About NAMI

NAMI Alabama is a tax-exempt private non-profit organization under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. NAMI Alabama is a unique non-profit organization because its core members and leaders are family and friends of those with serious mental illnesses, and persons with mental illnesses themselves.

NAMI Alabama is comprised of local support and advocacy groups throughout the state dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with a mental illness in Alabama. The number of such groups is growing rapidly as families become more determined to improve treatment and care for Alabamians diagnosed with a mental illness.

NAMI Alabama also links affiliates and members together so they can more effectively advocate on statewide issues affecting persons with mental illness. Local affiliates offer support and education and usually focus on local issues.

NAMI Alabama advocates on the local, state, and federal levels to approve legislation that will improve the lives of the persons with severe mental illness. NAMI Alabama shares the overall concerns of all local affiliates and speaks as one collective voice on statewide issues.

What Does NAMI Alabama Do?

NAMI Alabama is a partner with the National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partnership Program. The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide outreach initiative of the NIMH with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminstrations (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) that enlists state and national organizations in a partnership to help close the gap between mental health research and clinical practice, inform the public about mental illnesses, and reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. For more information on the NIMH Outreach Program please visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/partners/.

Networks information and disseminates materials about mental illness treatment and resources to Alabama's local affiliates
Advocates for improved services, treatment and care for persons with a mental illness
Assists in establishing support and advocacy groups throughout the state so families dealing with mental illness need not feel alienated or alone
Provides valuable information to enlighten mental health professionals regarding the family perspective
Encourages greater research into the effective treatment of mental illness
Works to eliminate stigma associated with mental illness by providing factual information to the public about the true nature of the disorder and its impact on individuals, their family members, and society at large
Sponsors conferences and educational programs for individuals with mental illness, their families, health care professionals, mental health providers and others
Offers various projects and events for consumers of mental health services
Supports programs and services to meet the needs of consumers, siblings, minorities, and parents of young children and adolescents

The NAMI Alabama Mission:

The mission statement/purpose of NAMI Alabama is to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and others whose lives are affected by these brain disorders. This is accomplished by:

Educating the people of Alabama about mental illness thereby reducing stigma
Providing support for individuals with mental illness to grow and contribute to their community
Developing, nurturing and coordinating a statewide network of local affiliates
Promoting public policies which expand services and improve treatment for all persons living with a mental illness and supporting research leading to the control and management of mental illness