Fast Facts on mental illnessMental Illnesses are medical conditions. There is no cure but there are highly effective treatments.

One in four adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year.

The U. S. Surgeon General repor ts that ten percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders.

The World Health Organization repor ts that by 2020 Major Depressive Illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

NAMI-Wilmington Mission Statement:

To Improve the Quality of Life for Individuals and their Families Living with Mental Illness

Supporting the Journey of Mental Illness

Mental illness takes many forms and affects countless individuals every day –

family, friends, and loved-ones. Common

to all who suffer, however, is the search

for healing, and that means – in addition

to quality medical treatment – building a

strong base and network of peers who can

provide mental health support, education,

and resources in good times and bad.

At NAMI-Wilmington, we are that base

and network of support for the region’s

mentally ill, their families, and loved-ones.

“support for the region’s mentally ill, their families, and loved-ones.”

Benefits of NAMI Membership

•Monthlymeetingsandotherprogrammaticsupports•Accesstoandsupportof thenation’spremier mental health advocacy group•Availabilityof educationalresourcesonmentalillness•Updatesonlocal,stateandfederalmentalhealthissues•Supportforanimprovedqualityof lifethrough mutual sharing and understanding

Who We AreNAMI-Wilmington is the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – a grassroots organization established in 1979 to advocate for the needs of the mentally ill and their families. Since its incorporation in 1985, NAMI-Wilmington – a non-profit, tax-exempt organization – has become one of southeastern North Carolina’s most trusted mental health resources, providing advocacy along with a wide range of networking and educational services to the tri-county area of Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender.

Operated by an all-volunteer member Board of Directors with assistance from an active and thriving membership, NAMI-Wilmington facilitates and financially subsidizes a variety of programs, c lasses, and initiatives. NAMI-Wilmington relies solely on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

What We Do

Monthly Informational MeetingsNAMI-Wilmington holds informational meetings on the fourth Monday of every month (except May and December) from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at the 1st Baptist Church Activity Center, 1939 Independence Blvd., Wilmington. Meetings cover a variety of topics related to mental health, include a guest speaker, and are open to the general public.

Family-to-Family (F2F)A 12-week education program on the clinical treatment of mental illness for families of individuals with brain disorders.

NAMI Connections Recovery & Support GroupA weekly, 90-minute, peer-run & peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness.

Caring and Sharing Family Support GroupFor the support of families with loved-ones affected by mental illness.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)A 40-hour training program for law enforcement officers that includes basic information about mental illness and best practices for managing mentally ill persons in law enforcement situations.

In Our Own VoiceA one-and-a-half hour interactive, multimedia presentation by consumers that offers hope and provides insight into the recovery now possible for people with mental illness.

Driftwood ApartmentsA 14-unit apartment complex providing support and permanent housing for the mentally ill and homeless in Wilmington.

Local NAMI Information LineManned by NAMI-Wilmington members and available to anyone wanting to learn more about NAMI activities in the tri-county area. The local number is 910.772.3074.

Walk for AwarenessNAMI-Wilmington’s annual fundraiser that raises thousands of dollars that go directly to support NAMI programs.

NAMI on CampusA student-run, student-led organization providing mental health support, education, and advocacy currently operating on the University of NC Wilmington campus. Its goals are to improve the lives of students who are directly or indirectly affected by mental illness, increase the awareness and mental health services on campus, and to eliminate the stigma students with mental illness face.

Contact and MembershipTo become a member of NAMI-Wilmington, please complete and mail the membership form below.

Annual Memberships Are: •$35 for Family & Friends •$5 for clients

Checks can be made out to: NAMI -Wilmington, PO Box 4485 Wilmington, N.C. 28403

Name _________________________________________

Address _______________________________________

Phone ________________________________________

Email address ___________________________________

For more information, call 910.772.3074, or follow us on twitter at twitter.com/namiwilmington.

Ship photos courtesy of Brownie Harris