National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a private, nonprofit organization in the United States that works to improve the quality of life of people affected by serious mental illness. The organization serves not only the mentally ill themselves but also the families, caregivers, and friends of people with mental illness. NAMI was founded in 1979. Today, it has more than 1,000 local and state affiliates throughout the United States.
NAMI affiliates provide support and education through more than 150 programs. The organization offers information on mental illnesses and available treatments. It helps patients and families obtain access to social and mental health services. Local affiliates provide a forum for people who are dealing with individuals with mental illness to share information and provide encouragement to one another. NAMI also addresses public policy concerns that relate to mental illness. These concerns include insurance coverage, fair housing and employment regulations, and issues of discrimination that affect the mentally ill.
See also Mental illness (Recent developments) .
