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833-626-4244 | Free and confidential
Normal is
No one actually feels normal. Mental health is messy, complicated, and different for everyone. And that’s OK. NAMI Chicago is here for you.
Moving Chicago beyond crisis
Find the support that’s right for you
Whatever your situation, NAMI Chicago can help you find the right support, resources, and next steps.
Navigating the mental health system
Finding care, understanding your options, and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. We’ve pulled together information to help you navigate mental health treatment, types of providers, insurance, legal processes, and support services across Chicago and suburban Cook County.
Advocating for a mental health system that works for everyone
In Cook County, nearly 1 in 4 people (more than 1.2 million), need behavioral health support. Yet over 400,000 are not getting the care they need.
Too many people are still falling through the cracks due to gaps in access, workforce shortages, and a fragmented system that leaves people without support when they need it most.
NAMI Chicago is working to change that. We advocate for policies that expand access to care, strengthen the crisis response, and build a more connected, community-based mental health system.
Breaking down barriers to mental health care for everyone
988 Crisis Lifeline
988 Crisis Lifeline
Classes, Presentations + Trainings
Classes, Presentations + Trainings
Care Coordination
Care Coordination
NAMI Chicago Helpline
NAMI Chicago Helpline
Recovery Services
Recovery Services
Support Groups
Support Groups
Free and confidential peer-led support groups
NAMI Chicago offers free support groups for adults living with mental health conditions and for family members, friends, and caregivers supporting someone on their mental health journey.
Be part of the community shaping mental health in Chicago
Latest from NAMI Chicago
Keep up with NAMI Chicago on social media
Find relevant, up-to-date mental health resources on NAMI Chicago’s social accounts. You’ll hear about our latest news, policy action, and more!
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Last week, we held a special event to celebrate our faith-based leaders for their collaboration in designing a program at the intersection of 💚 mental health and faith.
Special thanks to Latasha Brown, our Sr. Education and Engagement Specialist, and Casey Shearson, our Grants Manager, for leading this initiative. More to come! #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
Dr. Lauren Smith, our Director of Education and Engagement, led a Fundamentals of Workplace Wellness Training for @UHChicagoHospitality.
This program recruits individuals from underserved communities and equips them with essential hospitality skills, helping them secure jobs in unionized culinary positions. We`re proud to support the UHCHI apprentices. #WorkplaceWellness #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters
We’re honored to be recognized as one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in 2026🏆by @thebestandbrightestco the National Association for Business Resources.
This award isn’t about a title—it’s about our people.
We’re proud to strengthen the employee experience by developing a mission aligned people strategy, and even prouder of the culture we’ve built together. 🙌
➡️ Tap the link in bio to learn more!
#PeopleExperience #BestPlacesToWork #ChicagoBestandBrightest
Sec. Kennedy and MAHA are advancing the message that mental health has been “overmedicalized” with a detailed focus on overprescribing, the detrimental impacts and side-effects of antidepressants, specifically Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and the need for more detailed guidelines for tapering off these medications.
The plan emphasizes patient choice, holistic care, and reevaluating long-term medication use—but advocates and experts say the conversation must also address gaps in access, treatment options, and ongoing need to improve access to care and effective treatment. Hear what our Sr. Director of Policy, Jim Poole, had to say on this topic with @wttwchicago, Chicago Tonight.
"And I think our concern at NAMI Chicago is that this reinforces sort of a medication stigma that people might feel, that there`s something shameful about using a mental health medication. And we know from our conversations every day, that`s a really important tool for lots of folks in their recovery. And it`s life changing, lifesaving for many of our neighbors."- Sr. Director of Policy, Jim Poole
Tap the link in our bio ➡️to learn more!
We are proud to be recognized as a 🌟 2026 Gold Star recipient of the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by @mentalhealthamerica.
The Bell Seal is the nation’s leading recognition for employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.
NAMI Chicago received an overall score of 👏 90%, including 100% in both Caring Beyond Compliance and Holistic Wellness at Work. These areas assess how employers foster inclusive and psychologically safe work environments, prioritize prevention and early intervention, promote awareness, support peer connection, and offer resources that support employees’ whole health.
➡️ Click the link in bio to learn more!
#BellSeal #WorkplaceMentalHealth #MentalHealthAtWork #EmployeeWellBeing
