The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The NAMI organization operates at the national, state, and local level. At NAMI Washington, we envision a world where all those impacted by mental health conditions know they are not alone and are empowered to live their most fulfilling life.

N/A

Position Summary
NAMI Washington offers a field placement opportunity with our Youth Department. This position will focus on NAMI Washington’s youth mental health educational programs, youth advocacy, and leadership development. Interns will have the opportunity to support and grow youth-centered programs such as Ending the Silence, Meet Little Monster, Mi Mente, Mi Fuerza, When Does the Rain Go Away, NAMI on Campus, Comfortable Uncomfortable Conversations (youth mental health podcast), youth support groups, and our Youth Advisory Board.

Areas of Focus:
Youth Advocacy and Programming
Develop and support NAMI Washington’s youth programming.
Build relationships with schools, colleges, universities, youth-serving organizations, and mental health care providers to recruit youth and volunteers to help support our programs and initiatives.
Promote training, events, and activities to increase youth participation and engagement.
Support NAMI on Campus (NOC) clubs in organizing events and activities and help organize NOC meetings to empower and support club members.
Work with the Youth Advisory Board to be a supportive guide and encourage to help strengthen the relationship with and between board members.
To be an advocate when needed, to ensure the board’s voice is heard.

Outreach and Engagement
Identify and build relationships with teachers, counselors, and administrative staff at middle and high schools and within the community.
Lead informational meetings with interested schools and organizations, and provide youth mental health materials and resources.
Create social media campaigns to highlight youth mental health issues and programming opportunities.

Advocacy Events and Policy Work
Assist in collobarting and planning Youth Lobby Day activities (in person and/or virtual) and manage post-event surveys.
Work with legislators, government officials, and community organizations to advocate for and expand youth mental health policies.
Help create workshops and events with community partners to foster collaboration in advocacy efforts.

Volunteer Recruitment and Support
Recruit and support program presenters with lived mental health experiences, particularly young adults aged 18-35.
Provide guidance to volunteers through training processes and help them overcome participation barriers.
Facilitate presentations as a producer, managing technology and supporting presenters.

Agency Related Responsibilities
Work closely with the NAMI Washington Youth and Young Adult Programs Manager, who will serve as your task and MSW supervisor.
Incorporation of NAMI Washington's organizational values of respect, community, kindness, empowerment, and
integrity into your everyday life and work that you do.
Passionate about the way youth mental health intersects with other lived experiences and identities, and you bring an anti-bias and intersectional lens to the work that you do.
Exhibit strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Communicate effectively, including public speaking, engaging with diverse groups, and providing timely follow-up

Please see mezzo.

N/A

Please email Summer Starr at SStarr@namiwa.org