By Renata Hill, Moodfuel
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the largest grassroots mental health organization in the nation, today announced a $30 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This is the largest contribution NAMI has ever received.
The organization will set aside $5 million of the gift for its 600 affiliates, including those in Colorado, to maximize their ability to support the communities they serve. This investment demonstrates NAMI’s commitment to amplify its capacity and scale its peer-led education programs.
In 2020, one in five U.S. adults experienced a mental illness. More than half of U.S. adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10–14.
NAMI emphasizes lived experience through its free education programs and support groups to ensure that no one feels alone. NAMI will continue to work with our longstanding, generous donors, partners and advocates to create a world free of stigma and discrimination against mental illness — a world where everyone has access to quality mental health care.
“We are deeply grateful for the MacKenzie Scott gift,” said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. “In NAMI’s more than 40-year history, we have dedicated ourselves to building better lives for the millions of Americans impacted by mental illness. With this transformational gift, we will be able to ensure that Americans across the country receive the help they need, when and where they need it."
NAMI Colorado is our state affiliate, and we have numerous local affiliates which also provide free support and resources. We've included an image of all Colorado affiliates, but look here on the NAMI website to use the interactive list.
In a crisis? Call or text 988, the National Lifeline.
Call or text the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or chat with them, M-F, 8 am - 8 pm MT.
Email us at MoodfuelCO@gmail.com
