NAMI Minnesota

02/18/2026

In the wake of recent ICE operations in Minnesota, our communities are carrying profound and layered trauma. Families who were directly targeted are navigating grief, fear, and long-term instability. At the same time, many people living with serious and persistent mental illnesses have experienced destabilization and acute psychiatric crises triggered by sustained stress.

From the very beginning, NAMI Minnesota has been vocal about the devastating mental health consequences of these operations. Through extensive outreach in the Twin Cities and across Greater Minnesota, we mobilized rapidly to raise awareness about emergency mental health resources. We promoted 988 and Mobile Crisis Response Teams in every county. We expanded support groups. We offered classes to help families. We ensured that culturally informed and responsive spaces were available for communities living in fear.

Healing from collective trauma does not happen in weeks or months. It requires consistent access to crisis intervention, peer support, education, and rebuilding trust. It requires restoring stability for people whose symptoms worsen under chronic stress. And it requires ensuring that communities most likely to continue suffering the impacts of ICE operations receive the care they need without barriers. While ICE operations have significantly decreased, ICE is still here, and we continue to monitor their actions.

https://www.dasselcokato.com/articles/enterprisedispatch-news/nami-minnesota-urges-use-of-mobile-crisis-teams-as-fear-and-trauma-escalate-amid-ice-activity/

02/18/2026

Mark Zuckerberg will testify in an unprecedented social media trial that questions whether Meta’s platforms deliberately addict and harm children. Meta’s CEO is expected to answer tough questions on Wednesday from attorneys representing a now 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, who claims her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube are the two remaining defendants in the case, which TikTok and Snap have settled.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, will testify during a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles. The plaintiff, a now 20-year-old woman, is seeking to hold social media companies responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.

02/18/2026

Introduction to Trauma and a Trauma-Informed Approach: An overview of trauma, its impacts on the brain, and the guiding principles of a trauma-informed approach. Trauma has long been described as a unique and personal outcome of adverse events or experiences, but exposure is more widespread in our communities than ever before. For those living with a mental illness or substance use disorder, exposure is even more common. Communities and employers can build awareness and take action to create trauma-informed and responsive spaces where people feel safe and valued. This class has been approved by the Board of Social Work to provide 1 CEU upon completion.

Wednesday, March 4: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/17eii7gJSwa-tFRjdi9aBg

02/17/2026

Our community continues to feel the emotional impact of recent events in Minnesota as the federal immigration surge comes to an end. Mental health professionals explain that many Minnesotans are experiencing anxiety, fear, anger, and relief all at once, and that the collective trauma from this period will take time and support to work through. In this MPR News interview, experts discuss how widespread fear has affected daily life and relationships, and why recognizing and addressing these feelings is essential. We encourage everyone to prioritize emotional well-being, connect with supportive networks, and reach out for help when needed
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/13/therapists-explains-the-collective-trauma-minnesotans-have-endured-during-the-federal-surge

02/17/2026

NAMI Minnesota is hiring a full-time Finance Manager to help lead our financial operations in service of our mission. This is a critical leadership role reporting to the Executive Director, ideal for a finance professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and hands-on accounting and who is motivated to build strong, transparent, and forward-looking systems that support real impact for individuals and families affected by mental illnesses across Minnesota.

The position offers a salary range of $78,000 to $101,841, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and the flexibility to work from home up to two days per week after onboarding. You will oversee accounting operations, grant and restricted fund management, financial reporting, audit preparation, internal controls, and cross-team financial support while helping strengthen and modernize processes across the organization.

The deadline to submit your resume and cover letter is February 25 at 5pm Central Time. Send your materials to directorofoperations@namimn.org

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
● Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting required
● At least five (5) years related experience in relevant accounting experience
● Basic understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
● Proficiency with computers, including experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software including knowledge of journal entries
● Experience with payroll and timekeeping systems preferred
● High level of self-initiative, adaptability, and independent problem-solving skills
● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and ability to coordinate varying tasks accurately and on-time
● Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods working on a computer and the ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
● Background Check: Due to the nature of NAMI Minnesota’s work and this position, a background check is required. Criminal history will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis per the job requirements and will not necessarily preclude employment.

NAMI Minnesota is seeking a mission-driven finance leader—established or emerging—who is excited to steward and modernize our financial operations in service of our mission. Reporting to the Executive...

02/17/2026

Registration closes soon for the Annual Research Dinner hosted by NAMI Minnesota in partnership with the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. Join us for an evening dedicated to the latest research emerging treatments and renewed hope for the future of mental health care in Minnesota.

This event brings together professionals people living with a mental illness and family members in one shared space for learning dialogue and connection. University of Minnesota researchers will present new findings introduce studies currently underway and engage directly with attendees about the impact of their work.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nami-minnesota-and-the-university-of-minnesotas-annual-research-dinner-tickets-1981023271934

02/16/2026

"When kids use generative AI that tells them what the answer is … they are not thinking for themselves,” Rebecca Winthrop, a Brookings senior fellow and co-author of the report, told NPR. “They’re not learning to parse truth from fiction. They’re not learning to understand what makes a good argument. They're not learning about different perspectives in the world because they’re actually not engaging in the material."

A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.

02/16/2026

A scientific review of 43 studies on acetaminophen use during pregnancy concluded that there was no evidence that the painkiller increased the risk of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. “We found no clinically important increase in the risk of autism, A.D.H.D. or intellectual disability,” Dr. Asma Khalil, a professor of obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine at St. George’s Hospital, University of London, and the lead author of the report, said at a news briefing. The study was published on Friday in the British medical journal The Lancet.

The review looked at more than three dozen studies and found no evidence that acetaminophen increased the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

02/16/2026

Still a relatively new presence across K-12 classrooms, generative AI holds some educational promise, but, according to a new study from the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education, “the risks of utilizing generative AI in children’s education overshadow its benefits.” Researchers reviewed past research and conducted interviews, consultations and focus groups, and found that the technology most threatens young peoples’ social-emotional development and burgeoning critical thinking. As one student said, “It's easy. You don't need to (use) your brain.”

If students turn to AI for mental processing, they can grow dependent, or never develop core thinking skills – some youth “off-load” their thinking so readily to AI that they’ve developed cognitive decline akin to that in aging brains – losing creativity, knowledge and critical thinking.

This report explores the potential risks generative AI poses to students and outlines what we can do now to minimize them.

02/15/2026

Anyone can talk to AI about anything, and young people are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to fill a void for human connection and romantic relationships. As chatbot use rises, experts are becoming more concerned about AI psychosis as well. A study by Common Sense Media looked into how young people are using AI and found more than 70% of teens have used AI companions. Thirty-two percent of them turn to AI for help with heir personal life, like relationship advice or life decisions, and 23% said they use chatbots as a friend.

"This moment demands clarity, not comfort. Good intentions are not enough," a leading su***de awareness advocate told Military.com.

02/15/2026

Three leading social media companies have agreed to undergo independent assessments of how effectively they protect the mental health of teenage users, submitting to a battery of tests announced Tuesday by a coalition of advocacy organizations. Meta — which operates Facebook and Instagram — TikTok and Snap are first three companies to sign up for the process.

The three major social media companies have agreed to undergo independent assessments of how effectively they protect the mental health of teenage users.

02/15/2026

NAMI Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Prairie Winds Counseling, Inc. invite you to Understanding Minds, Transforming Care: A Mental Health and Neurodiversity Conference on Thursday, April 9, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. This conference brings together community members, providers, and advocates for a day of learning designed to build empathy, deepen understanding, and strengthen skills to better support neurodivergent adults with co-occurring mental illnesses.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-care-a-mental-health-and-neurodiversity-conference-tickets-1982457852804