The role of peer & family support in mental health recovery - the national alliance on mental illness of new york city's (nami-NYC's) project, the role of peer & family support in mental health…

The role of peer & family support in mental health recovery - the national alliance on mental illness of new york city's (nami-NYC's) project, the role of peer & family support in mental health recovery, will provide peer-based culturally and age-appropriate education and support programs to 1,500 individuals in new york city living with serious mental illness (SMI) and their family members/caregivers and friends. Nami-NYC's programs are targeted to individuals aged 13 to 55+ and stand apart because they are led both for and by individuals and families affected by SMI. In addition, these programs are free of charge regardless of one's income, insurance, or immigration status, and nami-NYC does not require participants to provide evidence of a mental health diagnosis. This model helps to break down the historical barriers-to-entry that many underserved communities experience when seeking mental health support, such as racism, discrimination, stigmatization of SMI, and mistrust of the U.S. Healthcare system. The primary project goal is to increase nami-NYC's visibility within the city's underserved communities so that they are made aware of and have better access to the mental health support and education that they deserve. Funding will enable nami-NYC to increase the capacity of its helpline, classes, support groups, family match program, public education events, community-based presentations (in our own voice) and school-based presentations (ending the silence). Nami-NYC will also expand its programming to reach more individuals in underserved populations. More specifically, IT will increase the number of classes and/or support groups offered in spanish and mandarin as well as add programming tailored to the specific needs of the bipoc and lgbtq communities.