Nami Washington

Programs: Support & outreach: nami washingtons array of support and outreach efforts are focused on educating washingtonians about mental illness, treatment, support services and recovery. In 2013, nami washington hosted the 11th annual nami washington walk where over 750 people gathered in kirkland, wa for the states largest public event to celebrate recovery, advocate for a more robust mental health treatment and support system, and combat the stigma associated with mental illness.

education: nami washington offers an array of peer education and training programs and services for individuals living with mental illness, family members, providers and the general public at no cost to participants seeking critical information and support not found elsewhere in the mental health and addiction system. These programs draw on the lived experience of mental health consumers and family members who have learned to live with their illnesses and have been extensively trained to help others. Nami washington held teacher and facilitator trainings for its core education and support group programs connection peer support group, family support group, family-to-family class, peer-to-peer class, basics class, and in our own voice. Staff and volunteers also fielded over 450 information and referral calls from individuals and families about treatment and support services in their local communities across washington.

advocacy: nami washington is the largest membership-based mental health organization in the state of washington and is recognized as the leading voice on mental health issues among state lawmakers and among local mental health policymakers across the state. Nami advocates continue to fight for policy changes and health care transformation that raises the bar on mental health treatment and support services which promote recovery and timely access to services and supports, reduce barriers to effective treatment, and preserve families and communities. Nami grassroots advocates and volunteers are active with their state legislators, informing them of positive developments in the mental health system and advocating for improvements that will lead to more positive mental health and health care outcomes. They also advocate with local mental health authorities, county commissioners, city leaders, law enforcement and others in local communities.