Our Mission
NAMI Lansing, Mid-Michigan’s Voice on Mental Illness, provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental health conditions can build better lives.
Our Vision
NAMI Lansing envisions a mid-Michigan community where everyone affected by mental health conditions can live healthy, fulfilling lives, supported by a caring community. NAMI Lansing reaches out with compassion to individuals with mental health conditions and their families who may feel alone, overwhelmed, or hopeless, connecting them to resources, support, and hope.
NAMI Lansing understands the deep love required to support someone with a mental health condition. We are dedicated to educating the public about the need for research, system reform, and better support for individuals and their families. Education and support fosters acceptance and hope for recovery.
NAMI Lansing offers free evidenced-based classes and support groups that provide practical support and information. Community presentations such as In Our Own Voice and Ending the Silence help increase mental health awareness, reduce stigma and illustrate recovery.
​Our History
Founded in 1973 as the Oasis Fellowship, NAMI Lansing was one of the first support groups for families of individuals with mental illnesses. It initially focused on arranging housing for patients discharged from state hospitals. Despite local objections, the group continued its advocacy.
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In 1979, fifty-nine local family support groups such as the Oasis Fellowship from 29 states and Canada adopted to incorporate as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill later changed to the National Alliance for Mental Illness and now NAMI.
In 1988, the Oasis Fellowship adopted the name the Alliance for Mental Illness of Greater Lansing as NAMI grew in influence. In 1999, AMI incorporated the NAMI name to align with the national organization.
Affiliations
NAMI Lansing is affiliated with NAMI and NAMI Michigan.
NAMI
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness
and their families.
NAMI Michigan
​NAMI Michigan’s purpose is to assist affiliates, provide support, promote education, pursue advocacy and encourage research on mental illness.