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Letter from the Board Chair

This past year has been one of extraordinary growth and change for NAMI Chicago. 

We’ve operated in a time when public health and the social sector face devastating cuts. These challenges are real, and they make it harder than ever for people living with mental illness to access basic necessities like food, housing, and health care. The system is more fragmented, more confusing, and more out of reach for too many. Still, we remain hopeful. We’ve stayed true to our mission and to what matters most: showing up for each other with integrity, urgency, and care. 

We also navigated a leadership transition, as our longtime CEO, Alexa James, stepped down. Her legacy is built into the foundation we stand on, and we are grateful for her years of visionary service. 

As we look to the future, we do so with hope and a deep sense of responsibility. The need for mental health care continues to grow. So will we. We are more motivated than ever to keep fighting for those living with mental health conditions, especially in a time when so many still struggle in silence. 

We have a strong foundation. A clear mission. And a community of people like you who make this work possible. 

Thank you for standing with us. 

Let’s keep going. 

Tere Garate  
Chair, Board of Directors 
NAMI Chicago 

 

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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

Our 988 call takers become lifelines on some of the darkest days of peoples’ lives. For someone in crisis, just having a calm, compassionate voice on the other end of the line can be the first step toward safety and healing. 

Detail 1

  • 24,000+ calls answered 

  • 11.7 min average talk time 

  • <1% escalated to emergency services 

Top strengths of our Crisis Counselors: 

  • 92% of calls created space for callers to share openly 

  • 88% were described as non-judgmental, accepting, and respectful 

“When I listen in on calls, I can hear the transformation unfold from a caller who starts out completely dysregulated, with panic in their voice and chaos in the background, to someone who’s calmer, more grounded, and expressing thanks the counselor by the end. Our counselors build trust in a short window, often just by being present and dependable.”
— 988 Supervisors’ Perspective:
 
 

NAMI Chicago Helpline

No matter what someone is going through, we’re here. Our Helpline offers trusted guidance, emotional support, and real connection — not just for people living with mental illness, but for the loved ones who stand with them. 

Top strengths of our Crisis Counselors: 

  • 11,600+ calls answered 

  • 100 texts and chats  
    (in the first three months since launch) 

  • 21.6 min average talk time 

  • 62% called for themselves 

  • 38% called on behalf of a loved one 

“Without our support, people would end up in the wrong places due to lack of guidance. Our presence gives people autonomy and choice in a system that often lacks both. For some, we’re the only person they can talk to. They’d otherwise be completely alone.”
— Helpline Supervisors’ Perspective:

"Meeting NAMI Chicago in my time of crisis with my son meant so much to me. I felt truly cared for, and the opportunity given to me to volunteer for Family-to-Family many years back was a crucial experience in my life. The ups and downs of being a caregiver to a child with a dual diagnosis have tested my faith and challenge me still today. If it had not been for the triage and the anecdote I experienced through the support and training from NAMI Chicago, I would still be hopeless and helpless. NAMI Chicago equipped me to hold on and, in these times, that is all I can do. Thank you for your labor of love, empathy, and compassion in your service." Hattie Polk 

 

Peer Support in Action

 

There’s nothing more powerful than being understood. NAMI Chicago’s Support Groups connect people with others who’ve been there - who know what it’s like, and who can offer support without judgment. Beyond groups, our Recovery team helps individuals living with mental illness transition out of long-term care to greater independence in the community. 

Feature 1

350 support groups held with 1,700+ attendees, consistently reporting feeling safe, supported, and more connected to others 

Feature 2

190+ individuals supported through our Intensive Home and Rehabilitation Support, with 24 successfully transitioning from long-term care into community living 

Feature 3

370+ residents across four rehab facilities engaged through our Engagement & Support Pilot