Editor’s Note: The Nonprofit Spotlight is NowKalamazoo’s collaboration with area nonprofits, providing space for them to highlight important work that might not be known to Kalamazoo County at large. Know of a group that should be in the NowKalamazoo Nonprofit Spotlight? Submit a nomination here.
Bev Kison and Mable Hoskins are pictured at the NAMI booth at Bronco Bash 2025. All photos provided by NAMI.
Organization name
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwest Michigan
Year formed
2017
Mission & population served
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwest Michigan is the local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). We are part of the largest nonprofit mental health grassroots organization network in the United States, which includes 650 state organizations and local affiliates that provide free education, support groups, and advocacy.
We provide education, support and guidance to individuals, family members and loved ones navigating the journey to wellness. We serve individuals with a mental health illness and the loved ones and family members of individuals with a mental health illness.
We at NAMI Southwest Michigan strive to provide guidance, support and education to eliminate the stigma that prevents individuals with mental health struggles from leading healthy, fulfilling lives.
NAMI board member Frank Mumford, board President Brant Gauthier, WMU Dean of the College of Health and Human Services Dr. Lillian Smith, and Director of WMU Unified Clinics Dr. Christopher Briggs are pictured at an event that marked the beginning of collaboration to bring more mental health support to the students of WMU.
Delta Sigma Theta members after a NAMI presentation at Western Michigan University.
Impact story
NAMI Southwest Michigan has recently presented our Ending the Silence program to several different schools and church youth groups in Southwest Michigan to help high school students feel that they are not alone and show them how to reach out for help for themselves and friends.
In Southwest Michigan, we teach the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program, which is an eight-session educational program designed for family members, partners, significant others and friends of adults living with a mental illness. The course is offered twice annually, with class size limited to a maximum of 25 participants.
We also offer ongoing family support groups and peer-to-peer support groups.
How NowKalamazoo readers can help
There is a continual need for volunteers to lead support groups and to present. NAMI offers a number of education and training opportunities for family members, consumers, providers and the general public. These programs utilize the experience and insights of family members and individuals who have been afflicted with mental illness. These individuals have learned to live or are still learning to live with mental illness in their lives and are dedicated volunteers eager to help others. Reach out to [email protected], or call at (844) 783-5522 to explore the opportunities.
NAMI Southwest Michigan is also seeking compassionate and dedicated volunteers to help support our mission of improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Whether you can offer your time to assist with events, provide outreach, or help facilitate support groups, your involvement makes a real difference in our community. Join us in promoting hope, understanding, and mental health awareness across Southwest Michigan.
We are also looking for volunteers for our Ending the Silence Program, Family Support Group, and NAMI Basics. Give us a call today at (844) 783-5522, or visit our website to sign up.
Get in touch
— Information and photos provided by Mable Hoskins
Know a local nonprofit organization that deserves more recognition? Nominate them for NowKalamazoo’s Nonprofit Spotlight by submitting this form.
NowKalamazoo’s Nonprofit Spotlight is supported by the Kalamazoo chapter of the social philanthropy organization Guys Who Give. Kalamazoo’s chapter of Guys Who Give currently awards more than $18,000 per quarter to a local nonprofit organization. For more information about how to join, visit the Guys Who Give website.