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Welcome to NAMI Southwest Louisiana!

Visit our NAMIWALKS page

Click here to view and print NAMIWalk 2008 Team photos.

We are a self-help organization of families, friends, and professionals who have friends, family members, or clients diagnosed with a severe and chronic brain disease.

History of NAMI Southwest Louisiana.

  NAMI SWLA began in 1984 under the name of New Hope for Mental Health, INC.  The organization began as a result of family members looking for support in their community.   Through the help of Lake Charles Mental Health Clinic, a support group was started.   In 1992 New Hope found the Lafayette Alliance for the Mentally Ill who was affiliated with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.   After discovering the benefits of being connected with a national organization, New Hope joined as an affiliate of NAMI and became Southwest Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Inc.   In 1999 SWAMI adopted a name change to become NAMI of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. to be more uniform with the National Organization.  Since the inception of NAMI, the NAMI SWLA membership has grown from 16 paid family members to over 200 with 2800 families on the local mailing list.  The NAMI SWLA office is located at 715 Ryan St. Suite 203 (second floor) in the United Way Building and is still a total volunteer organization dependent on the annual NAMI Walk, dues and donations as its source of income.

   

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