News in this issue:
- MAY is Mental Health Awareness Month
- April 8 General Meeting Recap
- NAMI-SCC Provider Course
- NAMI National Convention (NAMICon)
- NAMI California Conference
- NAMI-Santa Clara County’s Annual Picnic is HERE!
- NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025
- NAMI-Santa Clara County Celebrates 50 Years with Joyful Anniversary Luncheon
- Tips to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month for Faith Communities
- Stigma FREE Workplace
- Volunteer Spotlight: Olga Razumovskaya
- Diversity in the Silicon Valley and at NAMI
Family support group facilitators:
We’re looking for individuals to serve as facilitators for our Family Support Groups both in-person & online.
If you’ve completed one of our family education programs and are interested in giving back by supporting others, we’d love to hear from you!
If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact our
Education Manager:
Adela Arce
Email: aarce@namisantaclara.org
NAMI Education 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 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
Sensing Schizophrenia Research Study
Click to learn & join
May 2025
MAY is Mental Health Awareness Month
Join the Campaign
This May, take action, raise your voice, and help change the conversation around mental health! Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Now, more than ever, NAMI needs you to be part of this movement. Whether by sharing your story, spreading awareness, or advocating for change, every action helps break the stigma and build a more supportive world for all.
Theme: “In Every Story, There’s Strength”
Mental health journeys are unique, but the strength found within them is universal. “In Every Story, There’s Strength” highlights the resilience and diverse experiences that shape mental health journeys within our community. NAMI’s campaign celebrates the power of storytelling to fuel connection, understanding, and hope for those navigating their own mental health path. Each story shared is a testament to the possibility of recovery and the strength that lies within us all.
To find out ways to share your story, click on the button below!
April 8 General Meeting Recap
Stanford Psychiatrist Answers Questions About Severe Mental Illness
By Moryt Milo
Dr. Hu offered insight into why this field of medicine has touched her so deeply. She brought up a high school friend who attended an Ivy League college and went on to medical school at Johns Hopkins University. The friend developed schizophrenia and died by suicide. She talked about a medical student she dated, while both were in med school, who struggled with bipolar disorder and had to drop out. This world is personal to Hu on multiple fronts.
The dozens of people who listened to Hu’s talk heard her passion and sharp understanding of struggles family members experience with their loved ones and adult children during the “Ask the Doctor” event. She covered a number of topics ranging from Keto diet as a replacement for medications, to best and newest medicines, to side effects, diagnoses, and the most pressing topic of the evening—weight gain.
Although Stanford conducted research on Keto, Hu said no particular diet should be a replacement for medication. Her opinion was clear.
“Absolutely not. I don’t recommend it. Keto diet in addition to medication is a possibility,” she said, pointing out it’s difficult to maintain and not easy to incorporate into one’s daily life. She noted diets are temporary, whereas developing healthy eating habits is the better approach.
Click here to read the full article.
Watch the complete meeting on Youtube here.
NAMI-SCC Provider Course
NAMI Provider Education Course Starting on Friday, May 9
NAMI’s highly received training course on working with clients with a Mental Health DIAGNOSIS and families will be starting on Friday May 9, 2025. Class is from 9am to 12 noon.
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department sponsors this course and there is NO CHARGE for the course which is available to anyone working with mental health in Santa Clara County.
The Provider Course will be held in person at the SCC Behavioral Department Learning Partnership.
There are five classes on consecutive Fridays. 3 hour sessions on
May 9. 16, 23 30 June 6, 2025.
15 CEU credits are available for appropriate licenses.
The course will emphasize the use of the Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective necessary for a global understanding of neurobiological brain disorders and a full appreciation of the consequences of these serious illnesses on those who suffer them:
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- Bio: The biological bases of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, their probable causes, symptomatic distresses, and variable responses to medications.
- Psycho: The psychological dimensions of coping with these brain disorders and comprehending their traumatic impact on consumers and families personal lives.
- Social: Rebuilding capacities to reconnect, to live with dignity and hope, which includes advocacy for improved community services and expanded opportunities.
The course will introduce the Clinical Principles and Strategies of Secondary Intervention as a durable working concept for effective provider/consumer/family collaboration, based on knowledge of family and consumer stages of adaptation to the traumas and life dislocation caused by serious brain disorders.
The course will demonstrate Principles of Empowerment and Strength-Bases Collaboration by presenting a collective, cooperative model Teaching Team:
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- An actual in vivo colleagueship of a family member
- A licensed professional and
- A consumer,
specifically trained and legitimized to direct a comprehensive 15 hour educational program for line staff.
Check provider course brochure here.
For more information and to register for the course, please contact course coordinator:
Greg Osborn
Email: PROVIDERCOURSE@NAMISANTACLARA.ORG
Phone: (408) 453-0400, Option #1
NAMI National Convention (NAMICon)
This year, NAMICon will take place from June 11-13, with Alliance Day on June 10. NAMICon will take place virtually so more people can join and more voices are heard with fewer barriers to access. It’s a 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.
NAMI California Conference
Visit today and save on early bird pricing (through May 9). Go to namica.org/conference.
NAMI-Santa Clara County’s Annual Picnic is HERE!
Save the Date – Saturday, JUNE 7, 2025
NAMI-Santa Clara County’s Annual Picnic is back, and this year, we’re celebrating at a new location!
Date: Saturday, June 7
Location: Emma Prusch Farm Park, San Jose
Join us as we continue the celebration of our 50th Anniversary with a day full of fun, food, and community. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow supporters and enjoy the outdoors. This event is free of cost to everyone, however, RSVP is requested to ensure you’re on the guest list.
Learn more about the event here.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025
Save the Date – Saturday, OCTOBER 4, 2025
Join us for an inspiring day of community, hope, and mental health advocacy!
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Location: History Park, San Jose
Together, we’ll raise awareness, break stigma, and support NAMI’s life-changing programs right here in Santa Clara County.
Whether you walk, donate, or cheer from the sidelines—you are part of the movement for mental health for all.
NAMI-Santa Clara County Celebrates 50 Years with Joyful Anniversary Luncheon
NAMI-Santa Clara County proudly kicked off its 50th Anniversary celebrations with a spirited luncheon at Villa Ragusa in Campbell, gathering over 125 attendees—including supporters, employees, volunteers, community partners, and city representatives—for an afternoon filled with inspiration, reflection, and connection.
The luncheon featured a series of special recognitions honoring NAMI-Santa Clara County’s 50 years of service. Highlights included the presentation of a Board of Supervisors Commendation, signed by all supervisors and presented by Supervisor Betty Duong; a Certificate of Recognition from Assembly member Patrick Ahrens of the 26th District; a California state Senate Resolution presented by Senator Aisha Wahab; and a commendation from the office of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Each recognition underscored the organization’s longstanding commitment to mental health advocacy, education, and support. Executive Director Rovina Nimbalkar and Board President Uday Kapoor shared heartfelt remarks, and former state Senator and mental health champion Jim Beall delivered a powerful and inspiring keynote address.
A highlight of the event was a commemorative video chronicling NAMI-SCC’s journey through the decades. The video featured powerful testimonials from longtime program supporters and participants who shared how they came to NAMI and why they continue to be part of its mission. These stories reflected the deep sense of community and healing NAMI fosters across Santa Clara County.
The video also included a touching tribute by Barbara Perez in honor of her mother, Luisa Perez, whose life’s work in service led her to found NAMI-SCC Español—extending culturally relevant mental health resources to our Spanish-speaking community. NAMI-SCC also proudly honored Dr. Jen Hong, a longtime leader of NAMI-SCC’s Chinese Community outreach, for his tireless efforts in providing culturally responsive support and education within the Chinese-speaking community.
Guests enjoyed a lively, welcoming atmosphere complete with delicious food, a travel auction that raised vital funds for future programs, and a basket raffle featuring locally sourced goodies. The room was filled with joy, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to building a future where mental health support is accessible and stigma free.
This memorable luncheon marks the beginning of a year-long celebration honoring NAMI-SCC’s 50-year legacy. As the organization reflects on its impact and looks to the future, one thing remains clear—no one should walk the path of mental illness alone. And through our continued work, no one will have to.
Watch the full program on Youtube here.
Enjoy the photos from the event here.
Tips to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month for Faith Communities
What can your congregation do to get involved
1. Preach a sermon to raise mental health awareness.
2. Create a mental health library with resources.
3. Start a mental health support group.
4. Host a NAMI resource table at your next event.
5. Share a powerful testimonial during worship.
The FaithNet team at NAMI Santa Clara County is here to support you!
faithnet@namisantaclara.org
408-453-0400 ext. 3035
FaithNet-NAMI-SCC
Stigma FREE Workplace
Will You Accept This Mental Health Challenge?
NAMI is challenging all companies across America to step up and do their part in the fight against stigma.
NAMI StigmaFree Workplace is a comprehensive initiative designed to foster mental health awareness, support, and community within organizations. By embracing three core strategies—increasing awareness & education, creating a culture of care, and ensuring access to support for all employees—companies can cultivate environments where individuals thrive and stigma surrounding mental health is eradicated.
Gather your employees and people managers to learn more about mental health and engage in discussion as a community.
Learn more about our presentation here: Mental Health@Work-presentation
To schedule a free presentation for your workplace, click the button below:
Volunteer Spotlight: Olga Razumovskaya
Olga Razumovskaya was born and raised in Russia and came to the United States for the first time as an exchange student at age 20. She’s been going back and forth between the two countries for the past 20 years.
So far, Olga has dedicated most of her career to journalism—most recently at The Moscow Times and The Wall Street Journal in Moscow and San Francisco.
For as long as she can remember, she has been driven to telling other people’s stories through writing. While she had been in therapy for many years, an inflection point came for her when a personal crisis resulting in depression and anxiety prompted her to seek intensive outpatient treatment. This has inspired her to seek environments and a career where she could help others tell their own mental health stories.
Coming to NAMI-Santa Clara County seemed like an ideal place after she found out about the organization in her treatment program. To meaningfully contribute, she first took the NAMI Peer-to-Peer educational course and now volunteers for the NAMI Helpline. Olga says, “Helpline is a treasure trove of free life-changing resources and help from volunteers having lived experience with mental illness. There are few places and few organizations out there that make you feel safe and seen and NAMI is at the top of my list!”
On most days, Olga can be found playing or watching TV with Lenny, her mischievous French bulldog. She loves reading and is a big fan of true-crime podcasts, Silent Book Clubs, and writing groups. She is also a foodie and loves to travel. Most of her chosen family are in the Bay Area and are a big part of her recovery journey.
Diversity in the Silicon Valley and at NAMI
By Frank Alioto
Many years ago (think 1970), Indonesian-Dutch entrepreneur Ralph Vaerst became credited with renaming our beautiful Santa Clara County “The Silicon Valley,” the name by which the world mostly identifies our little patch of earth today.
I knew Ralph and met with him here in our valley and in Europe on business and over dinner a few times.
Even that far in the past, he noticed the diversity of our valley. I remember him commenting to the effect that a visit to Silicon Valley was like a visit to the United Nations. The difference was that in the valley things got done!
That was 50 or more years ago. You should see us now!
A good case in point was NAMI-Santa Clara County’s 50th anniversary luncheon held in Campbell on the afternoon of April 10. The guests were welcomed first by NAMI-SCC’s Executive Director Rovina Nimbalkar followed by a welcome from NAMI-SCC’s Board President Uday Kapoor. Our keynote speaker, former California state Senator Jim Beall, has long been a very strong advocate for improved mental health care in California, and his advocacy and guidance are welcomed by NAMI always.
One of the things that jumped out at me at the luncheon was the large number of bilingual guests and the number of conversations being held in languages other than English. I heard Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese. It turns out that San Jose has the largest Vietnamese community in the world outside of Vietnam. NAMI-Santa Clara County serves them all!
Mental illnesses play no favorites. They affect all ethnicities, nationalities, and races. If you or a family member need help, call our Helpline at 408-453-0400 x1.
