NAMI | NAMI Sharing Hope: Understanding Mental Health

Across the nation, congregations of all denominations bring African American families together and provide emotional support to their members. Researchers have found evidence that African Americans seek help from the clergy more frequently than from other professionals. Mental health issues are no exception. When dealing with mental illness, African American families might look for guidance, support, and understanding from their faith community.

It is for these reasons that NAMI has developed Sharing Hope: Understanding Mental Health. The presentation goals are to decrease mental health stigma in this community, increase awareness of mental health recovery, and to introduce NAMI education and support programs.

“We’re perking up our ears, tuning up our hearts so that we can listen and help one another.”
-Debra Jacoway, presenter of Sharing Hope pilot in St. Paul, MN.

Toolkit Components:

A practical guide to successful outreach to African American congregations
Scripted 60 minute presentation for a team of three presenters consisting of a consumer, family member and a faith leader.
Companion educational booklet, A Family Guide to Mental Health: What You Need to Know

Sharing Hope was designed as a do-it-yourself initiative in order to keep costs to a minimum and optimize accessibility and applicability to communities across the country. The educational presentation does not require a training component. This toolkit will walk you through all the major steps to successfully implement the initiative in your community.

Click here to view a printable description of the initiative.

NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates are invited to implement this initiative. Contact us at SharingHope@nami.org to request a copy of the Sharing Hope: Understanding Mental Health outreach and education toolkit (note: copies of the toolkit may only be provided to those involved with NAMI at the State or Affiliate level).

Project History:

Implementation Grants

NAMI National is currently working with eight selected NAMI State Offices and Affiliates to expand and evaluate its Sharing Hope: Understanding Mental Health. Each of the selected sites will receive a small Sharing Hope implementation grant to cover the costs associated with implementing and providing program evaluative data to NAMI National.

Program updates and information gathered from these grant sites will be shared on this site and through Recovery for All, the e-newsletter of the Multicultural Action Center.

Sharing Hope Featured in NAMI's Advocate Magazine

An article entitled, "New NAMI Toolkit Reaches Out to African american Congregations," by Sally Osmer, Executive Director of NAMI Mercer was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of the Advocate. Click here to read the article (note, you must sign in to your NAMI account to do so).

Pilot Program

The Sharing Hope presentation was piloted in Atlanta at the True Light Baptist Church (NAMI Georgia), the Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton (NAMI Mercer, NJ), and the United Church of God in Christ in St. Paul (NAMI Minnesota). Revisions to the toolkit and the presentation were made based on feedback from these pilot sites and evaluation results.

"One of the best things that we as Galileens have ever done was to bring Sharing Hope to the church as a part of Black readiness. We have overcome slavery, impoverishment, trials, and tribulations. Now it is time for us to come out of the dark ages in dealing with mental illness."

-Reverend Dr. John H. Harris Jr., Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ

Initiative Featured at NAMI 2008 Convention in Orlando, FL

This session highlighted the importance of mental health awareness as well as how the faith community can play a key role in educating the African American community about mental illness. Additionally, the audience provided feedback for the presenters regarding issues that should be considered during the development and implementation of the African American Faith-Based Initiative.

Focus Group Held at 8th Annual Central Texas African American Family and Support Conference

Multicultural Action Center staff attended the 8^th Annual Central Texas African American Family and Consumer Support Conference in February 2008, where they were joined by Joe Powell of NAMI Dallas to host a focus group of conference attendees. Approximately 20 conference participants attended and provided valuable feedback and ideas for consideration in the initiative's development.

African American Faith-Based Intiative Advisory Group Formed

A 15-person advisory group has formed consisting of pastors, NAMI leaders, and other experts from around the country. The group first convened at the NAMI National office on February 25, 2008 to go over plans for the project and offer feedback and recommendations. The Multicultural Action Center continued to work with the advisory group through the completion of the outreach and education toolkit program.

NAMI state and affiliate offices and other individuals with experience working with African Americans in faith-based contexts also provided input to the Multicultural Action Center, identifying successful program models and key issues to consider during the development and implementation of this program.

“We’re perking up our ears, tuning up our hearts so that we can listen and help one another.” -Debra Jacoway, presenter of Sharing Hope pilot in St. Paul, MN.