The 2024 NAMI WA State Conference will be held at the Yakima Convention Center and will be starting mid day September 28th through mid day September 29th.   Conference Agenda Highlights ·    Welcome Keynote Speaker: Congressman Adam Smith - Author of Lost & Broken: My Journey Back from Chronic Pain and Crippling Anxiety ·    45 Year Anniversary Dinner & Costume Dance - theme 1979, the year our founding!   Workshops  ·    Sparking the Parent/Child Conversation About Mental Health - led...

On Saturday November 2nd, Pongo Poetry Project will host the autumn edition of its Ignite Pongo training series. Through Ignite Pongo, attendees will learn and practice Pongo techniques for facilitating powerful personal poetry that inspires healing, growth, and community. In this immersive training, attendees will hone their skills as a Poetry Mentor, learn how to remove barriers to self-expression, and encourage honesty from survivors of difficult life experiences. Register here to attend Ignite Pongo, and gain the knowledge and skills...

After three decades of leading effective and healing youth poetry programming in the Seattle area, Pongo is ready to share its tried-and-true techniques with educators, clinicians, and community leaders from across the country. Pongo’s certification program will empower individuals with the tools and support to create new poetry writing projects using its proven, trauma-informed poetry writing methodology. As a result, Pongo will create a national network of Pongo-inspired poetry writing projects, supporting youth who have experienced trauma across the country....

We look forward to providing an opportunity for the behavioral health community to come together, to share best practices about life-saving treatment and supports, and to feel inspired about being the helpers. Although our state and nation face new uncertainties, the need for behavioral health services and resiliency is higher than ever. Our focus remains on the vital importance of expanding access to behavioral health care, including community-based treatment and peer support services. We must continue to address the effects...

On Saturday June 14th, Pongo Poetry Project will host the spring edition of its Ignite Pongo training series. Through Ignite Pongo, attendees will learn and practice Pongo techniques for facilitating powerful personal poetry that inspires healing, growth, and community. In this immersive training, attendees will hone their skills as a Poetry Mentor, learn how to remove barriers to self-expression, and encourage honesty from survivors of difficult life experiences. Register here to attend Ignite Pongo, and gain the knowledge and skills...

Are you providing Measurement-Based Care (MBC) for treatment of mental health disorders in your setting, thinking about it, or curious about how to get started? Join us to explore how MBC can enhance clinical practice to better support clients. Whether you're brand-new to MBC or actively implementing, we’ll help you move your work forward. Driven by the needs identified by attendees, follow-up consultations will be offered in September on 9/5, 9/15 and 9/17. The webinar will cover the following: -...

Are you providing Measurement-Based Care (MBC) for treatment of mental health disorders in your setting, thinking about it, or curious about how to get started? Join us to explore how MBC can enhance clinical practice to better support clients. Whether you're brand-new to MBC or actively implementing, we’ll help you move your work forward. Driven by the needs identified by attendees, follow-up consultations will be offered in September on 9/5, 9/15 and 9/17. The webinar will cover the following: -...

On Saturday November 8th, Pongo Poetry Project will host the autumn edition of its Ignite Pongo training series. Through Ignite Pongo, attendees will learn and practice Pongo techniques for facilitating powerful personal poetry that inspires healing, growth, and community.   In this immersive training, attendees will hone their skills as a Poetry Mentor, learn how to remove barriers to self-expression, and encourage honesty from survivors of difficult life experiences. Register here to attend Ignite Pongo, and gain the knowledge and...

Leading change is hard amidst multiple demands, but you don’t have to do it alone. This interactive session brings leaders together to explore free practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and resources that make mental health program improvements achievable and sustainable. Learn how the Pacific West Hub can partner with you at any point in your change process with experienced technical assistance and consultation. We’ll also share proven approaches for planning, implementing, and maintaining change—and invite your input so we can tailor...

Purposeful communication is essential for advancing behavioral health work, whether you’re engaging funders, agency leaders, peers, or communities. This session offers practical strategies to help you craft messages that resonate, build trust, and inspire action. You’ll learn how to identify what matters most to your audience, make your message compelling, and refine your approach for maximum impact. Learning Objectives: Identify three communication strategies and know when to use them. Understand your audience and shape messages around what matters to them. Access...