NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all those in need. NAMI recognize
s that the key concepts of recovery, resiliency and support are essential to improving the wellness and quality of life for all persons affected by mental illness. NAMI will advocate at all levels to ensure that all persons affected by mental illness receive the services that they need and deserve, in a timely fashion. Mental illnesses should not be an obstacle to a full and meaningful life for persons who live with them. In support of NAMI’s mission, NAMI focuses on the following activities:
• Offering free national education programs and peer support groups for people of all ages and backgrounds that provide them with valuable information and peer support.
• Creating and disseminating a number of resources on mental health and related issues, with special focus on multicultural communities, children, adolescents and young adults and veterans.
• Running a national Helpline to connect individuals to help in their communities.
• Delivering mental health awareness events and activities like NAMIWalks and NAMIBikes in communities.
• Advocating on behalf of individuals living with mental health conditions and their families on a broad range of policy issues impacting their lives and health.
• Hosting national training events, conferences and webinars on mental health topics.
• Managing the NAMI website, which receives over 5.4 million visitors a year who turn to NAMI for information, referral and education.
• Sharing the personal lived experiences of individuals with mental health conditions and their families and friends. NAMI has NAMI State Organizations in every state and NAMI Affiliates in many local communities that help bring NAMI’s mission to the state and local levels while also identifying and working on issues most important to their communities. NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates offer information and referral services, interact with local professionals, run education programs and support groups, recruit new members, host mental health awareness events and activities and advocate at the local and state levels. About NAMI on Campus:
NAMI on Campus is an exciting extension of NAMI's mission into the campus community. NAMI on Campus clubs are student-led clubs that tackle mental health issues on campus by raising mental health awareness, educating the campus community, supporting students, promoting services and supports and advocating. These clubs are open to all students, whether they live with a mental health condition, are a family member or friend or have an interest in mental health. NAMI on Campus clubs aim to address the mental health needs of all students so they have positive, successful and fun college experiences. Participants in NAMI campus clubs also become members of NAMI who receive the full membership benefits of belonging to all levels of NAMI. Under the leadership of college students, the purpose of NAMI on Campus is to:
• Serve as a supportive group for students.
• Establish strong ties with counseling centers on campus and serve as volunteers for their support services.
• Educate and increase students’, faculty, and administrators’ awareness of mental health issues.
• Provide information and resources on mental health conditions to the entire college community.
• Promote early detection and intervention for mental health conditions.
• Combat the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions by increasing awareness of these conditions, their symptoms and available treatments.
• Advocate administrators and legislatures to improve mental health care services on campus and promote education about mental illness among students.
• Request and receive funds in support of all of the above.
• Serve as a liaison between the students, campus mental health services, NAMI National, the state organization and local NAMI affiliate, and the mental health community. Mental health issues are more prevalent than ever on college campuses. NAMI on Campus clubs help address these issues and truly make a difference in the lives of students. Club leaders have access to the staff, programs, resources, opportunities, benefits and support of being part of the larger NAMI cause—even beyond their college years. NAMI on Campus leaders are granted exclusive access to a broad range of online resources and materials to help them start and sustain a successful NAMI on Campus club. They are also provided with various networking opportunities to connect with other leaders. How is NAMI on Campus different than other student clubs? There are several student mental health clubs that exist and may operate at the national, state or local levels. These clubs often have different strengths, focuses and purposes within the campus community. NAMI firmly believes there is a unique place and need for each of these clubs and that these clubs can exist together in a campus community. If other clubs exist on your campus, look into ways your NAMI on Campus club can complement their current efforts and effectively collaborate with them. NAMI on Campus differs from other student clubs in many ways. Here are a few of our unique strengths:
• As a NAMI on Campus club, members will belong to the largest grassroots mental health organization in America. This helps to give the club credibility, recognition and support. Also, by joining the NAMI cause, the voice of students is counted and heard in the broader mental health movement.
• NAMI on Campus leaders are provided with exclusive access to resources and opportunities just for them, including a comprehensive NAMI on Campus toolkit that includes everything they need to successfully run their club. They are also given chances to network with other NAMI on Campus leaders to exchange ideas, thoughts and advice.
• NAMI on Campus clubs get direct support from NAMI staff who can provide technical assistance, tools to address challenges and various templates to create websites, develop resources and marketing materials and launch events.
• Since NAMI has NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates in most communities, NAMI on Campus clubs also have access to local support groups, programs, services and helpful individuals.
• Most importantly, NAMI is a lifelong organization that focuses on people of all ages. This means that there are many perks to being involved with NAMI on Campus that will extend beyond members and leaders’ college years. NAMI will be there for members, their families and their peers even after they graduate.
