NAMI is a grass roots organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life for persons, families, and others, who are affected by mental illness.  NAMI is organized as community affiliates, within state associations, which are grouped to form a national organization.  Most members of NAMI are part of an affiliate, a state organization, and the national organization. 

    "In April 1979, six independent support groups for parents of adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses from around the country joined forces in Madison, Wisconsin, to hold the first conference of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Attendance for this historic meeting was 284.
    As NAMI has evolved, interest and membership has extended beyond parents to include spouses, siblings, children and friends of people with mental illness, people with mental illness and mental health care professionals. NAMI currently has more than 220,000 members in 1,200 affiliates across the country."
    NAMI National: NAMI, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042
    Phone number: 703-524-7600, Web site: http://www.nami.org/

    Thirty people from Michigan attended the NAMI organizational meeting in 1979.  In 1986, advocacy groups throughout the state of Michigan formed NAMI Michigan.
    NAMI Michigan's purpose is to assist affiliates, provide support, promote education, pursue advocacy and encourage research on mental illness.
Assistance:
    Manages an annual conference
    Operates a state office
    Conducts board meetings
    Provides a newsletter
    Maintains the NAMI MI web site (http://mi.nami.org/)
    Sends e-mails of interest
    Provides a resource for affiliates
Support:
    Provides material that explains the nature of mental illness.
    Provides assistance in finding an affiliate in your community
    Publishes a resource guide for families
Education:
    Develops, administers and trains instructors in educational programs such as: "Families in Action" for those who have loved ones with mental illness, "Hugs" for families of children with mental illness, and "In Our Own Voice" in which persons with mental illness describe how to cope with mental illness
    Coordinate education by a variety of speakers and other venues
Advocacy:
    Advocates for improved services
    Promotes improved public policy
    Is a resource for those administering public policy
    Strives for parity in insurance coverage for mental illness

    We join together with thousands of members across the nation to insure that people with mental illness are helped to the maximum extent that can be provided by our society.  We provide information to the public to help eliminate the stigma of mental illness.  We help each other to learn about mental illness and the issues associated with mental illness.  We want those with mental illness to be treated with the same respect and resources as those with other diseases.  We confidentially share our knowledge and experiences through peer support. This should not be considered professional advice or treatment.  Appropriate professionals should be consulted as needed.  We support the use of evidence based treatment programs and practices that pursue recovery.

Michigan Association of Community
Mental Health Boards
     426 S. Walnut
     Lansing, MI 48933
     517-374-6848

Schizophrenia And Related Disorders Alliance of America
    PO Box 941222
    Houston, TX 77094-8222
    Phone: 240-423-9432  
    www.SARDAA.org