Make Your Voice Heard — And Help Shape Mental Health Policy

As an Advocacy Ambassador, you’ll bring the lived experience of individuals and families directly to elected officials. Your story, perspective, and insight help policymakers understand what supports and services truly make a difference.

What You’ll Do

• Receive training on how to communicate effectively with local and state officials.
• Participate in meetings, advocacy events, and ongoing campaigns to improve mental health services in NYC.
• Share your personal experience (as someone with a mental health condition or a family member) to promote empathy and informed legislation.

Why This Role Matters

Your voice helps drive real policy change — from expanding services to strengthening protections for individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Click here to learn more about our policy priorities, the Ambassador program, and to apply.

Support Someone Who’s Walking a Path You’ve Already Traveled

As a Family Match Mentor, you’ll be matched with a family member who is now navigating experiences similar to ones you’ve previously lived through. Because you’ve been in their position — supporting a loved one with a mental health condition — you’re uniquely able to offer understanding, steady guidance, and hope.

Your own journey makes you the right person to help someone who is where you once were.

What You’ll Do

• Provide one‑on‑one phone support over a 3‑month match period, connecting with a family member currently facing challenges similar to your past experience.
• Offer empathy, perspective, and reassurance grounded in real lived experience.
• Help them understand realistic expectations, navigate boundaries, and feel less alone — the kinds of insights only someone who’s truly been there can offer.

Who This Role Is For

• You must be a family member supporting someone with a mental health condition (parent, sibling, partner, or adult child). This program pairs family peers only with other family peers.
• You’re in a place where you can reflect on your own journey and support someone who is now where you once stood.

✨ Bilingual Volunteers Welcome
We welcome fluent Spanish speakers for this role. Many families in our community benefit greatly from support in Spanish, and bilingual mentors help us make the program more accessible.

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.

NAMI-NYC Support Groups are led by trained peer facilitators who use their lived experience to guide supportive, nonjudgemental conversations.

We are currently in need of facilitators who meet all the following criteria:

1. You have a mental health condition
2. You have Latin American or Spanish heritage
3. You are bilingual in Spanish and English

Facilitator training is a multistep process that begins with attending support groups as a participant and volunteering behind the scenes as a Host Volunteer.

To find support groups to join as a participant, check out our calendar here.

To apply as a Host volunteer, please fill out this application here.

Co-lead safe, supportive spaces for teens to share their experiences with mental health. Facilitators are trained in group dynamics and peer support. Must have lived experience with a mental health condition

Qualifications:

• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Comfortable using Zoom and Microsoft Office
• Must identify as someone with mental health challenges.
• Must be an active listener without judgement and approach all visitors with respect.
• Ages 18-30

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.

Are you 18-24 with lived experience with mental health challenges? Or are you a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting teens struggling with their mental health?

Members of the group will participate in virtual meetings to:

• Help shape programs that reflect what teens actually need
• Connect with other community members who care about youth mental health
• Build leadership skills and add meaningful experience to your resume

Whether you’re a young person looking to lead, a caregiver supporting your child’s growth, or a professional guiding young people, we’d love to hear from you.

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.