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Share your crisis care story

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People experiencing a mental health crisis deserve a mental health response. But too often, people in crisis don't get the right services at the right time, leading to tragic outcomes like:

  • 2 million people with mental illness being booked into jail every year
  • 1 in 4 people killed by police between 2015-2020 having a mental illness, and of those, 1 in 3 are people of color
  • Over 47,500 people dying by suicide every year
 
This hurts individuals, families and communities. To prevent these tragedies, we need a crisis system in every community that provides help, not handcuffs. And you can help us get there.
 
Share your story. Help power NAMI’s advocacy by sharing your mental health crisis story and how your community’s current mental health crisis system helped you—or tell us about challenges you’ve experienced that have hurt you. 

If your story is related to contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, consider sharing your story here.

What to Include in Your Story
  • What happened to you or your loved one during a crisis. Keep this very brief. Include the main highlights or most important thing we should know about what happened to you or your loved one.
  • What helped (or would have helped) you or your loved one. If you had a negative experience during a crisis, talk about what would have helped in the moment – like a non-law enforcement response. If the experience was more positive, like specialized resources that were available, talk about what helped to avoid a bad outcome.
Your story can make a difference.

By sharing your story, you agree that NAMI may use your story (in any part, full or edited) for the purpose of advocating. This may include sharing your story with the media, using your story in alerts or in letters to elected officials. NAMI will only use your first name and last initial and your state for identification purposes. You also agree that NAMI may reach out to you with follow-up questions or for clarification. NAMI does not provide personal advocacy or legal services. If you need mental health resources, email info@nami.org or call 1-800-950-6264. If you or somebody you know is in a mental health crisis, text "NAMI" to 741-741 or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Share now

NAMI champions better care and better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental health conditions. Join our movement!

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