This month Br. Jack Sherman received a community service award from Village Lodge for his work on the executive committee for the Ohio chapter of NAMI, or the National Alliance for Mental Illness. He then presented (shown above) info about NAMI to the lodge and its visitors. The organization provides a swath of support for families dealing with mental illness, including:
- Education programs for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses
- Crisis intervention teams to create a link between law enforcement and emergency mental health services, and to offer training to police on mental illness and de-escalation techniques
- Advocacy to ensure people with mental illness and their families receive fair treatment under the law, and also to remove social stigmas that create barriers for recovery
About NAMI Ohio
NAMI Ohio’s mission is to improve the quality of life and ensure dignity and respect for persons with serious mental illness, and offer support to their families and close friends.
It was created in 1982 by a small, dedicated group of family members to provide mutual support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by serious brain disorders. Over the years, our membership has expanded to include family members, mental health consumers and providers, community mental health boards, mental health organizations and other supporters.
As a grassroots organization advocating for mental health issues, NAMI Ohio has an outstanding history of affecting public policy and legislation regarding care and resources for persons with serious mental illness. NAMI Ohio members testify before the General Assembly, educate business and education leaders, and sit on state planning and advisory committees, Community Mental Health Boards, and various task forces. NAMI Ohio’s network of 39 local affiliates, serving most of Ohio’s counties, plays an active role providing support, education, and advocacy on a local level.
If you wish to support NAMI Ohio, you can donate here or use their contact page to learn more about other ways you can help.
