The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
Our Mission
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, of Southwest Washington (NAMI SW WA) is dedicated to helping all people affected by mental illness through education, support, awareness, and advocacy.
Our service area is Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties in Washington State with an office in Vancouver. Through our mission, we provide unique mental health programs that are unavailable or inaccessible elsewhere for individuals and families affected by mental health issues through education, support, and advocacy.
Our Vision
NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.
Our Values
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At NAMI, we believe a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization (or Alliance) is one where all employees, volunteers and members — regardless of gender, race, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, education, disability, veteran status or other dimension of diversity — feel valued and respected.
We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and to providing equal opportunity for employment, participation and advancement in all programs and worksites.
Overview of our Services
All our services are led by trained peers with their own experience and offered at no cost to those accessing them.
Education services:
Basics – for parents and caregivers of children with mental/behavioral challenges. Click here for the NAMI Basics OnDemand Registration.
Family-to-Family – for adults who have an adult family member living with a mental health condition.
WRAP – a 16-hour training designed to help you 1) identify what makes you well, and then 2) use wellness tools to relieve difficult feelings and maintain wellness.
Social Groups:
Creative Writing for Wellness – time to socialize while working on writing skills.
Adult Autism Social Group – for adults living with autism spectrum disorder.
Art Group – time to socialize while creating art.
Support services:
Family Support Group – for adults who have an adult loved one living with a mental health disorder.
Connection Recovery Support Group – for adults living with a mental health disorder.
Women’s Support Group – for adult women living with a mental health disorder.
Men’s Support Group – for adult men living with a mental health disorder.
STRive – stands for Steps to Recovery. It is a safe, supportive group providing mental wellness education and tools for a successful and sustained recovery from mental health conditions.
Anti-Stigma Education and other services:
SEE ME – a mental health educational presentation about mental health disorders, communication techniques, and stigma.
C.A.L.M. – a presentation about mental health crises, de-escalation techniques, and stigma.
Trusted Adult – a 12-hour training prepares adults to understand their role as models of social and emotional health, anticipate the mental health needs of youth and understand how to engage with youth skillfully.
LEAP Workshops – LEAP (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner) uses evidence-based strategies and research on mental health conditions to help YOU help your loved one.