The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeast Louisiana, commonly known as NAMI SELA, is a powerhouse of programs and information for people affected by mental illness, whether personally or as family or friends. Formed when the New Orleans office successfully merged with the St. Tammany chapter in 2024, the group offers tangible help for people in crisis and support for those impacted by mental illness in the region, according to Monique Gregoire, NAMI SELA’s outreach and policy coordinator.
“After our merger, all of the St. Tammany parish-based programs remained, including the support groups and training programs. Residents on the northshore now also have access to services that were primarily based on the southshore,” Gregoire said.
Safe Haven, located on U.S. 190 in Mandeville, is home base to several NAMI SELA programs, all offered at no cost to individual participants.
“Mental Help First Aid,” designed to teach participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health concerns and substance use disorders, is a good example of what is on offer. In addition to instruction classes, peer-led groups, such as NAMI Connection, a recovery support group, meets in person and online. Clinical telehealth services are also now available to individuals on the northshore. All NAMI services are offered at no cost to the individual, said Gregoire.
“The NAMI programs active in St. Tammany parish, and all of our resources, are provided free of charge. We believe that finances should not be a barrier to access our services,” she said.
One of the organization’s newer initiatives is “NAMI on Campus,” primarily a college-based program now expanding into area high schools, according to Gregoire.
“This program has been at Southeastern (Louisiana University) for a number of years. We have now expanded it to include Louise S. McGehee and Ben Franklin High schools,” she noted. “We are looking to partner with other schools in our area.”
NAMI on Campus offers support through initiatives such as resource information tables and Kindness Walls, where students can leave and pick-up positive messages to bolster their mood and attitude.
“Something as simple as a kind message can change a person’s outlook. The messages can also be a reminder to take care of each other and that you are not alone,” Gregoire said. The importance of self-care is also promoted through these activities.
Financial support is key to funding the wide variety of programs, according to Nicole Justice, NAMI SELA’s development director. After the 2024 merger, NAMI SELA has since expanded to serve people in nine parishes. The group now includes Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.
“We are stepping forward with a full focus to offer resources to all of the communities we serve,” said Justice. “We are definitely in expansion mode right now.”
Two big fundraising events on the calendar for this spring will help to support the expanded roster of programs and locations.
Up first is the Raising Hope Soiree on March 27 at the Lakehouse New Orleans. It is billed as an evening of live jazz, along with a unique Food is Art experience and silent auction. Also at the event, Virginia Weinmann will be recognized as this year’s NAMI SELA’s Champion of Mental Health and honored for her decades of service to organizations focused on mental health, education and historic preservation.
Next is the annual NAMIWalks SELA event on Saturday, May 16, in Mandeville.
Get more information about NAMI SELA programs and all upcoming events is available at www.namisela.org.