Schrafft Center 529 Main Street, Suite 1M7
Charlestown, MA 02129
617 580-8541
Toll Free: (800) 370-9085
Information Specialist: Jill Gichuhi
E-mail: info@namimass.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Additional Locations: None.
Organization Narrative
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass)is a nonprofit, grassroots, education- and advocacy group dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. Since 1983, NAMI-Mass has been highly effective in building awareness, reducing stigma, providing support and advocating for patient rights. NAMI has over 220,000 members nationally with three organizational levels. Localized, affiliate, grassroots groups help to insure that the local-area, mental health needs are being met.
Population(s) Served
Families and individuals facing the challenges of mental illness or biological brain disorders. Serves general public on NAMI-Mass, statewide information line.
Services
The work of NAMI-Mass is concentrated in three functional areas:
- Education
- Support
- Advocacy.
The most prominent education programs are:
- “Family to Family”
- NAMI Basics
- Children Challenging Behavior
These courses are free of charge and help families learn essential skills and information relevant to caring for a family member with major mental illness. Trained family members and consumers volunteer their time to teach these workshops.
NAMI-Mass’ statewide Information Line provides referrals and support to thousands of callers. In addition, NAMI-Mass currently has 40+ regularly-scheduled support groups that offer family support, education and grassroots awareness. These groups meet in churches, civic centers and community centers. They provide a vital resource for families facing the challenges of mental illness.
The most publicly visible and crucial function of NAMI-Mass is grassroots advocacy. For example, NAMI-Mass played a key role in the recent passage of Parity Legislation, which mandated that mental health insurance benefits are equal to that of physical health care benefits. Currently, NAMI-Mass has strategic partnerships with Massachusetts Mental Health Association, Parents Professional Advocacy League, M-POWER, Friends of the Psychiatrically Disabled, Massachusetts Homeless Coalition and Massachusetts Human Service Coalition. As a result of these partnerships, NAMI-Mass helped spearhead the largest rally ever held on mental illness at the State House.
Eligibility/Criteria/Enrollment
No information.
Fees
NAMI depends on memberships and contributions to help carry the message. When you join NAMI- you automatically receive newsletters and support from all three organizational levels of NAMI.