NAMI Contra Costa AAPI Programs

Studies have found that mental illness has become the most challenging problem for people today. According to statistics, about 60 million people in the United States each year (on average, one in four adults, and one in six children under the age of 18) live with mental illness to varying degrees. Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, culture, gender or identity.

Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background.

NAMI Contra Costa (NAMI CC), a charitable mental health advocacy non-profit organization, is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health advocacy organization. NAMI CC provides outreach, education, support, and advocacy to individuals with mental illness, families and the broader community impacted by mental illness. Since 1979, the organization has served the community through mental health advocacy, professional lectures, education classes, support groups, and other activities to achieve the following goals:

• Introduce mental health knowledge, resources, research results, etc. to everyone
• Guide people to have accurate information and understanding of mental illness
• Provide emotional support, information, and/or link to community resources to anyone who wants support
• Advocate for mental health and seek resources and support from the government
• Assist in the rights and interests of patients in medical treatment, housing, and law information
• Support peers, family, and community members in learning and mastering effective communication skills, coping skills, and the latest medical knowledge
• Facilitate mutual support between peers and families

Due to language barriers, cultural differences and taboos against mental illness, the Asian community has very limited knowledge of mental health and corresponding community resources. An Asian family with a member living with mental illness usually feels lonely, lost, and hopeless. Strong social stigma restrains peers and families from living a normal life or contacting other people. The mission of our AAPI department is to help all needy Asian families dispel mental illness stigma, walk out of the dark, and find hope and helpful resources.

All of our services are free of charge.