NAMI Mass Recognized as Outstanding State Organization

BOSTON — Of the 50 state organizations that comprise the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Massachusetts chapter, NAMI Mass, is being recognized as the Outstanding State Organization for 2015. The NAMI board of directors applauded NAMI Mass for “exceptional efforts on the state level in carrying out the NAMI mission as defined by the NAMI standard of excellence.”

Added NAMI Mass board President Steve Rosenfeld, “the NAMI national organization is a godsend for millions of families whose lives are changed forever by serious mental illness. Their recognition spurs us to work even harder. There’s so much to do, and even outstanding isn’t good enough.”

In her letter of congratulations, NAMI national governance committee Chair Janet Edelman praised NAMI Mass for its strong leadership and noted select achievements, including advocacy efforts to advance criminal justice by focusing on police departments and crisis-intervention-team training; the NAMI Mass strategic plan for increasing diversity in state leadership and at the affiliate level; and its array of education and support programs statewide and efforts to make them accessible to all.

NAMI Mass is in the process of implementing an aggressive strategic plan which includes the Build It Together initiative, focused on increasing the diversity of leadership at the state level and within its 21 affiliates, which are spread across the state.

“Making NAMI’s programs accessible to all the communities we serve is a vital component of our mission,” said Laurie Martinelli, executive director of NAMI Mass. “We are working hard to remove roadblocks that prevent us from being diverse and inclusive.”

The Outstanding State Organization Award will be presented at the 2015 NAMI national convention July 6-9 in San Francisco.