Press Releases

In 2021, NAMIWalks Your Way’s fundraising total was up 31% over 2020, increasing to $13.1 million from $10 million. The 2021 total also outperformed the 2019 NAMIWalks pre-pandemic level of $12.5 million, a fundraising feat accomplished by very few leading programs.

NAMI applauds President Biden for his unprecedented focus on mental health in the State of the Union address, providing the national attention that our ongoing mental health crisis deserves.

NAMI’s poll finds that parents are deeply concerned about their children’s mental health and, importantly, understand the value of mental health awareness and treatment. We encourage parents to seek help for their children if they see signs that concern them.

With today’s decision to require providers to support text messaging to 988, the FCC has created a new vehicle for people to access help. The ability to text 988 will support at-risk communities, including youth and young adults, marginalized and underserved populations, and individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

“By responding to a mental health crisis with mental health professionals, lives will be saved and people in crisis can get the right care when they need it most,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr, NAMI CEO.

We commissioned this important survey during the pandemic to get a clearer understanding of how different communities are faring. Younger adults (18–34) experience greater concerns about the judgment and stigma they may experience from seeking out treatment. When they do seek out treatment, they have greater difficulty in accessing affordable, professional care.

The survey sought to better understand the impact of mood disorders, which include common mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and other kinds of depression. While racial disparities exist across all communities, our survey found that Hispanic and Asian American individuals are facing more significant struggles, including a lack of cultural competency among health care professionals.

This MIAW, NAMI is highlighting our “Together for Mental Health” campaign, which focuses on the importance of improving the mental health care system. Each day throughout the week (Oct. 3 – 9), we will spread awareness about some of the most common barriers to mental health care people with mental illness face. We will accomplish this by raising the voices of those with lived experience and sharing their compelling stories.