HelpNAMI-NYC Awarded Stigma Reduction Grant from New York State Office of Mental Health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC) received one of seven awards statewide totaling $105,000 from New York State Office of Mental Health. The award supports community-based organizations in their efforts to address and reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness.
“We are proud to be one of the seven organizations nominated statewide and only one of three in New York City to raise awareness and address stigma around mental illness,” said NAMI-NYC Executive Director Matt Kudish. NAMI-NYC plans to leverage its award to create dialogue around mental illness and extend support to the New York City Latino community.
“There is often a stigma around mental illness within the Latino community,” said NAMI-NYC Associate Executive Director Lynnette Verges. “As a former practitioner and someone from the Latino community, I understand how hard it can be to reach out for help. Family caregivers experience extraordinary stress, and we want to offer support and community.”
Funding was provided through the voluntary tax check-off program launched in 2016, which allows taxpayers to contribute easily to the ‘Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund’ when filing their New York State taxes.
Eligible grant activities include but are not limited to: targeted messaging and advertising, production of printed materials, speakers, training, contact with people with lived experience, and multimedia productions.
Learn more about NAMI-NYC programs available in Spanish at www.naminyc.org/espanol.