Watch our highlight videos above for our work with Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities!
In addition to peer support, outreach, education and advocacy, our newest Innovations program, called “Building Mental Health Friendly Communities Together,” helps interfaith communities learn 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.
We are pleased to share the success of the Mental Health 101 training session hosted on May 24, 2025, by the African American Innovation Team of NAMI Contra Costa, in collaboration with Easter Hill United Methodist Church and its host pastor, Dr. Dale Weatherspoon.
This informative event brought together community members and caregivers from the western region of Contra Costa who have family members, congregation members, and community members impacted with mental health challenges. The training was skillfully led by NAMI CC CEO Gigi Crowder, the creator and founder of the Mental Health 101 curriculum. The session aimed to provide attendees with crucial knowledge and resources relevant to mental health within the African American community.
The “Mental Health 101” training plays a vital role in increasing awareness about mental health and fostering collaboration with spiritual leaders and faith-based organizations to support those navigating these difficulties. Participants gained insights into community-defined strategies and advanced techniques to better assist individuals impacted by mental health challenges and to actively dispel stigma. This initiative was very successful in encouraging the Pastors, Faith Leaders, and Health Ministry Members, equipping them all to step into roles as mental health first responders, thereby cultivating “Mental Health Friendly Congregations” that offer essential support for individuals on their wellness journeys.
Attendees also had the opportunity to share their personal experiences and enjoy uplifting entertainment provided by local Psalmist Mrs. Ashley Cobbs-Thompson. The event also included a complimentary lunch and an engaging raffle with prizes. Upon completion of the training, each participant received a certificate recognizing them as a “Mental Health Ambassador.”
In addition to the training, NAMI Contra Costa’s training facilitator informed the participants of the work they are doing within the county, emphasizing the significant county initiatives, notably the “40 Voices Campaign,” which has been pivotal in advocating for funding for the African American Holistic Wellness Hub, and also highlighted our ongoing commitment to amplifying the voices of African American males within our community.
Join us for a Mental Health 101 session designed for the LGBTQ+ community!
This event is designed to provide information about mental health, what it is and is not, and how it manifests in the LGBTQ+ community.
We will discuss community-defined strategies and advance our efforts to partner with churches as they commit to being LGBTQ+ affirming, Mental Health-Friendly Congregations, etc.
Our office will close early at 4 PM for this event.
Time & Location
When: Tuesday, July 15th, 5 PM – 8 PM
Where: Danville Congregational Church at 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville, CA 94526 and online.
Zoom Link Information
Topic: Mental Health 101 – Danville Congregational Church Time: Jul 15, 2025 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
A Free Mental Health Awareness Event Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Latinx in Contra Costa County.
Una charla para lo concientización de salud mental para la comunidad latina abordando las necesidades de salud mental de los latinos en el Condado de Contra Costa.
Time & Location / Fechas y Horario
July 12, 2025 | 10 AM – 2 PM / 12 de Julio, 2025 | 10AM – 2PM
Location/Ubicación: Roca Eterna Ministries 908 Carpino Ave Pittsburg, CA, 94565
About This Event
English
This event will have Music from Roca Worship and Free Lunch and will feature two featured speakers, Pastor Claudia Escobedo and Amalia Marroquin, LCSW.
This event is designed to provide information about mental health, what it is and is not, and how it manifests in the Latinx community.
We will discuss community-defined strategies and advance our efforts to partner with Churches as they commit to being Mental Health-Friendly Congregations and take on the challenge.
Spanish/Español
Este evento contará con música de Roca Worship y Free un Almuerzo Gratis, y tendrá como oradoras principales a la Pastora Claudia Escobedo y a Amalia Marroquín, LCSW.
Este evento es diseñado para proveer información sobre la salud mental, qué es y qué no es, y cómo se presenta en la comunidad Latina.
Hablaremos sobre estrategias definidas por la comunidad y avanzaremos nuestros esfuerzos para colaborar con Iglesias a medida que se comprometen a ser Congregaciones Amigables con la Salud Mental.
RSVP Requested
Your RSVP is requested for this event. Please link on the button/link to confirm your attendance.
Se solicita confirmación de asistencia. Haz clic en el enlace para confirmar ahora.
A Free Mental Health Awareness Event Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of African Americans in Contra Costa County.
Time & Location
Tomorrow, on Saturday May 24, 2025 from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Easter Hill United Methodist Church 3911 Cutting Boulevard, Richmond, CA
About This Event
This event will be facilitated and led by Dr. Dale Weatherspoon, Host Pastor and Elder Gigi Crowder, CEO of NAMI Contra Costa.
It will also feature A Free Lunch, Raffle Prizes and Empowering Entertainment. This event is designed to provide educational information about mental health, what it is and is not, and how it manifests in the African American Community.
Accommodations
Contact: Elder Gigi R. Crowder if any accommodations are needed at gigi@namicontracosta.org or (510) 990-2570
Join us this year, 2025, in serving warm meals to the unsheltered through our “Leave No One Behind” (LNOB) Program, a part of our NAMI FaithNet program. Your participation and service will help those who sleep under the stars!
Our Warm Meal will be held Mondays and Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at our office:
Join us this year, 2024, in serving and sharing our annual Christmas Warm Lunch Meal from our “Leave No One Behind” Program, a part of our NAMI FaithNet program. Your participation and service will help those who sleep under the stars!
We start through feeding, but our focus is making a life-saving connection.
Our Christmas Warm Lunch Meal will be held on Monday, December 23, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM in two locations:
In observance of Mental Health Day of Prayer, NAMI Contra Costa’s FaithNet Program lead an effort to bring a diverse interfaith group together on October 8, 2024. Over 40 attendees gathered and lifted up compassionate prayers, songs and chants to spiritually support individuals impacted by mental health challenges. With unusually warm temperatures, we met on the steps of the County Administration Building, located on 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553 and offered beverages, fruit and pastries.
Mental Health Awareness Week occurs each year on the first full week of October. Therefore, we at NAMI CC extended a heartfelt invitation to spiritual/faith leaders, city officials, mental health advocates, faith-based organizations, community members from all backgrounds, and cultures to unite in raising awareness, fostering healing, promoting peace, and encouraging unity throughout Contra Costa County. We held a safe space for ALL Faith and Spiritual communities to come together as their Leaders prayed for those living with mental illness who are unsheltered, incarcerated, struggling with substance abuse issues, those we have lost due to police violence, our youth and BIPOC and LGBTQ Community members and others who receive disparate services.
On September 21, 2024, as part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, NAMI Contra Costa hosted the 4th Annual “Know the Signs: Remembering Those We’ve Lost” event at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. The gathering aimed to foster awareness, healing, and community support in East County.
The event began with interfaith prayers from Pastor Faye, Chaplain Priscilla, and Tiffany Wang, followed by a moment of silence for those lost to suicide. Reverend Bill Kruse offered words of hope, uplifting the crowd.
Under bright, sunny skies by the lagoon, Stanford University student Alexi Lindeman shared a heartfelt tribute to her sister Andy, whose memory was honored through her story of lived experience. FaithNet coordinators Greg Beckner, Ashley Ciullo, and Gigi Crowder followed with a lineup of multigenerational diverse speakers, all sharing personal testimonies. Names of loved ones lost, particularly youth, were highlighted throughout the moving tributes, as the forum opened for community participation.
Jesse Robbins, a NAMI Contra Costa TAY staff member who lost his brother, joined community members in courageously sharing their stories of loss, as the community engaged in remembrance and healing.
The second half of the event spotlighted the ongoing work in suicide awareness and most importantly, prevention. NAMI CC’s Transitional Age Youth team outlined strategies from the “Ending the Silence” program, while student leaders like Megan Suh from Dougherty Valley H.S. and her team as well as Cherry Wang from Heritage shared their efforts from the NAMI On Campus Clubs. Savannah Crippen, representing Bright Life Kids from Brightline, introduced free youth resources, while community members including Dominique King who is running for a council seat in Antioch and a NAMI CC Student Ambassador, Representative, spoke about championing advocacy for suicide prevention in Antioch and beyond.
Additional speakers also included Kristin Lobos and her Co-Worker, Faith from the A3-Miles Hall Community Crisis Hub, who delivered an emotional address, and Kaitlyn Coughran from the Contra Costa Crisis Center, who discussed crisis de-escalation techniques. NAMI CC further highlighted the importance of recognizing the signs of mental health crises and promoted the 988 Crisis Line.
The event offered moments of comfort through grief counselors, origami paper cranes symbolizing hope, and creative activities like a rock-painting station. The day concluded with a symbolic dove release as members of our staff, volunteers, families and others honored loved ones lost too soon and embraced the themes of hope and healing.
This event will feature an interfaith gathering of compassionate prayers for individuals impacted by mental health challenges, for the entire Contra Costa County, and a special prayer for all nations.
Why October 8th?
As Mental Health Awareness Week occurs in the first week of October, we extend a heartfelt invitation to Spiritual Leaders, City Officials, Mental Health Advocates, Faith-Based organizations, Community Members from all backgrounds, and cultures to unite in raising awareness, fostering healing, promoting peace, and encouraging unity throughout Contra Costa County.
Inquiries and Attendance Confirmation
For inquiries or to confirm your attendance, please reach out to:
Or contact Chaplain Jeralynn Brown-Blueford, M.Div., Certified Peer Support Specialist and Coordinator of the NAMI Contra Costa Innovation Program, at 209-650-9361 or Jeralynn.Blueford@namicontracosta.org.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI Contra Costa Invites All Spiritual Leaders & Faith-Based Organizations to the Event Launch of NAMI CC’s Innovation Program, Themed:
Building Mental Health Friendly Communities Together
Faith communities learning strategies of acceptance for those impacted by mental health challenges
Our Mental Health Friendly Communities curriculum, originally designed by Gigi R. Crowder and Pastor Horacio Jones for the African American Community, is expanding to include AAPI, LGBTQ+, and Latinx Faith Communities through an Innovation Grant from Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Care.
Date & Location
Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm Concord Historical Society Event Center 1928 Clayton Road Concord, CA 94519
