Giving Back – National Alliance on Mental Illness
ENJOY Q&A, with Matilda Grace, board president of NAMI Shasta County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)…
How does NAMI Shasta serves the community?
NAMI Shasta was established in 1979 and its mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions and their family members. We do this by focusing on community support, education and advocacy. NAMI provides free programs such as support groups and educational classes in addition to events and outreach.
Are your programs geared more toward individuals living with mental illness, their families, or both?
NAMI has programming available for a wide variety of populations such as veterans, law enforcement, youth and medical professionals. Within Shasta County, our programs mainly support family members of individuals with a mental health condition. Since mental health conditions often impact the whole family, this support is important to create a supportive environment, reduce the cycle of stigma and improve treatment outcomes for the individual with the condition.
What’s the first step for someone seeking help?
The average time it takes an individual to seek treatment following the first symptoms of a condition is 11 years. The first step to seeking help is gathering the courage to ask for it. Reaching out to your primary care provider, a mental health professional, or visiting a community mental health center are all great first steps. There are also a variety of virtual resources available, such as online therapy platforms and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
What programs and services does NAMI Shasta offer to individuals and families?
NAMI Shasta offers a twice monthly Family Support Group and a yearly Family to Family mental health education class. Presentations and lived experience speakers are available by request. Additional programs are offered periodically. Check out our social media or website for the latest updates on what’s available.
How does NAMI Shasta work to address stigma around mental illness?
NAMI addresses stigma locally by conducting community outreach and events. By starting conversations about mental health, we encourage the community to become comfortable addressing a topic that may have been previously uncomfortable or taboo. Advocacy is a key component of reducing local stigma. NAMI strives to empower individuals to advocate for themselves through involvement in public meetings and sharing their own experiences. We periodically offer NAMI Smarts, a free class that teaches individuals to use their personal experience to effectively advocate for mental health services to policymakers.
Are programs and services free?
NAMI is a nonprofit and all programs are offered to the public for free.
Have you seen a shift in demand for your services in recent years?
There has been increased demand for mental health services for youth. NAMI Shasta has adapted to this by increasing participation in local collaboratives that support youth mental health but, as a volunteer-run organization, there has been a shortage of qualified volunteers to support expansion of services.
How can someone get involved with NAMI Shasta?
All NAMI programs are led by trained volunteers who have personal experience with mental health conditions. Individuals interested in volunteering can contact us by phone, email or on the NAMI Shasta website to request our volunteer application. Volunteers are encouraged to pursue their own interests and passions within the behavioral health field – if you have an idea for an event, fundraiser, or see a need that’s not being met, reach out!
