Whatcom Peer Collaborative
NAMI Whatcom announces one-on-one peer support for people 18 years and older experiencing mental health challenges.
Our peer supporters offer a safe space to share mental health recovery experiences with someone trained to listen. The goal is to learn together, understand where you are and where you want to go and support you in strategizing how to move towards hope and possibility.
We are intended to be a short term peer support offering with the goal of building a larger support network and toolkit of support outside of the peer relationship. We operate in a 30 day period, with a one time extension.
NAMI programs are not intended to, and should not be used to, replace the specialized training and professional judgment of mental health professionals. We cannot, and do not, assume the roles of physician or therapist.
To connect with a peer supporter, please fill out this form: http://bit.ly/NAMIWPC
Questions? Contact [email protected] or leave a message on our message line at: 503-395-4911
Whatcom Peer Collaborators: these are the individuals you may sign up to meet with!
Jimmy was born and raised in the Northeast, USA and lived there until 2008 when he moved to Bellingham, mostly for a change of scenery. He began experiencing mental health problems in his late teens and has been living and recovering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and two personality disorders ever since. From early in his working career until the present he has served people in need with many different conditions and circumstances, most notably in the Mental Health field. He started to volunteer with NAMI Whatcom early in 2023 because he wants to give back to peers and identification of his own lived experience. He is a NAMI Connections Support Group co-facilitator and a peer supporter through the Whatcom Peer Collaborative.
Jimmy was born and raised in the Northeast, USA and lived there until 2008 when he moved to Bellingham, mostly for a change of scenery. He began experiencing mental health problems in his late teens and has been living and recovering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and two personality disorders ever since. From early in his working career until the present he has served people in need with many different conditions and circumstances, most notably in the Mental Health field. He started to volunteer with NAMI Whatcom early in 2023 because he wants to give back to peers and identification of his own lived experience. He is a NAMI Connections Support Group co-facilitator and a peer supporter through the Whatcom Peer Collaborative.
Hi I'm Mieka, I am Danish American and was raised in California and Hong Kong. I received my Bachelor’s of Science from UC Berkeley and my law degree from the University Of Oregon. I have been involved in volunteer work with Vietnamese refugees, animal welfare, child advocacy, Amnesty International, DVSAS and legal aid. I am a certified Substance Use Disorder professional and an active member of NAMI Whatcom. I am a trained facilitator for the Connections support group and a presenter for the “In Our Own Voice” program. I am passionate about animal welfare and mental health awareness. I am particularly focused on eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness diagnoses. I love to cook and watch documentaries. I enjoy reading biographies and learning about criminal psychology. My dream is to own a farm and make it into an animal sanctuary for abused animals.
Summer Starr was born and raised in Whatcom County where she currently resides. She spent much of her early career working in Africa and India building support for nonprofits. In 2007 Summer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and she has desired ever since then to support peer-led mental health initiatives. She is trained as a Peer Supporter through Intentional Peer Support and is a certified MAP Guide to help people understand voices or unusual beliefs. She brings a holistic perspective to mental health as a dancer, poet, published author, ancestral healing guide and an intuitive healer.