Nonprofit Provides No-Cost Mental Health Support to Southern Arizonans
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the KGUN 9/CFSA collaborative project with Pat Parris, The Giving Project, turns its nonprofit spotlight to National Alliance of Mental Illness, Southern Arizona (NAMISA), which provides no-cost mental health advocacy, education and support to all affected by mental illness.
David Delawder, Executive Director of NAMISA, said it is not uncommon for a family to call the nonprofit with concerns. “Their loved one maybe isn’t going to work or there (are) problems in school and they just don’t know where to turn to,” Delawder said. NAMISA doesn’t ask for insurance, helping to alleviate cost as a factor in seeking help.
“You can come to us for our services at no cost and we are just here for the community in general,” Delawder said. “I think people take advantage of that because it’s such a resource. It’s really hard to navigate the medical system.”
That’s where NAMISA comes in. Mental health problems are very common. One in five American adults and youth are affected. Delawder said NAMISA acts as resource management.
For more on NAMISA, explore KGUN9’s story here: