NAMI QueensNassau

NAMI Queens/Nassau provides a wide variety of services including a 5-day a week helpline, bi-monthly newsletters, monthly educational presentations, 5 support groups plus 3 caring and sharing groups, NAMI signature programs family-to-family 12 session classes at several locations, NAMI homefront for veteran families, a new spirtuality group, a new co occuring disorder group and in our own voice. NAMI on takes the lead from state and national organizations in advocating for legislation benefiting our population and education to rid stigma.

Ending the silence (ETS) is a packet of educational materials for use in upper elemntary, middle school, and high school classrooms that includes story based lessons, games, posters, follow-up activities, and suggested resources. Students learn that treatment is available and works, and to substitute compassion for stigma. BTS lessons are used in schools throughout the country and the project is funded through a combination of lesson plan sales and grants.

UNITES connects people with mental illness with one another for the purpose of friendship, linking them with others with common interests and experiences. It also mentors members ono-on-one and in groups as they go through the difficult process of learning or relearning lost social skills. Members participate in activities including bowling tennis, and minature golf as well as attending cultural and sporting events. By participating in the friendship network members overcome the loneliness and isolation associated with mental illness and gain the confidence to re-entry society.