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Meadows Foundation gives $278,750 to NAMI Texas
for statewide mental illness initiatives
Austin, Texas (June 20, 2008) – The National Alliance of Mental Illness of Texas (NAMI Texas) recently received nearly $280,000 from the Meadows Foundation for statewide, education, support and training initiatives. The funding, dispersed over the next three years, will support a variety of programs and services directed to mental health consumers, family members, professionals, other stake holders, and the community at large to address the mental health needs of Texans.
“Education and training is an essential part of understanding, coping with and de-stigmatizing mental illness,” said Robin Peyson, executive director of the National Alliance of Mental Illness Texas. “We are grateful to the Meadows Foundation for this funding which is giving us an opportunity to support our ongoing activities, build a stronger foundation and give hope of wellness and recovery to Texans with mental illness.”
Peyson indicates the money will provide support for increased consumer advocacy efforts as well as build up direct service activities such as the Family-to-Family education program, a free 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses and the Visions for Tomorrow workshop that addresses the needs of younger families who are raising children and adolescents with mental illness
“This funding is also important to building the organizational capacity of the state office, affording us an opportunity to bring on much needed staff to more effectively serve and monitor program standards,” said Peyson who suggests that there are pending openings for new staff persons.
NAMI affiliates provide regular support groups for consumers, family members and others affected by mental illness as well as other resources such as the In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness, an interactive, multimedia presentation by consumers for consumers and others about living with mental illness and the Partnerships education program which provides mental illness information on topics such as psychiatric treatments to the phases of accepting the illness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. It is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.
For more information about NAMI Texas, mental illness, programs and support groups throughout the state, visit online at www.namitexas.org or call toll free 1-800-633-3760.
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