Introduction
Mental health is a vital yet often overlooked component of overall health and well-being. The National Association for Mental Health (NAMH) is an organization dedicated to supporting mental health through the promotion of better awareness, understanding and treatment of mental illness. This article will discuss the definition of NAMH, its history, and its characteristics.
Definition
The National Association for Mental Health is a non-profit, national organization that works to promote better mental health services and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. NAMH works to raise awareness of mental health issues and to improve access to mental health services for all people. NAMH also advocates for more socially-acceptable treatments of mental illness and provides education and support for mental health professionals.
History
NAMH was founded in 1948 by a group of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Its mission was to “advance the mental health of individuals, families, and communities through the promotion of understanding, prevention, and treatment of mental illness.” Since its inception, NAMH has grown to become an internationally recognized organization, with branches in many countries around the world.
Characteristics
NAMH has a number of characteristics that make it stand out from other mental health organizations. First, it takes an evidence-based approach to mental health, relying on research findings to inform its policy decisions and initiatives. Second, it is strongly committed to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and works to raise awareness of mental health issues and to promote acceptance of those who suffer from mental illness. Finally, NAMH is a non-profit organization, and does not accept money from pharmaceutical companies or other corporate entities.
Conclusion
The National Association for Mental Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving mental health awareness, understanding, and treatment. Through its commitment to research-based practices, its advocacy of social acceptance of mental illness, and its refusal to accept money from corporate entities, NAMH remains a leader in the field of mental health.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627.
NAMH. (n.d.). What is NAMH? Retrieved from https://www.namh.org.uk/about-us/what-is-namh/