NAMI Alabama provided platform to extend resources

June 03--The National Alliance on Mental Illness Alabama will be able to provide more resources and education after having been selected as the National Institute of Mental Health Outreach Partner for 2015.

NAMI will represent the state of Alabama.

NAMI Alabama joins a nationwide network of 55 mental health organizations committed to disseminating science-based information from NIMH about the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders, and educating the public about the importance of research and the opportunities to participate in studies.

The partnership allows NAMI to provide more for the 18 affiliates it serves statewide. It allows them to receive brochures from NIMH and to disseminate them on a monthly basis.

"It helps us because we receive up to date information regarding research and we disseminate that to our affiliates," said Wanda Laird, executive director of NAMI Alabama, which serves about 900 members. "We also promote clinical trials that (NIMH) is doing, and people who might not be able to afford to go to the doctor on their own, the NIMH can help them.

"And we provide quarterly reports to (NIMH) on what we are doing for mental health disparities. We reach out to the Hispanic community, as well as the African American community, and the general public. We are very excited."

NAMI Alabama

To learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness Alabama, visit online at www.NAMIAlabama.org

Want to help?

NAMI Walk will be held on Sept. 26 as a fundraiser for NAMI Alabama at the Wynton Blount Cultural Park. For sponsorship and registration information, call 300-4663 or email hweiss@namialabama.org

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