Here for Chicago no matter what…
Fiscal Year 2024 was a year of continued growth and innovation for NAMI Chicago, marked by exciting expansions in our direct services and meaningful progress at the systemic level.
At NAMI Chicago, we are deeply honored to be invited into the lives and communities of those we serve. This work is a privilege, and we strive to meet it with humility and purpose. Our focus remains on addressing unmet mental health needs where access is tragically deficient. What makes our work unique is our dual commitment to meeting immediate needs while driving systems-level change to create long-term impact.
As we step into 2025, we recognize the challenges ahead. But we are energized and grateful to partner with you in ensuring that mental health care is accessible to all Chicagoans. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate city.
Looking Back + Moving Ahead: Five Areas of Focus
NAMI Chicago programs intersect with all stages of the care continuum. The following areas of focus represent select achievements from the past year, as well as a hint at some key initiatives that are inspiring us forward.
A CLOSER LOOK: YOUTH
Empowering Through Education
Ending the Silence (ETS) reached over 3,000 students, parents, and educators in fiscal year 2024. This training empowers young people to recognize and respond to the signs of mental illness, fostering hope and understanding, while equipping participants with actionable tools. 82% of our ETS participants leave their session feeling confident on how to help themselves or a loved one if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
New Connections, New Communities
This year, we expanded our reach to new schools and new communities. A milestone achievement was delivering ETS in Spanish, in response to long-standing community requests, expanding access to culturally competent mental health education. Through collaborations with the Boys and Girls Clubs and After School Matters, we also empowered youth organization staff with mental health training, strengthening the support systems for Chicago’s young people.
A CLOSER LOOK: CARE COORDINATION
Transformative Case Management
NAMI Chicago’s case managers assisted 130 individuals in the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Mental Health Court (MHC) program to take transformative steps toward recovery. MHC has proven an effective and reliable intervention for people charged with a non-violent felony conviction to enter treatment, rather than incarceration. 89% of our program participants successfully graduate from the program in two years, upon which their record is expunged. The true strength of the MHC program is seen in the profound transformation experienced by our clients as they embark on pathways to recovery. Many individuals encounter stabilization for the first time with the dedicated support of our case managers.
Bolstering Support Systems
NAMI Chicago’s Clinical Support Program provides critical care coordination to people with serious mental illness and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of mental health and crisis systems. This year our team helped individuals and family members develop and implement safety plans, supported participants in navigating legal systems and understanding their options, advocated for our participants with external treatment providers, and provided coaching on the mental healthcare continuum. Recognizing the limitations of traditional crisis response systems, we work closely with families to develop tailored support plans and provide space for caregivers to express their own mental health needs, fostering enduring support systems. By collaborating with families and bridging gaps, we aim to reduce reliance on emergency services and hospitals, striving for a more holistic and effective approach to crisis intervention.
A CLOSER LOOK: POLICY REFORM
Legislative Wins for Mental Health
In the 2024 legislative session, NAMI Chicago joined with community partners and coalitions to champion major policy wins for mental health. Together, we helped secure $13M for campus mental health services, enact insurance reforms to eliminate prior authorizations for inpatient mental health care, streamline Medicaid access for critical medications, and enhance 988 georouting to connect callers with local resources. These efforts reflect the shared efforts of our partners across the city and state to drive equity and accessibility across Illinois. Want to get involved with our policy work? Learn more here.
Leading the Way with Research
In 2024, NAMI Chicago published Where to Go? Alternatives to Emergency Departments in the Behavioral Health Crisis System in Cook County, a white paper that lays the groundwork for a cohesive, equitable crisis care continuum. Key recommendations include integrating housing into crisis care and expanding alternatives like stabilization facilities and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
A CLOSER LOOK: CRISIS SUPPORT
A Lifeline When It Matters Most
We are enormously proud to have launched our 988 Crisis Lifeline call center in January 2024, providing crisis counselling to over 7,100 calls in our first six months of operation. With less than 1% requiring higher-level interventions, our team is incredibly effective in de-escalating crises and supporting individuals with compassion and care. Our counselors work tirelessly to provide immediate safety planning and resource connection, offering a beacon of hope during the darkest moments.
Help is Always a Call Away
The NAMI Chicago Helpline is a critical source of support for individuals, families, and providers seeking emotional assistance and vital resources. In 2024, nearly 54% of callers reached out for emotional support, while over 32% were connected to mental health treatment and other essential services, including legal assistance, affordable housing, homelessness resources, and older adult services. Importantly, 82% of callers reported feeling confident in their next steps by the end of their call. Whether we’re helping someone navigate treatment options, offering immediate intervention, or lending a compassionate ear after a difficult day, the Helpline remains a transformative resource for connection, support, and hope.
A CLOSER LOOK: RECOVERY
We Are In This Together
In 2024, NAMI Chicago hosted more than 400 peer support group sessions, offering our community a free, safe, and confidential space to come together, support each other, be understood, and learn from one another. 85% of participants report feeling more hopeful about the future when they leave peer group, and 98% would recommend group to another. In the words of one of our attendees: “Coming to this meeting reminded me that I am not alone. We are in this together!”
Piloting Innovations in Peer Support
Building on our existing work supporting Colbert and Williams Consent Decree Class Members, in 2024, we launched an Engagement and Support Pilot program, placing full-time support associates with lived experience within four local rehabilitation facilities. Embedding our team members directly in these facilities allows us to provide immediate, personalized support, build trust through shared experiences, and address challenges as they arise in real time. Our team walks alongside Class Members throughout their journey, from initial eligibility assessment to successful integration into community living.
Financials FY2024*
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
*Financials are unaudited
THANK YOU, DONORS
We are honored to call you our partners.
