NAMI Advocacy and Support for Mental Health Wellness

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024

Our Vision NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. Our Mission NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Our Values Hope: We believe in the possibility of recovery, wellness and the potential in all of us. Inclusion: We embrace diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Empowerment: We promote confidence, self-efficacy and service to our mission. Compassion: We practice respect, kindness and empathy. Fairness: We fight for equity and justice.

Since NAMI's beginning in 1979, we have established ourselves as the largest and strongest grassroots mental health advocacy organization in the nation. Dedication, commitment and unceasing belief in NAMI's mission have strengthened communities and have helped millions of Americans. Who We Are NAMI's advocacy efforts impact public policy and our awareness efforts address the stigma of mental illness and confront barriers to intervention and treatment. NAMI is a vital presence in communities in every state across the country. As the need remains, so will NAMI.

Marilyn Bonilla Krantz President MA School of Social Services Administration MA, JD Tony Marimpietri Vice President Environmental and Public Safety Project Management and Consulting (retired) Board of Directors Norvall Newhan Treasurer Private Business Owner Laura Potaro Honeycutt Secretary & Website M.S. Food Science & Nutrition, Registered Dietitian (retired) Haiden Berton UNC Student, Neuroscience and Chemistry Tammy Shaw Consumer Representative Barbara Mair Director Emeritus

NAMI offers a variety of peer-led education courses free of charge to participants. Each is designed to meet the needs of its target audience . NAMI Family-to-Family: Families, partners and friends of people with mental health conditions. This course is also available in Spanish, De Familia a Familia de NAMI. This fiscal year NAMI Orange sponsored the training of one (1) new Family-to-Family Leader.. NAMI Signature Programs NAMI Peer-to-Peer: Adults with mental health conditions. This program is also available in Spanish, De Persona a Persona de NAMI. This fiscal year NAMI Orange held one Peer- to- Peer Program at Caramore Community Center. NAMI Orange sponsored the training of one (1) Spanish-Speaking Peer-to-Peer Leader. Each course: Emphasizes the importance of hope and community Provides insights into challenges Follows a curriculum that covers a range of biomedical information Describes how the direct experience of these conditions affects people Offers coping, communication and problem-solving skills Gives guidance for managing crises

NAMI Connection For people with mental health conditions. This program is also available in Spanish, NAMI Conexi n. This fiscal year NAMI Orange provided online Connection Groups twice a month in collaboration with NAMI Durham. NAMI Support Groups NAMI Family Support Group For family members, partners and friends of people with mental health conditions. This fiscal year NAMI Orange provided an in- person Family Support Group, once a month and started an additional online group once a month. NAMI Orange sponsored the training of three (3) Spanish-speaking facilitators and (1) English speaking facilitator. NAMI support groups are peer-led and provide participants the opportunity to share their experiences with mental health conditions and receive support from other attendees. NAMI currently offers two support groups: Each group provides a safe space to address the challenges presented by mental health conditions regardless of the specific diagnosis, while emphasizing

NAMI presentations offer audiences the opportunity to hear stories of lived experience directly from people with mental health conditions and their family members. All presenters receive training to effectively share their story and help NAMI create awareness, reduce stigma and increase empathy. NAMI offers several presentations: NAMI In Our Own Voice- NAMI Sharing Your Story with Law Enforcement This fiscal year NAMI Orange trained speakers presented to four (4) Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Programs in Orange County. NAMI Presentations stereotypes about what mental health conditions are like and how we view the people who have them. NAMI presentation programs: These presentation programs are part of NAMI s national effort to change attitudes and Convey that treatment can work and recovery is possible Humanize perceptions of mental health conditions Demonstrate that people with mental health conditions can lead meaningful lives Spread messages of hope and community Emphasize that mental health conditions are no one's fault Allow audiences to not only learn about mental health conditions, but to ask questions

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Programs Not only can CIT programs bring community leaders together, they can also help keep people with mental illness out of jail and in treatment, on the road to recovery. That s because diversion programs like CIT reduce arrests of people with mental illness while simultaneously increasing the likelihood that individuals will receive mental health services. CIT programs also: Give police officers more tools to do their job safely and effectively. Research shows that CIT is associated with improved officer attitude and knowledge about mental illness. In Memphis, for example, CIT resulted in an 80% reduction of officer injuries during mental health crisis calls. Keep law enforcement s focus on crime. Some communities have found that CIT has reduced the time officers spend responding to a mental health call. This puts officers back into the community more quickly. Produce cost savings. It s difficult to estimate exactly how much diversion programs can save communities. But incarceration is costly compared to community-based treatment. NAMI promotes the expansion of CIT programs nationwide by providing NAMI Affiliates and State Organizations, local law enforcement, mental health providers and other community leaders with information and support about CIT implementation. NAMI also works with local and national leaders to establish standards and promote innovation in CIT.

This fiscal year NAMI Orange supported four (4) CIT programs training on average 15 police officers and other crisis staff per course. CIT Programs

This fiscal year NAMI Orange sponsored an Annual Banquet for trained CIT officers and the presentation of a CIT Officer of the Year Award. CIT

CIT BANQUET

CIT OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Ms. Pearly Williams NAMI Orange In Our Voices Long-Time Volunteer and Former Board Member

The Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF), sponsored by Orange County was formed in 2019 to address the behavioral health intercept gaps identified in the County. COLLABORATIONS Later in 2019, the Crisis/Diversion Facility Subcommittee was formed and tasked with bringing forth recommendations and a plan for a dedicated facility. The Subcommittee, under NAMI Orange Board member Tony Marimpietri s leadership, met diligently and frequently to address this high-priority need. Orange County Proposed Crisis Diversion Facility In 2024, the funding for the purchase of the land for the Diversion Facility and full design was approved in the County s Capital Improvement Plan.

Renderings of Orange County Crisis Diversion Facility 1. Rendering of entry drive approach view

COLLABORATION Orange County Community Organizations focused on improving the mental health of individuals in our community met in May 2024 during Mental Heath Awareness Month to discuss how we can better collaborate in the future.

Thanks to the leadership and commitment of local volunteers, NAMI Orange is planning to establish more of a presence and services in Chatham County which is part of our approved affiliate territory. Chatham County

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance. In 2024, NAMI Orange transferred its HelpLine calls to the NAMI North Carolina HelpLine. The NAMI NC Helpline has been averaging around 220 contacts (calls, emails, texts) per month. Since the start of its fiscal year on, 7/1/2024, they have had: NAMI HelpLine 591 total contacts of which, 3 have been out of Chatham County, and 38 have been out of Orange County

Met with the Vice Chancellor of Student Services at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her staff to discuss the services offered to students in the aftermath of its campus shooting and how UNC NAMI On-Campus and the affiliate can be supportive and offer trainings. Awarded NAMICon Young Adult Scholarship for Haiden Berton, Co-President of UNC NAMI On-Campus and NAMI Orange Board member to attend NAMI s National Convention in Colorado. Applied for a Macy s Grant to improve youth and/or young adult mental health in our community. Grant Award Announcement is scheduled for November 1, 2024. NAMI ON- CAMPUS

Timely submitted the NAMI Orange Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year 2023 to the North Carolina Department of Secretary of State-Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division. Retained the services of a bookkeeper and financial consultant to prepare and review NAMI Orange Financial Statements. FINANCIAL REPORT

NAMI Orange Unrestricted Net Assets at End of Fiscal Year (1)Actual 2023: $144,013.60 - (2)Forecasted 2024: $165,792.11 Projected Net Increase: $21,778.51 170000 165000 165792.11 160000 155000 Dollars 150000 145000 144013.6 140000 135000 130000 1 2 Net Assets 2023 and Forecasted 2024

Maintained NAMI Orange Website Maintained Calendar of Programs on the local and state NAMI websites Using icontacts sent program reminders to increase participation Maintained NAMI Orange Google Drive to upload Board and organizational documents Approved mandatory NAMI Board policies in compliance with the new Affiliate Handbook (2024) Established a Short-Term Dispute Resolution Task Force Administrative Accomplishments

NAMI Orange Board members(4) attended NAMI NC Annual Meeting in Durham, NC NAMI Board members (2) attended NAMI National Convention in Denver, CO Board member (1) attended local Faith- Based Suicide Prevention Training Board President attends NC Affiliate Leadership Forum (ALF), and NAMI s Affiliate President s Council meetings. NAMI State and National Relations

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you. ~Joseph Addison

THANK YOU! Together we are making a difference and keeping hope alive for those living with a mental illness and their families in Orange and Chatham Counties.