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Our Mission

The mission of NAMI Mid-Carolina is to improve the treatment and quality of life for people who live with mental illnesses, their families, and the community through education, support and advocacy.

What Does NAMI Mid-Carolina Do?

NAMI Mid-Carolina provides programs at no charge for people with mental illnesses and for the people who love them.  Programs provided include:

• Family-to-Family: a 12 week class for family members

• Peer-to-Peer: a 9 week course for individuals with serious mental illness

• Provider Education Program:  a course for treatment professionals

• In Our Own Voice:  Speakers who have mental illnesses that have been trained to share their stories effectively

• Breaking the Silence: a program for elementary, middle and high school students.

• Weekly NAMI Connections Support Group

• Weekly Family Support Group

• Monthly Community Education presentations

• One-to-One support and friendship for families and individuals affected by mental illness

• Efforts to decrease the stigma of mental illness

• Advocacy to create effective treatment alternatives

What are Mental Illnesses?

Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders than can severely disturb a person's ability to think, feel, and interact with others. The latest scientific research shows that mental illnesses are physical disorders of the brain. Many treatments, especially medications, are available to relieve the signs and symptoms of these illnesses.

• Schizophrenia is a thought disorder with symptoms such as hearing and seeing things that aren't really there. It affects about 1 in 100 people.
• Major Depression will strike about 8% of people in their lifetime. It may show up as extreme sadness and a loss of interest in usual activities.
• Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) affects 1 to 2% of people, often causing severe mood swings from depression to abnormally elevated mood.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder, affects about 2.5% of people. People with OCD show symptoms such as disturbing repetitive thoughts or behaviors.
• Other anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These illnesses involve feelings of extreme nervousness or embarrassment and sometimes, panic attacks.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) occurs in 3 to 5% of school-age children and causes significant problems with functioning in school or at work.

All of these are considered to be serious mental illnesses. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have one of these illnesses, please see a physician for an evaluation as soon as possible.

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