At the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maryland, we have served individuals and families coping with mental health conditions for more than 40 years.  We are dedicated to improving the lives of all Marylanders and are focused on providing education, support, and advocacy for individuals with mental health conditions, their loved ones, and the wider community.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of NAMI Maryland’s Annual Education Conference, which will be held virtually on October 14th and 15th, 2022!   Here’s your chance to learn about the latest research, discover resources, develop a talent for advocacy, and foster a better understanding of issues relating to mental health conditions.  This robust and ambitious 2-day virtual event will feature up to 40 keynote presentations and breakout sessions hosted by national and state decision-makers, content experts, and advocates covering critical, relevant topics like:

• Self-care and resilience during COVID-19;
• Specific diagnoses and treatment options;
• Social community supports and benefits;
• Special audiences and populations including rural and BIPOC communities;
• Policy issues like criminal justice, health care reform, and early intervention;
• and more!

The overall goals of the NAMI Maryland Annual Conference are to: allow decision makers and advocates to discuss issues and share solutions; provide practical information and resources for community and health providers, individuals with psychiatric disorders, their friends, relatives, and employers; present practical information and resources about and for “Special Populations” (veterans, minorities, children, young adults, and other underserved populations); present practical information and resources about and for providers and advocates working with co-occurring issues: substance use, physical health, developmental and behavioral disorders; discuss health care reform, substance use, and behavioral health integration, and other advocacy issues: “how it affects you”; educate and engage participants on current advocacy issues and training.