Mission Statement: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) PA Blair County assists all those affected by mental illness through advocacy, education, and support with a goal of recovery. NAMI PA Blair County is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization. PA Blair County

 Families that have a relative with a mental illness diagnosis (one-in-four)  Educate the general public  Assist individuals with a diagnosis of severe mental illness Diagnoses may be:  Major Depression  Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression  Borderline Personality Disorder  Schizophrenia and Schizo-affective Disorder  Panic Disorder / Anxiety  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  Co-occurring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorders

 What do I do if there is a mental health crisis?  How can I get a clear diagnosis for my loved one?  How can my relative and I communicate better?  What local services in my community could I utilize?  What are all these medications?  What are the best treatments now available for my relative?  How do I take care of myself in all of this?

 Heather began her career from an early age with so many problems that no one can remember what they really were.  She holds the record for the most crisis calls, the most inpatient admissions, the most counselors, and the most failed attempts at treatment.  Heather has cut herself, again; both arms are covered with superficial scratches.  Her boyfriend has beaten her and thrown her out of the apartment.

 Lisa suspects that her current boyfriend is cheating on her.  The dreams about her son, who died from a drug overdose, are becoming more frequent and make her feel sad all over again.  Lisa doesn’t like taking all the medication her psychiatrist prescribes because it stifles her creativity.  With everything going on, it’s hard for Lisa to always keep her appointments.  Her medicine is running out and she is back for a new prescription.

 Paul once had a successful life, but all he sees now is the image of a man who is mentally ill, homeless, and unemployable.  His only friend gave him a drug that relieved a lot of the pressure.  Paul is a professional and he would like a consultation with someone to discuss treatment options for his anxiety disorder.

 Peter says he feels even older since his wife, of 57 years, died.  He is being treated for several types of cancer and is having trouble managing his medications.  Peter’s adult son has moved back home after a divorce and has just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

 NAMI offers a number of programs that assist individuals and family members to cope with mental illness:

 Free, nine-week course, one day a week for two hours  The course is taught by a team of trained “mentors” who are themselves experienced at living with mental illness.  The course uses a combination of lecture, interactive exercises, and structured group activities.  The diversity of experience among course participants affords for a lively dynamic class.

 The presentations shatters stereotypes about people with mental illness. The trained speakers share testimonies of living with and overcoming mental illness, but are now role models for hope and recovery.  By broadening people’s knowledge, NAMI replace misunderstanding, fear, and judgment with insight, awareness, and acceptance.

 A facilitated support group by peers for peers, where principles of recovery are used to assist in the week’s reflections.  The support group is held every Thursday from 3:00 - 4:30 PM at the Home Nursing Agency, Adult Community Health Center, 500 East Chestnut Avenue, Altoona.  You are not alone. Let NAMI’s trained facilitators help you find the answers.

 Free 12-week course, one day a week for two hours  The course is structured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintaining their own well being.  The course is taught by a team of trained volunteers who know what it is like to have a loved one with a serious mental illness in the family.  If you have ever said to yourself, “there must be somewhere to turn….” Family To Family is an answer.

NAMI’s Family Support Group meets every third Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 PM at: Home Nursing Agency Adult Community Health Center 500 East Chestnut Avenue Altoona, PA 16601

NAMI’s open education meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at: Home Nursing Agency Adult Community Health Center 500 East Chestnut Avenue Altoona, PA The general public is welcome.

 “Annual Conference” is to educate members on supportive methods to achieve recovery.  “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) is an interactive 12-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders for the general public. It introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.  “Crisis Intervention Team” (CIT) is a pre-booking jail diversion program designed to improve the outcomes of police interactions with people with mental illness. CIT helps keep people with mental illnesses out of jail, and gets them into treatment.  “NAMI Basics” is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. NAMI Basics gives a parent/caregiver the basic information necessary to take the best care possible of their child, their family, and themselves.

 Individual/Family Membership at $35.00  Professional Membership at $50.00  VIP or Organization Membership at $  Open Door Membership – Individuals and families with limited income are invited to join NAMI at a fee of $3.00  On-line registration:

Thank You! "Numbers alone do not reflect the suffering, frustration, violence, and humiliation that many people must bear because society fails to deal effectively-and compassionately-with mental health issues." Rosalyn Carter, Former First Lady