Agencies Throughout the Capital District that Offer Free Mental Health Services
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) “provide support to families and friends of individuals with mental illness through more than 50 affiliates.” They also “educate the public about mental illness through literature, speaking engagements, videos, workshops and conferences.” On the NAMI website you can find a ton of information about different mental illnesses, and they also provide families with information on support groups and the criminal justice system.
My elderly aunt has recently sought the services of NAMI her 47-year-old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties. He’s been arrested for petty crimes such as vandalism and disorderly conduct. NAMI is currently working to educate her about schizophrenia. NAMI also provides family to family support., where people who have family members with mental illnesses support people who’s loved one’s have just been diagnosed. Along with all of the support programs that NAMI provides, they will also give families a better understanding about how the court system works when it comes to crimes committed by the metntally ill.
Contact info:
(518)462-2000
Email: naminys@naminys.org
Mental Health Empowerment Project: (MHEP) “is a not-for-profit corporation organized to develop and strengthen self-help and mutual support/recovery activities throughout New York State and other states for recipients of mental health services. “
MHEP provides the following services to family and friends of those suffering with mental illness:
Providing technical assistance, instruction and guidance to mental health professional, recipients of mental health services, and families and friends of recipients regarding the concept of self-help and mutual support/recovery.
Informing the mental health scientific community about the effectiveness of self-help and mutual support/recovery for recipients of mental health services; fostering system research to self-help and mutual support/recovery; and communicating with the self-help mutual/recovery movement throughout the and abroad.
“Additionally, the accomplishment of this organization’s mission serves to improve understanding and sensitivity among mental health providers, mental health planners, and their families and friends. ”
Contact info:
518-434-1393
E-mail: mhvep@mhanys.org
People Inc:
Is an origination that was founded by people who are dealing with and recovering from mental illnesses. People inc. is a nonprofit organization who “advocates for the rights and choices of people who experience psychiatric symptoms.” A long with peer support, they also provideadvocacy services to people who are seeking help within the metal health system. People Inc’s main goal is promote recovery along with personal responsibility. Basically they want those suffering from mental illness to take control of the illness rather than having the illness take control of them.
Contact info: (845) 452-2728
E-mail: peopleHQPK@aol.com
Families Together in NYS, Inc: is a nonprofit agency that is run by families. They “strive to establish a unified voice for children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. there mission is to ensure that “every family has access to needed information, support, and services.” Families Together holds an annual legislative luncheon. Where parents have a chance to interact with policymaker’s and ask questions and voice their concerns. They also offer the following services:
Support and referrals: Their information & referral line serves over “1,000 family members and service providers each year.”
Training and Education-Families Together hosts workshops and an annual conference for families and service providers.
Information- Families Together is a “clearinghouse of information relating to children’s mental health.”
Public Awareness- Working to educate New York communities on childrens mental health.
(888) 326-8644 (information & referral line)
(518) 432-0333 office
(518) 434-6478 fax
info@ftnys.org general email
Those are just a few of the organizations within the Capital district that offer help and support to the mentally ill and their families. For more information please visit the National Mental Health information Center.
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/stateresourceguides/newyork01.asp
