May is Mental Health Awareness Month!! While NAMI pushes for mental health awareness all year long, May is an extra-special month to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of prioritizing mental health in our lives and throughout our communities, workplaces, schools, and public offices.

Read on for the MANY ways you can get involved this month:

Attend a Training or Event

Educational Workshops:

In addition to the many trainings we are offering at businesses and organizations across our community, we are also hosting several public trainings during the month of May!Browse our website and sign up to attend one of our lunch and learns or other free training opportunities on mental health and suicide prevention.

Explore our educational workshop opportunities here.

Email education@namimch.org with any training inquires.

Attend a Drop-In Center Activity

Visit our Drop-In Center this month for our free, recovery-focused programs! All Drop-In Center Programs are open to anyone ages 18+.

All first time Drop-In Center guests must complete a short service assessment prior to attending their first program. This can be done at any time during open hours of the Living (M-F, 12:30-8:00pm).

Attend or Bid in the Vision of Hope Gala

Join us on Friday, May 8th, for the NAMI McHenry County’s Vision of Hope Gala! This event will raise awareness and funds for free mental health services in our community. More information can be found here.

Can’t attend? You are still able to participate in our online silent auction! The Vision of Hope Gala Silent Auction opens Monday, May 4th! Whether or not you are attending the event, consider bidding on more than $15,000 worth of trips, experiences, gift cards, items and more — all to support NAMI’s free programs and services.

Host a Fundraiser or Awareness Event

How can YOU make a difference during Mental Health Awareness Month? The sky is the limit! Consider hosting a donation drive at your office; buying from a local business supporting NAMI this month, or hosting a friend-raiser with your friends and family. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Don’t forget to tag us on social media!

Sign up for NAMIWalks McHenry County

NAMIWalks McHenry County is BACK in 2026! Join us on Saturday, October 3 at Emricson Park in Woodstock for NAMIWalks McHenry County.

This event will reach more than 500 attendees and thousands of additional community members across the county for a powerful morning of mental health awareness. NAMIWalks McHenry County will include the largest mental health resource fair of the year; a family festival with fun for all ages; music; snacks; raffle baskets; and more.

This event is FREE to all attendees!

T-shirts are given to each attendee who raises at least $100, and there will be exciting prizes for our top fundraising teams and largest teams. Click here to launch a team or sign up as an individual.

Share Your Story

Help us break the stigma around mental illness and share your story! Whether you share your journey with friends and family, post on social media, or share at nami.org/mham — you are helping to break the stigma.

Support NAMI McHenry County

  • Make a Donation: Donate online, or participate in your employee giving campaign. Don't see us on the list? Write us in! Use "NAMI of McHenry County" with EIN 36-3594174.

  • Become a Member: Join the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country! Members get access to exclusive resources, perks, and local voting privileges. Memberships start at just $5.

  • Volunteer: Are you looking to get more involved in the community? Volunteer with NAMI McHenry County! Click here to learn more and complete a volunteer application.

  • Sponsor an Event: NAMI's annual fundraising events provide crucial support for our programs and services. Consider becoming a sponsor! Click here to learn more.

  • Planned & Other Gifts: Make gifts of stock or real estate; or make a planned gift (bequests, life insurance policies, retirement account designations, charitable trusts or annuities, and more!). Contact Abbey for more information.

  • Qualified Charitable Contributions: Did you know you can make a Qualified Charitable Contribution to NAMI McHenry County through your IRA distribution if you are 70 1/2 or older? Click here for more details!