For those navigating mental health challenges, the NAMI HelpLine is a tool that can provide support and resource referrals to help. Reaching out for assistance when your life feels overwhelming takes courage and can often help you put everything back together so you feel in control again. Although it isn’t meant for serious crisis intervention, the helpful staff and volunteers are available to provide you with information and guidance on what options the NAMI organization has available.
What Is NAMI?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is an organization developed to assist Americans with the impact of mental illness in their daily lives. As of 2022, almost 1 in 5 Americans suffers from some form of mental illness, with just under 5% being categorized as severe. NAMI has more than 600 local affiliates in 49 states to provide support and information when someone needs help dealing with their mental health. First organized in 1979 as a small gathering of families around a kitchen table, the organization now offers educational opportunities about hundreds of mental health topics, raises awareness about the importance of mental health support, advocates for better resource availability and provides support through helplines and local support groups for people living with mental illness and their caregivers.
The NAMI HelpLine is a big part of the services provided by the organization, offering a connection for those who may be too far from a local affiliate to seek in-person help. Run by staff and volunteers, many of the caring individuals who answer the phones have experienced their own struggles with mental health, providing unique insight into the best ways to offer support. Other resources include online articles that cover topics to help you navigate your treatment options and better understand the tools you need to succeed.
What Services Are Offered by the NAMI HelpLine?
The NAMI HelpLine is often the first contact with the organization made by someone in need of mental health support. Along with an attentive ear to share your story, the person you speak with has the training to identify the resources offered through the NAMI organization, or its affiliates, that can best help you find relief.
NAMI’s direct resources that may be offered include access to specialized programs, both in person and online, to educate those afflicted with mental health issues or their caregivers on the impacts of mental illness, coping skills, recovery strategies and support within the community. Information to assist with joining peer-led support groups may also be provided. These support groups focus separately on either the individual navigating their mental health or the families attempting to help them recover. For serious issues, such as crisis intervention, the HelpLine can’t assist directly but can provide callers with contact information for the organizations and hotlines created to handle these sensitive situations.
Callers can also connect with resources offered through local affiliates, like free educational classes, in-person presentations about targeted mental health topics and programs developed to encourage physical wellness and teach the connection between the body and mind. Affiliates also often have additional support groups that vary depending on the location.
How to Reach Out for Support
If you’re struggling with your mental health and you’d like to reach out to the NAMI HelpLine, there are a few options available to get you connected with a NAMI volunteer. The helpline is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and can be accessed by calling (800) 950-6264 (NAMI). You can also reach a volunteer by texting 62640, or you can email them at helpline@nami.org if you prefer. The call or text is free aside from any charges made by your phone carrier, and all calls are confidential. You’ll be instantly connected with a trained crisis worker who’s there to listen to you and make sure you feel safe while you share your experience. Based on the information you provide, you’ll be offered the resources that best match the situation you find yourself in.
NAMI Mental Health Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, calling the NAMI HelpLine will connect you with a compassionate volunteer to listen and offer support. The NAMI organization was created to assist with mental health challenges, and those who answer helpline calls are trained to identify your needs and connect you with NAMI resources that can help. Making the phone call can sometimes feel like the hardest step, but it’s also the first step to regaining control over your mental health so you can start living the life you deserve.
