Nami Thurston Mason

NAMI IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY THROUGHOUT THURSTON AND MASON COUNTIES ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THEY KEY CONCEPTS OF RECOVERY, RESILIENCY AND SUPPORT ARE ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING AN INDIVIDUALS'S WELLNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

NAMI THURSTON-MASON PROGRAMS PROVIDE DROP-IN SUPPORT GROUPS AND STRUCTURED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR BOTH FAMILY MEMBER/CAREGIVERS AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. SEVERAL OF THESE PROGRAMS WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC EDUCATION FOR TARGET POPULATIONS LIKE MILIARY FAMILIES, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, PARENTS OF SMALL CHILDREN AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. WE CHALLENGE STIGMA AND MISCONCEPTIONS WITH OUR "IN OUR OWN VOICE" PEER PROGRAM, BRINING PERSONAL STORIES OF RECOVERY TO OUR COMMUNITIES. WE ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY BOTH AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL BY TEACHING OUR MEMBERS THROUGH OUR "NAMI SMARTS FOR ADVOCACY" PROGRAM, HOW TO TELL THEIR PERSONAL STORY TO A POLICY MAKER. NAMI THURSTON-MASON WAS STARTED IN 1986 BY A GROUP OF PARENTS WHO WERE LOOKING FOR SERVICE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. OVER THREE DECADES THE ORGANZIATIONS PROGRAMS HAVE CHANGED AND GROWN, BUT OUR MISSION HAS STAYED THE SAME. WE TRIVE TO SERVE OUR MEMBERSHIP AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY PROGRAMMING. SINCE ITS INCEPTION OUR ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY GRANTS, MEMBERSHIP DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS. TRAINED NAMI VOLUNTEERS BRING PEER-LED PROGRAMS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY SETTINGS, FROM CHURCHES TO SCHOOLS TO HOSPITALS. WITH THE UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, THESE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS PROVIDE OUTSTANDING EDUCATION, SKILLS TRAINING AND SUPPORT AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. NAMI PEER PROGRAMS PROVIDE "A VOICE" FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY STRUGGLE IN FINDING THEIR OWN. IT MEANS ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE, ENCOURAGING THEIR RECOVERY. AND IT OFTEN MEANS EDUCATING CAREGIVERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS. AS TRAINED NAMI PEER PROGRAM LEADERS, WE WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO NEED US TO "HOLD ONTO THEIR HOPE FOR THEM, UNTIL THEY'RE READY TO HOLD IT FOR THEMSELVES", JUST AS WE ONCE NEEDED. NAMI CONNECTION PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP IS A PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUP FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, PROVIDED AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. YOU WILL GAIN INSIGHT FROM HEARING THE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES OF OTHERS, AND THE GROUPS ARE LED BY TRAINED FACILITATORS WHO'VE BEEN THERE. NAMI'S SUPPORT GROUPS ARE UNIQUE BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW A STRUCTRED MODEL TO ENSURE YOU AND OTHERS IN THE GROUP HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND TO GET WHAT YOU NEED. THE GROUPS MEET ON A WEEKLY, BI- WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS. NAMI "PEER TO PEER" IS AN 8-SESSION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WHO ARE LOOKING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CONDITION AND JOURNEY TOWARD RECOVERY. TAUGHT BY A TRAINED TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN THERE. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSION AND INTERACTIVE EXERCISES. EVERYTHING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND NAMI NEVER RECOMMENDS A SPECIFIC MEDICAL THERAPY OR TREATMENT APPROACH. NAMI "IN OUR OWN VOICE" PRESENTATIONS CHANGE ATTITUDES, ASSUMPTIONS AND STEREOTYPES BY DESCRIBING THE REALITY OF LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS. PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS SHARE THEIR POWERFUL PERSONAL STORIES IN THIS 60- OR 90-MINUTE PRESENTATION AT NO COST. NAMI'S "IN OUR OWN VOICE" PRESENTATIONS ADDS A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. AS LEADERS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, THEY TALK OPENLY ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP IS A PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILY OR CAREGIVERS OF A LOVED ONE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. PROVIDED AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. YOU WILL GAIN INSIGHT FROM HEARING THE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES OF OTHERS, AND THE GROUPS ARE LED BY TRAINED FACILITATORS WHO'VE BEEN THERE. NAMI'S SUPPORT GROUPS ARE UNIQUE BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW A STRUCTRED MODEL TO ENSURE YOU AND OTHERS IN THE GROUP HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND TO GET WHAT YOU NEED. THE GROUPS MEET ON A WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS. NAMI "FAMILY TO FAMILY" IS AN 8-SESSION EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OR CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDTION. IT IS A DESIGNATED EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE PROGRAM SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES THE COPING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES OF THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE INDIVIDUAL LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. WHAT YOU GAIN: NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY NOT ONLY PROVIDES CRITICAL INFOMRATION AND STRATEGIES FOR TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONE BUT YOU'LL ALSO FIND OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE. RECOVERY IS A JOURNEY AND THERE IS HOPE. THE GROUP SETTING OF NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY PROVIDES MUTUAL SUPPORT AND SHARED POSITIVE IMPACT. YOU CAN EXPERIENCE COMPASSION AND REINFORCEMENT FROM PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND YOUR JOURNEY. YOU CAN ALSO HELP OTHERS THROUGH YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. IN THE PROGRAM, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT; HOW TO MANAGE A CRISIS, COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING TOOLS, AS WELL AS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF WHILE MANAGING STRESS. YOU WILL DEVELOP THE CONFIDENCE AND STAMINA TO PROVIDE SUPPORT WITH COMPASSION. NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY INCLUDES INFORMATION ON HOW MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AFFECT THE BRAIN, TREATMENTS AND MEDICATION. NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY HELPS PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF STIGMA AND SHAME ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY. STIGMA IS A SENSE OF SHAME AND DISCGRACE THAT SETS PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION APART FROM OTHERS. CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION CAN BE DIFFICULT; ISOLATION AND BLAME ARE CHALLENGES AS YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR LOVED ONE IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY. STIGMA DOES NOT DESCRIMINATE. NAMI BASICS IS A 6-SESSION EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND OTHER FAMILY WHO PROVIDE CARE FOR YOUTH (AGES 22 AND YOUNGER) WHO ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS. THE PROGRAM IS AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS, 99% OF WHOM SAY THEY WOULD RECOMMEND THE PROGRAM TO OTHERS. NAMI BASICS IS AVAILABLE BOTH IN PERSON AND ONLINE THORUGH NAMI BASICS ONDEMAND. NAMI HOMEFRONT IS A 6-SESSION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS AND FRIENDS OF MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. BASED ON THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED "NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY PROGRAM", NAMI HOMEFRONT IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF FAMILY, CAREGIVERS AND FRIENDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OR ARE CURRENTLY SERVING OUR COUNTRY. THE PROGRAM IS TAUGHT BY TRAINED FAMILY MEMBERS OF SERVICE MEMBERS/VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. ENDING THE SILENCE IS AN ENGAGING 50-MINUTE PRESENTATION DESIGNED FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AGE YOUTH. TEENS LEARN EARLY WARNING SIGNS AND WHAT STEPS THEY CAN TAKE TO HELP THEMSELVES OR A FRIEND. THE PRESENTATION IS AT NO COST TO SCHOOLS OR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. IT IS LED BY A YOUNG ADULT WHO EXPERIENCED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION DURING THEIR SCHOOL YEARS ALONG WITH A FAMILY MEMBER/CAREGIVER OF A YOUNG PERSON WHO EXPERIENCED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION DURING THEIR SCHOOL YEARS. THE CHANCE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM A YOUNG ADULT WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION DISPELLS MYTHS AND STEREOTYPES, INSTILLS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND RECOVERY AND ENCOURAGES TEENS TO REDUCE STIGMA. BY ENGAGING TEENS IN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS WITH THEIR PEERS, YOUTH WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAN REALIZE THEY ARE NOT ALONE. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN THE CONVERSATION FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE. IT CONNECTS TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS TO THOSE MOST VULNERABLE; AT RISK STUDENTS IN AN IMMEDIATE WAY. IT GIVE EMERGENCEY RESOURCE INFORMATION, RECOVERY TOOLS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS. MORE TIMELY TREATMENT RESULTS IN REDUCTION IN SCHOOL DROP OUT RATES, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CARE, AND DEATH BY SUICIDE. PROVIDER EDUCATION IS A STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, OPERATIONAL STAFF AND STUDENTS WORKING DIRECTLY WITH PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS. IT'S AN EXPERIENCE THAT EQUIPS PARTICIPANTS WITH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE CONFIDENCE TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER. IN EACH OF THE NAMI PROVIDER PROGRAMS, THREE INSTRUCTORS LIVE LOCALLY AND HAVE DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. ITS LET BY AN INDIVIDUAL LIVING WELL IN RECOVERY, A FAMILY MEMBER AND A MENTAL HEATLH PROFESSIONAL WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. NAMI PROVIDER IS OFFERED IN A 15-HOUR PROGRAM SPREAD OVER FIVE SESSIONS OR IN A FOUR-HOUR SEMINAR. THE TIME COMMITMENT IS INTENTIONALLY ROBUST TO COVER A LOT OF MEANINGFUL MATERIAL. STIGMA REDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF STIGMA, COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT STIGMA, EMBRACE HOPE AND STRIVE FOR RECOERY. ALL NAMI PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE STIGMA.