FAQs

Our office is located at 2500 Main St. Suite 120, Vancouver, WA 98660. We are closed to the public for the foreseeable future since we are in the Vancouver Housing Authority building, which is completely closed to the public.

We are an affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

For more information about our Support Groups, Signature Classes, and Presentations, visit the Mission and Services Overview page.

We do not have licensed counselors. If you need a one-on-one counselor, please contact your insurance company for a list of counselors in your area.

Yes we are! Our EIN is 91-1065027. Any donation to us is tax deductible.

All of our services are completely free. They are led by NAMI-trained peers who have their own lived experience. They are not therapists.

We do not have licensed counselors. If you need a one-on-one counselor, please contact your insurance company for a list of counselors in your area.

We advocate through partnering with law enforcement, other first-responders, faith communities, and local businesses to help bring change to the system.

We cannot go to court with you. You can find a court appointed advocate at the courthouse though.

We can, however, support you and find ways you can advocate for yourself. Join any of our online support groups to learn from others, too.

Yes!

You can become a member, volunteer for us, donate, join a support group, or just spread the word that we're here!

Links:

Become a member

Volunteer

Donate

Join a group

First of all, call the nearest crisis center. If you want more information about preparing for a crisis, visit our Preparing for a Crisis page.

Washington State

Southwest Washington (Clark, Skamania, Klickitat counties) – 1-800-626-8137 | TTY 1-866-835-2755

Cowlitz County – 360-425-6064

Wahkiakum County – 1-800-635-5989

National

National Suicide Prevention Helpline 1-800-273-8255

Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, press 1

National Crisis Text Line – Text Home to 741741

National Eating Disorders Association Crisis Line – 1-800-931-2237

There can be so many reasons, mainly biological and environmental, why someone has a mental illness. There is still a person behind a mental health condition though. There are many different types of treatment, not just talk therapy.

If you feel like your loved one is sick and doesn't know it, they may be experiencing anosognosia. When someone rejects a diagnosis of mental illness, it’s tempting to say that he's “in denial.” But someone with acute mental illness may not be thinking clearly enough to consciously choose denial. They may instead be experiencing “lack of insight” or “lack of awareness.” The formal medical term for this medical condition is anosognosia, from the Greek meaning “to not know a disease.”

There may be other reasons, such as past trauma. View our page about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to learn more.

For NAMI, recovery is a foundational principle.  While serious mental illness impacts individuals in many challenging ways, the concept that all individuals can move towards wellness is paramount.  A strengths-based approach is a cornerstone for NAMI initiatives, activities, and efforts.  Many, many NAMI members living with mental illness have benefited from the various opportunities within the organization.  NAMI has become a vehicle for recovery, and a pathway towards wellness.

Read more.

Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, depression, anxiety. What do they mean???

Check out more about specific mental health conditions here.

It may seem like you/your loved one is being dramatic. But more than likely, they need support now more than ever.

Warning signs: change in behavior or entirely new behaviors are reason for concern, especially in relation to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or do.

Verbal waring signs may include talking about:

• Killing themselves
• Feeling hopeless
• Having no reason to live
• Being a burden to others
• Feeling trapped
• Unbearable pain

Behavioral warning signs may include:

• Increased use of drugs and alcohol
• Looking for a way to end their life, such as searching online for methods
• Withdrawing from normal activities
• Isolating from family and friends
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• Giving away prized possessions
• Aggression and fatigue

Change in mood, especially in relation to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their own life exhibit one or more warning sign, either through what they say or do.

Learn more from our Suicide Prevention and Awareness Booklet.

If you are feeling suicidal, please call the nearest crisis line or the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.