Nami North Carolina

Nami nc provides free classes, support groups, and presentations that offer essential support to individuals and families who struggle with the devastating effects of mental illness. At the state level, Nami nc provides public education workshops, webinars on specific issues, and free program leader trainings. This year Nami nc resumed in-person training, education, and support groups while continuing with virtual program options as well.in 2023, Nami nc continued thursdays with Nami (twn) weekly webinars with a mission of building conversations and community around mental health topics. This program provides a weekly space to gain inspiration from hearing others' stories and allows peers to learn the language of recovery. The program also affirms and validates the experiences of the speakers sharing their personal and professional experiences. This past fiscal year, the twn sessions were attended by nearly 1,000 people and covered a wide range of topics such as crisis intervention efforts, achieving accurate diagnoses, exploring effective recovery tools and methods, and so much more. The series has received rave reviews across our state for the feeling of connection that it gives while providing sources of information and hope. The program's survey respondents stated that the thursdays with Nami programs provide "evidence that people are resilient and can come through their mental health challenges." By speaking from the heart, we normalize conversations about mental health and give people permission to feel what they feel - and to be who they are.during fiscal year 2023, Nami nc trained group facilitators, teachers, and presenters in various trainings. These volunteers subsequently used a combination of virtual technologies and face-to-face interactions (following federal and state guidelines on social distancing) to bring Nami's signature classes and groups to communities across the state, all while maintaining the necessary confidentiality. All told, Nami nc affiliates provided over 3,000 experiences of Nami programming including support groups, classes, and presentations.during fiscal year 2023, Nami nc's helpline team connected with over 2,000 people from 85 different counties. We had multiple interns and volunteers assisting with helpline calls. The Nami nc helpline is dedicated to providing a single source for mental health information, warm support, and helpful resources. Our team continually vets and updates resources to reflect the best option for callers. We also continue to spread the word about our resourceful warmline through social media platforms and partnerships with other community organizations.continuing our work with community inclusion, 7 local affiliates, their volunteers, and multiple community partners all worked together this past year to build programs that support individuals with mental illnesses so that they may participate more fully in the activities that define everyday community life. These programs included webinars featuring recovery stories, creative writing and topiary classes, and panel discussions on improving mental health awareness in minority communities. A centerpiece of Nami's mission has always been to organize, educate, and empower individuals to raise their voices effectively. A prime example of this is Nami smarts, our powerful class that trains Nami members to become fearless mental health advocates. Our advocacy efforts are key to making positive improvements to the state's mental health environment.