NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest nonprofit, grassroots mental health education, advocacy and support organization.
NAMI is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness such as; schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder and other mental illnesses.
NAMI Colorado is the state portal supporting Colorado Affiliate volunteers who offer free support, education, and advocacy programs in many areas across the state.
There is never a charge for any of the programs or services that NAMI offers.
To find services offered in your area just click on Local NAMI's.
Members of NAMI Colorado are families, friends, and people living or affected by mental illnesses.
The majority of people don't understand what mental illness is or how it affects a person. Mental illnesses are not injuries that can be easily recognized like a broken arm or leg. Because these illnesses are not visible to the eye, people tend to discount them. Others, out of fear or ignorance tend to poke fun at the afflicted or worse, make cruel jokes. These behaviors change quickly when they themselves, a loved one, friend or family member falls ill. Then they begin to fully realize the impact of mental illness in their lives. Mental illness can occur at any time during a person’s life without warning. It is important to remember that having a mental illness is never anyone’s fault. No one ever asks for a mental illness. Mental illnesses are legitimate medical conditions which can and do affect persons of any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. There are no boundaries. Anyone can become ill at any time during their lives. Currently, over 58 million Americans are afflicted each year. As their thinking processes, feelings, mood, and the ability torelate to others is disrupted, their capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life and their ability to perform normal daily functions is diminished.
For those of you who are new to the internet. By convention, if something is underlined and/or appears in a different color than normal text, it is "hot linked". If you click on a hot link it will take you to another location. Many of the entries listed under support services and resources are not yet hot linked but you will see a web address. You will have to select the address, copy it and paste the address into your browser to go to the site.
If you are in Crisis: Click Here.
If you have found incorrect or out of date content please Click Here.
To find the NAMI affiliate nearest you,: Click Here.
Tax Time is coming and your contributions can help strengthen and enhance Colorado’s mental health safety net system!
For most of the past decade, Colorado has seen historic cuts to mental health funding and services, putting pressure on an already overburdened system of care.
The economic downturn of 2009 catapulted many families into uncertainty, increased stress and even job loss.
Preventing mental health issues and increasing access to mental health care saves money for families, for communities and for our state.
Families in Action for Mental Health is a newly formed coalition of mental health advocates consisting of the four mental health partners that provide education, advocacy, and support programs across Colorado.
The Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health – Colorado Chapter, Mental Health America of Colorado, NAMI Colorado and WE CAN! of Colorado.
This alliance was created to ensure that families across Colorado will have increased access to the appropriate mental health services and community support systems they need. Families in Action for Mental Health, provides you the tax payer an opportunity to contribute directly to vital mental health programs through the Colorado Income Tax Check Off program on your state tax form. Your contributions will go directly to the four mental health partners. To learn more about how you can donate to the cause, visit Families In Action. http://familiesinactionformentalhealth.org/
There are countless resources listed here for everyone searching for available mental health services in Colorado.
If you find these valuable, consider donating to NAMI Colorado so we can continue to do the research for you.
The free education classes and support groups offered are held in many areas across the state. They are conducted by local volunteer affiliates. If you don't find an affiliate listed in your area then perhaps it's time for you to take action and form one.
"We can’t afford to turn our backs on victims of mental illness"
Contact your representatives today! Click Here Let your voice be heard! Write a letter a day or send them an email. Let them know what's happening on the streets of Colorado.
Educate them about the impact of mental illness on the nation, the state, you, your family and your friends. Express your concerns. It's imperative that your voices be heard and made a matter of public record. But before you do, learn how to write politically correct. Read this breif instruction before you write. Click Here Pay very close attention to the do's and especially the don’ts.
The recent letter writing campaign against mental health budget cuts initiated by Leslie Kent of NAMI Western Slope and Rep. Laura Bradford was a great success.
Thanks to all of you who wrote letters. The process works. Your Voices were heard!
Leslie Kent shared this with us today and we wanted to pass it along to all of you who visit the website.
"Hello All.....Just wanted to share with you a portion of an email I received from Rep. Laura Bradford today." "All the letters were submitted to the members of the JBC and members of the committees in both the house and senate. I've heard from several colleagues that the volume was 'impressive'. The JBC moved the actual hearing for specific issues relating to mental health issues. A part of this will be heard this week and some next week. The effort was well worth it. Many members of the legislature had not heard these stories of personal strife and grief about the current systems' inadequacies and the affect on the families in this state. I will continue my efforts to educate legislators on the long term costs to the state for the myopic view, which costs all of us much more." Pretty Awesome! Thank you all for your efforts!
Leslie Kent,
NAMI Western Slope, President
PO Box 1864
Grand Junction, Co 81502 970-462-3989 namiwesternslope@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWS
"Catch your representatives doing something right!" When your Colorado representatives take action to support those afflicted with mental illness take the time write them a thank-you letter. Let them know that you appreciate what they are doing to make Colorado a better place to live for you and your loved ones. Keep in mind that just because you know and understand, others may not. Always be prepared to speak to the cause and do it regularly as representatives come and go with each election.
