NAMI-Western Tidewater Local Affiliate
Home
Who We Are
Our affiliate is comprised of family and friends of those with serious brain disorders as well as those who suffer from those diseases. Our membership also includes professionals and community leaders who are involved with services and treatment of the mentally ill. Formed in 1996, we have a current membership of about 30. We serve the area which includes Franklin, Suffolk, Southampton County, Isle of Wight County, and Northeastern North Carolina.
Our Leadership
NAMI-Western Tidewater Board of Directors
President - Carol Evans
Vice President - Rebecca Butler
Secretary/Treasurer - Cheryl Bradshaw
Board Member - Ann Barbarisi
Board Member - Vivian Chapman
Board Member - Dr. Mike Ponder
Board Member - Bruce Edwards
Our Mission
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Western Tidewater is a voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of those affected by serious mental illnesses, including not only consumers of mental health services, but also family members and mental health professionals. NAMI works to accomplish its mission through support, education, advocacy for research and services, and the education of all mental health professionals, care providers and the general public.
Our Vision
NAMI will have advanced its mission when, through an aggressive program of education, advocacy and research, severe mental illnesses are understood and accepted as brain disorders. Individuals with these disorders will have access to state of the art treatment and services equal to those provided for other physical illnesses. Further, such persons will be treated with the same dignity and respect as any other person, and welcomed and included fully in the life of the community.
Services We Offer
- Support Group
We hold twice a month support group meetings to allow families to share with one another their experiences in dealing with family members who have brain disorders. For more information on our support group activities, click here.
- Family to Family Educational Program
We offer a twelve week course twice a year for families dealing with mental illness. Families learn about various brain disorders, effective treatments, and how to cope with the demands placed upon families who have a family member who is ill. For more information on our Family to Family class, click here.
- Help in Locating Resources
- Lending Library
We maintain a library for member use of over 80 books and videotapes on many brain disorders and their treatments. To see a partial listing of our holdings, click here.
- Other Educational Opportunities
We arrange for speakers, film showings, and special events such as a recent traveling art exhibit featuring art by persons with mental illness to provide additional educational opportunities for families and the community.
- Promotion of Public Awareness
We provide programs to churches and civic groups, and we work with local media on stories about mental illness to raise the public's awareness of mental illness in order to eliminate the stigma that keeps families isolated and causes people to delay getting treatment.
- Liason to Local Law Enforcement
We work to increase cooperaion and coordination between mental health professionals and law enforcement.
For information on membership in NAMI-Western Tidewater click here
To speak to someone who can answer questions you may have about NAMI-Western Tidewater click here
Home