NAMI supports people affected by mental health conditions
“Know Your Nonprofits” is a weekly column in the TimesStandard that takes an in-depth look at nonprofit organizations throughout Humboldt County. This week’s featured nonprofit is NAMI Humboldt County. Debbe Hartridge, a member of the board of directors, answered the following questions.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION »
NAMI Humboldt County is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization providing advocacy, education and support for people affected by mental health conditions. Locally, we offer NAMI signature programs including “Family to Family” classes as well as weekly family support groups, led by trained volunteers.
WHEN AND WHY WAS THIS NONPROFIT FOUNDED? » In 1976, Sara Turner, a local social work professor, worked with others to start a local “self help” group for families who had a relative living with a mental illness. She went on to be part of the founding of the national group in 1979.
At the time, there was nothing of a similar nature that offered a way to bring family members together to share experiences and knowledge. One early, well-attended local program was called “Schizophrenia: Through the Eyes of the Families.” Over the years, hundreds of family members have attended our classes and programs. The following is a quote from a family member that expresses what many have experienced by joining NAMI groups and classes: “I really do appreciate the help and kindness that was shown me at the NAMI support group meetings. Thank you for your work helping to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness. It is a godsend to people like me.”
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION OR THE ISSUES THIS NONPROFIT IS TRYING TO SOLVE? »
Today there are affiliates of NAMI in every state and 1,100 local communities. Mental illness affects one in five adults in the U.S. each year with one in 20 experiencing a serious mental illness like schizophrenia. Research suggests multiple, linking causes, with genetics playing a major role. Mental health conditions are not the result of one event. These illnesses play a huge role in other societal problems including incarceration and homelessness. Individuals with psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are 10 times more likely to be in a jail or prison than a hospital bed. A condition called anagnosia is common among those with serious mental illness, and often stops folks with these conditions from seeking help and medication because they do not understand that they are ill. Stigma is another factor that can stop people from getting help.
WHERE DOES MOST OF THE NONPROFIT’S FUNDING COME FROM? »
Our funding comes from donations, membership dues and fundraisers.
HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION? »
Family members and other caregivers can sign up for up next “Family to Family” class, which will start in January. Check our website for information about how to do this. Family support groups are held weekly and are open to the community free of charge and on a drop-in basis. Contact Lea at 707-845-3233 for more information. You can become a member online at nami. org and you will receive the na
tional and state publications as well as our twice annual local newsletters. We can help you put your skills to work as a volunteer.
TELL ME ABOUT A FEW OF YOUR ORGANIZATION’S RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS »
In October, we worked with Humboldt County Health and Human Services and several law enforcement agencies to put on a weeklong training about dealing with mental health crisis situations for about 30 police and other first responders. Throughout COVID, we have continued our weekly family support groups via Zoom. In 2018, we received an award for civic contribution from the League of Women Voters. NAMI members advocated with the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors last spring in favor of local implementation of a state law, known as Laura’s Law, that supports court-ordered treatment for certain individuals that qualify for the program. The supervisors unanimously voted in favor of implementation.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAS THE PANDEMIC CREATED FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION AND HOW HAS THE NONPROFIT DEALT WITH THOSE CHALLENGES? »
We have not been able to hold our annual spaghetti feed fundraiser for the past two years. Fortunately, generous donations and steady memberships are tiding us over, helping to support our activities including our participation in Crisis Intervention Training for first responders and our Holiday Gifts Project.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION? » Check our webpage, nami-humboldt.org, or e-mail questions to nami.humboldt@ gmail.com.