Family • Friends • Advocacy
We are growing with the times but we remember what’s important . . .
NAMI Schenectady is a “grassroots” advocacy organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental illness. Over 30 years ago a group of Schenectady parents founded a support group for the purpose of helping one another cope with the effects of their family members’ mental illness. The Schenectady Relatives Group became incorporated as AMI-Schenectady in 1988 and has been meeting ever since. In 1998 the group officially changed its name to NAMI Schenectady to reflect its affiliation with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our membership now includes those living with mental illness, family members, advocates, professionals and service providers. NAMI Schenectady is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
To our members and friends of NAMI Schenectady:
Our local NAMI affiliate is reorganizing in order to continue to provide support to our mental health community and also meet the requirements of the national NAMI organization. We need more active participation from our members and friends in order to function. We will be sending more information regarding the reorganization and encouraging all to attend our upcoming membership meeting on Thursday, June 12th, 2025.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out the resources at the NAMI New York State website: https://naminys.org/
Family Support: The Ellis Hospital Support and Education Group meets every Wednesday at 6 PM in the C3 Classroom at the hospital – 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY. Go to hospital main entrance to sign in first for a visitor’s pass. The support group is for parents and relatives of someone with mental illness. Participants do not need to have to have a child or other relative hospitalized in the Ellis Hospital psychiatry department to join the support group. Meetings are facilitated by the Ellis Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Please check the Directory of Services (in the drop-down menu above) for listings of other Capital District Family Support and Children’s Services.
Friends: Recreational activities, picnics, meetings, and other friendly gatherings are scheduled throughout the year. Check our Postings and Events Calendar from time to time for more information.
Advocacy: NAMI Schenectady can help in the search for advocacy and self-help groups. Check the Directory of Services in categories such as Benefits, Compeer/Peer Self-Help, and Legal Services to name a few. Also note that a growing list of links is posted on our “Other Resources” page and includes activities in the Capital District, statewide, and nationally.