Our Impact

Our work in action

Measuring our support, education, impact, and outreach work.

On this page:

Exploring our impact

We all have a part to play in ensuring mental health is prioritized, and that mental health equity is elevated in both systems of care and government. NAMI Chicago measures our impact of our work in four priority areas: Support, Education, Advocacy, and Outreach. These priorities allow us to measure our progress while holding ourselves accountable to our organization, our community and our world.

Support our work

Every number reflects someone we’ve been able to reach. Your support helps us continue providing free, accessible mental health services across Chicago and Cook County.

Support

More than just connecting people to treatment

NAMI Chicago provides the services to support wellness in our community, from lending a listening ear to a concerned family member, to working with individuals long-term connecting to resources for legal and housing assistance.

11,600+

Calls to the NAMI Chicago Helpline were answered in 2025

24,000

988 calls were answered in 2025

1700+

People attended 350 NAMI Chicago support groups in 2025

Education

Building mental health understanding through education and honest conversation

NAMI Chicago’s training & education team are experts on de-escalation, mental health signs and symptoms, and workplace wellness. Our training is trusted to provide honest and open conversations that not only educate, but shift perspective around mental health support and community.

6,000+

young people reached through Ending the Silence mental health training

250+

police officers completed Crisis Intervention Training

5000+

Helpline cards distributed at community events across Chicago and Cook County

Advocacy

Driving systems change through advocacy, policy and community voices

NAMI Chicago joins trusted partners in advocacy efforts to build a more comprehensive, fully-funded system, and increase access to quality mental health services and the support services needed to live in recovery. Our work is led by the community; we elevate the voices of real people to educate policymakers and build a movement to support mental health.

$16.5M

young people reached through Ending the Silence mental health training

$40M

generated for mental health crisis response through a successfully advocated tax amendment

white paper released identifying gaps and advancing solutions for Cook County’s crisis care system

Outreach

Meeting people where they are with care and support

NAMI Chicago is out in the community, everyday, reaching people where they are. We show up and spread the message that recovery is possible, and that we’re here to help. We are in every corner of Chicago, providing resources person to person and through community wellness events.

370+

residents engaged across four long-term care facilities through the Engagement & Support Pilot

Nearly 200

people supported through the In-Home Recovery Support program, including 24 successful transitions into community living

350+

individuals supported through crisis stabilization, treatment coordination and long-term recovery services

Support

More than just connecting people to treatment

11,600+

Calls to the NAMI Chicago Helpline were answered in 2025

24,000

988 calls were answered in 2025

1,700+

People attended 350 NAMI Chicago support groups in 2025

Education

Building mental health understanding through education and honest conversation

6,000+

young people reached through Ending the Silence mental health training

250+

police officers completed Crisis Intervention Training

5,000+

Helpline cards distributed at community events across Chicago and Cook County

Advocacy

Driving systems change through advocacy, policy and community voices

$16.5M

secured in the 2026 Illinois budget for mental health funding at public universities and community colleges

$40M

generated for mental health crisis response through a successfully advocated tax amendment

white paper released identifying gaps and advancing solutions for Cook County’s crisis care system

Outreach

Meeting people where they are with care and support

370+

residents engaged across four long-term care facilities through the Engagement & Support Pilot

Nearly 200

people supported through the In-Home Recovery Support program, including 24 successful transitions into community living

350+

individuals supported through crisis stabilization, treatment coordination and long-term recovery services

Annual reports

NAMI Chicago reaches caretakers and people in crisis with immediate support, long-term strategies, and help navigating the mental health care system. We also work to improve systems of care and society through advocacy and policy work.

Our annual impact reports detail this work and share the stories of people affected by our work.

Past reports

2025 Annual Report

In 2025, NAMI Chicago expanded crisis support, advanced policy wins and delivered life-changing mental health services across Chicago.

2024 Annual Report

See how 2024 became a year of growth, innovation and stronger community support for mental wellness at NAMI Chicago.

2023 Annual Report

Learn how NAMI Chicago championed youth mental wellness, expanded crisis response and pushed for systems change in 2023.

2022 Annual Report

From recovery services to crisis response, discover how NAMI Chicago advanced mental health equity in 2022.

2021 Annual Report

Housing, helpline support and advocacy took center stage as NAMI Chicago created impact throughout 2021.

2020 Annual Report

During one of the hardest years in recent history, see how NAMI Chicago expanded services and created hope in 2020.

2019 Annual Report

Before the world changed, 2019 saw NAMI Chicago grow helpline services, train first responders and invest in youth wellness.

Financial statements

NAMI Chicago is a 501(c)(3) organization funded through a diverse mix of sources, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government grants or contracts. Our financial statements are available to the public as a requirement of maintaining transparent operations.

Help us keep showing up

We show up every day for people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Your support helps ensure that anyone who reaches out can find connection, guidance, and care when they need it most.