About NAMINational Alliance on Mental IllnessNAMI_fb9e36d6-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f1NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI relies on gifts and contributions to support our important work.NAMI Board of Directors2014-2015 -- The 16 members of NAMI's Board of Directors are elected by NAMI members to provide strategic guidance in the fulfillment of NAMI's mission to eradicate mental illnesses and improve the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by these conditions. Each year, five NAMI members nominated by Affiliates and State Organizations are elected to the NAMI Board of Directors. Additionally, members can submit bylaws amendments and resolutions to be considered each year during the elections at the annual Convention...Together and with input from all members, they make policy to govern NAMI, determine NAMI's official position on matters of public policy, set the budget and priorities of the national office, and develop strategic plans to guide organizational development.Jim Payne, J.D.PresidentRalph E. Nelson, Jr., M.D.First Vice PresidentMarilyn Ricci, M.S., R.D.Second Vice PresidentDana FoglesongSecretary Gary Mihelish, D.M.D.TreasurerLacey Berumen, Ph.D.C., M.N.M., C.A.C. IIIJoyce Burland, Ph.D.Carol Caruso, M.C.A.T.Janet M. Edelman, M.S.Victoria GonzalezJim Hayes, M.D.Linda E. Jensen, Ph.D., R.N., M.N.Adrienne Kennedy, M.A.Ron Morton, M.A.Gloria M. Walker, M.B.A.Michael Weaver, M.S.Ed.NAMI Executive LeadersMary Giliberti, J.D.Executive DirectorDavid LevyChief Financial OfficerKen Duckworth, M.D.Medical DirectorColleen DuewelNational Director of NAMI's Education, Training and Peer Support CenterKatrina GayNational Director of CommunicationsCharles R. HarmanNational Director of Strategic Alliances and DevelopmentRonald S. Honberg, J.D.National Director of Policy and Legal Affairs_fb9e38ac-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f1To build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness._fb9e3956-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f1EducationEnsure families, individuals and educators get the support and information they need._fb9e3a0a-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f11FamiliesEducatorsCommunitiesNAMI State OrganizationsNAMI AffiliatesWe educate. Offered in thousands of communities across America through our NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates, our education programs ensure hundreds of thousands of families, individuals and educators get the support and information they need._fb9e3afa-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f1AdvocacyShape the national public policy landscape for people with mental illness and their families._fb9e3b86-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f12People with Mental IllnessFamilies of People with Mental IllnessWe advocate. NAMI shapes the national public policy landscape for people with mental illness and their families and provides grassroots volunteer leaders with the tools, resources and skills necessary to save mental health in all states.Tools, Resources & SkillsProvide volunteer leaders with the tools, resources and skills necessary to save mental health in all states._fb9e3c12-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f12.1NAMI VolunteersListeningRespond to hundreds requests by providing free referral, information and support._fb9e3c9e-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f13We listen. Our toll-free NAMI HelpLine allows us to respond personally to hundreds of thousands of requests each year, providing free referral, information and support -- a much-needed lifeline for many._fb9e3d34-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f1LeadershipCombat stigma and encourage understanding of mental health._fb9e3dc0-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f14ReportersNAMI works with reporters on a daily basis to make sure our country understands how important mental health is.We lead. Public awareness events and activities, including Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), NAMIWalks and other efforts, successfully combat stigma and encourage understanding. _fb9e3e60-0fe4-11e5-b3f9-f0711ab4f4f12015-06-10https://www.nami.org/About-NAMIOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net