Media
NAMI Chicago has been featured in TV, radio and print media across Chicago and Illinois.
We welcome media requests about the below topics and more: to request, please contact media@namichicago.org.
Mental health on the individual, family and community level
Healing in communities, trauma recovery, and the intersection of racial inequity and mental health
Workplace wellness, including during the COVID-19 recovery period
Officer and first responder wellness
Alternatives to first responders for mental health crisis response
Better Magazine
July 3, 2024
How NAMI’s 988 Call Center Provides Local Support for the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Crain’s Chicago Business
Opinion Article by Alexa James
November 6, 2023
Opinion: We're having the wrong conversations about mental health and mass shootings
If you do not have a Crain’s subscription, read here.
The Hollywood Reporter
Article Featuring NAMI Chicago
February 3, 2023
Gravitas Ventures Takes North American Rights to ‘The Year Between’
WTTW
TV Interview Featuring Alexa James
January 26, 2023
Surge in Demand for Mental Health Services a Challenge for Providers
Patch.Com
Article Featuring Alexa James
January 25, 2023
Mental Health Campaign Tackles Challenges Caused By COVID-19
Block Club Chicago
Article Featuring Ben Frank
December 14, 2022
Winter Weather Got You Down? Go Outside, Exercise To Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder, Experts Say
WBEZ
Radio Segment Featuring Rachel Bhagwat
October 5, 2022
WGN Radio
Radio Segment Featuring Alexa James
September 9, 2022
National Suicide Prevention Week: How to spot the warning signs
The Philidelphia Citizen
Article Featuring Alexa James
August 30, 2022
Ideas We Should Steal: Mental Health Days for Philly Students
ABC 7
Article Featuring NAMI Chicago CEO, Alexa James
August 21, 2022
Mental health expert encourages social media breaks as students head back to school
Collaborative Endeavors
Podcast Featuring Chief Integration Officer Jim Poole
July 26, 2022
Analyzing helpline data to improve community and staff mental health
Newsbreak Site
Article Featuring NAMI Chicago Director of Policy Rachel Bhagwat
July 20, 2022
WGN Radio
Radio interview featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
July 18, 2022
ABC7
TV segment featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
July 15, 2022
Fortune
Article Featuring NAMI Chicago Director of Policy Rachel Bhagwat
July 15, 2022
WGN
TV segment featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
July 6, 2022
Illinois ‘red flag’ gun laws come under scrutiny following parade shooting
CBS News
Interview featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
June 22, 2022
WGN Radio
Radio Interview with NAMI Chicago Director of Policy Rachel Bhagwat
June 14, 2022
Beginning in July, there’s a number to call if you’re suffering from a mental health crisis
ABC7 Eyewitness News
News Segment and Article Featuring NAMI Chicago Director of Policy Rachel Bhagwat
June 13, 2022
NAMI Chicago prepares for launch of mental health crisis hotline
City Limits
Article Co-Authored by NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
April 8, 2022
Opinion: Defendants Living with Mental Illness Need Treatment, Not Jail
Chicago Tribune
Written Article Including an Interview with NAMI Chicago Director of Policy Rachel Bhagwat
April 6, 2022
Chicago Magazine
Written Interview with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
March 3, 2022
WTTW
News Segment and Article featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
February 23, 2022
Illinois Prepares for July Launch of 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
ABC7 Our Chicago
News Segment and Article featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
January 2, 2022
COVID-19 pandemic takes toll on mental health after nearly 2 years
ABC7 Eyewitness News
News Segment featuring NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
November 27, 2021
Chicago Tribune
Op-Ed by NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
October 12, 2021
“Op-ed: Court system traps people with mental health issues”
WGN9
News Segment featuring NAMIWalks Your Way Chicago
September 18, 2021
"Walk raises awareness for mental health and support in Chicago"
Crain’s Chicago Business
Guest Article by NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
August 26, 2021
Chicago Tribune
Feature on NAMI Chicago
July 16, 2021
Chicago Sun-Times
Print interview with NAMI Chicago Chief Wellness Officer Ben Frank
May 21, 2021
“Mental health issues on the rise even as pandemic eases its grip”
FOX 32 Chicago
TV Interview with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
May 6, 2021
“Prioritizing mental health is paramount during the pandemic”
Univision Chicago
TV Interview with NAMI Chicago Clinical Support Coordinator Luis Disotuar
May 4, 2021
“Así es la labor de esta organización en Chicago para apoyar a personas con problemas de salud mental”
PBS
TV Interview with NAMI Chicago Chief Wellness Officer Ben Frank
March 22, 2021
WBBM Newsradio
Feature on NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
March 11, 2021
“CPD announces new mental health adviser following pair of officer suicides”
WBEZ Chicago
Podcast Interview with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
March 9, 2021
“Closing the Gap: How the Pandemic is Impacting Our Mental Health”
ABC7 Chicago
TV interview with NAMI Chicago Recovery Support Provider Eric Cowgill, and CEO Alexa James
December 7, 2020
“COVID-19 pandemic strains mental health infrastructure, leaving patients vulnerable”
WBEZ
Print interview with NAMI Chicago COO Jen McGowan-Tomke
September 9, 2020
“A Law Aims To Improve Mental Health Services At Colleges, But There’s No Money to Make It Happen”
WBEZ’s The Reset
Radio interview with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
July 10, 2020
“As Chicago Looks To Post-COVID Recovery, Lightfoot Zeroes In On Mental Health Resources”
WTTW Chicago Tonight
TV panel discussion with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
June 15, 2020
“How Community Organizations Can Help Reduce Dependence on Police”
Block Club Chicago
Interview with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
April 27, 2020
“Recovery From Crisis Must Also Focus On Mental Health, Officials Say”
WGN-TV
TV Feature on NAMI Chicago
April 18, 2020
Chicago Ideas Blog
Feature on NAMI Chicago
March 30, 2020
"How Chicago Mental Health Professionals Are Handling a Deluge of New Cases”
ABC7 Chicago
TV interview with NAMI Chicago Associate Director Jen McGowan-Tomke
December 13, 2019
WTTW Chicago Tonight
TV panel discussion with NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
October 8, 2019
"Is it time to reopen Chicago’s shuttered mental health clinics?"
Chicago Tribune
Editorial by NAMI Chicago CEO Alexa James
March 11, 2019
“To the police officers who serve us: In moments of despair, remember that you are not alone.”