NAMI Southern Arizona

NAMI Southern Arizona improves the quality of life for all those affected by mental illness.

NAMI Southern Arizona is a non-profit, grassroots organization providing no-cost advocacy, education, and support to all those affected by mental illnesses.
We devote our efforts to:
Educating...
Individuals with mental illness, their family members and the public. NAMI of Southern Arizona's ongoing goals are to overcome the ignorance, misinformation, misconceptions and apathy that prevent true understanding and meaningful help from reaching persons with serious mental illness.
Advocating...
For services to which individuals with a mental illness may be entitled and for legislation and funding of programs that will ensure quality community care, housing and services for people with mental illness.
Providing support...
Individually and in group meetings for all those affected by mental illness.
Your gift of $1500 pays for an 8-class Peer-to-Peer course for 15-20 people with mental illness. $100 provides an In Our Own Voice presentation to 40 community members. $72 pays for one family member of a person with mental illness to attend an 8-class course. $15 allows one high school student to participate in an Ending the Silence presentation.

Testimonials

Hi. My name is Lisa Cole and NAMI Southern Arizona saved my life. I was somewhat well-known as a poet in Tucson, but I wanted to impact my community in a more immediate way so I started volunteering at NAMI. About a year later, the medication for my Bipolar Disorder stopped working and I was hospitalized for mania and psychosis. My weekly shifts in the NAMI office during my recovery gave my life stability and meaning--even when I was struggling so much. I found a good doctor who listed to me and adjusted my medicine properly again, but it was NAMI's belief in me that guided me back into wellness and success.

NAMI is still an essential part of my continued stability. Will you join me in supporting this amazing organization?
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My name is Elena Acoba. When our 16-year-old child's therapist said she needed to see a psychiatrist for her depression, we were overwhelmed and stressed about what to do. NAMI Southern Arizona was our lifeline, providing an advocate to answer our questions and running support groups that I could attend. NAMISA saved our family.
I try to pay it back by volunteering in the Family Support Group program. Now I can pay it forward by asking you to help keep NAMI's good works in our community. Give what you can. I never thought I'd need a resource like NAMISA. I am so grateful that it was there when we needed it. Help keep it available when anyone needs it.
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My name is Andres Ruiz, and NAMI Southern Arizona has given me the opportunity to share my story with other youth in our community who struggle with mental illness. I recall giving a presentation at one of the high schools and having a young girl tell us that after hearing our story she felt she was not alone anymore with her struggles with mental illness. She mentioned to us how she was thinking of committing suicide that weekend. We took her to the school counselor and that day because of NAMI we saved a life. Nami has helped me be more comfortable sharing my story and not having that shame that I had in the past of sharing my experience with depression, anxiety, cutting, drinking alcohol and almost overdosing on cocaine. I am truly grateful to be able to present for an organization that is not only helping but saving lives.