Nami Of Connecticut Incorporated

NAMI CONNECTICUT PROVIDES SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR ALL CONNECTICUT CITIZENS AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS.

NAMI CONNECTICUT (NAMI CT) IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI), AND PROVIDES SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE OF CONNECTICUT AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS. ESTABLISHED IN 1984, NAMI CT ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE ALL PERSONS AFFECTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS EXPERIENCE THE BEST POSSIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE, FREE FROM THE STIGMA OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. WE PARTNER WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, LEGISLATORS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO EDUCATE THOSE WHO NEED DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND OUTCOMESNAMI CT PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO NINE LOCAL NAMI AFFILIATE CHAPTERS IN CONNECTICUT THAT DELIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS ARE COORDINATED BY NAMI CT AND DELIVERED BY AFFILIATE VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS AND TEACHERS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS.PROGRAMS INCLUDE ENDING THE SILENCE, A SCHOOL-BASED INITIATIVE PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE INFORMATION THAT REDUCES THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS; FAMILY-TO-FAMILY, AN EVIDENCE-BASED EIGHT-WEEK EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS; IN OUR OWN VOICE, A COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM ENABLING INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TO OFFER TESTIMONIALS ABOUT RECOVERY; PROVIDER EDUCATION, A PROGRAM THAT INTRODUCES MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES; OUR YOUNG ADULT CONNECTION COMMUNITY PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS AGES 18-29 LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. NAMI CT SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED FROM IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING TO VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING DURING THE INITIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19. PROGRAM LEADERS, FACILITATORS AND TEACHERS WERE PROVIDED ZOOM LICENSES AND TRAINING TO HOLD VIRTUAL CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS DURING FY2020-2021. WITH THE COLLABORATION OF OUR NINE (9) NAMI AFFILIATES STATEWIDE AND MORE THAN 250 VOLUNTEERS, NAMI CT REACHED MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE THROUGH OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SUPPORT GROUPS AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING HIGHLIGHTS: - RESPONDED TO NEARLY 1,000 CALLS AND EMAILS FROM PEOPLE LOOKING FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND REFERRALS FOR THEMSELVES OR A LOVED ONE. - HELD OVER 1,000 FAMILY, PEER, AND YOUNG ADULT ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS PROVIDING HELP AND HOPE TO OVER 906 ATTENDEES. - HELD 38 WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, CAREGIVERS AND FRIENDS IMPACTED BY OPIOID USE.