i started with NAMI as participant in their support groups and eventually became a volunteer and an afiliate board member. NAMI has helped me to become less judgemental of my own mental illness and also more understanding of others i have since joining NAMI "come out of the closet" and let the whole world know I have a mental illness but I am ok. NAMI makes stigma go away for me and for that I am forever grateful to them. Karrie