Alliance on mental illness, essential inclusion and resilience in mental health
- Editorial Team SDG3
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Mental health remains one of the central challenges of modern societies, shaping not only individual well-being but also the collective resilience of communities. At the forefront of this effort is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a grassroots organisation committed to transforming how mental illness is understood, supported and integrated into public life. Since its founding in 1979 by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young, NAMI has built an enduring movement that combines advocacy, education and peer-led support to dismantle stigma and promote recovery.
Psychological foundations of inclusion
From a psychological standpoint, inclusion is not simply a social value, it is a therapeutic necessity. Human beings thrive when they feel part of a community, and for people living with mental health conditions, isolation and exclusion are among the strongest predictors of poor outcomes. Studies consistently show that individuals who report a sense of belonging demonstrate lower levels of depression and anxiety, greater self-esteem, and improved adherence to treatment.
The absence of inclusion, by contrast, often leads to internalised stigma, withdrawal and delayed help-seeking. According to research published in Psychiatric Services, social exclusion can exacerbate symptoms to the extent of reducing recovery chances by nearly 40 per cent. NAMI’s peer-to-peer initiatives directly counteract this by fostering environments of acceptance and empathy, where lived experience becomes a tool for healing rather than a barrier.
Programmes that embed compassion and connection
NAMI’s commitment to inclusion is evident across its range of programmes. For families, Family-to-Family and Basics provide education that not only equips caregivers with strategies but also validates their experiences, reducing feelings of helplessness. For individuals, Peer-to-Peer and Connection groups emphasise shared journeys and mutual encouragement, reinforcing the psychological benefits of collective resilience.
Case testimony illustrates the impact: one participant in Peer-to-Peer described the sessions as “the first time I didn’t feel alone in my diagnosis. Hearing others speak openly gave me the courage to see recovery as possible.” Similarly, parents attending Family-to-Family often report that shared knowledge reduces guilt and blame, replacing it with solidarity and hope.
Public-facing initiatives such as In Our Own Voice and Ending the Silence extend inclusion into schools, workplaces and communities, creating spaces where mental illness is discussed openly rather than whispered about in stigma. Teachers involved in Ending the Silence have noted that these conversations help students recognise symptoms earlier, breaking the cycle of silence that too often delays care.
Advocacy linking policy to lived experience
Inclusion also extends to the policy sphere. NAMI has been a leading advocate for parity laws that guarantee mental health receives the same coverage as physical health. This advocacy reflects a psychological reality: treatment is more effective when individuals do not face financial exclusion. Campaigns like NAMIWalks build both symbolic and material solidarity, uniting communities around the principle that mental health care should not be a privilege but a right.
The scale of the issue cannot be overlooked. Nearly one in five adults live with a mental illness each year, and the global economic burden exceeds $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, according to the World Health Organization. Addressing exclusion is not only an ethical imperative but also a societal investment.
Towards a more inclusive culture
NAMI’s influence illustrates how community-driven action can shift cultural narratives. By placing inclusion at the centre of recovery, it challenges outdated notions of isolation and chronicity. The psychological benefits ripple outward: reduced stigma, earlier interventions, and stronger networks of support.
Globally, this model provides a template for how health systems and societies can integrate compassion into care. Aligning with the broader sustainable development agenda on health and well-being, NAMI’s work underscores that a fair society is one in which no person is left behind because of their mental health condition.
For more on how inclusion shapes global mental health strategies, see WHO mental health resources & https://www.nami.org/
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@NAMICommunicate
