The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the organization I
chose for my final project. NAMI came from what started as a small
support group in California called Parents of Ault Schizophrenics in
the 1970s, which eventually led to the birth of the organization from
a meeting of 284 individuals representing support groups from 29
states and Canada through a resolution to incorporate adopted in
1979, to the national non-profit organization it is today with over 600
affiliates in 49 states. It is our nation's largest grassroots organization
for individuals and families who are affected by mental illness. The
vision of NAMI is, "a world where all people affected by mental illness
live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares"
(NAMI, n.d.). NAMI not only advocates on a federal level for
legislation change, education, and support but also provides these
supports on a local community level through the over 600 affiliates -
this is the mission of the organization. This mission is driven by their
core values of hope, inclusion, empowerment, compassion, and
fairness.
An event in human services history that relates to my organization is
the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. This act authorized states to
establish and fund through grants for mental health centers and non-
profit private entities for the chronically mentally ill. This includes
support services for adults, children, adolescents, and their families
who are affected by mental illnesses. Support services included are
case management, access to mental, medical, rehabilitation, and
dental services, and access to employment, housing, and other
support services. This same year, NAMI opened its first national
office in Washington, D.C.
References
Who we are
. NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2022, from
https://nami.org/About-NAMI/Who-We-Are
Rep. Henry A. Waxman. (1980, May 7).
H.R.7299 - 96th Congress
(1979-1980): Mental Health Systems act
. Congress.gov. Retrieved
November 19, 2022, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-
congress/house-bill/7299?s=1&r=2
