National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building better lives for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Founded in 1979 as a grassroots effort by family members, NAMI's mission is to provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness. Its vision is to foster a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a caring community. NAMI's national headquarters is located in Arlington, Virginia.

NAMI offers a range of programs and services, including educational courses like NAMI Family-to-Family and NAMI Basics, support groups, and a national HelpLine that provides free referral, information, and support. The organization also engages in public awareness campaigns, such as Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMIWalks, and advocates for policy reforms to improve mental healthcare access and reduce stigma. These services are delivered through a network of approximately 1,000 state and local affiliates across all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. serves as NAMI's Chief Executive Officer. In recent years, NAMI has continued to expand its reach and influence, with NAMI West Virginia being recognized as the 2026 Outstanding NAMI Affiliate of the Year. The organization also launched the NAMI TRAUMAINSIGHT program in Fall 2024 and, since 2020, has led a coalition of national mental health organizations to shape the country's mental health care system.