What is NAMI?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, established in 1979, for mental health clients and their families as a self-help organization dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy to anyone affected by persistent biologically based brain disorders.

There are 220,000 NAMI members nationwide with 1200 affiliates throughout the nation. NAMI Clark, Greene & Madison Counties, Ohio is a chapter of NAMI Ohio joining around 60 other state affiliates. The state coalition represents an important link in efforts to improve the quality of life for those with mental illness by implementing and integrating services and policies determined at the state level.

Brain disorders are real diseases causing disturbances in feeling, relating or thinking. These illnesses do not discriminate, affecting people of all ages, races, cultures and socioeconomic classes.

What is NAMI's Mission?

The mission of NAMI is to eradicate mental illness and to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from these no-fault brain disorders. The mission of NAMI Clark, Greene and Madison Counties is to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those in our area whose lives are affected by serious mental illness by providing information and referrals, education, support and active community outreach. And while we're at it, we'll do our best to scrub out the stigma commonly associated with mental illness.

Did you know?

One out of every five families in America has a member who suffers from a serious mental illness.
Two out of every 100 young adults will be affected by serious brain diseases between the ages of 18 and 30.

Severe Mental Illnesses Are:

Biological brain disordersthat interfere with normal brain chemistry. Genetic factors may create a predisposition in some people, and life stresses may trigger the onset of symptoms.
Very common. In one year, approximately 25 million Americans are affected! More than 7.5 million children and adolescents suffer from these illnesses.
Equal opportunity diseases, striking families from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, income, religion or education.
Devastating to ill persons and their families. One's thinking, feeling, and relating are disrupted, seriously reducing the ability to live a normal life. All family members are affected.
Treatable!Appropriate medical care and rehabilitation enable many people to recover enough to live productive lives.