We recognize the trust you place in us as we deliver our classroom sessions and provide the space and means for our ongoing support groups and activities. Your personal health and safety is something we take very seriously.

That’s why I want to share an update on the actions we are taking at NAMI Long Beach Area to keep you, our volunteers, and staff, safe during the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

As a result of current recommendations for personal safety, NAMI Long Beach has temporarily suspended in-person classes, support groups and other activities.

Peer Connections, Family Support Groups, and Faithnet will continue to take place over simplified virtual conferencing using Zoom.

Effective starting Monday, March 16 continuing through Monday, April 20, NAMI Long Beach will:

• Temporarily suspend ongoing education classes until week of April 20
• Temporarily suspend in-person support groups, moving to conference call/phone-in meetings. Click here to Register to Join Virtual Support Groups.
• Postpone the start of any new education classes. New start dates will be determined.
• Temporarily suspend all other events held in the NAMI LB office
• Cancel the April 1st General Meeting

We have reviewed current recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

We are giving our team members facts about COVID-19 and reminding them to follow simple, but effective, steps to keep them safe such as frequent handwashing. We are disinfecting our facilities and equipment as appropriate. And as always, we are encouraging our team members to take any signs of illness seriously and seek medical attention as needed.

We recognize that our education classes and groups play an important role supporting the mental health of our community. At the same time, we are mindful that our community also includes the most vulnerable "at-risk” individuals -- those who are over 60, those who have an underlying health condition, and those with compromised immune systems.

By taking the above actions, NAMI Long Beach will be doing what we can to limit the spread of the virus and to protect our teachers, facilitators, students/participants, their families and all other community members.

We also recognize that the constant news and discussion surrounding COVID-19 can have a negative impact on the mental health of individuals, triggering feelings of fear, anxiety and others. In addition, self-isolating and social distancing practices can also contribute to a sense of social isolation.

We want to be able to continue to provide support as much as possible, so we are urging our members and friends to remain in virtual contact with each other, calling or texting to check in as needed.

Click below for a helpful Adobe PDF document from our NAMI National President with information, resources, and recommended steps to ease anxiety and other concerns about the current COVID-19 situation.

NAMI Long Beach will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will provide additional updates and information as news becomes available.

Thank you, and stay healthy,

Belinda Rabano

President, NAMI Long Beach Area

Date: March 13, 2020

As a result of current recommendations for personal safety, NAMI Long Beach has temporarily suspended in-person classes, support groups and other activities.

Peer Connections and Family Support Groups will continue to take place over simplified virtual conferencing using Zoom.