May is MHAM; a HUGE Announcement, and lots of events – JOIN US!

May 2026, #1ABOUT USNEED HELPWAYS TO GIVE

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Stigma grows in silence. Healing begins in community.

Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) gives you a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone. NAMI’s 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month theme invites everyone to join NAMI in speaking up against mental health stigma.

Mental health impacts everyone in our communities. Your experience, your journey, and your voice can help break stigma, build understanding, and create hope and healing for others.

Stigma grows in silence. Healing begins in community. This Mental Health Awareness Month share your story to help break the silence. Be the reason someone realizes they don’t have to face this alone.

Check out our social media and website for mental health resources you can use and share. And check out NAMI’s MHAM page on ways to share your story.

Your story can spark healing.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Mental Health Awareness Night

NAMI Northern Virginia & our Washington Nationals

We are excited to announce that NAMI NoVA is partnering with the Washington Nationals baseball team for a Mental Health Awareness Night this month. And we want you to join us!

On May 21, for the Mets vs. Nationals game (4:05 PM), we will be honoring Mental Health Awareness Month together with the Nats!!

What does that mean for us? 

We will have:

  • A table in the main gate area (visit us and win a free t-shirt)
  • A 30-second pre-game PSA
  • A pre-game on-field recognition (come early and cheer us on)

We want you to be there with us. Be part of the night, cheer on our Nats, and help us spread mental health awareness throughout the DMV.

Get your Mental Health Awareness Night tickets HERE.

We’ll see you at the ballpark!

(Volunteers – make sure you respond with how many tickets you need HERE)

EVENTS

NAMI Talks with SPAN & AFSP – 

From Signs to Support: What to Do When Someone You Love is Struggling

Join SPAN, NAMI Northern Virginia, and our local AFSP on Monday, May 18, at 6:00 PM as we discuss how to support someone you care about who may be experiencing mental health challenges. This conversation will explore how to recognize when someone may be struggling, common warning signs to watch for, and how to start a caring, supportive conversation using helpful and respectful language. We will also cover what steps to take after that conversation and share important resources.

This fireside chat is a valuable opportunity for community members, families, and partners to learn practical ways to respond with compassion and connection.

Monday, May 18, 6:00 PM, Virtual

Register HERE and the Zoom meeting link will be sent to you.

Strength Not Stigma: How Our Mental Health Journeys 

Shape Our Lives

Rock Recovery, May 28, 2026, 5:30 PM

Our partner, Rock Recovery, is closing out Mental Health Month with an in-person evening of connection, conversation, and community! Offered as a hybrid event, we invite you to join us for a special moderated panel that welcomes our community to explore a powerful truth: our mental health matters. Enjoy networking and refreshments as we hear from professionals across a range of industries who will share how their mental health journeys shaped their experiences.

When: Thursday, May 28th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET

Where: 

  • In Person, Northeastern University – Arlington Campus (Rosslyn)
  • Virtual: Online via Microsoft Teams

Cost: 

  • In Person: $25 (includes networking and refreshments)
  • Virtual: Free

Register HERE

More Good Days Together: Breaking the Silence, Building Support

Loudoun County Dept. of Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services

Thursday, May 28, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Featuring panelists from the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services; Loudoun County Public Schools; Loudoun Serenity House and the Loudoun County Community Services Board

When: Thursday, May 28th, 6:00 – 7:30 PM ET

Where: In Person, Sterling Community Center

120 Enterprise Street, Sterling, VA

No Advanced Registration Required

NAMI NOVA PROGRAMSComplete the Survey NOW

HAVE YOU ATTENDED a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group or NAMI Family Support Group with NAMI Northern Virginia in the past 6 months? If so, we need to hear from YOU! 

From April 1 – May 15, we need YOUR HELP.

Please take this opportunity to fill out the survey linked below. This will help us continue our support groups and your feedback is essential in creating the best environment for all participants.

THANK YOU!

Primer y tercer martes de cada mes. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. Virtual

Para las personas que se identifica como alguien que vive con una condición de salud mental y que forma parte de la comunidad Hispana/Latina.

NAMI Conexión es un grupo de apoyo para la recuperación de adultos que viven con los retos asociados con una enfermedad mental. El programa está diseñado para ofrece un ambiente de respeto, comprensión, motivación y esperanza. Los grupos de este programa están liderados por facilitadores capacitados que han passado por el proceso de recuperación. 

Los grupos de apoyo de NAMI son únicos porque siguen un modelo estructurado, lo que garantiza que todos tengan la oportunidad de ser escuchados y de obtener lo que necesitan.

  • Gratis para los participantes
  • Diseñados para adultos con condiciones de salud mental
  • Duran entre 60 y 90 minutos y se reúnen semanalmente, cada dos semanas o mensualmente (varía según la ubicación)
  • No se respalda ninguna terapia o tratamiento médico específico
  • Confidencial

Haga clic aquí para registrase. AQUI

NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group for Young Adults

A free, peer-led support group for young adults (ages 18–36) living with a mental health condition or seeking support.

Connect with others, share experiences, and gain insight from people who get it. Led by trained peers who’ve been there.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group for Young Adults (18-36) (Online). This group meets online on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

For more information and registration, click here.REGISTER NOWSPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESLEARN MORE

 

 

NAMI Northern Virginia | Post Office Box 480  |Oakton, VA 22124 US

Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice

Unknown's avatar

Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

Leave a Comment