NAMI Kansas

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kansas

With our 13 affiliates, we provide programs of education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness, their families and friends. 

NAMI Kansas’ roots go back to 1975 when the first support group was established in Topeka. In 1984 Families for Mental Health in Kansas was organized and later the same year there was an affiliation with the Association for the Mentally Ill, which resulted in the organization being known as Kansas AMI. By the late 1980’s the national and state identity became NAMI, which currently stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI  Kansas was incorporated in 1988 and received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 1989. The first office was opened in Topeka in 1990.

- We advocate for improved community-based care for people with mental illness, such as improved access to medication, housing, and supported employment.
- We work to improve institutions and organizations in Kansas that serve people with mental illness.
- We help show the importance of funding research on mental illness.
- We provide free education programs to the community regarding mental illness and its treatment.
- We advocate to eliminate discrimination and stigma against people with mental illness.

NAMIWalks Kansas- Our Largest Annual Fundraiser! 

Join the thousands of concerned citizens in over 85 communities across the nation will walk together to raise money and awareness to ensure vital, free NAMI programs and services are available to provide help and hope to those in need. Every journey begins with that first step. Through NAMIWalks’ public, active display of support for people affected by mental illness, we are changing our American communities and ensuring that help and hope are available for those in need.

Community Events & Fundraising-

We support our 13 Affiliates all across Kansas. These volunteers are people with life experience with mental illness or they support a family member or loved one with mental illness. These volunteers are uniquely qualified to teach, train, and facilitate NAMI's, no cost, life changing education while they give the gift of their story. Here is a list of NAMI Signature Programs that are featured in Kansas are: Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, Connection Recovery Support Group, In Our Own Voice, FaithNet, Mental Health First Aid, Family Support Group, Basics, NAMI Provider Education Program, NAMI on Campus, NAMI Homefront, Ending the Silence.