From NAMI Austin, this month's Get Involved spotlight organization:
NAMI Austin will celebrate 35 years of providing no-cost classes and support groups to families and individuals living with mental health conditions in 2019. In the last 5 years, NAMI Austin’s programming has expanded to include free site-based mental health education and training in schools, workplaces, faith communities and with law enforcement. Because mental health challenges impact 1 in 5 people in our community, the need for our programs is increasing.
Our Impact
In 2018, NAMI Austin impacted more than 21,000 people in Austin and surrounding counties who participated in our free education, support and advocacy programs. Our 2018 Impact Report and Strategic Plan reflect where we are today and what we hope to accomplish in the next three years as we expand our programs to serve the needs of our growing community.
While community programs are foundational to NAMI Austin’s mission, some of the most important work today is focused on changing the way our community talks about and addresses mental health to combat the ongoing stigma that keeps people isolated and reluctant to seek help. NAMI Austin’s Conversation Cards are simple tools people can use to help start important but sometimes challenging mental health conversations. More than 15,000 of these cards have been distributed in our community, and we make them available to individuals, groups, schools, churches or workplaces interested in changing the mental health conversation!
Get Involved
The best way to get involved with NAMI Austin is to join us for a Volunteer Information Session. These informative 1-hour sessions give you an overview of our many programs and volunteer opportunities. You get the chance to meet staff, visit our offices and learn more about the important work NAMI Austin is doing and how volunteers make an impact.
Your donation to NAMI Austin ensures we continue to offer programs at no cost to the community. Families are often overwhelmed by the financial burden of living with a serious mental health condition. NAMI Austin’s free programs eliminate financial barriers to the education and support families need to successfully navigate mental health issues with confidence. There are various levels to support NAMI Austin’s work and options for monthly giving.
Mental Health Programs Matter
Families and individuals often feel isolated, overwhelmed and confused when they are impacted by mental health concerns. NAMI Austin offers hope, help and resources. A recent participant in a class said it best:
“This course has literally been a life saver. It has opened my eyes to better understanding my mental health and methods of recovery I did not know about before taking NAMI Peer-to-Peer.
