Roudebush Veterans Medical Center Indianapolis

Local Program Contacts Edward Alexander, Executive Director NAMI Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Scott Patterson, PhD, Local Recovery Coordinator Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center Indianapolis, IN

How We Got Started National MOU between Veterans Administration and NAMI National. State NAMI organization made initial contact with Roudebush VA Medical Center. Extensive overview of services provided by NAMI organizations, and explanation of the intent of MOU was necessary in order to determine who within VA Medical Center is the most appropriate contact. “Hard Sell” to NAMI leadership about why this effort was important.

NAMI Family-to-Family NAMI Indianapolis was not reaching out to underserved populations for classes. Program was becoming stagnant, marketing efforts did not attract non-traditional families and friends to the program or even the NAMI organization. Assumption was made that VA families and friends would not benefit from NAMI program model.

Roudebush VA Medical Center VA central office has noticed a programmatic need to assist veterans by addressing the entire family unit. Family-to-Family programming was seen as a beneficial program on two fronts – Uses peer support model of care, which is part of the advised services under the VA Uniform Mental Health Services Package – Improves veteran mental health care by stabilizing and improving veteran home environment

Challenges & Opportunities NAMI Organizations need to be flexible! Don’t force everyone, every group and every demographic to follow the NAMI model 100%. Finding Veteran’s who met the criteria to teach F2F was very difficult. Take the time to learn about the VA culture…it makes teaching easier and more meaningful for everyone! Take your time and get it right!

Challenges & Opportunities Veteran families and friends have a great deal to offer NAMI organizations. Encourage membership and keep them involved. We have a tremendous amount of interest in veterans and veteran families in staying involved with NAMI following the group. VA staff also report high approval of programming and an increased involvement from family members in their veteran family member’s hospital care. This is a great opportunity to foster new relationships with VA when buy-in is high.

What’s Next? Continue to offer Family-to-Family in Introduction of Peer-to-Peer; NAMI Basics and other educational programs and opportunities. Stress membership, expand involvement within NAMI Indianapolis. Coordinate public outreach/advocacy efforts between VA and NAMI Indianapolis.