Statements
Mission
NAMI Tennessee is a grassroots, self-help organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by mental illness. Vision: To be the leading voice in creating a compassionate society where mental illness bears no stigma and individuals and families have opportunities for recovery.
Background
NAMI Tennessee was founded in 1986 with local affiliates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. From 1990 to 1992 a federally funded rural outreach project resulted in establishment of 25 local affiliates. NAMI continues to have a stronger rural presence than any other mental health advocacy group in Tennessee. NAMI educates those affected by mental illness with courses on mental illness, treatment and coping skills. In 1993 NAMI volunteers began teaching the 'Journey of Hope,' for families of adults with mental illness across the state. In 1995 NAMI partnered with the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association to develop the nationally recognized BRIDGES program, a peer-led course and support group method for individuals with mental illness. In 2000, the 'Visions for Tomorrow' program was initiated for families of children with psychiatric disorders. In 2005 we began a multi-year initiative to serve more families of color through our education and support programs. In 1992, NAMI participated actively in development of the Tennessee Master Plan for Mental Health Services that restructured the public mental health system. In 1998 NAMI was instrumental in passage of insurance parity legislation. In 1995, NAMI spearheaded a project to get out the vote of our constituents with the 'Vote, I Count' program. In 2000, NAMI volunteers brought the family perspective to revision of Title 33, the Tennessee Mental Health Code. NAMI members continue to advocate for improved services to TennCare enrollees with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness. Tennessee joined the NAMI National Campaign for the Mind of America in 2005, advocating for legislative protection of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) resulting in a $53 million allocation of Tennessee state dollars specifically for SPMI individuals disenrolled from TennCare. NAMI educates the public with the goal of erasing the stigma of mental illness. In 1997 local affiliates across the state initiated annual observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week with media coverage and public information events. In 2005 NAMI volunteers began presenting the 'Breaking the Silence' curriculum to school children. NAMI press releases on mental health issues appear regularly in media across the state. In 2006, In Our Own Voice, a consumer-led speakers forum was launched, educating the public about mental illness and reducing stigma in each audience where it was presented.
Impact
Last year, donations to NAMI Tennessee serve our 20,000 people annually. NAMI Tennessee was able to * Provide CIT/Mental health training to police and correction officers throughout Tennessee.. Sponsor 20 monthly support groups with over 4000 participants throughout Tennessee. * Provide legislative advocacy in support of a comprehensive, high quality mental health system in Tennessee.* Give persons with mental illness and their families understanding of the illnesses they face through our Family to family, NAMI Basics, and BRIDGES education programs reaching hundreds of families annually. More than anything NAMI Tennessee brings hope to people who may feel they have none. NAMI lets people know recovery is possible.GOALS:Established our newest mental health awareness program, Ending the Silence in Tennessee High Schools.Train teachers who will facilitate the new mental health program.Expand BASICS parent education program in by expanding outreach to include caregivers of children on the autism spectrum.Enhance board fundraising capabilityDiversity funding by seeking grants from foundations.
Needs
$70,000: Help us expand and much needed free education and support groups for caregivers of individuals living with mental illness throughout Tennessee. We have two very successful programs, BASICS & ENDING THE SILENCE. We hope to expand. BASICS - is a six workshop NAMI signature program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness. It covers illnesses, medication, in-depth documentation with additional resources with forms for the various systems like medical and school. Ending the Silence - An engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental illness. These presentations include a lead presenter who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma. $50,000: Increase our ability to provide technical assistance to our grassroots volunteers and local advocates in 20 affiliates across the state.
CEO Statement
NAMI volunteers from Memphis to Mountain City contribute thousands of hours annually to make our mission a reality. Our members give back the support they have received by passionately supporting and educating families affected by mental illness, advocating for improved treatment and public services, improving public awareness and support for Tennesseans living with mental illness, and promoting research into causes and effective treatment of psychiatric disorders. The structure of local, state and national affiliates facilitates communication between grassroots citizens and decision-makers at local, state and federal levels.
Board Chair Statement
WHY NAMI TENNESSEE HELPED SAVE OUR FAMILY Trying to care for someone with mental illness is frustrating, anxiety producing, angering, and causes ever escalating scenes, threats, rejection, and alienation within the family. Taking classes taught by other family members made all the difference in the recovery of our family and our son from the trauma of mental illness. Finally after losses of education, friends, jobs, family ties because of the irrational behavior, I had to come to the realization that our son had some form of mental illness. I even had a name for it but didn't know how to get him to seek help We then went through 6 years of intermittent homelessness, some jail time, psychotic episodes that were frightening. Preventing incarceration and homelessness became our sole purpose in life. Other family caregivers of persons with mental illness would and that's where NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) comes into the scene. As I learned at support group, other families were facing the same dilemmas as we were. Sharing the weirdness of trying to help a person with mental illness and/or addictions is very cathartic. Now we have the opportunity and small amounts of funding to do Early Intervention and catch people in their First Episode Psychosis. However, these efforts aren't going to work unless you have your ear to ground so to speak. Families must have a voice in bringing early symptoms to the attention of professionals. Family caregivers need to be trained to recognize the symptoms of mental illness and where to go for resources. None should have to be committed in order to receive treatment early. Listening and paying attention to the early warnings Family caregivers who take the With Hope in Mind and BASICS Peer to Peer courses from NAMI TN volunteer family members have consistently shown to have better outcomes for their ill loved ones. NAMI TN is constantly fighting the battle to get parity and more services available to all levels of reimbursement. Last year through NAMI Tennessee grassroots and collaboration with other behavioral health group's advocacy we saved the jobs of 100s of Case Managers. For years we have kept the doors open on Peer Support Centers. Every year they try to cut services and/or compensation for the programs and every year hundreds of NAMI advocates work to preserve services. With the funding from groups like Giving Matters, NAMI is able to support the education and advocacy efforts of our grassroots affiliates. NAMI TN classes will continue to empower parents and improve outcomes for the ill person while having an impact on the mental health system in general. Without NAMI TN classes, I doubt out family would be as whole as it is today. That is an outcome to be desired by any society, whole families.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Secondary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Alliances & Advocacy |
Areas Served
NAMI Tennessee serves the state of Tennessee through 20 local affiliates across the state. The state office provides technical support: *SUPPORT: website listing support group meetings, affiliate activities and resources; a toll-free helpline *EDUCATION: class materials, teacher training and class coordination activities *ADVOCACY: Policy Committee collects & publishes information on local issues of interest, state office coordinates outreach efforts for special interests like veterans
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