<![CDATA[MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF NORTH DAKOTA - News]]>Wed, 20 May 2026 04:01:07 -0600EditMySite<![CDATA[Bloomin Light Out of Darkness Gala]]>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:57:24 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/bloomin-light-out-of-darkness-galaMental Health America of North Dakota (MHAND), the North Dakota Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (NDFFCMH), and Ken's Flower Shop are hosting the "Bloomin Light Out of Darkness" Gala in Bismarck on May 22, 2025 at at 5:30 PM central. Tickets are $40.00. Funds are distributed to MHAND and NDFFCMH to further our mission to improve mental health services for people living with mental illness and families raising children with mental health struggles.

5:30 PM-Gala Starts

7:00 PM-Personal Story

7:15 PM-Runway Show

Purchase tickets here: https://donorbox.org/events/747337


]]><![CDATA[Stay Updated on ND Legislature]]>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/celebration-of-lightsLegislative Working Committees in North Dakota
 
Who is involved with Legislative Working Committees?
Legislative Working Committees are "the pipeline" for people with disabilities, family members, and advocates to network and receive information about disabilities-related legislation. Legislative Working Committees are not "owned" by any one group but are supported by many individuals and organizations that care about people with disabilities.
 
What’s the purpose of Legislative Working Committees?
The goal of Legislative Working Committees is to educate people with disabilities, family members, and advocates about the Legislative process, disability-related Legislation, and the protocol for communicating with State Senators and Representatives.
 
Do Legislative Working Committees meet virtually?
Virtual Legislative Working Group is hosted weekly during the legislative session and as needed during the interim. To attend these virtual meetings, click here.

Do Legislative Working Committees meet in-person?
Bismarck Legislative Working Group is hosted in-person each week during the session and as needed during the interim. They meet every Saturday morning at the Bismarck Public Library from 10:00 AM to Noon.
 
How can I get involved?
Contact us to sign-up for email updates and meeting invitations at 701-255-3692 or 701-222-3310, 1-800-472-2670; ND RELAY 711 TTY. Other links include:  www.ndpanda.org or panda_intake@nd.gov

Legislative Assembly Meeting Grid -- Week of April 25th

]]><![CDATA[Mental Health Platform with Congressman Kelly Armstrong and State Rep. Michelle Strinden]]>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 19:50:18 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/mental-health-platform-with-congressman-kelly-armstrong-and-state-rep-michelle-strindenMeet Gubernatorial Nominee Congressman Kelly Armstrong and Lieutenant Governor Nominee State Representative Michelle Strinden to discuss their platform for mental health services in North Dakota. Breakfast will be catered by Lady J's.

Date: October 14 at 10:00 AM
Location: Bismarck Municipal Country Club (930 North Griffin Street, Bismarck, ND 58501)
Tickets: $25/person for members of the public; $5/person for consumers and family members
]]><![CDATA[Celebration of Lights 2023 (Fargo)]]>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:41:37 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/celebration-of-lights-2023-fargoMental Health America of North Dakota and the ND Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, invites you to participate in the Celebration of Lights Tree of Hope tree lighting ceremony – at West Acres Mall (near the Aquarium), Monday, December 4th starting at 5:00pm. North Dakota State Senator Judy Lee and Senator Kathy Hogan will help light the Tree of Hope in Fargo.

The Tree of Hope serves as a beacon to remind us that the stigma toward mental health still exists and so many remain in darkness because of this. To help erase the stigma and support the need for continued advocacy we are lighting this tree for those who struggle, especially during the holiday season.

Your participation supports our work to promote mental health and wellness for children and adults. To support healthier lives and stronger communities, we welcome you to purchase a light or multiple lights on the Tree of Hope. You can also purchase lights as a memorial for someone to honor their memory. Each person you honor will receive a personal card recognizing your gift. This is a wonderful gesture to start off the holiday season in the spirit of sharing and caring.

Be a part of a brighter and healthier tomorrow, by joining us for the “Celebration of Lights on December 4th.]]><![CDATA[Celebration of Lights 2023 (Bismarck)]]>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:40:33 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/celebration-of-lights-2023-bismarckMental Health America of North Dakota and the ND Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, invite you to participate in the 39th Annual Celebration of Lights Tree of Hope tree lighting ceremony at McCabe United Methodist Church, Thursday, November 30th starting at 5:00pm. The event will start at McCabe United Methodist Church at 1030 North 6th Street, Bismarck. State Senators Dick Dever and Sean Cleary will host the event. The Central Dakota Children’s Choir will be performing a couple of selections to help us celebrate. Refreshments will be served.

Following the Choir and addresses from State Senators Dever and Cleary, we will light the Tree of Hope near the Governor’s Residence (at the corner of North 4th Street and East Boulevard Avenue).

The Tree of Hope serves as a beacon to remind us that the stigma toward mental health still exists and so many remain in darkness because of this. To help erase the stigma and support the need for continued advocacy we are lighting this tree for those who struggle, especially during the holiday season.

Your participation supports our work to promote mental health and wellness for children and adults. To support healthier lives and stronger communities, we welcome you to purchase a light or multiple lights on the Tree of Hope. You can also purchase lights as a memorial for someone to honor their memory.

Each person you honor will receive a personal card recognizing your gift and is a wonderful gesture to start off the holiday season in the spirit of sharing and caring.
Be a part of a brighter and healthier tomorrow, by joining us for the “Celebration of Lights” on November 30th . Parking is available at McCabe United Methodist Church, and additional parking is available on the Capitol grounds.
]]><![CDATA[Wayne Bartz (1959-2023)]]>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:35:25 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/wayne-bartz-1959-2023Mental Health America of North Dakota (MHAND) is shocked and saddened to learn that Wayne Bartz has recently passed away. Wayne Bartz served as the Director of the Myrt Armstrong Recovery Center (MARC) in Fargo, ND before working for N.I.A.M. Brain Injury Services in Fargo, ND. Early in 2023, Wayne had graciously agreed to serve as the Interim Director of the MARC, all the while maintaining his duties at N.I.A.M. Wayne had a tremendously positive impact on the MARC during both of his tenures, and MHAND is deeply saddened by this loss.

MHAND's thoughts and prayers are with Wayne's family and friends during this difficult time.

Below is Wayne Bartz's Obituary as published by the Fargo Forum.

Dec. 20, 1959 - Oct. 9, 2023

FARGO, N.D. - Wayne Bartz, 63, Fargo, N.D., died Monday, Oct. 9, in his home.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, Minn. Inurnment will be in Lockhart (Minn.) Pleasant View Cemetery.

Arrangements by Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes in Ada and Halstad, Minn.

Wayne Bartz's Obituary]]><![CDATA[The Mental Health Advocacy Network launched a podcast during 2022.]]>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:29:55 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/the-mental-health-advocacy-network-launched-a-podcast-during-2022That podcast has now been uploaded to Youtube.
  1. MHAN Podcast Episode 0: Pilot Episode
  2. MHAN Podcast Episode 1: Everything You Should Know About Your State Hospital
  3. MHAN Podcast Episode 2: An Analysis of the ND Mental Health Crisis Response System (Part 1)
  4. MHAN Podcast Episode 3: An Analysis of the ND Mental Health Crisis Response System (Part 2)
  5. MHAN Podcast Episode 4: ND CFN President Siobhan Deppa Shares Her Personal and Professional Journey
  6. MHAN Podcast Episode 5: Special ND Consumer Family Network Q&A with Dr. Etherington
  7. MHAN Podcast Episode 6: ND Behavioral Health 1915(i) Program Administrator Monica Haugen Shares Details
  8. MHAN Podcast Episode 7: The Importance of Person-Centered Planning
  9. MHAN Podcast Episode 8: Juvenile Justice Reform with Karen Kringlie
  10. MHAN Podcast Episode 9: Veterans Services & Suicide Prevention with Guest Tammy Monsebroten
  11. MHAN Podcast Episode 10: Safe Places for Homeless Youth and Youth with Disabilities (Fraser Ltd. & Youthworks)
  12. MHAN Podcast Episode 11: Special "Best Of" Episode-Our First Ten Episodes

Even though these episodes had been recorded over the last year or two, we think they have held up well. In addition, information gleamed from these episodes are still quite informative about the current strengths and opportunities in the North Dakota mental health system of care.

So come check us out on Youtube!
​
Mental Health Advocacy Network Podcast Season 1 on Youtube
]]><![CDATA[Consumer Family Network Council and CFN Conference 2023]]>Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:47:36 GMThttps://www.mhand.org/news/consumer-family-network-council-and-cfn-conference-2023From June 6-8, the Consumer Family Network (CFN) hosted its first conference since before the COVID-19 Pandemic began, in Dickinson, ND.

General sessions included:
  • Available Mental Health Services in North Dakota
  • Discussions about common mental health conditions and treatment options
  • Advocacy Skill Training

The Consumer Family Network also hosted its annual member meeting, whereby the membership of the Consumer Family Network voted to have representatives in each of the regions of the state.
​
Many new members joined the CFN Council.
Region 1 (Williston): Terri Cote (Alternate: Sheryl Beard)
Region 2 (Minot): Rich Ditmars
Region 3 (Devils Lake): Brenda Bergsrud (Acting Representative)
Region 4 (Grand Forks): Art Young (Alternate: Gerardo Velasquez)
Region 5 (Fargo): Brianna Schrader (Alternate: Cindy Kile)
Region 6 (Jamestown): Jamie Walls (Alternate: Tina Martz)
Region 7 (Bismarck): Chaz Brobst (Alternate: Jason Kunz)
Region 8 (Dickinson): Chris Lambertsen
Rural Representative: Darin Olson (Alternate Jayden Eggleston)
Mental Health America of ND: Mary Otteson
ND Protection & Advocacy Project: Denise Harvey
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Elyse Olson
NDFFCMH: Carlotta McCleary (Acting Representative)
CFN Council at CFN Conference in Dickinson, ND June 2023
Several Members of the Newly Elected CFN Council Were Present at the CFN Conference in Dickinson (June 2023)
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