WHO WE ARE
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.
Since 1984, NAMI Anchorage has been working to fill the need in our community for support, education and advocacy for individuals who experience mental illness, their families, and friends. We provide classes and support groups at no charge, connecting people with shared experiences and providing information and guidance on navigating our complex mental health system.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
Provide support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by mental illness, their families, friends, and community.
Resiliency, recovery, and wellness for all.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
NAMI Anchorage's Principles of Support represent goals that we are striving for. They are important universal truths that guide and strengthen us when we face the challenges of living with mental illness.
We will see the individual first, not the illness.
We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers.
We understand that a person's belief, norms, values, and language affect how we perceive and experience mental illness.
We understand that mental illness is traumatic.
We aim for better coping skills.
We find strength in sharing experiences.
We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination.
We won't judge anyone's pain as less or more than our own.
We forgive ourselves and reject guilt.
We embrace humor as healthy.
We accept we cannot resolve all problems.
We expect a better future in a realistic way.
We will never give up hope!
OUR STAFF
Jason Lessard
Executive Director
Lily Frey
Office Manager
Avee Evans
Mini Grant Coordinator
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kate Yenik
President
Judy Moose
Vice President
Lisa Combs
At-Large
Ute Olsson
At-Large
Louanne Lum
Treasurer
Juli Vierthaler
At-Large
Jane Thomas
Secretary
Liz Hunt
At-Large
To contact a member of the board, send an email to info@namianchorage.org and your email will be routed accordingly.