National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
"Find Help. Find Hope."
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| Motto | "You are not alone" |
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| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young |
| Type | Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) |
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Area served
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United States |
| Method | Support, education, awareness, advocacy, and research |
| Mission | Improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness |
The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nationwide grassroots advocacy group, representing families and people affected by mental illness in the United States. NAMI provides psychoeducation, research and support for people and their families impacted by mental illness through various public education and awareness activities. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, NAMI has state and local affiliates, all operating mainly with the work of thousands of volunteers. Members of NAMI are typically consumers of mental health services, family members, and professionals working together toward a common goal.
There are over 1,000 NAMI chapters, represented in all 50 U.S. states. NAMI has 9 signature programs, many which have been shown to be efficacious in research studies.
NAMI was founded in Madison, Wisconsin by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young. The two women cared for sons diagnosed with schizophrenia, and were tired of their sons being blamed for their mental illness. Unhappy with the lack of services available and the treatment of those living with mental illness, the women sought out others with similar concerns. The first meeting held to address these issues in mental health was much larger than expected, and eventually led to the formation of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in 1979. In 1997, the legal name was changed to the acronym, NAMI, by a vote of the membership due to concerns that the name National Alliance for the Mentally Ill did not use person-first language. In 2005, the meaning of NAMI was changed to the backronym National Alliance on Mental Illness.
NAMI works to keep family safety nets in place, to promote recovery and to reduce the burden on an overwhelmed mental health care delivery system. The organization works to preserve and strengthen family relationships challenged by severe and persistent mental illness. Through peer-directed education classes, support group offerings and community outreach programs, NAMI's programs and services draw on the experiences of mental health consumers and their family members. Members learn to successfully manage mental illness and are trained by the organization to help others do the same. In addition, NAMI works to eliminate pervasive stigma, to effect positive changes in the mental health system and to increase public and professional understanding about mental illness.
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