NAMI Connecticut

Nami of Connecticut, Inc. (Nami ct) is a grassroots organization affiliated with the national alliance on mental illness (Nami), and provides support, education, and advocacy for all 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 outcomes. Nami ct provides leadership development, training, technical assistance, and resources to nine (9) 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 we offered in fye 2023 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; qpr (question, persuade, refer), a 90-minute gatekeeper training that teaches participants how to recognize the signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond; Nami on campus, student-led school clubs that tackle mental health issues on campus by raising mental health awareness, educating the campus community and supporting students; and our support groups for parents with young children, people living with mental illness, opioid education and family and peer support; friends, families, spouses and suicide attempt survivors. We have also created and launched a new suicide prevention presentation, why we didn't tell you, which focuses on learning from the lived experience of individuals with suicidal thoughts. Most of our classes and support groups that were held virtually over the last three years are now back to being held in person, although we still utilize zoom as an option for some programs and meetings. This presentation was chosen out of more than 800 submissions for the Nami national annual convention held in may of 2023. With the collaboration of our nine (9) Nami affiliates statewide and more than 275 volunteers, Nami ct again reached more than 14,000 people through our education programs, support groups, community presentations and additional online resources, including the following highlights: responded to over 1,000 calls, emails, and requests through our website from people looking for mental health resources and referrals for themselves or a loved one. Held over 624 family, peer, and young adult online support groups providing help and hope to over 4,633 attendees. Our virtual statewide conference in october, 2022, engaged 130 participants in workshops exploring the issues facing the mental health community. Continued our young adult program, "bridging the gap: an intro to suicide" training program and evaluation. This two-hour training highlights: o conversations about trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and other key factors connected to suicide, o attitudes towards suicide and death, o the role of peer support and other best practices on supporting someone in a suicide-related crisis, o navigating a crisis with traditional services and alternative approaches to suicide, o leadership opportunities/roles and responsibilities to collaborate by building a better community of care. Held a retreat for 30 young adult leaders to learn more about leadership, mental health advocacy, volunteerism, and bringing Nami Connecticut programs to local communities. Out of that retreat a Nami next gen leadership council was formed that would act as advisory to the Nami Connecticut board of directors. Completed a diversity, equity and inclusion training program with Nami staff, board of directors and the leadership of our 9 local affiliate chapters. Reached more than 1,450 people with mental health conditions, family members of people with mental health issues, mental health providers, and police officers professionals through community presentations on mental health conditions (Nami 101 and mental health 101). These free presentations provide a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it is like to have a mental health condition. Held 12 family-to-family education classes for 182 family members and friends of people living with mental health conditions.