As a self-help organization, NAMI NJ is especially sensitive to the concept of mutual caring and responsibility implicit in family relationships and reaching out in that context to families from various cultures that are affected by serious mental illness. NAMI NJ has gained considerable expertise in the area of multi-cultural outreach and program development. SAMHAJ (South Asian), CAMHOP (Chinese), NAMI En Español (Latino) and AACT-NOW!(African American) are four NAMI NJ innovative multi-cultural support and education programs that outreach to South Asian, Chinese, Latino and African American families. The programs also provide education for mental health professionals to help them better understand cultural and treatment issues relevant to these populations.

 

  AACT-NOW!(African American Community Takes New Outreach Worldwide)

AACT-NOW! (African American Community Takes New Outreach Worldwide) is an exciting initiative of NAMI NEW JERSEY to connect with NJ's African-American families affected by mental illness, mental health consumers, the faith community and mental health professionals to provide culturally competent support, education and advocacy.
 

  
  NAMI NJ en Español
 
NAMI NJ en Español is an awareness & education program developed by NAMI NEW JERSEY serving the Hispanic/Latino community in New Jersey. It offers local self-help support groups, Family-to-Family Education Program in Spanish, and a myriad of other outreach activities.

 

  SAMHAJ (South Asian Mental Health Awareness in Jersey)

SAMHAJ is an effort to let South Asians (of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Afghan and Bhutanese origin) in New Jersey understand that mental illness is a biologically based, treatable illness. This program won the NAMI 2002 Multicultural Award.
 

   CAMHOP-NJ (Chinese American Mental Health Outreach Program in New Jersey)

CAMHOP-NJ is a NAMI NEW JERSEY initiative to help people of Chinese origin (including immigrants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and their descendents) in New Jersey gain better understanding about mental illness as a biological based and treatable disease. CAMHOP pronounces like "Golden Crane" in Chinese. The crane is a symbol of health and longevity in Chinese culture.

NAMI NEW JERSEY presents documentary "Documenting Our Presence: Multicultural Experiences of Mental Illness"

"Documenting Our Presence: Multicultural Experiences of Mental Illness" was produced in 2007 as a NAMI NJ Multicultural Outreach Initiative with the support of NAMI - National Alliance of Mental Illness and NJ Division of Mental Health Services.

This documentary is a compassionate, hopeful look at the experiences of people of diverse backgrounds, affected by serious mental illness. It traces their lives through a cultural lens, focusing on the onset of mental illness, the process of coping and acceptance, and finally, their journey to recovery.

A DVD of this documentary is available for interested mental health organizations across the nation. Please contact Aruna Rao at arao@naminj.org for more information.

For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.

NAMI NEW JERSEY Cultural Competency Workshops - "What Hurts, What Helps"

Our cultural competency workshops provide a snapshot of three immigrant communities in New Jersey - Chinese, Hispanic/Latino and South Asian, from the perspective of families and individuals affected by mental illness. Our bilingual/bicultural staff has direct experience working with families affected by serious mental illness to offer support, education and advocacy. Their personal experience as family members of persons affected by mental illness gives them additional insight into the struggles faced by foreign born immigrants affected by mental illness.

The workshop provides a comprehensive outline of demographics from the 2000 census, a brief cultural profile of three communities, what hurts and what helps with regard to mental health services, referral lists of bilingual/bicultural providers in New Jersey, and allows for a Q & A session to address specific agency concerns.

For more information on NAMI NJ's multicultural programs please call Aruna Rao, Director of Education Programs at 732-940-0991, or e-mail arao@naminj.org

Click here to download the cultural competency training brochure (pdf).