LETTER: Resources available for mental health

As mental health awareness continues to grow, it’s that there are resources and support systems in place for those who need help. One such resource is NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. 

As a member of NAMI North Central Washington and the board secretary, I want to highlight the vital work we do for our community. Our local NAMI chapter provides free education, advocacy and support groups for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families. These services are designed to foster understanding, reduce stigma and offer hope to those navigating mental health challenges. 

In addition to direct support, NAMI advocates for better mental health care policies, ensuring that mental health is treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health. We also work to promote 988, the new national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which offers free, 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors. This service is a lifeline for those in immediate need, and we encourage everyone to remember that 988 is there for mental health crises, just as 911 is for physical emergencies. 

I encourage the readers of the Columbia Basin Herald to learn more about NAMI and to reach out if they or a loved one are struggling. Mental health affects all of us, and NAMI is here to help. 

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue. 

Megan Diamond
Board Secretary
NAMI North Central Washington 

Editor’s note: Today is National Mental Health Day.