Outreach Partners Selected in 2005
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has selected 22 new partners for its Outreach Partnership Program, which enlists organizations from each state and the District of Columbia. This national outreach initiative strives to bridge the gap between mental health research and clinical practice by increasing public awareness of mental health and illness, and by encouraging the public to be involved in the development of a national research agenda. The Outreach Partnership Program also works to build an integrated network of state and national organizations to build coalitions, allow for cost and information sharing, and help national campaigns reach the state grass roots level.
The newly announced partners were selected after a year-long competitive process. The second group of 29 partners will be competed later this year for a total of 51 partners representing every state and the District of Columbia.
The new Outreach Partners are:
| State/District | Organization |
|---|---|
| Alabama | NAMI Alabama |
| Alaska | SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Center |
| Arizona | NAMI Arizona |
| District of Columbia | Howard University Clinical Psychology Department |
| Delaware | Mental Health Association in Delaware and the Center for Mental Health Education and Research |
| Hawaii | University of Hawaii at Manoa and United Self Help |
| Iowa | Consortium for Mental Health and NAMI Iowa |
| Illinois | Mental Health Association in Illinois |
| Indiana | NAMI Indiana |
| Michigan | Michigan Psychological Association Foundation |
| Mississippi | Mental Health Association of Mississippi |
| Missouri | Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis in partnership with the Mental Health Association of the Heartland and NAMI of Southwest Missouri |
| Montana | Montana Mental Health Association |
| Nevada | Southern Nevada Area Health Education Center |
| North Carolina | Mental Health Association of North Carolina |
| Oklahoma | Mental Health Association in Tulsa |
| Oregon | NAMI Oregon |
| Rhode Island | Mental Health Association of Rhode Island |
| South Dakota | NAMI South Dakota |
| Washington | NAMI Washington |
| West Virginia | NAMI West Virginia |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Area Health Education Center |
Visit the Outreach Partners page for a complete list of current partners.
The Outreach Partnership Program has made great strides since its inception in 1999 originating with only 18 partners in 17 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the state Outreach Partners, there are also more than 80 National Partners, including professional, consumer, advocacy, and service-related organizations that represent groups primarily concerned with mental health, alcoholism, and drug abuse disorders. The Partnership is an initiative of the NIMH with support from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
Outreach Partners work to increase public awareness of the critical role research plays in expanding the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Each partner conducts a statewide mental health outreach and education program to deliver science-based messages to the public, a broad range of health professionals, and traditionally underserved populations. Partners also collaborate with universities and other research institutions to increase opportunities for volunteer participation in clinical studies sponsored by NIMH and NIH.
The NIMH provides Outreach Partners with ongoing technical assistance in project-related activities, research updates through annual meetings and the Web, opportunities to network online and in regional meetings with other state and national organizations, access to NIMH educational publications, and a small annual stipend. The NIMH website has more information on the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program and resources.
