NAMI | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
The National Alliance on Mental-Illness (NAMI) on campus, one of Wright State University’s newest organization chapters, is an organization devoted to mental health awareness and providing support to those with mental health issues.
“NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness,” according to the NAMI website, nami.org.
Bringing a piece of that organization to campus, WSU’s NAMI chapter is focused on supporting its fellow students in need.
“We want to let people know there are options on campus and within the community to get help if they need it,” said Axel Loke, president of NAMI.
Revitalized and back in action since October, NAMI members would like to see a change in the climate of mental health conversations on campus.
“Occasionally I see suicide awareness campaigns, but they’re usually on bulletin boards. I don’t really hear anyone talking about it, except for psychology classes that tend to push for advocating for mental health awareness,” said Evan McGregor, vice president of NAMI.
NAMI hopes to collaborate and build relationships with other organizations as well as fraternities and sororities to spread awareness of their cause and get the conversation going.
“We’re not counselors, but we can help people find the [help they need]. We can be your unofficial facilitator,” said McGregor.
To help improve the atmosphere and topic of mental health on campus, Loke expresses the need for more educational discussions on the subject.
“[We] need more informational [events]. [Something as simple as having] a speaker talk about these relevant issues. Then students [will be more informed],” said Loke.
With plans to table during this upcoming spring semester, NAMI plans to educate students on where they can find support on campus.
“[Our focus is] to let people know that there are resources, such as Counseling and Wellness. A lot of people don’t even know [they have access to it],” said McGregor.
With around 12 members, McGregor encourages students to join and have a safe place to go when in need.
“We’d like to have our meetings become a safe space so people know that they can come and talk to use in a non-judgement zone and help them find help,” said McGregor.
Loke and McGregor stress the importance of self-advocacy and express that there is no shame in asking for help.
“Mental health is not this big bad scary thing that you were taught. It’s something that affects everyone even if you don’t see it; especially when you don’t see it. Even if you personally are not affected by it, maybe one of your best friends is and you don’t know it,” said Loke.
“Even the toughest people in the world still ask for help,” said McGregor. “You would go to the doctor if you had a sickness or a broken bone. [Your brain] is no different.”
Aside from Counseling and Wellness, students also have access to Raiders Care, a 24-hour mental health and suicide prevention emergency hotline.
If you or someone you know is struggling with any mental health issues, call Raiders Care at (833) 848-1765 (TTY: (314) 485-4345) or visit Counseling and Wellness located in 053 Student Union
