National Alliance on Mental Illness

the National Alliance on Mental Illness (aka NAMI), founded in 1979 as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, is a nation-wide American advocacy group, representing families and people affected by serious Mental disorders as a non-profit grass roots organization. NAMI has advocated for the routine availability of evidence-based practices and promotes assertive community treatment.[1]

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Membership

NAMI claims a membership of over 200,000 members,[2] offices in all fifty states, and 1,200 affiliates across the United States.

Mission

NAMI's mission is to provide support, education, advocacy, and research for people and their families living with mental illness through various public education and awareness activities, including^{[citation needed]}:

• Internet websites for local chapters and nationwide programs
• A toll-free telephone HelpLine
• Mental Illness Awareness Week, held during the first week of each October, which is conducted for the stated purpose of dispelling the stigma surrounding mental illnesses, and to encourage early intervention and medical treatment
• In Our Own Voice, an educational speakers bureau available in certain communities across the US, presented by trained consumers living with mental illness.
• Family and consumer peer education, such as its Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, Hearts and Minds, Provider Education and other state and local programs, conducted by trained family members and consumer teachers to help educate other families, consumers, and professionals
• Support groups, such as NAMI Connection for consumers of mental health services
• Advocacy

See also

• Biological psychiatry
• Biopsychiatry controversy
• E. Fuller Torrey
• Involuntary treatment
• Laura's Law
• Outpatient commitment
• Psychiatric hospital
• Psychiatric survivors movement
• Treatment Advocacy Center

NAMI affiliates

• NAMI.org - NAMI state and local website
• NAMITexas.org - Official NAMI Texas website
• NAMIMC.org - NAMI Montgomery County Maryland website