NAMI Contra Costa

Category: General Meetings

  • August 2025 General Meeting

    NAMI CC General Meeting Speaker Series: Free and Open to the Public

    Creating a Recovery-Focused Path in Schizophrenia: Relapse Prevention Strategies

    Meeting Information

    This meeting was held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. There is no recording available for this meeting because of unique conditions from our speaker. We wish you were there!

    Speaker

    Debbi Fox-Davis, Director, Patient Engagement and Advocacy

    Meeting Description

    This monthly General Meeting Speaker Series presentation “Creating a Recovery-Focused Path in Schizophrenia: Relapse Prevention Strategies” by Debbi Fox-Davis is designed to be an interactive presentation with opportunities for conversation and questions. During this interactive presentation, we will discuss the symptoms and stages of schizophrenia. Then, we’ll go into more detail on the nature of relapse to learn about the impacts of relapses and strategies for preventing relapses. This will lead to a more general discussion on different ways to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia including an explanation of what long acting injectables are and who they may be right for.

    Debbi Fox-Davis joined Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2023 as the Director of Patient Engagement and Advocacy for North American Medical Affairs after a 25-year career in leadership and resource development roles in nonprofits. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director for HD Reach, a patient advocacy organization serving people impacted by Huntington’s Disease where she expanded the scope of the services to reach people throughout the US. She has also served as the Executive Director for Dress for Success of the Triangle and the Director of Development and External Relations for NC State University. In addition to working for nonprofit organizations, she has served on several Board of Directors and volunteers in her community. Debbi received her MBA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (Monterey, CA) and her BA in history from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA).

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have questions or comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Gigi Crowder at gigi@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gigi@namicontracosta.org by August 21, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

  • July 2025 General Meeting

    BIPOC (Minority) Mental Health Awareness Month

    In honor of BIPOC (Minority) Mental Health, we will share community defined strategies and culturally responsive services we utilize to serve the cultural and ethnic demographics of Contra Costa County. Through our innovations program, we are “Building Mental Health Friendly Communities Together.”

    Meeting Information

    This meeting was held on July 17th at 7 PM, over Zoom. Video recording will be posted soon.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.

    Meeting Description

    Facilitated by Gigi Crowder Joined by a Diverse Group of NAMI CC Staff Reflecting the Cultural and Ethnic Demographics of this County

    This monthly General Meeting Speaker Series presentation is in Honor of Bebe Moore Campbell BIPOC (Minority) Mental Health Awareness Month and will focus on the services we have in place at NAMI CC to serve the cultural and ethnic demographics of Contra Costa County. We will have our ethnic specific teams share the work we do to improve outcomes for BIPOC Community members and hold a Listening Session so we can identify what’s working and what’s not working in each cultural group.

    In addition to peer support, outreach, education and advocacy, one such program includes our newest Innovations program, called “Building Mental Health Friendly Communities Together” – Interfaith communities learning strategies of acceptance for those impacted by mental health challenges. Through an innovation Grant from Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Care, our curriculum has expanded to African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, LatinX and LGBTQ+ Interfaith communities. Each ethnic and cultural group will share the details of Mental Health 101 for the interfaith community presentations scheduled now and within the next few months of 2025. In many communities, the stigma around discussions on mental health stems from historical and cultural factors, many of which have led to significant health disparities, due to shame, fear of judgment, and social inequities. Through the power of conversation, NAMI CC is dedicated to eliminating stigma and reshaping mental health by elevating the voices of those in communities that have been historically neglected and marginalized, ensuring they receive the support, understanding, and resources they need to thrive.

    In 2008, inspired by Campbell’s charge to end stigma and provide mental health support for BIPOC communities, July was designated as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives. There have been recent attempts to change the month’s name, but at NAMI CC, we continue to recognize the importance of honoring Bebe Moore Campbell’s incredible legacy and groundbreaking work in helping to shift the mental health culture in under served communities.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have questions or comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Gigi Crowder at gigi@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gigi@namicontracosta.org by July 17, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

  • June 2025 Trivia, No General Meeting

    Juneteenth Trivia

    Send in the Right Answers by June 19, and Get a Prize!

    In honor of Juneteenth, the day of emancipation for African Americans in the United States, there will be no speaker series meeting. We will resume next month for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month.

    Instead, we invite you to take part in our Juneteenth Trivia Questions! The first individuals to answer correctly and send their responses to info@namicontracosta.org by June 19, 2025, may receive a prize!

    The Questions are:

    1. What happened on June 19, 1865?
    2. What Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution did Congress finally propose?
    3. Which federal holiday was adopted in 1983, before Juneteenth?
    4. What other names has this holiday been called?
    5. On September 22, 1862, which President announced that the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect on January 1, 1863 (promising freedom to enslaved people in all of the rebellious parts of Southern states of the Confederacy including Texas)?
    6. Juneteenth marked the end of which war?
    7. Large celebrations of emancipation are often called what in which enslaved people were freed?
    8. Who was the Major General who issued General Order No. 3 formally informing Texas residents that slavery had ended?
    9. Which laws enforced racial segregation in the American South between the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and the beginning of the civil rights movement
      in the 1950s?
    10. On June 17, 2021, which President signed the bill that made Juneteenth the eleventh American federal holiday?

  • May 2025 General Meeting

    2025 Change Agent Appreciation Awards

    Celebration for Individuals/and other Entities Making an Extraordinary Difference in Improving Mental Health Outcomes

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month

    Meeting Information

    This meeting was held on May 15th at 7 PM, over Zoom.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.

    Meeting Description

    In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI CC will hold a virtual General Meeting on the evening of May 15, 2025. It will be another special event as many NAMI CC community members, family and friends gather for recognition of their outstanding contribution in improving mental health outcomes for our residents of Contra Costa. Winners will have an opportunity to be acknowledged twice, because we will also recognize them on May 17, 2025 at our annual NAMI CC in Motion at Todos Santos Plaza from 9:30 am to Noon. Thank you for all you do in the mental health community and for all who will join us in celebrating this memorable event!

    Announcing the 2025 CHANGE AGENT AWARDEES:

    1. Volunteer Change Agent: Elena Sotelo-McCrary

    We appreciate you for being a committed NAMI CC volunteer supporting us in our outreach program to address the needs of the unsheltered and showing up whenever needed for our annual events.

    1. Faith-Based Organization Change Agent : Delta Bay Community Church, Antioch

    For your efforts in supporting NAMI CC as an Ally and champion for improving outcomes by All those impacted by mental health challenges who desire to utilize faith and spirituality as a wellness tool.

    1. School Change Agent: De La Salle High School

    For your commitment to addressing suicide prevention through your annual “Laps for Life” demonstrating that openness, love, and community support can save young lives.

    1. Social Justice Change Agents: Yvette Williams and Neill Brengettsey

    We appreciate all you do to bring light to the injustices that exist for BIPOC individuals that live with mental health challenges and are criminal justice involved.

    1. Business Change Agent: John Muir Health

    For the financial support you have provided, which allows us to carry on our mission with intention and focus on improving outcomes for those most harmed.

    1. Family Member Volunteer Change Agent: Gwendolyn Sampson Brown

    For your commitment to leading our Family to Family courses and by doing so coaching others to gather the necessary tools to supporting their loved ones.

    1. Peer Volunteer Change Agent: Jenny Schuelke

    By showing up in the biggest way to fill gaps and creatively supporting our work to demonstrate the value of lived experience.

    1. Elected Official Change Agent: Patanisha Davis Pierson

    For your efforts as a strong Ally and champion for improving outcomes for those who live with mental illness and using your platform to demonstrate your commitment to the critical needs of those impacted by mental illness.

    9.Reducing Disparities Change Agents: Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice – Peter Kim and Dr. Kendra Carr, Ed.D

    For both your efforts to create equity and inclusion for ALL. You have been both been strong Allies and have openly demonstrated your dedication and commitment to these efforts.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Gigi at gigi@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gigi@namicontracosta.org by May 15, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

  • April 2025 General Meeting

    Monthly Speaker Series

    Contra Costa Public Defenders’ Efforts Underway to Join Us in Decriminalizing those Living with a Medical Condition Such as Mental Illness

    Meeting information

    This meeting was held on April 17th at 7 PM, over Zoom.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.

    Speakers

    • Ellen McDonnell, Contra Costa Public Defender
    • Joni Spears, Assistant Public Defender/Manager of the CCPD Mental Health Unit

    Meeting Description

    Justice can only be served when the most vulnerable among us are treated with the same attention, dignity, and respect as the most powerful. Contra Costa Public Defenders (CCPD) are dedicated to providing vigorous, client-centered advocacy to indigent persons accused of crimes in Contra Costa County. For our April 17th General Meeting, Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell will be joined by Assistant Public Defender Joni Spears who manages their Mental Health Unit to discuss how they make a diligent effort to serve those criminalized with living with a medical condition such as mental illness.

    About 30% of CCPD attorneys represent clients in specialty courts and assignments or mental health-related proceedings. The mental health unit consists of experienced attorneys dedicated to the defense of individuals with mental health disabilities. These attorneys advocate for clients in all stages of civil commitment proceedings from involuntary medication hearings to petitions to extend an individual’s commitment to a state hospital. If an individual with a mental illness or intellectual disability has a criminal case, the court may find the individual incompetent to stand trial and suspend criminal proceedings. In these cases, the unit advocates for these individuals to receive treatment as quickly as possible. The unit is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of our most vulnerable clients and ensuring that they have a voice in the courtroom.

    As the Contra Costa Public Defender, Ellen McDonnell stewards the office’s commitment to fighting systemic racism through high quality litigation, and innovative, holistic defense. During her two decades at CCPD, Ellen McDonnell has specialized in representing clients charged in serious felony cases, been the public face of the office in the community and the local criminal court system and led a dramatic expansion of innovative and holistic defense programs in the department. Ellen has expanded the scope and reach of the office’s services through grant-funded programs that have received state and federal recognition.

    Assistant Public Defender, Joni Spears, has spent more than half of her 20-year career representing youth in delinquency matters, including youth committed to Contra Costa County’s long-term custodial programs and youth committed to DJJ. Currently, Joni is the manager of the Contra Costa Public Defender Mental Health Unit. In 2020, Joni was named PJDC’s Juvenile Defender of the Year.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Gigi at gigi@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gigi@namicontracosta.org by April 16, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

    April 2025's flyer

  • March 2025 General Meeting

    Influential Women in the Mental Health Community

    Celebrating March as Women’s History Month

    Watch the Meeting Recording

    Meeting Information

    This meeting was held over Zoom on March 20, 2025 at 7 PM PDT.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.

    Speakers

    • Speakers: La Tanyua Brown-Thompson – President, NAMI CC Board of Directors and Self Care Expert
    • Kristin Fuller – Certified Trauma and Somatics Practitioner
    • Anh Oppenheimer – NAMI-SF Peer-to-Peer facilitator and the creator of the website My Happier Mind
    • Angelica Lopez – Mental Health Warrior, Attorney, City of Pittsburg Councilwoman
    • Daming Mou – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Counselor for the “Love and Conflict Reconciliation Ministry.”

    Meeting Description

    In Honor of Women’s History Month, for our General Meeting on March 20, 2025, we will highlight several influential women who have lived experience with mental health challenges and dedicate themselves to reducing stigma and promoting mental wellness in their community. They have connected to their purpose by telling their wellness journey.

    Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. The 2025 theme, “Moving Forward Together,” celebrates “Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength, equality, and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, shaping the minds and futures of all generations.

    Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila Farias Honored our CEO, Gigi R. Crowder, L.E. as a “California Woman of the Year” for Assemby District 15! On March 10, 2025, Gigi and Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila Farias reported to Assembly floor for Women’s History Month Resolution and ‘Woman of the Year’ floor ceremony in Sacramento. Congratulations, Gigi!

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Gigi Crowder at gigi@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gigi@namicontracosta.org by March 20, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

    March 2025 General Meeting flyer

  • February 2025 General Meeting

    Ask the Expert: What’s Wrong with the Mental Health System of Care?

    General meeting Highlights Video

    When & Where

    This meeting was held live, in-person on February 20, 2025, a Thursday, at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center, in Concord Room 1 and 2. The Medical Center is located on 2540 East Street, Concord, CA 94520.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.

    Speaker

    • Nicholas Rosenlicht, MD

    About the Speaker

    Nicholas Rosenlicht, M.D. is a clinical professor at UC San Francisco School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. During his time at UCSF, he has worked at the San Francisco VA hospital in both the outpatient department and on the consultation-liaison team and has served on the Human Subjects Committee of their Human Research Protection Program. He has more than forty years of clinical, research, administrative, and teaching experience and is the author of more than thirty peer-reviewed publications.

    Meeting Description

    For our February General Meeting, we will be joined by Dr. Rosenlicht, a leading psychiatrist who seeks to transform our understanding of mental health care and how it fits into larger social and economic forces. He proposes an effective and compassionate new framework for healing. He will introduce his book, “My Brother’s Keeper.” Timely and unflinching, and written with commanding prose and the deep knowledge of a mental health care veteran who categorically rejects corporate interests.

    Dr. Rosenlicht makes plain the disastrous outcomes of the for-profit mental health care model. We will leave time for a Q&A after his presentation.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

  • January 2025 General Meeting

    Overview of NAMI CC Programs and Services & New Year’s Goals

    When & Where

    This meeting was held this Thursday, January 16, 2025, to kick off the new year!

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM.

    NAMI CC Announcements:

    • La Tanyua Brown-Thompson, President
    • Gigi Crowder, CEO

    Meeting Description

    Join us for our monthly General Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025, as we kick off the new year!

    Our CEO, Gigi Crowder, and President, La Tanyua Brown-Thompson, will share our current programs and accomplishments of 2024. In addition, Gigi will share 3 initiatives being lifted by NAMI National.

    We are using this as a community stakeholder process and encourage ALL to join us as we value your input for planning our strategies for 2025.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on Zoom. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by January 15, 2025 if you require audio language translation.

    General Meeting Flyer for January 2025

  • No December 2024 General Meeting

    Thank you for being an active participant in our General Meetings. We are announcing that there will be no December general meeting for 2024. Instead, we will be hosting our annual holiday party in lieu of our usual sing-a-long. Come join us for the festivities!

    2024 Holiday Party Information

  • November 2024 General Meeting

    Next Steps in Preparing for CARE Court

    When & Where

    This meeting was held over Zoom on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

    *Note: We have a page with all information covered from this presentation on our new CARE Court Page. Please click this button to visit it.

    Care Court Page

    Agenda

    The General Meeting began at 7 PM.

    NAMI CC Announcements:

    • President La Tanyua Brown-Thompson
    • Dr. Cri Campbell-Schine
    • Legislative updates from Doug Dunn

    Meeting Description

    For our November General Meeting, we will utilize the time to advance our efforts to support Contra Costa County as we implement the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court. CARE Court is a new framework to get people with mental health and substance use disorders the support and care they need. CARE plans ensure participants receive a broad range of necessary services, including short-term stabilization medications, wellness and recovery supports, and connection to other social services such as housing.

    NAMI CC staff, allies, and attendees of our Care Court Information and Listening Session held on October 25, 2024 will debrief and share their thoughts. NAMI Contra Costa is excited about moving toward next steps. We invite family members who have anxiously been waiting for this Act to be implemented in Contra Costa County in Cohort 2 in December 2024 to get more information about how to advocate for their loved ones.

    Good News! NAMI CC’s “Leave No One Behind” program has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the City of Concord (the largest city in the county) to address the needs of the Unsheltered. It is our desire to spread this approach across the county and will continue the work in Antioch (second largest city in the county) where we launched the “Leave No One Behind” program three years ago. Please join us as we discuss Care Court and other legislation including Prop 1 and learn more about how the election results of Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 will impact us all.

    Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on Zoom. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by November 21, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

    November 2024 General Meeting Flyer

  • October 2024 General Meeting

    Basics of Special Needs Planning

    When & Where

    This meeting was held over Zoom on Thursday, October 17th, 2024 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting began at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Speakers

    • Ellen Cookman, J.D., Attorney

    Meeting Description

    For our October General Meeting we will learn everything we’ve always wanted to learn about Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts, and how you and your family can use them.

    Please join attorney Ellen Cookman for a lively and informative presentation on the basics of special needs trusts as well as a deeper dive into the following issues:

    • Should I have a stand-alone or testamentary special needs trust?
    • What is the difference between a first-party and third-party special needs trust?
    • When and how should I transfer assets into (i.e. “fund”) the trust?
    • What is an ABLE account and how can we use it?

    About the Speakers

    Ellen Cookman is the principal attorney of Cookman Law in Palo Alto, California. She is passionate about helping families of all shapes and sizes plan for the future and utilize available resources. Ellen is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate from Golden Gate University. Ellen lives in East Palo Alto with her husband, two cute and very active boys (her older son has high-functioning autism), a Siberian husky mix named Rosie, and a kitty named Skittles.

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on Zoom. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by October 17, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

    Flyer for October's General Meeting

  • September 2024 General Meeting

    In Honor of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, NAMI CC’s General Meeting focuses on…

    Free Virtual Behavioral Health Resources for Youth

    When & Where

    This meeting was held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 on Zoom.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Speakers

    • Savannah Crippen, MPH
    • Leo Li, NAMI CC Transitional Age Youth Coordinator

    Meeting Description

    For our September General Meeting in Honor of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Savannah Crippen, MPH, is invited to speak about free virtual health resources for youth. BrightLife Kids is a CalHOPE program, fully funded by the State of California, that supports the behavioral health of every family living in California with children ages 0-12. No insurance or referrals are required to access this modern, digital platform that includes live coaching support, personalized digital tools, and referrals to community resources.

    NAMI CC Transitional Age Youth Coordinator Leo Li at NAMI CC will share the efforts we have in place to support the mental health of our youth. we provide the Ending the Silence (ETS) presentation, a 50-minute prevention and early intervention program for local middle school, high school, and college students. We engage them in discussions about early warning signs and mental health. Together with our multilingual Transitional Age Youth Hybrid support groups, we offer help in a confidential and safe environment for teens in need.

    About the Speakers

    Savannah is the community engagement lead for the Bay Area with BrightLife Kids. With a background in biological anthropology and a master’s degree in public health, she is a dedicated professional with expertise in community engagement, public health, and the promotion of virtual behavioral health programs. Leveraging her communication skills, creativity, and strategic thinking, she excels in fostering connections and driving positive change within diverse communities. Drawing from personal experiences with mental health and familial substance use disorders, she is driven to address these issues as public health concerns through prevention and early intervention.

    Leo Li (Daisong Li), a 22-year-old senior student at UC Berkeley, is the FVSN Transitional Age Youth Peer Counselor & Coordinator. As a peer support specialist with lived experience in depression, he has over 2 years of mental health peer support experience, which helps him better support individuals and family members impacted by mental health challenges.

    Victoria Fairchild and Bianca Connor from the Office of Consumer Empowerment will briefly share about applying for the county Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training program also known as SPIRIT for the 2025 year. For those interested in applying for the 2025 SPIRIT class, please click this link!

    Application for Spirit 2025 (cchealth.org)

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on Zoom. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by September 19, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • August 2024 General Meeting [LIVE, In-Person]

    In Honor of August as National Wellness Month, NAMI CC’s General Meeting focuses on…

    Suggestions for Prioritizing Self-Care, Reducing Stress, and Creating Healthier Habits to Maximize Wellness in Our Lives

    When & Where

    This meeting was held on August 15, 2024 in-person (live) at this address:

    John Muir Behavioral Health Center, Outpatient Services
    4080 Port Chicago Highway
    Concord, CA 94520

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Speakers

    • Luis Marroquin from the Peaceful Warriors
    • Wife, Jennifer Navarro-Marroquin, Operations Director at C.O.P.E.

    Meeting Description

    August is National Wellness Month, a time to prioritize self-care, reduce stress, and create healthier habits to maximize wellness in our lives. This month we have Luis Marroquin from the Peaceful Warriors along with his wife Jennifer, the new Operations Director of Counseling & Parenting Education (C.O.P.E.), Contra Costa County’s resource for counseling options, parent education, and youth services. Luis will talk about the importance of building safe spaces for men of color that will allow them to process heavy emotions. Jennifer plans to share relaxation acupressure points, breathing exercises, and a couple of somatic practices that are accessible and easy to learn and apply.

    Luis Marroquin has been facilitating men’s healing circles for the past 8 years in the Bay Area. He supports these men by using tools which he calls medicine such as talking circles, drums, and meditation to name a few. Luis also uses his life story to connect with men of color to support them through their healing journey. Luis recognizes that personal and generational trauma is a root cause of unhealthy behaviors that men struggle with daily. This is why the Peaceful Warriors was created out of necessity to make safe spaces that can allow men of color to be emotionally vulnerable. Through these healing circles and a nurturing support system, these men have been learning to process trauma in a safer way that has allowed them to reclaim their identity as healthy men of color.

    Jennifer Navarro-Marroquin joins C.O.P.E.’s team as the new Operations Director. Jennifer comes on with over a decade working experience in the non-profit sector and is a Co-founder of Community Well, a Holistic Wellness Center located in the heart of the Excelsior District of San Francisco. In addition to her non-profit work, Jennifer also has coaching business supporting WOC and their professional and personal relationship to finance. She is excited to bring her skill sets to support deepening and expanding the influence of C.O.P.E.’s mission in Contra Costa and beyond.

  • July 2024 General Meeting

    BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Facilitators

    • Gigi Crowder, NAMI CC Executive Director, L.E.
    • NAMI CC Staff

    Meeting Description

    This monthly General Meeting Speaker Series presentation is in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell BIPOC (Minority) Mental Health Awareness Month and will focus on the services we have in place at NAMI CC to serve the ethnic demographics of Contra Costa County. We will have our ethnic specific teams share the work we do to improve outcomes for BIPOC Community members and hold a Listening Session with breakout groups so we can identify what’s working and what’s not working in each cultural group.

    In addition to peer support, outreach, education and advocacy, one such program includes our newest Innovations program, called “Building Mental Health Friendly Communities Together” – Faith communities learning strategies of acceptance for those impacted by mental health challenges. Our curriculum, originally designed by NAMI CC CEO Gigi Crowder and Pastor Horacio Jones for the African American community (now coordinated by Jeralynn Brown Blueford), has expanded to include AAPI (coordinated by Luo Liu) and LatinX (coordinated by Kathy Maibaum-Perryman) Faith communities through an innovation Grant from Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Care.

    In many communities, the stigma around discussions on mental health stems from historical and cultural factors, many of which have led to significant health disparities, due to shame, fear of judgment, and social inequities. Through the power of conversation, NAMI CC is dedicated to eliminating stigma and reshaping mental health by elevating the voices of those in communities that have been historically neglected and marginalized, ensuring they receive the support, understanding, and resources they need to thrive.

    In 2008, inspired by Campbell’s charge to end stigma and provide mental health support for BIPOC communities, July was designated as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives. There have been recent attempts to change the month’s name, but at NAMI, we continue to recognize the importance of honoring Bebe Moore Campbell’s incredible legacy and groundbreaking work in helping to shift the mental health culture in under served communities.

    Questions or Comments?

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation

    Closed Caption Translation is available in VARIOUS languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the CC language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by July 18, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • June 2024 General Meeting

    Housing that Heals Follow up

    Agenda

    The General Meeting begins at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Speakers

    • John Gallagher
    • Teresa Pasquini
    • Lauren Rettagliata

    Meeting Description

    Following up on our discussion on Housing that Heals on November 18, 2021, we are pleased to introduce John Gallagher as our new NAMI CC Board member and Housing Advisory Committee Chair. John Gallagher is a Clinical Services Manager at Hope Solutions working with residents in permanent supportive housing at Garden Park Apartments in Pleasant Hill and at Hacienda Heights in Richmond. He has a Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University and in Business Administration from Saint Louis University.

    John will provide an overview of our county’s homelessness-related Continuum of Care and share how a range of Hope Solutions’ programs focused on providing housing and critical support services fit into that continuum. He will also discuss recently funded expansions that will provide more housing opportunities for individuals affected by SMI. John will lead NAMI CC’s efforts to launch a Housing that Heals Advisory Committee.

    John will also be joined by loving moms Teresa Pasquini and Lauren Rettagliata. They will provide updates on the progress made in Contra Costa County to move toward Housing that Heals.

    The purpose of the Housing That Heals mission is to change the narrative and shatter the status quo by:

    1. Defining the problem and forgotten population
    2. Sharing solutions and strategies to reform systems
    3. Educating and advocating for a shared action plan that will start building more housing that heals in order to stop the suffering. We are not analysts, clinicians, or administrators.

    We do not know all the rules, regulations and fiscal/risk analyses that policymakers must navigate. But, we are two moms who do know what it is like to beg for help, hope, and housing for our adult sons living with SMI. We do know what it is like to be forced to drop private insurance in order to save our son’s life. We do know what it is like to call 911 in a mental health crisis. We do know that we have been forced to make our sons homeless in order for them to receive the medically necessary care needed for their stability, safety, and sobriety. We do know the pain of blame and shame. We do know the fatigue of fighting and the fear of dying and leaving our sons without a forever home. This is why we cannot wait any longer.

    Join us for this important discussion that includes updates and actions that we must take now.

    Included is the link to the Housing that Heals white paper: https://hth.ttinet.com/Housing_That_Heals_2020.pdf

    Questions or Comments?

    If you have Questions or Comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Cri Campbell-Schine at cri@namicontracosta.org.

    Closed Caption Translation

    Closed Caption Translation is available in VARIOUS languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the CC language of their choosing. RSVP to cri@namicontracosta.org by June 20, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • May: No General Meeting

    NAMI CC Announcement: We Will Not Have an Online 3rd Thursday Speaker Series this Month. Instead, Join Us in Person on May 22nd for “A Look Into the Future” Event

    Change Agent Award Honorees to be Celebrated at May 22nd Dinner Event “A Look Into the Future: Positioning NAMI CC to Preventively Support Children and Families Impacted by Mental Illness”

    CHANGE AGENT AWARD NOMINEES:

    SOCIAL JUSTICE: Melvin Willis
    ELECTED OFFICIAL:Supervisor Federal Glover
    FAITH-BASED LEADER: Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Bernstine
    VOLUNTEER: Jane Voll
    COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY: San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
    REDUCING DISPARITIES CHANGE AGENT: Brandon Banks Public Defender’s Office
    MEDIA: Dave Clark
    POSTHUMOUS SERVICE AWARD: Steven Bischoff


  • April 2024 General Meeting

    The Benefits of Companion Pets on Mental Wellness

    Mental Health Speaker Series, Free and Open to the Public, hosted on April 18, 2024.

    Agenda

    The General Meeting Begins at 7 PM.

    7 PM: NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 PM: Presentation Begins

    Speaker

    Stewart Proctor, a Joybound Volunteer

    Meeting Description

    At NAMI CC, we are well aware of the importance of utilizing non-traditional approaches to supporting those living with mental illness. This month we will host a dialogue on how pets, especially dogs and cats, can be used to improve outcomes for many who are living with mental health diagnosis and benefit from having a trusted pet. We will be joined by JoyBound’s Stewart Proctor. We will make time for questions and also a space for those interested to share a story about how special their pet is to them and why.

    Joybound People & Pets (formerly ARF), is committed to forming, supporting, elevating, and celebrating the human-animal bond through cat and dog rescue and adoption – but that is just the beginning. They also provide services such as training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and learning resources. Their goal is for every adoption story to become a lasting tale of friendship, love, and mutual happiness.

    Stewart Proctor has been a volunteer at Joybound since 2009, after retiring from a career in academics and health care administration. His volunteer roles include working as an adoptions counselor, leading facility tours, and doing presentations for community groups. He and his wife are active hikers and pickleball players who share their home with five adopted animals, and have raised two kids: a daughter living and working in Santa Barbara, and a son who is a Major in the Army, a Bronze Star recipient, and a Veteran of tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Questions or Comments?

    If you have questions or comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Barbara Scott at barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org on or before April 18, 2024.

    Closed Caption Translation

    Closed Caption Translation is available in VARIOUS languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the CC language of their choosing. RSVP to barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org by April 18, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • March 2024 General Meeting

    KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE

    An Introduction to Employment Laws Protecting Individuals with Disabilities and Their Loved Ones
    Click for Slides

    Meeting Information

    March 21, 2024

    General Meeting Begins @ 7 PM
    Mental Health Speaker Series, Free and Open to the Public

    Speaker

    Dale Brodsky, Attorney and NAMI CC Board Member

    About the Speaker

    For our March 2024 General Meeting, Dale Brodsky, a long-time attorney specializing in employment law, will present a tutorial on laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the bases of mental and physical disability and provide workplace protections for those affected by disability. She will focus on two California employment laws in particular: the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). FEHA prohibits discrimination on 18 protected bases, including mental and physical disability, and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation if needed. CFRA affords employees the right to take a 12-week leave of absence without losing their jobs for baby-bonding or to care for their own serious health condition or that of another person.

    Ms. Brodsky is of counsel to Beeson Tayer & Bodine, a union-side labor law firm in Oakland and Sacramento. For most of her 40-plus-year career as an attorney, she has represented public and private sector employees in employment-related matters, including discrimination and workplace harassment. For 11 years until her term expired in 2023, Ms. Brodsky served on the Civil Rights Council, formerly known as the Fair Employment and Housing Council. During her tenure on the Council, Ms. Brodsky co-wrote California’s regulations concerning mental and physical disability, as well as other protected bases under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Almost 20 years ago, Ms. Brodsky helped establish the Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Court. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Directors of NAMI-Contra Costa and chair of the Criminal Justice Mental Health Advisory Committee. Last, but not least, Ms. Brodsky has family members affected by mental illness.

    Questions or Comments?

    If you have questions or comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Barbara Scott at barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org on or before March 21, 2024.

    Closed Caption Translation

    Closed Caption Translation is available in VARIOUS languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the CC language of their choosing. RSVP to barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org by March 21, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • February 2024 General Meeting

    Treatment Not Tents – How Prop 1 Will Help Our Loved Ones

    Speakers

    Douglas Dunn and Karen Cohen, NAMI CC Members

    Hosted on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 at 7 PM to hear from some of our most knowledgeable NAMI CC members explain how Proposition 1 on our March 5th ballot will improve our loved ones’ lives.

    Click for Slides
    Click for Notes

    Agenda

    7:00 pm NAMI CC Announcements
    7:15 pm Presentation Begins

    Summary

    Learn why Douglas Dunn and Karen Cohen, NAMI CC Members, are supporting this innovative initiative:

    • Prop. 1 reforms, renames and strengthens the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
    • NAMI CA proudly collaborated with the legislature and Governor to ensure the needs of those experiencing serious mental illness and their families were included in these reforms.
    • Learn more: www.treatmentnottents.com or www.namica.org/proposition-1

    About the Speakers

    Doug Dunn and his wife Linda are the parents of a loved one living with major mental health challenges. As a result of their sons’ illness, Doug has become a respected and forceful advocate for legislative change. He supports families who contact our NAMI Family Volunteer Support Network to navigate our legal and criminal justice systems. He was instrumental in convincing our county to implement Laura’s Law. In addition, he has served on the NAMI CC Board of Directors and the Contra Costa Mental Health Commission. He currently serves as the Chair of the NAMI CC Legislation Committee.

    Karen Lee Cohen has been a NAMI CC member for more than 30 years, during which she has been a board member and a Family-to-Family teacher and volunteered in many other capacities. She worked to pass the Mental Health Services Act, to open facilities for people with severe mental illness and to implement Laura’s Law in Contra Costa. For the past 14 years, she has co-facilitated the Open Our Hearts community support group for family members of people with severe mental illness.

    Questions or Comments for the Speakers?

    If you have questions or comments for our speakers during the presentation, you may contact Barbara Scott at barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org on or before February 15, 2024.

    Closed Caption Translation

    Closed Caption (CC) Translation is available in VARIOUS languages on any NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the CC language of their choosing. RSVP to barbara.scott@namicontracosta.org by February 15, 2024 if you require audio language translation.

  • January 2024 General Meeting

    How to Support My Child or Adolescent Living with ADHD

    Hosted by NAMI Contra Costa on January 18, 2024

    Our panel:

    • Angela Large, Teacher
    • Kathy Darnell, Parent and Advocate
    • Dr. Manuel Fernandez, PsyD, MSCP

    Recording in English

    Recording in Spanish

    Summary

    For our January 2024 General Meeting, we started 2024 with a conversation regarding ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – what is and how is it diagnosed for children and adolescents. We covered the following topics during the discussion:

    • What are successful treatments?
    • How do you get help from your school district?
    • As a parent, how can I support my child and or adolescent to be successful and mentally healthy?

    Angela Large is a special education teacher and reading specialist at the Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD).

    Kathy Darnell is the parent of two special education children, one of her children is living with autism and one of her children lives with ADHD. She lives in Davis and has worked successfully with the school district to make sure her children have appropriate services to meet their unique needs.

    Dr. Manuel Fernandez PsyD, MSCP is the Founder of the La Concordia Wellness Center in Concord. He is bilingual in both English and Spanish with interest and expertise include the treatment of chronic conditions and in particular the management of chronic pain using, from behavioral medicine techniques, to up-to-date medication recommendations.

    General Meeting Flyer for January 2024
    General Meeting Flyer

  • December 2023 General Meeting

    Summary

    For our December 2023 General Meeting, we hosted our Virtual Family Holiday Sing-Along party with novice and professional singers. As is our tradition, we gathered our families in front of our computers and had our favorite desserts handy. We encouraged attendees to wear their favorite holiday sweater to celebrate the 2023 holiday season! Gift cards were made available to the winners of our virtual contest.

    This general meeting also discussed our Holiday Outreach to distribute socks and other thoughtful items to the unsheltered on Christmas morning.

  • November 2023 General Meeting

    Speakers

    • Philip Arnold
    • Art Honegger
    • Steven Smith
    • Pello Walker

    Summary

    Nearly 1 in 4 active duty members showed signs of a mental health condition, according to a 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study. The study found the rate of PTSD to be 15 times higher than civilians and the rate of depression to be five times higher than civilians. For our November monthly General Meeting and in honor of Veterans Day, we had voices of lived experience in our community share what programs we have in place at NAMI CC to support the needs of those who served.

    Philip Arnold’s active duty was from 1965 to 1969 with tours of duty in West Germany and Turkey with the United States Air Force Security Service. What he gained from military service as lived experience that saved his life and changed it for the better was much needed self-confidence, a respect for authority, and a personal understanding of the many blessings enjoyed by Americans that other countries and cultures do not experience. What he does now to serve other Veterans is to lend an earnest ear of understanding to restore lost trust on an individual basis as the NAMI CC Veterans Outreach Coordinator, providing resources to the Veterans at the Delta Veterans Group (DVG) Stand Down on the Delta event this year.

    Former NAMI CC President Art Honegger served as an officer in the Navy from 1967 through 1969. He has been privileged to serve Veterans less fortunate in the Stand Down on the Delta event for the last several years and has been involved in helping Veterans in many other civic and non profit events throughout his adult life, being awarded the 2022 NAMI CC VETERANS CHANGE AGENT AWARD for his long-time commitment in support of Veterans.

    NAMI CC African American Uplift Program staff member Steven Smith is 33 years old and served the United States Army from 2014-2017. In his role, he has spoken at the Veterans Administration hospital to share NAMI CC resources.

    Pello Walker served from 1976 to 1980 in the U.S. Army. He is the Veteran in the Women owned Veteran owned ‘Certified Green’ business of Daily Digital Imaging. Now he is a Social Justice Warrior, still a man of action with a sense of urgency to help his community and fellow human beings that are less fortunate.

    NAMI CC Executive Director Gigi Crowder partners monthly with America’s Heroes Group radio podcast show to address Mental Health Matters. America’s Heroes Group is a nationally acclaimed radio show that creates a strong veterans network, honoring and respecting the sacrifice of Veterans.

    NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members/Veterans with mental health conditions.

  • October 2023 General Meeting

    Speakers

    • Lance Maples, Interim EMS Division Chief, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
    • Denton Carlson, San Ramon Chief of Police

    Summary

    Our October 2023 General Meeting was held on October 19, 2023 at 7 pm over Zoom. It featured updates on Innovative Behavioral Health Crisis Response, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Implements Behavioral Health Fire First Program.

    For our October General Meeting, we received updates on an innovative behavioral health crisis response program. In 2021, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (District) recognized the need to change how they received, responded to, and transported behavioral health emergencies. This need for change was highlighted not only by what was happening at a local and national level but also by their own personnel who led from the ground up and advocated for a better approach to these types of emergencies. The District developed an innovative program that was the first of its kind to recognize behavioral health incidents as medical emergencies, allowing Fire/EMS resources to respond to these incidents within seven (7) minutes. Partnering with SRVFPD, Mental Health Specialist Training that highlighted de-escalation techniques was provided by NAMI Contra Costa for over 200 District personnel and San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) staff.

    Interim EMS Division Chief, Lance Maples, of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District was born and raised in Contra Costa County. He started his fire service career in 1988. In the last 35 years, he worked in the fire service for the City of Pinole Fire Department, Cal Fire, City of Fairfield Fire Department, El Cerrito/Kensington Fire Protection District serving for 13 years as Fire Chief, and was the Interim EMS Division Chief for the San Ramon Valley Protection District.

    San Ramon Chief of Police, Denton Carlson, held a Master’s in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and was a California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College graduate, where he received the Dorothy Harris Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. He was also a graduate of the California Police Chiefs Association’s Executive Development Certificate Program and the Executive Certificate Program in Transformative Leadership from California State University, East Bay. In addition, he was a member of the Faculty at the University of San Diego, where he taught within their Master’s program in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership.

    October 2023's General Meeting Flyer

  • September 2023 General Meeting

    Summary

    For our September 2023 General Meeting, we invited client and family member perspectives on how the A3 Miles Hall Community Crisis Hub behavioral health crisis response program services were going. We had invited two of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health graduate student research team members – Theo Michaels and Dani MacVicar, in charge of the qualitative data collection, and Amanda Brewster, one of the faculty members leading the project. We used your feedback to understand how the A3 Miles Hall Community Crisis Hub was doing and to see if it had met the community standards for what we had hoped for. We needed your input to make recommendations in an interactive discussion. We wanted to take that opportunity to hear from families!

    The researchers briefly presented their project and then broke out into groups to hear your stories. If you wanted to participate in interviews afterward, we scheduled a time to meet. Those who agreed to this next round of interviews were provided with a $30 gift card for their time. Interviews included questions about your experiences with A3. Participation was voluntary, and you could change your mind at any time and withdraw from the study. To learn more or to participate, please email Dani MacVicar at dmacvicar@berkeley.edu.

    Time was allowed for individuals to ask questions.

    September 2023's General Meeting Flyer

  • August 2023 General Meeting

    Focusing on Youth Mental Health: How to Best Support Students as they Return Back to School

    Summary

    As the new school year approached, NAMI Contra Costa held a community dialogue for our August General Meeting on how best to support students, parents, and caregivers as they returned back to school.

    We discussed what programs we had in place to support our youth and what was needed as we focused on preventative services. The Transitional Age Youth support group and Ending the Silence were mentioned.

    We asked those who had a background in education to join us as we left time for a group conversation and for ALL individuals to share their personal stories, feedback, and advice, especially those who had success working with diverse populations.

    SPIRIT Peer Co-Instructors Janet Costa and Victoria Fairchild briefly shared an update about the Behavioral Health Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training program in Contra Costa County as the 2023 class graduated and the 2024 course opened for enrollment. SPIRIT is a 9-unit college course taught in collaboration with Contra Costa Behavioral Health and Contra Costa College. The course taught students how to develop core skills to empower themselves by attaining and maintaining recovery and resiliency through self-awareness and peer/family support, while learning to assist others in doing the same. The completion of this class led to a Certificate of Achievement and an internship with the county.

  • July 2023 General Meeting

    Valuing Diversity: Developing Cultural Humility in Mental Health Outreach and Engagement

    In Honor of July as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

    Speaker

    Gigi R. Crowder, L.E., Executive Director, NAMI Contra Costa

    Summary

    For our July 2023 General Meeting, in honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI Contra Costa Executive Director Gigi Crowder shared her presentation “Valuing Diversity: Developing Cultural Humility in Mental Health Outreach and Engagement.” The presentation gave an overview of cultural humility, and participants considered unique cultural factors and barriers that resulted in various community groups being underserved and inappropriately served by mental health systems. Participants examined culturally responsive strategies to effectively reach and engage a variety of community groups. The presentation was specific to Contra Costa County and what it could do to create a sense of belonging for BIPOC residents impacted by mental illness. The meeting was interactive with breakout groups because the goal was to educate and ensure ALL voices were heard.

    Gigi is the Executive Director for NAMI Contra Costa, having accepted this position in January 2018, after serving in a consultant role as their Fund Developer. She was also the FaithNet Coordinator and had advanced efforts statewide to reduce mental health stigma by training Faith Leaders using the Mental Health Friendly Communities training curriculum she co-designed. Gigi promoted utilizing natural resources such as those found in faith/spiritual communities and worked hard to advocate for the use of community-defined strategies for all, with a particular focus on better addressing the needs of unserved, underserved, and inappropriately served ethnic and cultural communities.

    Her current focus is addressing the needs of those living with mental illness who were often criminalized for living with a medical condition. Highlights of her career included being inducted into the Alameda County Women Hall of Fame for her work in developing programs to enhance employment opportunities for individuals living with mental illness, receiving the 2013 MHAAC Mental Health Achievement Award. She also received the 2016 Multi-Cultural Outreach Award from NAMI California, the 2020 “Making a Difference Award” from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Under her leadership, NAMI CC won the NAMI National 2021 Multicultural Outreach Award. On January 18th, 2022, she was deemed the 2022 Adult Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian of the Year by the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County. In November, she was honored as the 2022 East Bay Leadership Council with the Change Maker Philanthropic Award. On June 7th, Gigi accepted the California Nonprofit of the Year Award on behalf of NAMI CC.

    July's general meeting flyer.

  • June 2023 General Meeting

    In Honor of PRIDE Month, Hear from NAMI CC Staff Who Identify as LGBTQI+

    Speakers

    • Avery Gould of NAMI CC
    • Maureen McSweeney of NAMI CC
    • Anthony Marin of NAMI CC

    Summary

    We recognized June as Pride month and heard from NAMI CC peer support specialists who had lived experience with mental illness and also identified as LGBTQI+. We also received our California Non Profit of the Year award from the office of Assemblymember Tim Grayson staff member, Theresa Andersen.

    Avery Gould is a 24-year-old gay man who practices reform Judaism. Many people thought of religion and homosexuality to be in opposition. In his presentation, Avery sought to unravel the myth that religiosity and homosexuality were mutually exclusive. In addition, he touched on how the mental health of some people could be affected by the misconception that faith and queerness are contradictory in his presentation “Bridging the Divide: Embracing Harmony Between Religion and Homosexuality.”

    Maureen McSweeney (they/them) is proud to be working at NAMI Contra Costa on the Transitional Age Youth team. They themselves had utilized community support groups and services throughout their mental health journey. Rainbow Community Center and The Trevor Project, especially, had been great ways for Maureen to find queer support and community. Maureen was grateful for the opportunity to present on LGBTQ+ mental health, as well as to speak on their own lived experience.

    Anthony Marin is a proud gay man who has been married to his husband Michael for 13 years despite the odds against him. Tony shared his history of navigating the mental health system which ultimately brought him to receive services at Rainbow Community Center and work for NAMI CC. Together, Tony and Michael are a dynamic duo who help the NAMI CC organization thrive.

    We left time near the end for an all-inclusive LGBTQI+ discussion/conversation, Questions and Answers from the audience, played a few Pride month inspired tunes to sing and dance to. We recognized June as Pride month and heard from NAMI CC peer support specialists who had lived experience with mental illness and also identified as LGBTQI+. We also received our California Non Profit of the Year award from the office of Assemblymember Tim Grayson staff member, Theresa Andersen.

    Avery Gould is a 24-year-old gay man who practices reform Judaism. Many people thought of religion and homosexuality to be in opposition. In his presentation, Avery sought to unravel the myth that religiosity and homosexuality were mutually exclusive. In addition, he touched on how the mental health of some people could be affected by the misconception that faith and queerness are contradictory in his presentation “Bridging the Divide: Embracing Harmony Between Religion and Homosexuality.”

    Maureen McSweeney (they/them) is proud to be working at NAMI Contra Costa on the Transitional Age Youth team. They themselves had utilized community support groups and services throughout their mental health journey. Rainbow Community Center and The Trevor Project, especially, had been great ways for Maureen to find queer support and community. Maureen was grateful for the opportunity to present on LGBTQ+ mental health, as well as to speak on their own lived experience.

    Anthony Marin is a proud gay man who has been married to his husband Michael for 13 years despite the odds against him. Tony shared his history of navigating the mental health system which ultimately brought him to receive services at Rainbow Community Center and work for NAMI CC. Together, Tony and Michael are a dynamic duo who help the NAMI CC organization thrive.

    We left time near the end for an all-inclusive LGBTQI+ discussion/conversation and Questions and Answers from the audience and played a few Pride month inspired tunes to sing and dance to.

    June 2023's general meeting flyer

  • May 2023 General Meeting

    2023 Change Agent Appreciation Award

    Nominations for Individuals/Organizations Making an Extraordinary Difference in Improving Mental Health Outcomes

    Summary

    In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI CC held its 4th Annual Community Change Agent Appreciation Awards at our General Meeting on May 18, 2023. It was another special event as many NAMI CC community members, family, and friends gathered for recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving mental health outcomes for residents of Contra Costa.

    The nomination period closed, and we announced the winners in upcoming announcements. Thank you for all you did in the mental health community and for all who joined us in celebrating this memorable event!

    CHANGE AGENT AWARD CATEGORIES

    SOCIAL JUSTICE, VETERANS AWARD, EDUCATOR, MOVER AND SHAKER, AGENCY, PEER TEAM, ELECTED OFFICIAL, FAITH-BASED CHURCH, FAITH-BASED LEADER, PROGRAM VOLUNTEER, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, REDUCING DISPARITIES CHANGE AGENT, YOUNG MOVER AND SHAKER, FAMILY MEMBER, MEDIA

  • February 2023 General Meeting

    Black Minds Matter 2!

    Sharing Community Defined Strategies and Tools that if Implemented Could, with Funding, Improve Outcomes for African Americans Living with Mental Health Challenges

    Speaker

    • Gigi R. Crowder, L.E., Executive Director, NAMI Contra Costa

    Summary

    For our February 2023 General Meeting in recognition of Black History Month, our Executive Director, Gigi Crowder, L.E., shared community-defined strategies and tools that, if implemented with funding, could be used to improve outcomes for African Americans living with mental health challenges. Because Black Minds 2! This was a frank and interactive discussion.

    Gigi R. Crowder, L. E., a native of Oakland, CA, is the mother of two biological children; 31-year-old twin sons and had served as a foster mom and mentor to many more through divine interventions. Gigi served for over 9 years as the Ethnic Services Manager for Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services and worked in the Behavioral Health Care field for more than 32 years after completing her studies at the University of California, Berkeley. As a family member of several loved ones who received private and public mental health services, she is a strong advocate for promoting culturally responsive behavioral health services for all peers and family members. She is unapologetic about her efforts to address the needs of African Americans who she deemed as the most harmed and neglected due to systemic racism. She created Black Minds Matter 2! which gave her opportunities to speak across the nation. Most recently, she was one of California Responders to President Biden’s State of the Union Address, which presented his Unity Plan.

    Gigi is the Executive Director for NAMI Contra Costa and accepted this position in January 2018 after serving in a consultant role as their Fund Developer. She is also the FaithNet Coordinator and advanced efforts statewide to reduce mental health stigma by training Faith Leaders using the Mental Health Friendly Communities training curriculum she co-designed.

    Gigi promoted utilizing natural resources such as those found in faith/spiritual communities and worked hard to advocate for the use of community-defined strategies for all, with a particular focus on better addressing the needs of unserved, underserved, and inappropriately served ethnic and cultural communities. Her current focus is addressing the needs of those living with mental illness who were often criminalized for living with a medical condition.

    Highlights of her career included being inducted into the Alameda County Women Hall of Fame for her work in developing programs to enhance employment opportunities for individuals living with mental illness, receiving the 2013 MHAAC Mental Health Achievement Award. She also received the 2016 Multi-Cultural Outreach Award from NAMI California, the 2020 “Making a Difference Award,” from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County.

    Gigi was also credited for positioning NAMI CC to beat out 600 other NAMI Affiliates and win the NAMI 2021 Multicultural Outreach Award. On January 18th, 2022, she was deemed the 2022 Adult Humanitarian of the Year by the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County. In November 2022, she was honored as the 2022 East Bay Leadership Council with the Change Maker Philanthropic Award.

    February 2023's General Meeting Flyer

  • January 2023 General Meeting

    An Interconnected Approach to Nutrition and Mental Health

    Speaker

    Kathy Maibaum-Perryman, Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC)

    Summary

    Our January 2023 General Meeting kicked started the new year focused on a common resolution: Nutrition and its connection with mental health. Our very own NAMI Contra Costa family member/volunteer, Kathy Maibaum-Perryman, coached or ‘cheered’ attendees on their health journey using an interconnected approach to treating the whole body systems and genetics while including the mind, spirit, and one’s environment and educating on the importance of food, supplements, and many other holistic tools to support reaching optimal health.

    Kathy elaborated on the importance of talking to medical professionals about weight concerns while on certain medications: Why SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, or Atypical antidepressants could cause weight gain in some and loss in others, how it interfered with metabolism, serotonin levels, satiety, etc. Exploring the ‘why’ helped understand and make mindful changes in one’s menus and lifestyle habits.

    She had recently completed her Functional Nutrition Alliance Certification to be a Functional Nutrition Counselor and continued to explore and learn new developments and resources related to functional nutrition, exercise, self-care, and sleep. Kathy believed there were many gaps in the healthcare system, and one was to take the time to look at the whole health picture for any missing pieces while seeing a practitioner. Functional Nutrition Counselors helped fill that gap by looking at the individual as a whole and not a diagnosis.

    Kathy had worked in the medical field and always enjoyed learning about health and knew the importance of eating healthy. With this new knowledge, she realized that health was so much more than just eating a salad and exercising. It involved healthy relationships with oneself and others, being mindful, and being an advocate for one’s health, just to name a few. It was an opportunity to support and educate herself on practicing functional nutrition to help her son who was living with mental health issues and educating him as well.

    As always, there was time for a Q&A. NAMI Contra Costa also used this opportunity to recap highlights of achievements from 2022 and set projected, future goals for 2023. Happy New Year!