NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness-It's okay to not be okay....

Why I became a volunteer-What helps-Knowing where to turn

In the past few months, I have started Volunteering with NAMI Metro Baltimore. After going through a lot of traumas and hurdles in life, learning more and more about mental health and how to navigate it successfully has become a HUGE part of my life. As many of my followers and readers know, I am committed to spreading awareness about the tough stuff and I am not afraid to speak my truth. I wanted to share with you all, who NAMI is and why their involvement in our communities makes such an amazing impact!

Our Vision

NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.

Our Mission

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

Our Values

Hope: We believe in the possibility of recovery, wellness, and the potential in all of us.
Inclusion: We embrace diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
Empowerment: We promote confidence, self-efficacy, and service to our mission.
Compassion: We practice respect, kindness, and empathy.
Fairness: We fight for equity and justice.

Who is NAMI-

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 48 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

I truly believe it takes a village of supportive, empathetic, and empowered people to assist in the growth of our children and even in our continuous well-being!

NAMI offers weekly Peer to Peer group counseling sessions that I have found to be extremely helpful!! They also offer groups for Families that are learning how to cope with the diagnosis of Mental Illness in their families and give resources on how to help support them. They have lots of educational information including classes and seminars for NAMI members. For more information on the weekly groups and how to sign up, click the box below-

NAMI also has a HelpLine you can call if you need local connections and resources and don't know where to turn.

(410) 435-2600

The NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 9am– 5pm.

Our staff is prepared to provide information and support, including:

Offering empathy, understanding, and support.
Information about mental health issues and recovery.
Participating in NAMI support groups and education programs in your community.
Referrals to community resources in Baltimore city and county, including health, housing, case management, disability, and legal services.

For more on the HelpLine click the box below-

If you have any questions or need help signing up for a Support Group please email or hit the Get in Touch button!

PLEASE BE ADVISED: NAMI is not a replacement for 911 or other emergency mental health services, but we can help you find what you need to start in your mental health recovery.

What to Do In an Emergency

Call 911 if you or a loved one is in immediate danger. Notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for a CIT-trained police officer, who has received specialized training to respond to mental health emergencies from NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore and our community partners.

If you are in crisis or need to talk, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline. For more localized support, call the Baltimore Crisis Response hotline at 410-433-5175. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please visit www.namibaltimore.org for more!!! Stay tuned for NAMI's upcoming events and the NAMIWalks 2022