National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI provides Supports Groups, Advocacy, Public Education and Information Services for those living with mental illness and their families. NAMI offers Advocacy on Behalf of People Living with Mental Illness by: advocating on the federal level to ensure nondiscriminatory and equitable federal and private-sector policies are in place; the commitment to research for the treatment and cures for mental illness. NAMI’s Family and Consumer Peer Education and Support Activities offers programs including Family-to-Family, NAMI’s Provider Education Program, Peer-to-Peer, and other state and local programs offered by trained family and consumer teachers to help educate other families, consumers, and professionals. NAMI’s Public Education and Information Activities includes: Web-based information, referral and education; toll-free HelpLine serves; public awareness activities such as Mental Illness Awareness Week, held during the first week of each October, which helps dispel the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage early intervention and treatment; In Our Own Voice, available in selected communities thru out the country, which is an educational speakers bureau presented by trained consumers living with mental illness to groups from all aspects of the community. This both educates the public and supports consumer recovery and empowerment while dispelling the stigma of mental illness.