NAMI Upper Valley Idaho serves Idaho Falls and surrounding areas. It is a chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our mission is to better serve the lives of those with a mental illness and their families.

What does NAMI do?

Education

NAMI Upper Valley Family to Family Class Graduates

Family Education Course is for people who have a loved one with mental illness. For more information, visit the Support Groups page.

NAMI Idaho (the state-level organization) has an annual meeting (usually in Boise) featuring national speakers, workshops led by experts, fellowship, and entertainment.  See the NAMI Idaho website at https://namiidaho.org/ .

NAMI National provides on their website www.nami.org a host of information which the public can access. Local members may communicate with the media and provide information about current issues. Likewise they participate in health fairs manning a booth and distributing brochures. Members sit on an endless variety of committees – locally, state wide, and nationally informing and influencing policy.

Support

NAMI Upper Valley Idaho Annual Picnic

NAMI provides groups which promote an avenue for sharing in confidence and receiving non-judgmental concern at times when feelings of guilt, fear, and anxiety may be overpowering. For a list of support groups click here.

Every June, NAMI Upper Valley Idaho holds an annual picnic, where new and prospective members can come and learn more about what we do, as well as meet people in the NAMI community. It is a great place to get more information, as well as some great food!

NAMI Upper Valley helps gather donations for local CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams). CIT programs are designed to improve the way law enforcement and the community respond to people experiencing mental health crises. To make a local CIT donation, visit the donation page and make sure to specify “CIT” in the memo line.

Advocacy

NAMI Upper Valley Idaho at the Idaho Falls Fourth of July Parade

Get involved with NAMI Upper Valley Idaho! Become:

• a support group facilitator
• a mental health educator
• a mental health advocacy partner
• an event coordinator
• a communications partner
• a fundraiser
• a donor
• a member

At the national level, advocacy is taken on by NAMI members who may volunteer to take positions on initiatives affecting research and development, improved treatment and rehabilitation services, or proposed legislation such as insurance parity, or policy regarding access to treatment and reducing criminalization of those with mental illness.