We are the local Greater Chicago affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and known as NAMI of Greater Chicago, or NAMI-GC. We are one of the largest, most active NAMI affiliates in the country, with three full-time staff, three part-time staff, four (and sometimes more) graduate level interns, and numerous dedicated weekly volunteers. We offer referrals, education, and support through our HELPLINE, which can be reached at (312) 563-0445 Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm, in addition to our education courses and support groups for families and consumers. Our services are free.
Mission
The mission of the Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Chicago is to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those in the greater Chicago area whose lives are affected by serious mental illness.
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Programs
NAMI of Greater Chicago operates a HELPLINE, facilitates support groups for individuals with mental illness and support groups for their family members, provides education courses, and other programs as needs arise.
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History
The Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI) of Greater Chicago was first formed in February of 1979. In September of 1979, Chicago AMI members participated in the organizational meeting which chartered the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), of which we became an affiliate- thus changing our name to NAMI-GC. Our services have changed with the needs of the community, and since 1995 NAMI of Greater Chicago has concentrated on providing information, referrals, support, education, advocacy, and hope.
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Board, Staff, and Interns
Our board members, staff, and interns are dedicated to providing improved quality of life to individuals affected by mental illness.
Read more about our board, staff, and interns.
Partnerships
We support and actively participate in a number of partnerships to further our mission.
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Newsletters
We publish a quarterly newsletter that features mental health-related articles, information about research opportunities, event announcements, and more.