 |
|
|
|
Hi ,
Ever read about one of our programs and thought, “I wish there were something for...”? Here’s your chance to tell us and help us improve our work.
That responsibility belongs to every person who has walked through our door, joined a support group, or taken a class with our community.
Our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 10, is where that happens. It’s your chance to tell us what’s working, what’s missing, and what you want to see next year. You’ll meet our new team and chat with our board members, and your ideas will help guide next year's programming.
Can’t make it, or have a question or suggestion before then? Email us at hello@namiccns.org. Your ideas are welcome any time.
Until then, this issue is a snapshot of what community looks like at NAMI CCNS: a yoga mat, a comedy stage, a support group where everyone gets it. Whatever brought you here, we’re glad you came, and we hope you’ll help us decide where we go next.
With gratitude,
Dr. Laura Piel Martín
Executive Director, NAMI CCNS
Keep reading for all the details on what's ahead. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Your Voice Shapes What's Next |
|
Someone in our community showed up looking for help and a place to belong over 13,000 times last year.
On November 10, we’d love for you to join us in celebrating. We’ll look back on what we accomplished together in FY 2025/2026 and look ahead to FY 2026/2027. You’ll meet the new NAMI CCNS team, chat with our board members, and help shape next year's programming.
When: Tuesday, November 10 at 7 PM
Where: NAMI CCNS Office
8324 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077
This meeting is open to the public, and your voice helps shape what comes next. We'll serve snacks and refreshments, so sign up to help us get a headcount. |
| Register here |
|
|
 |
Move With Meaning at lululemon |
|
Last Friday, around 100 community members rolled out their mats at Life Time Vernon Hills for Move with Meaning, a yoga class and conversation about mental health, made possible through our partnership with lululemon.
Yoga Ambassador Ally Fein led an all-levels flow and a sound bath. Dr. Laura Piel Martín and Kendra Kim shared how to spot the warning signs of mental illness, how to respond, and how to be a good friend to someone who is struggling. They also reminded everyone that you have to take care of yourself to care for others, and that movement is one of the simplest ways to do it.
Thank you to Amy Kirsh and the lululemon Deerfield team for making this event happen, and to The Happiness Project for joining us. Ticket sales support NAMI CCNS and NAMI Lake County's free programs for individuals and families across Chicago’s north and northwest suburbs. |
|
|
See This Comedy Show About Mental Illness |
 |
|
Check out this deeply personal and experimental comedy show about mental illness this weekend! This Saturday at 8 PM, Maria Bamford will perform a special at Skokie’s North Shore Center of the Performing Arts, where our Sustainers Board Member, Seemin Khan, volunteers as an usher.
She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, and is the star of four hour-long stand-up specials (Local Act, Weakness is the Brand, Old Baby, and Maria Bamford: the special, special, special!) and the surreal, semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown. |
| Register here |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
October Recurring Support Groups & Programs |
|
Whether you're living with a mental health condition or supporting someone who is, we offer free support groups throughout October. All programs are free, confidential, and led by trained facilitators with lived experience. |
 |
|
|
|
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
This free, peer-led support group program is for adults working on mental health recovery. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others. The groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there.
Online - NAMI Connection Recovery ZOOM Links
-
Mondays | 4–5:30 PM
-
Saturdays | 4–5:30 PM
|
|
|
|
NAMI Veterans Support Group
This group is for veterans living with a mental illness or mental health issues and Gold Star Families. In a confidential environment, share your concerns and ask questions about housing, medications, government programs, therapists, transitioning from military to civilian life, and anything else troubling you.
In Person - Click Here for Meeting Details
|
|
|
|
NAMI Family Support Group
This is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from others' challenges and successes.
Online - NAMI Family Support ZOOM Links
In-Person - NAMI Family Support Meeting Info
|
|
|
|
NAMI Balance for Success
This group is designed to balance recovery from a mental illness with life at college or work. The focus is on the challenges that come with balancing the everyday pressures of work or college life and living with a diagnosed mental illness.
Online - NAMI Balance for Success ZOOM Links
|
|
|
|
Grief & Loss Support Group
When a person with mental illness is no longer with us, it’s natural to grieve. Through this group, participants find healthy ways to remember and honor someone they care about. You will find a community of others who understand your pain and, like you, are learning to let go of blame and become whole again.
Online - NAMI Grief & Loss ZOOM Links
|
| Click Here to View Full NAMI CCNS Event & Program Calendar |
|
|
|
|
 |
Help Us Serve Our Community
There are many ways to make a difference.
Become a Teacher
Email hkendall@namiccns.org to learn how to become a Family-to-Family or Peer-to-Peer Teacher and help guide others through their mental health journey.
Volunteer
Sign up to volunteer at our support groups or community events.
Attend an Event
Join us at a NAMI CCNS event, support group, or class, and help build a stronger, more connected community.
Spread the Word
Forward this to friends, family, and neighbors. Helping others learn about our resources is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support our work.
Make a Donation
Your financial contribution directly supports our mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.
On behalf of NAMI CCNS — thank you for being a vital part of our community! |
| Donate Today |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2026 NAMI CCNS, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
NAMI CCNS
8324 Skokie Blvd
Skokie, Illinois 60077
United States
Our email address is:
hello@namiccns.org
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
|
|
|
|
