Advocacy Groups

New Hampshire

• NAMI NH, 603-225-5359 or 800-242-6264
  • Location: 85 N. State St., Concord, NH 03301
  • NAMI NH is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons of all ages affected by mental illness and/or serious emotional disorders through education, support and public policy advocacy. NAMI works to ensure that individuals with mental illness have access to comprehensive, integrated health care and community-based supports without discrimination or stigma.

• Public Health Council of the Upper Valley, 603-523-7100
  • Alice Ely, Executive Director, alice.ely@uvpublichealth.org
  • The PHC, originally formed as the MVHI (Mascoma Valley Health Initiative) in 2001, encourages collaboration among Upper Valley organizations as a means to deliver core public health services, establish public health priorities, and mobilize resources to achieve measurable outcomes.

• Disability Rights Center, 603-228-0432
  • Location: 18 Low Avenue, Concord, NH 03301
  • The DRC is New Hampshire's designated Protection and Advocacy Agency and authorized by federal statute "to pursue legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies" on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The DRC is a statewide organization that is independent from state government or service providers. The DRC provides information, referral, advice, and legal representation and advocacy to individuals with a wide range of disability-related problems.

• Governor's Commission on Disability, 603-271-2773
  • Location: 57 Regional Drive, Concord, NH 03301
  • The Commission's goal is to remove the barriers, architectural, attitudinal or programmatic, which bar persons with disabilities from participating in the mainstream of society.

• Granite State Independent Living (GSIL), 603-228-9680 or 800-826-3700
  • Location: 21 Chenell Drive, Concord, NH 03301
  • GSIL is a statewide non-profit service and advocacy organization that provides tools for living life on your terms so you can navigate your own life and participate as fully as you choose in your community, just like everybody else. They have four core services—advocacy, information, education, and support.

• Human Rights Commission, 603-271-2767
  • Location: 2 Chenell Avenue, Concord, NH 03301
  • The NH Commission for Human Rights is a state agency established by RSA 354-A for the purpose of eliminating discrimination in employment, public accommodations and sale or rental of housing or commercial property because of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability or national origin. The commission has the power to receive, investigate and pass upon complaints of illegal discrimination and to engage in research and education to promote good will and prevent discrimination.

• People First of New Hampshire, 603-568-2182 or 800-566-2128
  • Location: 4 Park Street, Suite #205, Concord, NH 03302
  • People First of New Hampshire is a non-profit self-advocacy organization comprised of chapters and groups across the state led by people with disabilities.

Vermont

• NAMI VT, 802-244-1396
  • NAMI VT Helpline for Mental Health Information and Resources: 800-639-6480
  • Location: 162 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676-1519
  • NAMI Vermont is a grassroots volunteer organization of individuals who have joined together to accomplish the following goals: Provide SUPPORT to families and individuals coping with the problems presented by mental illness; EDUCATE the public and our members about severe mental illness so that perceptions change and stigma is eliminated; ADVOCATE for a system of adequate care in every community.

• Friends of Recovery Vermont, 802-229-6103
  • Location: 100 State St., Suite 352, Montpelier, VT 05602
  • Friends of Recovery – Vermont is a grassroots advocacy and education organization. We help spread the word about the value of long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and the effects of addiction on individuals, families and communities.

• Green Mountain Self-Advocates, 802-229-2600
  • Location: 2 Prospect Street, Suite 6 Montpelier, Vermont 05602
  • Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA) is a Vermont Self-Advocacy organization run by people with developmental disabilities. Groups meet to listen to each other, make new friends, learn about their rights, and tell politicians and others why people with disabilities are important.

• Vermont Center for Independent Living, 800-639-1522
  • Location: 11 East State St., Montpelier, VT 05602
  • VCIL believes that individuals with disabilities have the right to live with dignity and with appropriate support in their own homes, fully participate in their communities, and to control and make decisions about their lives.

National

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need. NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI State Organizations, NAMI Affiliates and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs.

• Bring Change 2 Mind
  • Bring Change 2 Mind is a national anti-stigma campaign founded by Glenn Close, The Balanced Mind Foundation, Fountain House, and Garen & Shari Staglin of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), aimed at removing misconceptions about mental illness.

• Treatment Advocacy Center
  • The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness. The organization promotes laws, policies and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) is a supporting organization of The Treatment Advocacy Center.

• Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
  • The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.