the General Meeting.
NAMICon
Every year, hundreds of dynamic and passionate voices unite to improve mental health for all through awareness, education, and advocacy. This year NAMICon will be held virtually, so more people can join and more voices are heard with fewer barriers to access! Held virtually from June 11-13, this year’s conference is your chance to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change.
Regardless of where you are on your path to mental wellness, NAMICon is where passion meets purpose and your voice matters. Register today and save on early bird pricing.
Registration is now open. Go to convention.nami.org
NAMI California Conference
Register today and save on early bird pricing (through May 9). Go to namica.org/conference.
NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025
Team Captains, It’s Time to Reach Out!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4, 2025 at History Park in San Jose.
The NAMIWalks Silicon Valley page is officially live, and registration is now open! As a Team Captain, this is the perfect time to start reaching out to your team members and rallying them for this important event. Your leadership will make a difference in raising awareness for mental health, supporting those affected by mental illness, and fundraising for NAMI-Santa Clara County’s vital programs.
This year, we’re not only focused on fundraising—we’re also committed to “friendraising”! We want to reach more people than ever and spread the word about the vital services we provide to the community. Whether you’re walking in honor of a loved one, supporting a cause that’s close to your heart, or simply wanting to help us raise awareness, your participation and leadership will make a significant impact.
Now’s the time to start connecting with your team—invite friends, family, colleagues, and even new faces to join you in walking for a cause that matters. Together, we can spread the message of hope and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Sign up today, and help us expand our reach while supporting an essential cause!
Learn more about NAMIWalks Silicon Valley
Ready to Register Now?
Calling All Team Captains: Register and fundraise $50+ by July 4th to win this fabulous tote bag!
For more information, contact Kristina Alaniz at kalaniz@namisantaclara.org or 408-453-0400 ext. 3125.
NAMI-Santa Clara County’s NAMI Do-It-Your-Way
Fundraising Program Is Live!
We’re thrilled to announce that the NAMI Do-It-Your-Way fundraising program is officially up and running! This unique opportunity gives you the freedom to raise funds in a way that’s personal and meaningful to you while supporting NAMI-Santa Clara County’s mission of providing free mental health support, education, and advocacy in our community.
NAMI Do It Your Way encourages supporters to turn their passions and hobbies into fundraising campaigns. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting an athletic event, or organizing an activity like baking, crafting, or knitting, you can design your own unique fundraiser.
The best part? 100% of the funds you raise stays local, directly supporting our community.
Getting started is easy! Simply visit our website to select from six campaign types, set your personal fundraising goal, and create a custom campaign link. You’ll gain access to a personal fundraising dashboard and a participant guidebook to help you every step of the way.
What will your “Do It Your Way” campaign look like? We can’t wait to find out! Reach out if you have any questions—we’re here to support you on this exciting journey.
For more information, contact Kristina Alaniz at kalaniz@namisantaclara.org or (408) 453-0400 ext. 3125.
Click here to Get your Do It Your Way campaign started today!
A Rainy Sunday Filled with Hope
NAMI-SCC’s Community Advisory Council Luncheon
Despite clouds blanketing the sky above Santa Clara County on Sunday, March 16, a source of sunlight emanated from a room inside Michael’s restaurant. That light came from the inspiring conversations among members of the NAMI-SCC Community Advisory Council (CAC) as they discussed mental health.
Advocates of mental health have worked tirelessly for years and, yet, there is still a long road ahead until some goals will be achieved. Stress and frustration are common feelings among mental health advocates right now, due to the endangered future of Medicaid funding, policies underneath the current federal administration, limited mental health resources, and more. CAC members discussed topics such as these and their plans to protect Santa Clara County. The luncheon program kicked off with NAMI-SCC’s President, Uday Kapoor, and Executive Director, Rovina Nimbalkar, setting a warm tone for the afternoon.
Palo Alto University President Maureen O’Conner, PhD, JD, gave a brilliant keynote speech in which she shed light on the present and future of mental health professionals, soon to enter the workforce and provide culturally competent care. Momentum for Health CEO, David Mineta, followed with a powerful talk on mental health in our local community and nationally. Closing off the luncheon, former state Senator Jim Beall led a compelling, interactive talk, as many attendees raised their hands to contribute to the conversation.
Instead of being discouraged by challenges, mental health advocates are determined and trek on. Here at NAMI-SCC, we thank you for accompanying us on this journey.
Behavioral Health Board Event
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness & Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards
In honor of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for a community celebration with refreshments and resources as we honor our Behavioral Health Community Heroes, raise awareness, end stigma, and promote wellness together!
Event Date: FRIDAY May 16, 2025 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Event Venue: 110 W. Tasman Drive San Jose, CA 95134
Mental Health Mentors Share Lived Experience With Peers
Meet Brittany and Kristy
After navigating her own mental health journey, Brittany G., left, became a peer connector for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Santa Clara County (NAMI-SCC) and now acts as a mentor for Kristy K., right, who was struggling with her own mental health issues.
Brittany’s story:
Santa Clara resident Brittany G. was diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder at age 19 and has had multiple hospitalizations. She has suffered homelessness and has a traumatic brain injury due to a bicycle accident in 2012.
Now Brittany has found a way to help herself while helping others who live with mental health conditions. Through the Community Peer Program administered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Santa Clara County (NAMI-SCC), she works as a peer connector, a mentor who has navigated his or her own mental health journey. Participants connect through weekly phone calls and in person check-ins. The program lasts up to four months.
“Now I get to help people,” Brittany says. “By me just being myself, I am able to make such an impact.”
“My knee-jerk reaction when I heard about it was, I want to do that,” says Brittany, adding that she wishes she’d had a peer connector. “There are so many points in my journey and my recovery that I would have benefited from someone else with a lived experience. I was just so alone.”
Still, she says, being a mentor is “definitely helping my own recovery. There’s a reciprocity. It’s a truly wonderful, one-of-a-kind program.”
Kristy’s story:
South Bay resident Kristy K. was paired with Brittany in August 2024. Kristy struggles with dyslexia and has experienced homelessness. She grew up in a Japanese immigrant family and has several relatives with severe PTSD that stems from World War II.
In addition, Kristy suffers from chronic pain due to several injuries, one of which derailed a promising ice skating career. Disability compounded her mental health struggles, says Kristy.
“I felt very ashamed to call, terrified,” says Kristy, adding that she thought, “I’m better off dead than asking for this kind of help. I’m a disgrace.”
Kristy finally sought help from Disability Support Services at De Anza College in Cupertino, which led to her calling NAMI’s helpline. They encouraged Kristy to sign up for the Community Peer Program and eventually paired her with Brittany.
“Talking to her gave me so much confidence,” says Kristy. “We could relate on so many different levels (by my) hearing her experience and different traumas and struggles.”
Read full story at San Jose Mercury News
Thank You Brittany, Kristy, and The Mercury News.
Planned Giving
Become a NAMI member to support all three levels of the organization—national, state and local—with one payment! Our national and state organizations lobby for mental health legislation at the federal and state levels and staff helplines that refer callers to local NAMI affiliates like ours. We have three membership rates depending on what makes the most sense for you.
Click here: https://namisantaclara.org/get-involved/join/
In Memory of Michael Whitney
Michael Whitney, a long-time NAMI supporter, has passed away at the age of 79. Michael’s mother was involved with our affiliate in the early stages of our growth attending support groups to understand her son, Michael’s brother. Michael was our Board Secretary at NAMI-Santa Clara County for many years. He also operated a dual diagnosis home, Uriel House. He helped many people through the years.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at the Lima Funeral Home located at 466 N Winchester Blvd in Santa Clara. There will be a lunch reception afterward. Please RSVP to Michael’s cousin, Marilyn Territo (650) 919-6211.
