NAMI SEATTLE

NAMI Seattle seeks to create a community where mental health is talked about openly and considered seriously in all aspects of everyday life. We strive for a community where everyone feels there are mental health treatment services readily available that meet their individual needs. NAMI Seattle hopes to continue our work in connecting people to direct services, and assisting community members in navigating our fragmented mental health system.

Our goal is to work in the community to provide education where it is needed most. We hope to bring the voices of those who live with mental illness to the forefront as Seattle strives to improve mental health care in the city. We will continue our fight to end the criminalization of mental illness, and shape systems focused on recovery, rather than punishment. We hope to educate all pubic school teachers and staff about youth mental health, as well as continue our peer-led programs for middle and high school students. We work for a world where mental health care is not "one size fits all," and care for mental illness is delivered with cultural competence and equity.

We fight for a world where all who struggle with a mental health condition are given love and support, and treated with dignity.

NAMI Seattle utilizes a peer-based approach to deliver our educational programs. Our program leads are trained by NAMI instructors, who utilize a standardized model based on personal narratives and "I" statements. This teaching model creates empathy and connection with a trained volunteer who has lived through the pain of mental illness. For younger audiences, presenters who have recently graduated high school are highly effective in connecting with young people who may be struggling with their mental health.

NAMI Seattle is fueled by a strong volunteer force of over 250 individuals from all ages and backgrounds. These volunteers serve as program leads for our signature programs, distribute mental health information on college campuses, answer helpline calls, and advocate for mental health throughout the city of Seattle. This broad base allows our volunteers to take time off from directing programs when needed without creating a drop in services.

NAMI Seattle leadership has collectively agreed to raise our staff to seven full-time employees in order to meet the increased demand for mental health support and educational programs. This increased staffing is backed by ample strategic reserves, and will make positive gains for the organization in the areas of outreach, fundraising, and educational programs.

NAMI Seattle has become a regular partner with several medical providers in the area. Our programs are provided on a recurring basis to inpatients and care providers at Swedish Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and University of Washington Medical Center. Our programs have become a regular part of the mental health educational curriculum for providers. NAMI presenters also participate in the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training programs for law enforcement and first responders in Seattle and throughout King County. Last year, we hosted our first mental health candidate forum for Seattle City Council candidates.

As Seattle and Washington State work to build a better mental health system, we will continue to fight for a system that focuses on the needs of the individual. As with all healthcare in our country, there are vast racial disparities in our mental health system, and we will continue our ongoing work with organizations led by people of color to ensure our mental health services are provided with cultural competence.