Betta Together

An integrative wellness initiative by Northwest Mental Health Alliance.

🐠 Betta Together

At Northwest Mental Health Alliance, we believe healing can begin in unexpected places - sometimes even in a small glass tank.

The Betta Together program was born from a simple idea: that caring for a rescued or neglected Betta fish can mirror the process of our clients’ own trauma recovery. Many of these fish arrive dull, withdrawn, and struggling to survive in poor conditions - not unlike the way trauma leaves its mark on humans.

With time, safety, and consistent care, color returns. Movement returns. Life returns.

And so does hope.

💧 A Reflection of Healing

The concept is simple but deeply symbolic: as our clients care for a recovering betta-providing safety, nourishment, and patience-they often begin to recognize those same needs within themselves. The process of watching a fish’s color return and its movement become freer mirrors the slow, beautiful work of human healing.

Each Betta tank becomes a quiet reminder that recovery doesn’t happen overnight. Healing takes patience, gentleness, and the belief that something once harmed can still thrive. Watching a fish rebuild trust in its environment can mirror our own journey toward feeling safe again - one small moment of stability at a time.

Betta Together is less about fishkeeping and more about companionship. It’s about creating an environment - both aquatic and emotional - where something fragile can feel safe enough to flourish.

🌿 Rehabilitation & Adoption

Each Betta in our care begins its journey in a therapeutic recovery tank, where it receives the medication and calm, stable environment needed to regain strength and color. Once a fish is healthy, active, and ready to thrive, it becomes eligible for adoption through the Betta Together program.

Clients who adopt are guided through setting up their own natural, planted tank so that each Betta transitions into a balanced, living ecosystem built with care.

These adoptions represent more than giving a fish a home; they’re a reflection of mutual recovery. When we nurture life, we often find that life quietly nurtures us in return.

🪷 Thoughtful Homes for Healing Bettas

At Betta Together, every adoption is intentional. Participants aren’t just handed a fish and wished luck -they’re guided through a complete, hands-on learning process.

Each person receives individualized education on:

  • Betta behavior and care needs: understanding water parameters, diet, and environment.

  • Live plant ecosystems: how natural filtration and biological balance create healthier, calmer tanks.

  • Aquarium setup and maintenance: cycling, substrate layering, and mindful observation of your fish’s wellbeing.

Our program doesn’t place bettas with casual owners. Every adopter is vetted, educated, and supported-because these little lives deserve stability, and our participants deserve the satisfaction of nurturing something truly thriving.

It’s not just “getting a pet.”
It’s learning patience, balance, and empathy through a living, breathing ecosystem.

💜 How to Support

We’re currently gathering supplies for going-home tanks. Please note: donations of supplies help us to provide tank set ups to people who might not be able to afford to purchase their own. We are committed to making all of our programs and initiatives accessible to ALL of our clients,

Donations of the following items are deeply appreciated:

You can also support by donating gift cards or making a monetary contribution to help us purchase tanks and supplies wholesale.