NAMI HelpLine

Posted on February 13, 2025

Certified Helpline Specialist - International Council for HelplinesArlington, VA — This week, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) announced that the NAMI HelpLine received accreditation from the International Council for Helplines (ICH), highlighting NAMI’s dedication to providing exceptional support, information, and resources to those seeking help. This recognition reinforces the HelpLine’s essential role in supporting individuals navigating mental health challenges across the nation.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this accreditation—it’s a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality support,” said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. “The NAMI HelpLine has always been a trusted resource for people facing mental health challenges, offering guidance, connection, and hope. This recognition reinforces that commitment and the vital role our team plays every day.”

The NAMI HelpLine was established 35 years ago to provide a direct way for individuals impacted by mental illness to access information about NAMI programs and mental health resources. Today, it remains a free and accessible service—available by phone, chat, and text—serving over 750,000 people annually with essential support and guidance.

The ICH accreditation is a mark of excellence, awarded only to helplines that meet rigorous standards across key operational areas, including governance, leadership, fiscal management, staff training, program management, and adherence to best practices in crisis intervention. By achieving this accreditation, NAMI joins a group of organizations dedicated to providing safe, accessible, and impactful support to their communities.

“The NAMI HelpLine is passionate about meeting the needs of people who reach out to NAMI. Working to achieve accreditation allowed us to follow a road map that guarantees we meet the highest standards and give the mental health community access to a service they can trust and deserve,” said NAMI HelpLine National Director Dawn P. Brown. “We greatly respect the International Council of Helplines and their work over the past 50 years to establish standards and best practices for crisis, domestic violence, addiction, and peer-to-peer helplines.”

The NAMI HelpLine continues to expand its impact by making unique services available to teens and young adults and the Spanish-speaking community. Teens and young adults who need help, or know somebody who does, can reach the NAMI Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-6264 (select option “3”), chatting online, texting “Friend” to 62640 or emailing helpline@nami.org Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET.

More on the International Council for Helplines

The International Council for Helplines (ICH) is a membership organization with over 50 years of experience providing helpline accreditation services. As a leader in helpline accreditation, ICH is dedicated to setting best practice standards for emotional support services. Its Accreditation Examiners, experts in their fields, collaborate closely with organizations to guide them through the accreditation process.

More on NAMI HelpLine

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640 or chat with us at nami.org/help. Available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness

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NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).