NAMI Finger Lakes

NAMI-Finger Lakes is the Ithaca and Cortland, NY, affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

#BlackMentalHealthMatters | #AfricanImmigrantStrong

NAMI Sharing Hope is an initiative created by Black and Brown communities for Black and Brown communities.

For those of us in Black/African Ancestry communities, being open about how we’re really doing can be a struggle.

There are stereotypes to overcome, pressures to be excellent, and fears of being perceived as vulnerable or spiritually weak.

To compound these challenges, we have been disproportionately impacted by a global pandemic; we are constantly confronted with the trauma of racism and police brutality in the media; and our community continues to be one of the fastest growing but most poorly understood. As a result, we must find better and more accessible ways to start talking about our individual and communal wellness.

Did you know?

Black adults are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than white adults
The suicide rate among Black youth has been increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group
Only 1 in 3 Black adults in need of mental health treatment receive it

That’s why we created NAMI Sharing Hope, a free safe space to have conversations on mental health and wellness— because people of Black and African Ancestry around the country deserve supportive and healing spaces by and for us to help our communities thrive.

It’s Time To Take The Narrative Back.

NAMI Sharing Hope is designed to introduce discussions on mental health and wellness through a three-part community conversation series grounded in the sharing of sacred stories and guided dialogue on mental wellness and support.

The funds raised will directly support a living wage stipend for all of our facilitators and our Sharing Hope coordinator.

Sharing Hope- mental wellness for the black and brown community

Team Members