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Founded in 1983, NAMI PA ( National Alliance on Mental Illness of Pennsylvania) is the largest statewide non-profit organization dedicated to helping mental health consumers and their families rebuild their lives and conquer the challenges posed by severe and persistent mental illness.
Our Mission
This mission is accomplished through programs designed to offer support and education to our membership and to advocate for better mental health services on their behalf.
We also strive to educate the public about the true nature of mental illness to combat the stigma and discrimination often faced by persons with mental illness.
Support
More than 60 affiliates meet across the Commonwealth in support of these programs. A wide variety of support activities are carried on by our affiliates including family support group meetings, consumer specific support group meetings, NAMI-CAN (Children and Adolescents Network) for young families, and NAMI-CARE (Consumers Advocation for REcovery). Our affiliate calendar provides a ready reference of meeting times and contacts.
Education
NAMI PA offers the Family to Family Education course for members who have adult children and an educational programs specific to the needs of families of children and adolescents. Peer to Peer is a consumer to consumer mentoring program, and In Our Own Voice provides training for consumers in recovery on public presentations about mental illnesses and their experiences. Our Provider training specifically addresses the NAMI perspective to professionals in mental health. The Support Group Facilitator Training teaches the skills necessary to run an effective support group. The Annual Conference in the fall is an opportunity for education on cutting edge topics in mental health and features nationally known presenters. Forensics trainings for criminal justice professionals and Criminal Justice Symposium are signature events, and participation in the Open Your Mind public education campaign are also part of the NAMI PA effort.
Advocacy
NAMI advocates vigorously for systems change, implementation of humane and thoughtful policies, and provides input on legislation and executive direction on specific issues in an on-going basis.
If you have questions about mental illness or our support services, want to find the NAMI PA affiliate in your community, become a member, or make a tax-deductible donation, please call us at 717-238-1514, or toll-free in PA 1-800-223-0500Office hours are 9 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday.
President: Jyoti Shah, M.D.
Executive Director: James W Jordan Jr.
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