OUR MISSION:
We provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Who We Are:
NAMI Missoula is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one of over six hundred such affiliates around the country. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization devoted to mental health issues; it has been in existence since 1983. NAMI Missoula was formed in 1997, having originated earlier as an independent local group called “A New Beginning”. NAMI Missoula is recognized by the IRS as a not-for-profit organization (EIN#81-0405416) and as a registered charity in the state of Montana.
NAMI Missoula reports both to the NAMI Montana state office in Helena and to the NAMI national office in Arlington, Virginia. NAMI Missoula has a local Board of Directors (elected by the members) which is responsible for overseeing all NAMI Missoula programs, events, and finances; an Executive Committee provides leadership and direction. The NAMI Missoula board meets monthly; minutes of the board meetings are on file in our office and can be accessed there by members of NAMI Missoula and by the public.
As of May 8, 2023, the NAMI Missoula Board consists of:
Brenda Allington / Zan Bockes / Tami Burlingame / Sylvia Carollo (Vice-President) / Marcia Dias / Patricia Kouris / Suzin Kratina (President) / Mark Medvetz / Kim Seeberger (Treasurer) / Suzanne Sterrett (Secretary)
What we do:
- Advocate
- Educate
- Support
- Lead
- Listen
- Care
- Understand
Touching hearts. Healing minds. Connecting people. Offering hope. Changing lives. That’s what NAMI Missoula does.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At NAMI Missoula, we believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization is one where all employees, volunteers, and members — regardless of gender, race, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, education, disability, veteran status, or other marker of identity or dimension of diversity — feel valued and respected. This same belief informs our groups, programs, events, and advocacy.
Benevolent Fund:
Through its “Benevolent Fund,” NAMI Missoula provides limited, targeted financial assistance to needy individuals in Missoula County who live with mental illness. Since NAMI Missoula cannot screen individuals to determine their needs or their resources, we rely on case managers, mental health professionals, social workers, and other service providers to determine “client emergencies.” Requests must be submitted in writing (email) by providers and not by the clients themselves. Providers should contact NAMI Missoula for details regarding client eligibility and items covered by this program.
You Are Not Alone:
“You Are Not Alone” is the NAMI Missoula community resource booklet; it includes links to, and information about, mental health resources, legal resources, housing resources, and more. “You Are Not Alone” is updated periodically, and we distribute the booklet for free throughout the community. You can download a copy of “You Are Not Alone” here:
You Are Not Alone – Spring 2022 updated version.pdf
Please contact the NAMI Missoula office if you would like hard copy “You Are Not Alone” booklets.
Support NAMI Missoula
NAMI Missoula relies on gifts and contributions to support our important work. Every donation, however small, makes a difference. Your financial contribution to NAMI Missoula helps us to work towards a better tomorrow, to fight the stigma associated with mental illness, and to ensure that no individual or family in our community is alone on their mental health journey.
