My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been involved with NAMI for about 7 years. I first got involved when I started attending the NAMI MetroWest Family Support group. I have a husband and a son who have mental health issues. I must admit I didn't like the idea of attending a group but once I started going I realized that I should have been attending years earlier! Being a part of NAMI helped me develop more coping skills and feel empowered. I realized that my experiences could help others navigate their path through diagnosis, finding providers, getting support and advocating for their loved ones.

While I was attending the Support Group I also took the Family to Family class. What a lifesaver. I learned so much from the materials that NAMI supplied and from the interaction between members of the group.

I was hooked on NAMI, not only because of the support and education, but the fact that all teachers and support group facilitators are volunteers. There are very few paid NAMI employees, and they are paid very little. I like organizations where the money goes towards the population being served and not to line the pockets of some CEO.

I now volunteer for NAMI in a number of roles as facilitator, teacher and board member.

NAMI supports a very under-served population. Those who are challenged by mental health issues and their families represent at least 25% of the population, but the support they receive is minimal. Families are forced to fight for basic services from insurance companies and providers. There is a shortage of mental health professionals and paraprofessionals because the pay is awful. Often those who are employed by states to work in Mental Health facilities are also having to apply for food stamps, rent assistance and earned income credit. Persons who do receive services do not receive any continuity of services because many mental health workers 'follow the money' in order to better provide for their families. Support for families receives almost no funding.

NAMI serves to fill some of the gaps in the provision of mental health services. We provide support to families of the mentally ill and those in recovery through our groups. We provide support to Veterans, faith-based groups and the LBTQ population. We are expanding our programs to include population groups from all over the world. Through our fundraising we give money to researchers, community service agencies and individuals who help the mentally ill and their families.

NAMI needs more support each year. Funding for Mental Health services is declining. The mentally ill are not getting the help they need. Without help they become homeless, victims of violence, addicted, poor and imprisoned. A person with mental illness can have their lifespan shortened by 25 years. Their caregivers live ten years less. Untreated mental illness is a very large social and financial burden to society. Intervention and treatment can save thousands of lives, terrible suffering and millions of dollars.

Please support NAMI. Time, money or both are received with many thanks

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