NAMI - NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

What started with two Moms gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. 

1 in 5 US adults live with a mental health condition and 1 in 6 youth (6-17 years) experience a mental health disorder. 

NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. They work across the US providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness.

"No matter what race, religion, age, or sexual identity, we are here for a healthier world, we are here for eachother." 

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. 

Apart from the obvious amazingness of this vital organization, I wanted to share this because in 2022 NAMI launched a new initiative :

988 - A SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE IN A CRISIS, CALL OR TEXT 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor who can provide support in mental health, substance use or suicide crisis.

Since commencing in July 2022 NAMI have received 10 MILLION+ calls.

BUT, ONLY 23% of Americans are familiar with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline so please share this information.

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) / Text "helpline" to 62640 (Mon-Fri 10am-10pm ET) or visit NAMI.org

Call or text 988 if in a crisis (available 24/7)

I heard about NAMI from Craig Dubitsky, CEO and co-founder of HAPPY COFFEE + PRODUCTS along with his happy, coffee obsessed, academy-award winning, Iron Man co-founder Robert Downey Jr. They've not only partnered with NAMI to raise awareness and have NAMI's details on all Happy packaging, to take the alliance even further, they've actually made NAMI an equity stakeholder in the company to help support and grow their crucial mission. Very cool and commended ❤️

Mental health is such a prevalent issue worldwide affecting and impacting millions of people and their families. I hope all countries have this essential support or are working towards it.

In the UK everyone grew up knowing about the SAMARITANS, a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide, which has people on call 24/7, 365 days a year. CALL 116 123 / Welsh Language Line - 0808 164 0123 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Also NIGHTLINE Association, a student-run listening and information services based at Universities across the UK, and CHILDLINE (offering support for children only). 

The most important information to share is :

PEOPLE CARE & YOU'RE NOT ALONE 🙏