NAMI Responds to the Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina
Resources, Support, Education, and how you can help Gulf Coast Consumers, Families, and Friends Living with Mental Illness - available at www.nami.org
NAMI National has created a Resource Guide support to NAMI state organizations, local affiliates, consumers, family members, and citizens affected by this terrible tragedy. This guide includes:
- How NAMI is responding to the tragedy as it relates to people with serious mental illness.
- NAMI’s Hurricane Katrina Message Board
- NAMI’s email alerts
- Resources and Links to support and information specific for people living with mental illness and their families
To view this guide, or for more information, go to www.nami.org
SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 - In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people are without shelter, food, water, electricity, and other basic provisions. Those affected include our NAMI family members, state and local leaders, and most critically, people with mental illnesses, whose access to treatment and medications may have been disrupted.
In addition, mental illness symptoms are often exacerbated in times of crisis, and many individuals, even those not directly affected by the hurricane, may need assistance in identifying and accessing available resources.
With the assistance of concerned grassroots leaders, NAMI has prepared this resource to aspire to provide support to our state organizations, local affiliates, consumers, family members, and citizens affected by this terrible tragedy. Many resources are available to assist with connecting need with resource. However, NAMI recognizes that the needs of families, consumers, and friends of people living with mental illness are often unique. We also recognize the culture of the NAMI network of families across the country who identify with these special circumstances fellow NAMI members and others may encounter.
To that end, with this resource NAMI will aspire to serve as a conduit of information, both for those who need help and for those who would like to help. Following are the ways NAMI intends to help, as well as resources we have identified for those in need.
Additionally, NAMI national is committed to supporting the state NAMI organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama by providing additional resources to their NAMI efforts. Neighboring state NAMI organizations are embracing the NAMI mission in all ways by reaching out to those most directly affected. NAMI national will strive to provide triage and coordination of these support efforts to our NAMI leadership.
The NAMI community is strong, will stand together, and will strive to ensure that people living with mental illness and their families are not alone.
