NAMI ILLINOIS INC

STATEWIDE ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS - THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY PUBLISHES A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OTHER CONTENT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE ACROSS ILLINOIS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND PROGRAM CONTRACTORS REGULARLY SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE TO ENSURE THE NEEDS AND VOICES OF PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WITH DIRECT EXPERIENCE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE CONSIDERED IN MATTERS RELATED TO PUBLIC POLICY, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE MEDIA APPEARANCES, INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS ORGANIZED WITH AFFILIATES AND PARTNER AGENCIES, AND PROVIDING ISSUE EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TRAINING TO AFFILIATES AND VOLUNTEERS.

STATEWIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES - THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY PROVIDES EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO A STATEWIDE AUDIENCE, TYPICALLY AS COLLABORATIONS WITH ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER PARTNERS. AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE FACILITATES LEARNING AND COLLABORATION AMONG AFFILIATES, VOLUNTEERS, AND ANY INTERESTED ILLINOISANS. THIS CONFERENCE CONSISTENTLY DRAWS OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS, ATTRACTS PROMINENT NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, AND OFFERS 24+ WORKSHOPS THAT OFFER CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS TO A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL FIELDS. SPONSORSHIPS, GIFTS, AND DONATED SERVICES ENABLE THE ORGANIZATION TO OFFER DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, ENSURING THESE IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDERS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND SHARE IDEAS AS ANY OTHER ILLINOISAN. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COLLABORATES WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER PARTNERS TO PROVIDE VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING TO A STATEWIDE AUDIENCE, INCLUDING VIRTUAL NAMI SIGNATURE PROGRAMS, INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO A BROAD AUDIENCE ACROSS ILLINOIS.