NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF OHIO
Since its founding in 1982 by a group of ded- icated, concerned mothers, the National Al- liance on Mental Illness of Ohio has focused on assisting and advocating for persons with serious mental illness and their families.
NAMI Ohio, headquartered in Columbus, advocates for access to mental health services, at the same time encouraging support of legislative policies and government funding for mental health programs. NAMI Ohio: • Offers education programs for thousands of families and individuals. • Hosts supports groups, through a network of 38 affiliates, for those with mental illness and their caregivers. • Listens through the toll-free helpline and provides a personal response to hundreds of people who reach out for help. • Leads by hosting public awareness events and activities to make sure Ohioans understand the importance of mental health. NAMI Ohio advocates for a person-centered approach for those with serious and persistent mental illness that goes beyond the established community mental health center model. “Our purpose is to be Ohio’s Voice on Mental Illness, and this includes helping schools, businesses, and providers of services maintain a healthy workforce. We are a resource to individuals and families needing support, education, and resources to live fulfilling lives,” said Luke Russell, Executive Director of NAMI Ohio. This approach involves enhanced care management, plus attention to housing and day services. The 38 affiliates of NAMI Ohio cover 76 of the state’s 88 counties. Plans are in place to expand to sev- en more counties by the end of 2024. Each affiliate offers many of the signature NAMI programs. There is a special focus on youth and families within NAMI Ohio. These programs include YouthMOVE Ohio, dedicated to improving services and systems that support youth inclusion in mental health; Family Peer Support, a certification training program for individuals with lived experience, and the Parent Advocacy Connection for families and caregivers who work with multiple systems of care. Housing is a major priority for NAMI Ohio, with dual goals of boosting permanent supportive housing and the number of group residential facilities for individuals living with mental illness. There is a focus on expanding housing options in geographic areas of Ohio where there is a limited access to and availability of safe, affordable housing. These projects include Residential Treatment Fa- cilities near state psychiatric hospitals, including the Adam and Amanda Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Athens, Dani’s Place in Toledo, and a planned facility in Summit County. They are intended to provide rehabilitation treatment for people leaving state hospital who are not yet ready to return home. To learn more about NAMI Ohio, visit www.namiohio.org or check out @NAMIOhio on Facebook, Insta- gram and LinkedIn.
Contact the NAMI Ohio Helpline M-F 9AM – 5PM at 800-686-2646
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