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An Interview with Anzhelika Akkazakova: Mental Health Challenges in her Local Boxing Community and Integrating Principles of Adult Mental Health First Aid Certification.
By Aaron Ay, Anzhelika Akkazakova, Talha Ali, Madeleine Bascao, and Mathew Griswold, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Content Warning: This contains discussions about suicide. As our Zoom call began, University of Washington Bothell Student...
“I’ve understood the burnout.”
An interview with Luke Reynolds, a University of Washington Bothell accounting student, on mental health in the world of tax accounting and how he plans to apply his new skills in Mental Health First Aid certification in his career. By Nathan West, Viet Tran, Kevin...
Breaking Barriers to Mental Health Access: Queer, Disabled, and Resilient
An interview with UW Bothell student Aurelie Segura on getting certified in Mental Health First Aid Accessibility caption: Aurelie, a young woman, is smiling at the camera outdoors. She has short brown hair swept to the side and wearing a dark green striped vest...
“Looking back now…the early symptoms were there for so many of my friends and colleagues.”
UW Bothell Student and U.S. Navy Veteran Serina Sanchez’s journey to Mental Health First Aid certification. By Serina Sanchez, Yawen Ye, Xiaowei Sun, Ronan Smith, Savan Sohal, and Arya Tannan, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Content Warning:This...
“If you can help, you should help.”
An interview with University of Washington Bothell student and Youth Mental Health First Aid certified martial arts coach Arwyn Willingham Content warning: Discussions of suicide and self-harm. As I joined the Zoom meeting, Arwyn Willingham was already sitting at a...
“Always be a supporter, friend, or loved one.” An Interview with NAMI Program Manager Athena Davila-Miranda.
When we sat down and began to speak with Athena Davila-Miranda, Program Manager at NAMI Seattle, the first noticeable thing was the clean and put together Zoom background. The artificial background included a white wall, green monstera leaves, and a simple analog clock on the wall.
Bridging Crisis and Care: NAMI Seattle’s Executive Director Huynh Chhor on Mental Health, Community, and Care
"I think just reminding people that you don't need to have a formal diagnosis, you don't need to have a persistent severe mental health condition to reach out for help, especially now. You know, everyone's struggling, the world feels very, very hard, and it's okay,...
“[I’m] breaking the mental health stigma in my community.”
Mubarak, a young Asian man in his twenties with black hair in a floppy haircut slightly past his eyes, is sitting in the University of Washington Bothell library's reserved room. In the background behind Mubarak, we could see a white room with bright lights,...
“There’s hope and you can live a productive life even with the odds against you.”
An interview with Joey Wilson, NAMI Seattle Board of Director By Aryam Kfleyesus, Victoria Korohod, James Lee, Maya Vora, and Felicia Yeh, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Joey Wilson’s calm and genuine presence greeted us through the Zoom room as...
Taking Care of Ourselves
Written by: Cynthia Mwaura Self-care is the practice of taking action to promote and ensure one is physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. We all have our own struggles that we go through. Yet, even with the struggles that come with living, we must slow down,...
“Gun violence is tied not to mental health, but is tied to easy access to firearms.”
An interview with Hazel Brown, the Policy and Advocacy Manager at Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, on restricting firearm access and providing support for gun violence survivors By Joshua Choi, Masa Hanatate, and Nuranissa SofiaUniversity of Washington...
“Sometimes people are ready to carry a lot of suffering, but it doesn’t have to be that way”
An interview with Agustina Eiff, Director of Clinical Services at King County Sexual Assault Resource Center By Hannah Dobes and Rushil GadamshettyUniversity of Washington-Bothell School of Business Content warning: this piece discusses mental health conditions as a...
Finding Gratitude in the Midst of Life
Written by: Cynthia Mwaura Many of us have now heard about making time for gratitude. One of the many mindful practices available to improve mental health. If you haven’t come across the power of gratitude, I will explain it briefly. Gratitude is the process of...
Paws for the mind: Therapy dogs now a partner to treat mental health
By Bennett Jochim, Masa Hanatate, Joshua Choi and Nuranissa Sofia, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Rushing into the library to shelter from the rain, we found ourselves in a room with brightly lit fluorescent lights. A few moments later, Nola and...
Our Story: ConChord Music Fundraising Event for NAMI Seattle
View the Fundraising Concert flyer and ticket details here. ConChord Music Fundraising Concert for NAMI SeattleDecember 10, 20236:30pm – 9:00pmLee Theatre at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart4800 139th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006 CONCHORD MUSIC...
“My time as a corrections officer really helped me begin to understand how complex mental health is, and how much it ties into everything else in a person’s surroundings.”
An interview with Abagail Reiman, board member of NAMI Seattle on how her experience as a corrections officer informed her on the intersections between mental health and the cycles of incarceration and homelessness. Abagail Reiman on a warm sunny day next to “ The...
Pawsitive Healing: Therapy Dogs Bringing Joy
Volunteers of College Dogs in front of the UW Bothell campus(left: Jen & Finn , middle: Julie & Romio , right: Lisa & Mara) By Jacquelyn Johnson and Bennett Jochim, University of Washington Bothell School of Business As we waited patiently and eagerly for...
“…[I]f we can deal with it [coercive control] early…we’re in a sense preventing further crime.”
A discussion with Commissioner Jonathon Lack on the impact of domestic violence on mental health and the update to the Washington domestic violence statute to include coercive control in the definition of domestic violence. By Karl Kafer, Medha Vadlamudi, Scott...
Awakening
I got as close as I ever would to ending my life when I was 28 years old. My mental health had deteriorated to a point where I felt helpless to find a way out of the darkness of depression and self-loathing I existed in. Instead, I turned to alcohol and other destructive behaviors to cope with my pain and that led me deeper into the morass of hopelessness. I teetered on a precipice, barely clinging to life. And I realized that if things didn’t change, I wasn’t going to make it.
World Mental Health Day – Support Local Businesses
NAMI Seattle comes together with local businesses to celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10th Join us in celebrating World Mental Health on October 10th and support local businesses who support mental health! We are incredibly thankful for these businesses...
Baking a Difference: An interview with Yasuaki Saito, A Passionate Entrepreneur and Baker on a Mission to Promote Mental Health and Strengthen Community.
“It's really important to us to create an environment that reduces stress and that gives our staff the feeling of being valued.” By Drew Miller, Daniel Kulik, Malicte Tesfaye, Jacob Wittkamp, Sevda Samandari, and Calvin NguyenUniversity of Washington Bothell School...
A FundaMental Evening
Join NAMI Seattle at rue Santé's A FundaMental Evening in celebration of World Mental Health Day this October 10th. We invite you to celebrate with us as we raise a glass, raise awareness, and raise funds for NAMI Seattle. Join us for an evening of music, laughter,...
Suicide Prevention Week of Action
Suicide Prevention Week of Action NAMI Seattle kicked off Suicide Prevention Week of Action with a resource tabling on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th. A big thank you to Rue Sante and Lazy Cow Cafe for having us talk about suicide prevention.King County...
Spreading Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Opportunity Join NAMI Seattle’s video campaign to raise awareness and spread hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September. Shame and stigma thrive in silence, but telling our stories shares hope and spreads healing. We invite you to share your story and...
“Nothing ever comes easy. The journey has not been easy. I’m not going to tell you it is.” – Howard Behar
Mr. Behar joined us for an interview with a cheerful and welcoming demeanor. His warm smile and rosy cheeks, with glasses that sat perfectly on the arch of his nose, immediately gave us a feeling of understanding and comfort.
An Interview with Rania Rampersad, King County Superior Court Judge
By Rhett Whiteman, Kalin Natzev, Faiza Khalif, Ramla Geilani, Ebrima Jammeh, Sophie Udell, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Content warning: The following post contains topics that may be unsettling or triggering, including rape, torture, war...
The Forest and The Trees
I lay my head back against the upholstered chair and take a deep breath. I don’t quite feel settled, so I wriggle around until I find just the right spot to rest. All the while, I’m listening to the facilitator, her voice soft and low, like a lullaby coaxing me to let go
La importancia del sueño para la salud
El sueño es una necesidad fundamental de la naturaleza humana, tan necesaria como el agua y la comida. Dormir impacta directa y positivamente en nuestra salud y es vital para nuestra productividad durante el día y para nuestra salud física, mental y emocional. Una...
Shine 4 Mental Health
Join us as we Shine 4 Mental Health this summer! Raise awareness about the importance of mental health, share your story of hope, and connect with new friends, all while helping us raise funds for NAMI Seattle’s essential community-led programs.Volunteer! Create a...
Work it Out: A Conversation
I’m sitting at a small table across from my personal trainer, Greg Novasky, in an office at the back of the Emerald City Gym in Seattle. I glance around at the coral walls and scribbles on a whiteboard and then I look over at Greg who appears eager to talk about his experience – poised for conversation. He’s leaning forward, with a smile in his blue eyes.















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