About Us

Who We Are

Our Mission: NAMI Syracuse strives to better the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through advocacy, support, public awareness, and education.

Our History: 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.

NAMI Syracuse Today: NAMI Syracuse is an affiliate of NAMI-NYS and NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Today, NAMI Syracuse is a vital and active non-profit advocacy organization with a membership of over 500 families. In 1998, PROMISE Residential Project, Inc. was established and manages two houses to serve persons with mental illness.

Contact Us

NAMI Syracuse provides:

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Monthly Support Group Meetings

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Information and Resources through our NAMI Syracuse office

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Bimonthly NAMI Syracuse newsletter

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Family-to-Family, a free 8 week family support and education program

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A free speakers bureau of family members, peers, and professionals who will do presentations about mental illness and the stigma associated with mental illness

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Events including educational conferences, speaking engagements at churches/schools/organizations, social engagements, and our main fundraising event, the Hopela Raffle