TD is an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrolled movements of the face, torso, limbs, fingers and toes.^1,3-5 It is associated with the use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.^4,6* TD is a chronic condition that is unlikely to improve without treatment.^1,7

People taking antipsychotic medication should be routinely screened by a healthcare provider for drug-induced movement disorders, such as TD.^5,7 The American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2020 clinical guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia recommend screening for TD at least every six months for those with a high risk and at least every 12 months for others at risk of developing TD.⁷ Earlier recognition and treatment of TD can make a positive impact in the lives of people who are already managing their mental illness, including their loved ones or care partners.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to acknowledge the one in five U.S. adults living with a mental illness.⁸ Approximately 124,000 adults in Alaska are living with a mental illness, and many people living with a mental illness may also have TD.⁹ Mental health and TD are deeply connected. TD can affect social, emotional and functional well-being, compounding the burden of mental illness.¹⁰

Surveyed adults with a confirmed TD diagnosis (n=150) reported that their TD movements made them feel judged or stared at (86%), cancel social plans or avoid going out in public (56%) and ask someone to help in doing daily activities as a result of TD symptoms (43%).^† However, the impact of TD isn’t limited to the people who have it. In a survey of 36 care partners, most reported that their loved one’s TD movements had at least some impact on their productivity (58%), ability to socialize (~56%), self‐care (50%) and participation in usual activities (50%).^‡

Thank you for your dedication to raising awareness about TD and encouraging discussion that helps reduce stigma and empower those affected. We invite everyone across Alaska to recognize the first full week of May as TD Awareness Week. Explore helpful resources, including a doctor discussion guide, at TalkAboutTD.com.

REFERENCES

1. Cloud LJ, Zutshi D, Factor SA. Tardive dyskinesia: therapeutic options for an increasingly common disorder. Neurotherapeutics. 2014;11(1):166-176. doi:10.1007/s13311-013-0222-5 2. Data on file. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 3. Task Force on Tardive Dyskinesia. Tardive Dyskinesia: A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1992. 4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2023. 5. Guy W. ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology. Rev. 1976. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute of Mental Health, Psychopharmacology Research Branch, Division of Extramural Research Programs; 1976. 6. Caroff SN, Hurford I, Lybrand J, Campbell EC. Movement disorders induced by antipsychotic drugs: implications of the CATIE schizophrenia trial. Neurol Clin. 2011;29(1):127-148. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2010.10.002 7. Keepers GA, Fochtmann LJ, Anzia JM, et al. The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(9):868-872. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.177901 8. Mental health by the numbers. National Alliance for Mental Illness. Updated 2025. Accessed January 13, 2026.  https://www.nami.org/learnmore/mental-health-by-the-numbers 9. Reinert M, Fritze D, Nguyen T. The state of mental health in America: 2025 edition. Mental Health America. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://mhanational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/State-of-Mental-Health-2025.pdf 10. Ascher-Svanum H, Zhu B, Faries D, Peng X, Kinon BJ, Tohen M. Tardive dyskinesia and the 3-year course of schizophrenia: results from a large, prospective, naturalistic study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69(10):1580-1588. doi:10.4088/jcp.v69n1008 11. Kenney C, Hunter C, Davidson A, Jankovic J. Metoclopramide, an increasingly recognized cause of tardive dyskinesia. J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;48(3):379-384. doi:10.1177/0091270007312258 12. Sanger GJ, Andrews PLR. A history of drug discovery for treatment of nausea and vomiting and the implications for future research. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:913. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00913

The post May 3-9, 2026 Is Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week appeared first on NAMI Fairbanks.

When mental illness enters a family, it changes routines, relationships, and expectations. You may find yourself juggling appointments, managing unpredictable behavior, or walking on eggshells to avoid triggering anxiety or conflict. It’s common to feel frustration, fear, confusion, grief, or even guilt—especially when you don’t have the tools or information you need.

And while you may show up every day with love and good intentions, you may also feel alone.
But you don’t have to.

Introducing NAMI Family-to-Family

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, research-based education program created specifically for family members, partners, and caregivers of someone living with a mental health condition. It’s taught by people who have walked this path—not by clinical professionals, but by family members who truly get it.

Over the course of the program, you’ll learn:

• What mental health diagnoses mean—and what they don’t
• How treatment works, including medications and therapies
• Communication and problem-solving strategies that help everyone feel heard
• How to navigate crisis situations and advocate confidently
• The importance of boundaries, self-care, and long-term resilience

But perhaps the most meaningful part isn’t found in the curriculum—it’s found in the connection. For many people, the first night feels like a weight lifting: “These people understand. I’m not alone.”

Why This Matters

Mental illness can make family life unpredictable. One day your loved one may seem motivated and hopeful; the next, small tasks may feel impossible to them. You may struggle to separate the person you love from the symptoms they’re experiencing. You may wonder if you should step in, step back, or do both simultaneously.

These challenges are real—and you deserve support, too.

Taking NAMI Family-to-Family doesn’t mean you’re failing or unsure. It means you are strong enough to learn, to grow, and to show up more effectively—for your loved one and for yourself.

Hope and Help Are Within Reach

Participants often share that after completing the class, they feel:

• Less overwhelmed
• More informed
• More confident
• More hopeful
• More connected

Some even describe the experience as the moment everything finally started to make sense.

Your Journey Doesn’t Have to Feel So Heavy

If you are tired of guessing, worried you might be doing the wrong thing, or simply longing to talk to others who understand—this course is for you.

Registration is now open for the upcoming in-person NAMI Family-to-Family class offered by NAMI Fairbanks. The class is completely free, and space is limited.

You’ve been supporting your loved one.
Now it’s time to support you.

👉 Pre-register here—and take the next step toward clarity, connection, and hope. Click the link or call 907-456-4704.

The post When Someone You Love Is Struggling: Why You Don’t Have to Navigate Mental Illness Alone appeared first on NAMI Fairbanks.

(Reposted from its original publication on April 20, 2022)

Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common.

Stigma can lead to discrimination. Discrimination may be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about your mental illness or your treatment. Or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding you because the person assumes you could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to your mental illness. You may even judge yourself.

Some of the harmful effects of stigma can include:

• Reluctance to seek help or treatment
• Lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers or others
• Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or trouble finding housing
• Bullying, physical violence or harassment
• Health insurance that doesn’t adequately cover your mental illness treatment
• The belief that you’ll never succeed at certain challenges or that you can’t improve your situation

Here are some ways you can deal with stigma:

• Get treatment.You may be reluctant to admit you need treatment. Don’t let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief by identifying what’s wrong and reducing symptoms that interfere with your work and personal life.
• Don’t let stigma create self-doubt and shame.Stigma doesn’t just come from others. You may mistakenly believe that your condition is a sign of personal weakness or that you should be able to control it without help. Seeking counseling, educating yourself about your condition and connecting with others who have mental illness can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.
• Don’t isolate yourself.If you have a mental illness, you may be reluctant to tell anyone about it. Your family, friends, clergy or members of your community can offer you support if they know about your mental illness. Reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.
• Don’t equate yourself with your illness.You are not an illness. So instead of saying “I’m bipolar,” say “I have bipolar disorder.” Instead of calling yourself “a schizophrenic,” say “I have schizophrenia.”
• Join a support group.Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer local programs and internet resources that help reduce stigma by educating people who have mental illness, their families and the general public. Some state and federal agencies and programs, such as those that focus on vocational rehabilitation and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), offer support for people with mental illness.
• Get help at school.If you or your child has a mental illness that affects learning, find out what plans and programs might help. Discrimination against students because of a mental illness is against the law, and educators at primary, secondary and college levels are required to accommodate students as best they can. Talk to teachers, professors or administrators about the best approach and resources. If a teacher doesn’t know about a student’s disability, it can lead to discrimination, barriers to learning and poor grades.
• Speak out against stigma. Consider expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor or on the internet. It can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and educate the public about mental illness.

Others’ judgments almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than information based on facts. Learning to accept your condition and recognize what you need to do to treat it, seeking support, and helping educate others can make a big difference.

Rather than figure out where stigma begins, it’s easier to become more aware of what it is and when it occurs. Then we can do our best to educate others about how to reduce stigma and work toward ultimately eliminating it.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I am very particular about who I share my mental health with, and this is all because of stigma. I’ve faced judgement, prejudice, ridicule, and teasing because of my mental illness. As a result, I am very private about it. That bothers me because I want so bad to educate people. But our society is not very forgiving, so I’ve chosen to pick my outlets to help others very carefully. That is why I am involved with NAMI. It’s a safe place to help others and I am so grateful for the people I meet through NAMI and the NAMI Connections peer to peer group. It’s one of the few places that I feel comfortable being me and I feel like I have finally found “my people.”

The post Overcoming Stigma appeared first on NAMI Fairbanks.

National Mental Illness Awareness Week (the first week of October) is recognized by NAMI Fairbanks throughout the whole month. This year, the theme is What I Wish I had Known, and NAMI Fairbanks is highlighting some of the effects of mental illness here in Alaska. Based on data available February 2021, the number of adults in Alaska who have a mental health condition is 108,000. More than 3x the population of Juneau! 28,000 adults have a serious mental illness. For this reason, it is vitally important to remember and discuss mental health issues regularly, not just during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).

Alaskans struggle to get the help they need. In February 2021, 43.1% of adults in Alaska reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. 26.5% were unable to get needed counseling or therapy. 29,000 adults in Alaska did not receive needed mental health care. 42.1% did not because of cost. 377,740 people in Alaska live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. It is more important than ever to build a stronger mental health system that provides the care, support and services needed to help people build better lives.

Sharing Lived Experience

NAMI is featuring videos from real people sharing their lived experience with some of the symptoms and conditions we are focusing on during MIAW. Watch and share Krishna’s story: What I wish people knew about anxiety.

Become Part of the Solution

NAMI Fairbanks invites you to become a part of the solution. We must unite as advocates working together to promote activities such as support groups, mental health support training, and classes, that help provide accurate information to the public about mental illness. Here are some ways to advocate for mental health for Alaskans:

• Share resources and data using all available communication outlets such as social media, email, and in-person story-telling.
• Vote for mental health in the polls. Support the candidates who prioritize mental health services in the state of Alaska.
• Become a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or renew your annual membership. Your active membership with NAMI joins your voice with the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
• Become trained as a NAMI Support Group Facilitator or to teach a NAMI Education course.
• Participate in NAMI courses or support groups.

Let’s work together to ensure that our friends, loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors are receiving the counseling, therapy, and support they need to live thriving and healthy lives, which in turn strengthens our community!

The post Alaskans Struggle to Get Help They Need appeared first on NAMI Fairbanks.

Now, due to the investment of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority in communities across Alaska, a Crisis Now Continuum of Care is being built to create a behavioral health crisis response system that is as straight forward as the model for the physical health system.

In Fairbanks, since October 2021, a Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) is now on standby and being sent by the Fairbanks Emergency Communication Center in response to behavioral health crisis calls. MCT is available 24/7 and is staffed by a licensed mental health clinician from Alaska Behavioral Health and a certified peer support specialist from The Bridge. The professionals with MCT are able to access the person in crisis, work to resolve the crisis on location, offer a next-day appointment, and continue to follow up to connect the person to resources. Since the start of this program in Fairbanks, over 85% of these responses have been resolved without the further involvement of law enforcement or transport to hospital.

Additionally in February of 2022, Refine Stabilization Center was opened by Restore, Incorporated, to provide a safe and calming environment for anyone in further need of stabilization. This facility is locally operated and provides access to mental health, substance use care, medication, and case management. 

The goal of Crisis Now in Fairbanks is to continue to expand and improve on this network to ensure that members of our community do not fall through the cracks, that friends and family members have more resources to offer individuals, and everyone is able to get the care they need within our community.  

Ways to connect with these resources: 

• The Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) is currently deployed through calling 911. You can request the MCT be sent out to anyone in the midst of a mental health crisis. 
• MCT is staffed by Alaska Behavioral Health and The Bridge. These organizations also make appointments to serve individuals in need of mental health and peer support services. 
• Refine Stabilization Center is located at 215 S. Cushman and call be reached at 907-328-1566. 
• Both the MCT and the Refine Stabilization Center are able to work with individuals under 18 as well as adults.
• For further information on Crisis Now efforts, you can visit the City of Fairbanks Crisis Now website.

The post Crisis Now Implementation In Fairbanks appeared first on NAMI Fairbanks.