Nami Keystone Pennsylvania

NAMI (NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS) KEYSTONE PA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH RECOVERY FOCUSED SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.

CONSUMER/FAMILY SATISFACTION TEAMS - THESE TEAMS PROVIDE CONSUMERS, FAMILIES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, STATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS, COUNTIES, AND MEDICAID MANAGED-CARE ORGANIZATIONS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF EXISTING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TO DIALOGUE ABOUT POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS LEAD TO A BETTER SYSTEM OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES FOCUSED ON PERSONAL RECOVERY. THE TEAMS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN RECOMMENDING SPECIFIC QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS BASED ON CONSUMER FEEDBACK.

AFFILIATE RELATIONS - IN JULY 2016, NAMI KEYSTONE PENNSYLVANIA WAS SELECTED TO BECOME THE OFFICIAL STATE NAMI ORGANIZATION IN PENNSYLVANIA. RECOGNIZED AS A THOUGHT LEADER ON MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, NAMI BELIEVES THAT RECOVERY FROM MENTAL ILLNESS IS POSSIBLE, CHAMPIONS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, AND PROMOTES ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS. NAMI'S DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE RECOVERY-FOCUSED SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND THE STATE. A MEMBERSHIP-BASED ORGANIZATION, NAMI WORKS TO EDUCATE AND INFORM ITS MEMBERSHIP ON CURRENT AND RELEVANT PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES, REGULATORY CHANGES AND LEGISLATION IMPACTING INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. NAMI ADVOCATES TO ENSURE THAT THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF ITS MEMBERSHIP IS HEARD AND HIGHLY REGARDED THROUGHOUT THE STATE. NAMI STRIVES TO RAISE AWARENESS, END STIGMA, AND CREATE A CULTURE OF KNOWLEDGE AND COMPASSION FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

EDUCATION AND SUPPORT - NAMI KEYSTONE PA MAKES PRESENTATIONS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS. FAMILY MEMBERS GAIN THE CONFIDENCE AND STRENGTH THEY NEED TO COPE WITH THEIR LOVED-ONE'S MENTAL ILLNESS DURING NAMI'S NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED 12-WEEK FAMILY TO FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, NAMI OFFERS SEVERAL OTHER SIGNATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND HOSTS BOTH STATE AND REGIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCES WHICH PROVIDE A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. NAMI PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, HAS DEVELOPED A WEBSITE WITH MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES INFORMATION, PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO ITS AFFILIATES AND SUPPORT GROUPS ACROSS THE STATE AND OPERATES AN INFORMATION AND REFERRAL HOTLINE.

ADVOCACY - NAMI KEYSTONE PA HAS AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP INFLUENTIAL MESSAGES THAT WILL ADVANCE THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN PENNSYLVANIA. NAMI WORKS DILIGENTLY WITH STATE AND REGIONAL LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE SYSTEM REFORMS THAT PROMOTE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE ADULT ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY FOR CONSUMERS, PARTICIPATING IN THE ACUTE COMMUNITY SUPPORT PLANNING PROCESS. THE ANNUAL NAMI WALK IS THE PREMIERE FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. ATTRACTING ATTENDEES FROM A 10-COUNTY REGION, THE WALK ENABLES A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND RECOVERY TO REACH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE REGION.