ECA Partner Spotlight: NAMI
Addressing mental health through advocacy, education, and support
Hot off the heels of their annual Youth Mental Health Conference, NAMI Eastside (East King County Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is ECA’s featured nonprofit partner in May. Their mission? Provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all people impacted by mental illness and mental health conditions can lead healthy and productive lives.
NAMI’s programs focus on advocacy, education, and support to improve the quality of life for those impacted by a mental health condition. Changemakers of health care systems, their advocacy focuses on policy changes that will improve access to care, standards of care, continuity of care, recovery, housing and rehabilitation. Advocacy volunteer opportunities are open to young and old, including their Youth Ambassador program and Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Their robust education program includes monthly seminars with the goal to open eyes and hearts to the lived experiences of those diagnosed with mental illness. By sowing the seeds of knowledge, they work to destigmatize mental illness. All educational classes are supported by donations and grants and are free of charge.
Their third focus is support groups, including peer-to-peer and family-to-family groups for any adults with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI sponsors a fundamentals course for any caregivers of youth who are experiencing mental health symptoms and special programs for veterans and service members.
The theme of this year’s annual youth conference was “Speak Your Mind.” Reminding people to speak their mind is not only encouragement to be open and honest about mental health, but it is also recognition that prior generations can learn from youth. The day was filled with art, healing, and learning that covered a diverse spectrum of topics related to mental health.
