About Us
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-talk or text HOME to 741741

Who We Are
NAMI Syracuse, an affiliate of NAMI-NYS and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), is a non-profit, self-help, support and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of all persons affected by mental illness through outreach, education, and community collaboration.
In May 1981, 12 people met to form PROMISE, an acronym for “Parents and Relatives Of the Mentally Ill Supporting Each other.” By 1984, PROMISE had grown to include a Board of Directors with by-laws, incorporation as a non-profit, and had become a member of NAMI-NYS and the national NAMI organization. Eventually the name was changed to NAMI-PROMISE and most recently to NAMI Syracuse.
Today, NAMI Syracuse is a vital and active non-profit advocacy organization with a membership of over 500 families. We are celebrating our 40th Anniversary this year of 2021. In 1998, PROMISE Residential Project, Inc. was established and manages two houses to serve persons with mental illness.
NAMI Syracuse provides:
Bimonthly NAMI Syracuse newsletter and website: namisyracuse.org.
Family-2-Family, a free 8 week family support and education program.
A free speakers bureau of family members, peers, and professionals who will do presentations about mental illness and the stigma associated with mental illness.
Events: educational conferences, speaking engagements at churches/schools/organizations, social engagements, and our main fundraising event “Hopela”.

Officers & Board of Directors
Officers

Marla Byrnes
President

Margaret Bristol
Vice President

J. Thomas Bassett
Treasurer

Maureen Woodward
Rec. Secretary
Board of Directors

Beth Carmosino

Jim Livi

Susan Lyons

Karen Loftin

Hank Wilcox

Ashley Sloan
Carol Notar

Tanisha Wiggins
Sondra Bufis
Consultants to Board

Dr. Sunny Aslam

Dr. Mantosh Dewan

Stephen Glatt, PhD

Sheila LeGacy

Dr. Raslaan Nizar

Ann Canastra
Steven Comer
Office Manager
Mary Gandino
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NAMI Syracuse
