LIVENAMI Home Front is people impacted by mental illness helping Veterans and their families.
NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and vets with mental health conditions.
Are any other organizations collaborating on this proposal?
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, California State University, Northridge, San Fernando Valley Mental Health Inc., Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, College of the Canyons, Pierce College, Northridge Hospital, Mission Community Hospital
Please describe your project proposal.
Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/veterans living with mental health conditions. The program will also recruit, train, & place trained individuals in their communities to further expand outreach and education efforts.
Which of the LIVE metrics will your proposal impact?
Access to healthy food
Housing affordability
Healthcare access
Self-sufficiency
Residents receiving coordinated healthcare services
Homelessness
Mental illness
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
County of Los Angeles
Describe in greater detail how your proposal will make LA the best place to LIVE?
Nearly 1 in 4 active duty members showed signs of a mental health condition, according to a 2014 study in JAMA Psychiatry. For many PTSD, physical trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse and misuse, homelessness, and suicide are the struggles that our arm forces members face when they come home. We believe every Veteran suicide is a tragic outcome. Regardless of the numbers or rates, one Veteran suicide is one too many-especially for groups at elevated risk for suicide, including older and female Veterans.
NAMI Homefront teaches how to:
Manage crises, solve problems and communicate effectively
Learn to care for yourself, including managing your stress
Develop the confidence and stamina to support your family member with compassion
Identify and access federal, state and local services
Stay informed on the latest research and information on mental health, including post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse
Understand current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects
Navigate the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on the entire family.
Recovery is a journey and there is hope for all people affected by mental illness. This in-person group experience provides the opportunity for mutual support and shared positive impact. People will experience compassion and reinforcement from people who relate to their experiences. Through their participation, they have the opportunity to help others grow and make LA a great place to LIVE!
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
Success will be determine by the number of people that take classes, graduate from classes, get trained to teach classes, and subsequently teach their own class.
We would like to have 5 classes per year in each of the 5 service areas of LA County. With each class having at least one person go on to become a trainer for a total of 25 trainers within one year.
How can the LA2050 community and other stakeholders help your proposal succeed?
Money
Volunteers
Advisors/board members
Staff
Publicity/awareness
Infrastructure (building/space/vehicles
Education/training
Technical infrastructure (computers
Community outreach
Network/relationship support
Quality improvement research