Did You Know That New Mexico Leads the Nation in Per Capita Mental Illness at 23.6%? This

Did you know that New Mexico leads the nation in per capita mental illness at 23.6%? This compares to the national estimate of 17.8%. Over 470,000 New Mexicans are dealing with behavioral health issues. Yet as prevalent as mental illness is, 60% of adults and one-half of youth ages 8 to 15 with a mental illness received no mental health services in the previous year. Why aren’t New Mexicans seeking the help they need when it comes to mental illness? One word, STIGMA. Most people fear the diagnosis of mental illness because of what their neighbor, boss or friend will think about them.

NAMIWalks’ is a public display of support for people affected by mental health conditions and is one important way we are changing the way Americans view people with a mental illness. Please help us “stomp out” the stigma of mental illness and provide programs of support by sponsoring our National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annual NAMIWalks fundraising and awareness campaign. This year’s walk will be held Saturday, May 6th, 2017, at Balloon Fiesta Park. The proceeds from this year’s WALK, including money raised through corporate sponsorship, will be used locally by NAMI to support the following programs:

NAMI Connection - NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness

NAMI Family Support Group - NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness

NAMI Family-to-Family - NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness

NAMI Provider Education - NAMI Provider Education introduces mental health professionals to the unique perspectives of individuals living with mental illness and their families

NAMI Basics - NAMI Basics is a free, 6-week education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been diagnosed

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy - NAMI Smarts for Advocacy is a hands-on advocacy training program that helps people living with mental illness, friends and family transform their passion and lived experience into skillful grassroots advocacy

We need your help to support individuals and families with a mental illness. We also need your help to raise awareness of mental illness and reduce its negative stigma. We hope you will commit to supporting us in 2017? Thanks again!

David A Gonzales, Interim Executive Director

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Mexico

2015 Wyoming Blvd NE, Suite E, Albuquerque, NM 87112

| (w) 505-260-0154 | (m) 505-249-1970