Welcome to NAMI Anchorage!
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Located in Anchorage, Alaska, NAMI Anchorage is a NAMI Affiliate. NAMI Anchorage and dedicated volunteer grassroots leaders work together to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones.
Announcements
March 18th, 2020 - UPDATE REGARDING COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)
Dear NAMI Anchorage community,
We hope this communication finds you healthy and well. We have been monitoring the changing situation regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) closely and are taking the health and safety of our community seriously. As of today (Wednesday, March 18th), we are suspending and canceling all upcoming support groups, events, and classes. Our office will be closed, but meetings by appointment may be requested by calling 907-570-1276. We will post any updates on our programs on our mailing list, website, and Facebook page.
In partnership with NAMI Alaska, NAMI Juneau, and NAMI Fairbanks, we will be expanding our online support group offerings. As of 3/18/2020, Family Support Group meetings have been expanded and NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group meeting expansion is in progress. To learn more about our online support groups, please go to NAMI Alaska's online support groups page.
In these challenging times, people may be experiencing more mental health symptoms including, but not limited to, feelings of anxiety or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please take one of the safety actions described below:
-
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, dial 911, explain that the situation involves a mental health emergency, and request that a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) office be dispatched; OR go immediately to your local emergency room.
-
Call Careline Alaska at 1-877-266-4357 (HELP). Careline Alaska is available by phone statewide 24/7.
-
In Anchorage, call the local mental health line at 907-563-3200.
NAMI offers these tips for people with mental health conditions:
-
For anyone who is unsure about attending therapy sessions outside the home, especially those who the CDC has described as being at higher risk, you can ask your health care provider about tele-therapy or mental health services online.
-
For anyone who is worried about access to prescribed medications, you can ask your health care provider about getting 90-day supplies vs. a 60 or 30-day supply. If this is not possible, we encourage you to refill your medications as soon as they are allowed.
-
Note: If healthcare providers deny/decline making accommodations, challenge the decisions at least three times. Decision-makers on making health plan adjustments may change if/as conditions worsen.
-
Listen to and follow your local public health care provider expectations.
-
Provide self-care, especially if in the higher risk population as defined by the CDC. Pay attention to emerging symptoms. Reach out to family and friends.
You can find current information and advice on COVID-19 at the Municipality's COVID-19 updates page, through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services email and text updates, and the CDC's COVID-19 page.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. We hope that the situation will improve soon. Until we next meet, we hope you live in health and peace.
Sincerely,
NAMI Anchorage
February 14th, 2020
View our new HB181 testimonial video in partnership with Landsick Media and MHATS: