The National Alliance on Mental Illness has created this privacy policy (the “Privacy Policy”) in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy and security. This Privacy Policy discloses our information collection policies and practices for this Web site: www.nami.org (the “Website”). This Website is owned and operated by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (hereinafter referred to as “NAMI,” or “we” or “us”). This Privacy Policy applies only to NAMI’s online information-gathering and sharing practices occurring on the Website, and does not apply to any of our practices conducted offline. By visiting this Website, you are accepting the practices and policies described in this Privacy Policy, and you are further indicating that you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy you should not visit this Website or use any of the “links” on this Website. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, so please check this Privacy Policy periodically for changes. The date this Privacy Policy was last updated is stated at the end of this document.
The NAMI Web site does not collect any personally-identifiable information about our Website visitors, other than information that visitors freely enter.
The one exception to this is that, like most Web sites, we gather certain information automatically and store it in log files. This information includes Internet protocol (IP) addresses, as further discussed below.
You may freely visit our Website without being required to provide us with any personal information. However, some requests and features do require that you provide us with some personally identifying information as more particularly described below. Personal information is data that can be used to identify or contact you. Please do not send confidential information to us directly via the contact email addresses listed on this Website.
Access to certain areas of the NAMI Web site requires the creation of a sign-in account. There are two types of accounts: those for dues-paying NAMI members, and those for non-members.
Member accounts: Web site accounts for NAMI members are tied to your NAMI membership. This connects your sign-in account to your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, as well as to your membership status, dues history, and donation history.
Non-member accounts: Free sign-in accounts for non-members require your name, address, e-mail address. Phone number is optional.
The IP address of all users who sign-in is logged. This is done to enable us to troubleshoot sign-in or access problems for registered users.
Web site visitors have the opportunity to join NAMI online. When joining, in addition to the information required for creating the sign-in account, you must also provide your credit card number, which is used to pay the cost of a one-year membership.
Your contact information is then passed to your NAMI State Organization, where it is entered into a membership database. You will then be added to the postal mailing lists of NAMI National, your NAMI State Organization, and your local NAMI Affiliate. Your contact information is not to be shared outside the NAMI organization.
All users who sign-in also can provide optional personal information about themselves in the myNAMI area of the site, including:
NAMI does not trade, share or sell a donor’s personal information to third parties, nor do we send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all donors, online and offline.
If you make a donation online at our Web site, you are required to enter personal contact information and credit card information. We use this information to process your donation and send you a confirmation receipt. This information will not be sold or shared with outside parties.
When you make a donation, we also add you to our national donor database, from which you may receive periodic fundraising appeals via postal mail or e-mail. This is outside of your general opt-in preference for e-mail from NAMI as indicated on your subscriptions page.
If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected] , by phone at 1-888-999-NAMI (6264), or at the address below.
If you register for an event at our Web site, such as the NAMI National convention, you must first activate a sign-in account. Additionally, you must enter credit card information. We use this information to register you, to send you a confirmation, and to do any subsequent follow-up about the event.
You also have the option to “opt-in” to be added to a mailing list, from which you may receive announcements about future events via postal mail or e-mail. This is outside of your general opt-in preference for e-mail from NAMI as indicated on your subscriptions page. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or at the address below.
When using our Legislative Action Center to send letters online, certain information is required such as name, address, etc. In addition to being used to send your letters, this information is logged and used by NAMI to help us understand how often letters are sent and by whom. We do not log the body of your letter.
Based on your use of this system, we may follow up with you via e-mail about other advocacy opportunities, if you are opted-in to receive E-News alerts or general e-mail updates from NAMI. You can control this preference on your subscriptions page.
To participate in an online discussion group on our Web site, you must first activate a sign-in account.
The user name you choose will be displayed beside your posts to the discussion group, so please choose your user name carefully if you do not wish to be personally-identifiable.
You should be aware that any information you post to a discussion group will be available for viewing by all other visitors to our site, which includes the general public, unless you have been specifically informed that the group which you are posting to is restricted to certain users.
If you ever wish to have something you have posted removed, please contact [email protected], or use the address below. Posts which violate our discussion group policy may be removed at NAMI’s discretion and the user may have his or her sign-in account revoked.
We also collect certain non-personal information (data in a form that does not support direct association with any specific person or individual) by automated means when you visit the Website. Much of this information is collected through the use of third-party tracking services, such as Google Analytics. When gathered, this data is used in the aggregate, and not in a manner that is intended to identify you personally. In addition to the third-party tracking services mentioned above, we also collect this information through various other means, including “cookies,” “web beacons” and IP addresses, as further explained below.
A “cookie ” is a small file that a Web site can place on your computer. Cookies are commonly used by Websites to improve the user experience. Many cookies last only through a single Website session, or visit. Others may have an expiration date, or may remain on your computer until you delete them. We may use “session cookies” in order to enhance the user experience and for other web-related purposes. These session cookies are not linked to personally identifiable information. Most browsers will tell you how to stop accepting new cookie, how to be notified when you receive a new cookie, and how to disable existing cookies.
If your Web browser is set to accept cookies, the NAMI Web site places cookies when you visit. In order to sign in to the NAMI Web site, you must accept cookies from NAMI. Cookies are used to present you with a better experience and to remember your preferences, such as Remember Me.
Also, if you are “signed-in” to the Website, clicking the “Logout” link from the top of any page on the Web site other than the home page will remove your contact ID from your cookie, and will prevent others from using your sign-in account. You can remove NAMI’s cookie at any time by following the directions provided in your Internet browser’s “Help ” file.
We employ a software technology called clear gifs (a.k.a. Web beacons/Web bugs) in many of our e-newletters and other e-mail communications that help us measure the effectiveness of our efforts. Clear gifs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and are used to track which users have opened which e-mail messages. It is possible for us to tie the information provided by clear gifs to your personally-identifiable information, though we do not routinely do so. We are primarily interested in the aggregate effectiveness of our various e-communication efforts.
Many links within e-mail communications you receive from us, have a tracking ID at the end. This enables us to measure how often certain links are clicked on to gauge overall interest in the email camplaign. From e-mails, or from the Web site when you are signed in, it is possible for us to tie the information provided by tracking IDs to your personally-identifiable information, though we do not routinely do so. We are primarily interested in the aggregate effectiveness of our various online efforts.
When you visit and interact with the Website, third parties with whom we have contracted to provide services for us may collect Internet Protocol addresses (each an “IP Address”), as well as browser type, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and page navigation. An IP Address is a unique identifier number that certain electronic devices used to identify and to communicate with each other on the Internet; your Internet Service Provider automatically assigns an IP Address to the computer that you are using. We gather this information to track Website visitor movement in the aggregate, and to gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. We may use this information to enhance our Website or for other lawful purposes
Every time your computer sends or receives information over the Web, the request begins with some short pieces of information called “headers.” These headers include information like what browser you are using, what language your computer is set to, and other details. The Do Not Track technology provides individual users with the ability to include a simple, machine-readable header indicating that they don’t want to be tracked, and sends a signal to Websites’ visited requesting that the Website disable either its tracking or cross-site user tracking of an individual user. Currently, various browsers – including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari – offer a “do not track” option. Presently, there is no consensus on how Do Not Track should be interpreted, and no common or accepted industry standard for implementing. Consequently, we do not respond to Web browser “do not track” signals.
Except as otherwise stated in this Privacy Policy, NAMI does not share any personally identifiable information about you with un-related third parties. You have the option to update, revise, or have deleted any personal information you have shared with NAMI, as further specified herein. For specific information about how information is used, please see the section above.
When you create a free sign-in account on the Web site, we will send you a confirmation e-mail to verify your user name and password. We will also communicate with you in response to your inquiries, to provide the services you request, confirm the actions you have taken (online transactions, etc.), and to manage your account. We will communicate with you via e-mail, or we may communicate with you via telephone if we cannot reach you via e-mail.
We will occasionally send you information on special events, news, or opportunities. Out of respect for your privacy, we present the option not to receive these types of communications. Please see “Choice and Opt-Out ”
If you subscribe to one of our e-newsletters, we will use your name and e-mail address to send it to you. Out of respect for your privacy, we present the option to unsubscribe. Please see “Choice and Opt-Out ”
You may also choose to receive other types of e-mail from NAMI, related to particular features on the Website. These include notifications related to new postings in the discussion groups, myNAMI alerts whenever new information matching your stated interests is added to the site, copies of letters you send to your elected representatives, etc. You may control what e-mails you receive from within the particular feature they are related to.
On rare occasions, we will send you service- or membership-related announcements when it is necessary to do so. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, we might send you an e-mail.
Generally, you may not opt-out of these communications, which are not promotional in nature. If you do not wish to receive them, you have the option to deactivate your account.
We provide several opportunities for you to control the amount of personally-identifiable information you share with us, and the use of that information:
If you have a sign-in account, you may visit the myNAMI area to add to, modify, or remove your personal information and preferences. This includes your contact information, demographic information, interest preferences, newsletter and e-mail subscriptions. The exception to this is that you may not fully delete your sign-in account from the system. If you want your account fully deleted, please contact NAMI using the information below.
If you receive notifications related to the NAMI discussion groups, you may manage those notifications from within the particular messages or groups, or within your myNAMI page.
Each e-mail you receive from us will state the reason you are receiving the message and how to opt-out of future such messages.
Please contact NAMI directly if you wish to have your sign-in account removed, be removed from any postal mailing lists, or are unable to access any of the means explained under “Self Service ” above. Or, you may also respond to the return address on the information you received, as it may have come from a state or local NAMI organization.
[email protected]
703-524-7600
Webmaster
c/o NAMI
4301 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
In order to contact your NAMI State Organization or local NAMI Affiliate, please look up their contact information here.
Personally-identifiable information that you provide NAMI will only be used internally by NAMI and may be shared among the national, state and local offices. This includes your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, information preferences, and demographic information. NAMI State Organizations and local NAMI Affiliates are expected to adhere to these same privacy practices. However, NAMI National is unable to guarantee the privacy of your information at the state or local level. If you have concerns, please contact your NAMI State Organization or local NAMI Affiliate.
In the course of providing our services, NAMI relies on certain trusted business partners to perform certain tasks, such as handling mass mailings, delivering e-communications, processing payments, etc. This involves transferring information about you in paper or electronic form. NAMI makes every effort to ensure the trustworthiness and best business practices of these partners. These agents and third parties are prohibited from using your personally-identifiable information for any other purpose.
Except as stated in this Privacy Policy, we do not reveal personally identifiable information about you to third parties for their independent use unless: (1) you expressly authorize NAMI to do so, (2) it is necessary to allow NAMI and its service providers or agents to provide services on NAMI’s behalf, (3) it is to provide products or services to you, (4) it is disclosed to entities that perform marketing or data aggregation services for NAMI, (5) it is necessary in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of NAMI or the merger of NAMI into another entity or any consolidation, share exchange, combination, reorganization, or like transaction in which NAMI is not the survivor, (6) NAMI is required or permitted to do so for any or all of the following reasons: (i) to comply with a subpoena, legal process, government request or any other legal obligation, (ii) to prevent, investigate, detect, or prosecute criminal offenses or attacks on the technical integrity of the Website or our network, and/or (iii) to protect the rights, privacy, property, business, or safety of NAMI, its partners and employees or the visitors to the Website.
This Website contains links to other sites that are not owned or controlled by NAMI. Please be aware that we, NAMI, are not responsible for the privacy practices of other such Websites. We encourage you to be aware when you leave our Website and to read the privacy statements of each and every Website that collects personally-identifiable information.
Any time you enter or provide personal information on our Web site, we encrypt it using Secure Socket Layer ( “SSL “) technology. SSL protects information as it crosses the Internet. To support this technology, you need an SSL-capable browser.
You can tell if you are visiting a secure area within a Web site by looking at the lock or key symbol in your browser address window. If the address of the page begins with “https:// “, it is secure. Occasionally, the page you enter data on may not be secure, but by submitting the information you activate a secure connection and thus your data is submitted securely.
We follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it. No method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100 percent secure, however. Therefore, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Children’s Privacy/Note To Parents:
The NAMI Website does not intentionally or knowingly collect, use, or disclose personally identifiable information about visitors to our Website who are less than 16 years of age. If a child under the age of 16 submits information to us through any part of the Website and NAMI becomes aware that the user submitting the information is under the age of 16, the information provided will be deleted as soon as it is discovered and not used for any purpose. If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age and believe that they have disclosed personally identifiable information to us, please contact us at [ ] and be sure to include in your message the name and email address that you believe your child submitted, if applicable.
Our Website is hosted in the United States and is governed by US law. Accordingly, by submitting any personal information to us you are transferring your personal information to the United States and you consent to such transfer. We do not represent or warrant that the Website, or any part thereof, is appropriate or available for use in any particular geographic location. If you choose to access our Website, you do so on your own initiative and at your own risk, and are responsible for complying with all local laws, rules, and regulations applicable in your jurisdiction. If you are visiting the Website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated. The data protection and other laws of the United States and other countries might not be as comprehensive as those in your country. By using the Website, you consent to your information being transferred to our facilities and to the facilities of those third parties with whom we share it as described in this Policy.
The following provisions applies only to users residing in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
In May of 2018 a new data privacy law known as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) went into effect. Pursuant to GDPR, we are required to provide those residing in the EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (hereinafter, the “EU Users”) additional information and rights related to the Personal Information we collect about them. For the purposes of this GDPR Privacy Notice section, “Personal Information” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable person. We summarize such information and rights below.
NAMI, Inc. (the Data Controller) is the owner and operator of the Website. If you need to contact us for any reason related to this Privacy Policy or your use of the Website, please contact us at the following address:
NAMI
4301 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
Purpose For Information Collection:
As noted in this Privacy Policy, you may visit our Website without being required to provide us with any Personal Information. However, should you decide to provide such information, the information we collect will be used to meet your requests, or to provide you with the applicable information or service requested, and as further described herein.
Legal Grounds For Processing Personal Information:
NAMI will process Personal Information that we receive from EU Users on the ground that it is in our legitimate interest for the effective administration of the Website, or to fulfill and/or address your requests.
Your Personal Information And Your Choices; Withdrawal Of Consent:
GDPR provides EU Users with additional rights in respect to the Personal Information we hold about you, including
We will respond to any such above requests within a reasonable timeframe.
Some of these rights may be in circumstances in which we are not legally required to comply with your request because of the laws in your jurisdiction or because of exemptions provided in data protection legislation in general, and GDPR in particular, or where the Personal Information may be exempt from disclosure due the applicable rules of professional conduct, attorney-client privilege, legal professional privilege, other applicable privileges or protections, or professional secrecy obligations
Please also note we may need to retain certain Personal Information for record keeping purposes, and there may also be residual Personal Information that will remain within our databases and other records, which will not be removed from such locations. Additionally, please note that we are not responsible for removing or deleting information from the databases of third parties (such as service providers) with whom we have shared information about you, but we will make the request on your behalf for such removal/deletion.
We will retain your information for as long as needed to provide you services, or otherwise as is reasonable and customary given the nature of the relationship you have with NAMI. We may need to retain certain information for record keeping purposes, and there may also be residual information that will remain within our databases and other records, which will not be removed from such locations. Otherwise, we will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. We have a data retention and destruction plan that dictates the policies and procedures related to deletion and/or destruction of all information/data.
We may appoint subcontractor data processors as required to deliver the services, such as, without limitation, IT systems or software providers, IT Support service providers, and document and information storage providers, who will process PII on our behalf and at our direction. We conduct an appropriate level of due diligence and put in place contractual documentation in relation to any sub-contractor to ensure that they process PII appropriately and according to our legal and regulatory obligations.
We may make changes to this GDPR Privacy Notice from time to time, to reflect changes in our practices. We may also make changes as required to comply with changes in applicable law or regulatory requirements. Where we materially change this Privacy Notice, we will take steps to notify you (such as by posting a notice on the Website or via email), and where required by applicable law to obtain your consent.
If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or data processing, please contact us at
Contact Us:
[email protected]
703-524-7600
NAMI
4301 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
We reserve the right to revise this Privacy Policy at any time. Please check back regularly to see if there have been any changes to this policy, which you can determine by reviewing the Effective Date listed below. By continuing to use the Website after those changes become effective, you consent and agree to be bound by the revised Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of July 15, 2020.
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).