About NAMI Fond du Lac – Who We Are

NAMI Fond du Lac is the local affiliate of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), a grass roots organization founded in 1979, with a mission to empower those young and old affected by mental illness and reduce stigma through support, education and outreach. It is our vision for individuals to live in a safe and accepting environment that supports and promotes mental health and recovery.

Mental illnesses are conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. It is important to remember that this term refers to many diagnoses, that each person’s experience with mental health issues is unique and that people have wide-ranging preferences about the language used to describe their experience.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. Hope, Help and Recovery these are NAMI promises.

One in five of our state’s population experiences mental illness in a given year. If you or your loved one is suffering know that you are not alone, NAMI is here to help. If you would like to learn more about mental illnesses and all that NAMI-Fond du Lac is doing in our community, invite us to come speak to your civic group, service organization, employees or classroom. Recovery is possible and people with mental illness can not only survive – but thrive.