NAMI Albany keeps mental health awareness on community’s radar

ALBANY – NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness — Albany’s mission of spreading the word about mental illness and helping community members receive treatment can be boiled down to one word: love.

That was the message of the organization’s outreach coordinator, A.J. Parker, who was among a trio of NAMI representatives who addressed the Dougherty County Commission on Monday.

NAMI’s reach extends to working with other organizations, including Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, and charitable nonprofits. 

One area that Parker works extensively in is reaching out to families to educate them on mental illnesses and the role family members can play in helping their loved ones.

“I facilitate a support group with family members who have a loved one with a mental diagnosis so they can navigate the support and tap into the resources that are available to them,” Parker said during an interview following the presentation to commission members.

The information is given during an eight-week course that also focuses on how family members can alleviate the stress they sometimes face.

“They learn about self-care as caregivers and to see their loved one instead of seeing the illness all the time,” she said. “We teach de-escalation.”

In addition to Dougherty County, the organization serves Baker, Calhoun, Lee, Mitchell, Randolph, Terrell and Worth counties.

Statistics show that one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental illness each year, with one in 20 experiencing a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

For younger Americans, one in six between the ages of 6 and 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24, the CDC says. In addition, suicide is the leading cause of death among those ages 10 to 14.

Currently, the NAMI group could use a fresh infusion of people willing to join in the effort, Parker said.

“Here in Albany, we have an opportunity to do so much more,” she said. “We need more people to engage in this community, not just talk and complain. We raise awareness because we support, advocate and educate.”

The commission is supporting NAMI during the sixth year of its walk during the Albany State University Homecoming Parade, one of the group’s biggest fundraisers.

The donation last year helped the group support organizations like My Brother’s Keeper, at whose events Parker says she is a frequent motivational speaker.

“One of the most powerful things we can do is talk openly about mental health,” Nami member Kelly Wesselman told commissioners during the meeting on Monday. “The more we talk about it, the easier it becomes. (It becomes) more than just a word. It helps build support and education.

“The work continues throughout the year. We want people to know that NAMI is here.”