World Suicide Prevention Day: NAMI Central Oregon offers hope and support
Tracee Tuesday
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Mental illness in the United States has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the percentage of adults aged 18 to 59 living with any mental illness rose from 18.1% in 2009 to 20.6% in 2019.
As September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, it’s a reminder of the global effort to reduce stigma, provide resources, and prevent suicide—often closely tied to mental health challenges.
One organization working locally to address this issue is NAMI Central Oregon, the regional chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The nonprofit serves Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, offering support, education, and advocacy for individuals living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. Their mission is simple: to improve the quality of life for people and families impacted by mental illness.
But stigma remains one of the biggest barriers.
“If someone in your family had cancer or a brain tumor, would they be embarrassed?” said Casey Munck, Programs Director at NAMI Central Oregon. “That’s really how we should look at mental illness—oftentimes it’s something going on in the brain. Brains get sick just like other body parts. I understand the shame and stigma, but we need to talk about this. There’s help out there—medications, therapies, and community support.”
Family and friends also carry the weight when a loved one is struggling.
“It affects the family members… they need to be taken care of as well,” said Julie McFarlane, a NAMI attendee and Board Member. “I attended my first meeting online during COVID. You hear that other people might be going through the same thing, and it gives you just a little sense of relief that you’re not going through it on your own.”
NAMI Central Oregon offers support groups across Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and soon Madras, with both in-person and online options available.
For more information on resources, meetings, or how to get involved, visit namicentraloregon.org.