NAMI Massachusetts A Primer

1. NAMI MassachusettsA Primer presenter name, title presenter name, title

2. What is NAMI Massachusetts? National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Massachusetts We work to improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with mental health conditions and their families through advocacy, education, and support.

3. About NAMI Massachusetts • NAMI Mass is a nonprofit grassroots organization • Founded in 1982, we are the state’s family voice on mental illness • NAMI Mass is part of a 3-tiered network - NAMI, NAMI State Organizations (like NAMI Mass), and NAMI Local Affiliates • When you join NAMI, you join at all 3 levels • There are NAMI organizations in every state and US territory – more than 5000 in total

4. How We Advocate • We set an advocacy platform each year • Our current advocacy priorities: housing, mental health parity, criminal justice reform, children's mental health care, and Department of Mental Health funding • We host an annual Advocacy Day in April to spotlight our priorities • We coordinate advocacy efforts at the affiliate level and regularly update members on advocacy opportunities

5. How We Educate and Support • We offer education and support programs throughout the state, in conjunction with our local NAMI affiliates • Audiences include people diagnosed with mental health conditions, family members and other supporters, and community members • Our programs are free to people who participate • Most of our programs are led by people with personal experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a family member 

6. Our Programs • Our programs for people diagnosed mental health conditions include or dealing with mental health symptoms: • NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups - throughout the state, they provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental setting • NAMI Peer-to-Peer - an eight-week program that explores coping skills, goal setting, whole health, and establishing relationships

7. Contact Us To find out more about Connections orPeer-to-Peer, contact: Judi Maguire Director of Peer Support Programs 617-580-8541 x 223 jmaguire@namimass.org

8. Our Programs • Our Programs for family members and other caregivers include: • NAMI Family Support Groups - throughout the state, they provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental setting • NAMI Family-to-Family - a12-class program for family members of adults that offers resources, insights, coping skills, and support for participants • NAMI Basics - a 6-session program for family members of children and teens that provides strategies and support

9. Contact Us To find out more about Connections orPeer-to-Peer, contact: Ilya Cherkasov Director of Family Programs 617-580-8541 x 219 icherkasov@namimass.org

10. Our Programs • Our community education programs include: • NAMI In Our Own Voice -  trained presenters with lived experience of a mental health condition talk openly about their experiences and recovery journey • NAMI Sharing Your Story with Law Enforcement - trained presenters with lived experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a family member share their stories to help police officers respond effectively and compassionately to people in crisis.

11. Our Programs • Our community education programs include: • NAMI Ending the Silence - a mental health awareness program for middle and high school age youth, delivered by two trained speakers including a young adult • NAMI Mass Allies for Student Mental Health - a professional development program for K-12 educators that includes a panel of speakers with lived experience

12. Our Programs • Our community education programs include: • Criminal Justice Diversion Project - supports local police departments in engaging with people experiencing a mental health crisis, and fosters connections between law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and other community stakeholders • Mental Health First Aid - a national program that teaches participants the skills to respond to the signs of mental health conditions and substance use • Other Training - The Community Education & Training team can also provide training and presentations on other topics

13. Contact Us To find out more about Community Education & Training contact: Michelle Ward Director of In Our Own Voice 617-580-8541 x 216 mward@namimass.org Eliza Williamson Director of Community Education and Training 617-580-8541 x 221 ewilliamson@namimass.org

14. Our Programs • COMPASS is the information and referral helpline at NAMI Massachusetts • We provide resources and support to help people navigate the complex mental health system and problem solve in difficult circumstances • The COMPASS helpline is manned by people with experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a loved one, including volunteer and staff Navigators

15. COMPASS: What We Do • We can help people find resources for mental health treatment, peer and family support, insurance, housing, employment, the legal system, and more • We can often provide information from a first-hand user perspective • We can offer empathy and support from someone who has “been there” • We listen, empathize, ask questions, brainstorm, help problem solve, suggest concrete next steps, encourage further contact

16. COMPASS: What We Cannot Do • Mental health care or advice - we can help people find mental health care • Provider recommendations - we can offer tools and support to help people find a provider • Legal advice - we can help people find legal assistance • Direct housing or employment support, transportation, or financial assistance - we can help people find programs for these and other needs • Individual casework or advocacy - we can offer strategies for self advocacy and help people find options for care managers

17. Contact Us COMPASS Inquiries: call 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085 email compass@namimass.org Monday - Friday, 9 am – 5 pm Questions about COMPASS: Jill Gichuhi COMPASS Helpline Director 617-580-8541 x 203 jgichuhi@namimass.org