Position statements
1. Health Insurance Parity
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support full parity in both private (individual and employer-based) and public (Medicare, Medicaid, and other government sponsored) insurance coverage for mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders as contained in DSM IV. Mental illnesses are both blameless and treatable, and health insurance coverage for the necessary medical care for these illnesses must be non-discriminatory.
2. Medication and Medical Treatment Access
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support, without restrictions, access to safe and individually effective psychotropic interventions, using evidence-based practice models. Access to medical intervention to treat or manage mental illness should be guaranteed regardless of one's financial means, geographic location, or legal status. Safe and effective treatments are those that are evidence-based and may include research-based off-label indications.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to strongly oppose measures that are intended to limit, or actually do limit the right of individuals with brain disorders known as mental illness to receive the full spectrum of medication, including but not limited to branded atypical antipsychotics, neuroleptics, or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Use of generic medications is supported only when found to be safe, effective, and equivalent for specific individuals. ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) continues to be a viable treatment option for certain conditions.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that all medical interventions should be provided by practitioners who are trained, competent, licensed and practicing within their scope of practice.
NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. supports the research and development of new medications and therapies and their use when proven to be safe and effective in treating symptoms of mental illness.
3. Criminal Justice
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to vigorously support the availability of diversion of persons with serious mental illness, and/or those with co-occurring conditions of serious mental illness and substance abuse, from traditional criminal justice sanctions into treatment.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to expect assessment and treatment of mental illnesses and addictions of offenders in the criminal justice system. It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to advocate aggressively for adequate mental health staffing with appropriately trained professionals in the criminal justice system--psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed social workers and psychiatric nurses.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to promote mental health training to staff in the criminal justice system i.e., community law enforcement, corrections officers, probation and parole agents, juvenile justice authorities, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, service providers, etc.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to expect gender and cultural equity in access to mental health/substance abuse services in the criminal justice system.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to advocate for and support improved connections between corrections and communities for offenders with serious mental illness and/or addiction issues, e.g., development of comprehensive discharge plans, assisting in Social Security benefits availability, housing, medication monitoring, rehabilitation, employment, and involvement with formal and informal community supports to include club houses and peer support services.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support transitional release planning for inmates of Wisconsin jails and prisons.
4. Consumer Involvement/Recovery
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support recovery, incorporate principles of recovery in all NAMI Wisconsin activities, and assure consumer representation and involvement in all NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. activities.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that, for mental health consumers, optimal treatment, favorable outcomes, and recovery are most likely to occur when treatments and services are provided in an atmosphere of respect, acceptance, hope, collaboration, and partnership.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that all decisions within the NAMI organization, at the state and local affiliate level, affecting the lives of consumers will include meaningful consumer representation. It is also the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that all decisions, at the state and local levels of government, affecting the lives of consumers will include meaningful consumer representation.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support the development of training and employment of Peer Specialists and Peer Advocates within the mental health delivery system in Wisconsin.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin to support and encourage self-help activities, consumer-run programs, and peer support activities that allow for participation of consumers at all stages of personal recovery.
5. Evidence-based Practice
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that persons with mental illness should be provided with the best care that science can offer. NAMI Wisconsin believes that evidence-based practices should be available to all persons in Wisconsin who need them.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that educational materials be provided to all consumers and family members in Wisconsin indicating which existing mental health practices have proven to be effective.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that public funding should be prioritized to support mental health practices and programs for which there is scientific evidence that they are effective. Any publicly funded programs or services not proven by research should be required to provide outcome data with continued funding based on proven effectiveness. It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin that programs for which there is compelling scientific evidence establishing their effectiveness be rapidly moved from "science to service."
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that all available funding for training be focused on the provision of training in providing evidence-based practices or for innovative practices which appear promising and are currently undergoing scientific study as to their efficacy.
6. Children's Treatment and Services
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that early diagnosis, integrated community services, evidence-based treatment, and living in the least restrictive, nurturing, (preferably community) environment are guiding principles for helping children with brain disorders including those in the juvenile or criminal justice system. Integrated services include transitional services from those focused on adolescence to those focused on adulthood. Coordination with schools, both public and private, as well as the juvenile justice system is essential.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that treatment and education are to be provided by well trained and competent professionals. Family involvement is critical to success and in no way should the family's rights be curtailed in order to obtain services. For example, access to funding for services should not require entry into the juvenile or criminal justice system. Families are to be supported in all areas including education and advocacy services. Educational services must be tailored to the learning style and strengths of the individual, be provided in a timely fashion, and be respectful of vocational and social needs.
7. Diversity
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to assertively reach out to Wisconsin citizens affected by serious mental illness without regard to ethnicity, race, gender, ability, age, religion, wealth, or sexual orientation, and develop culturally competent methods of providing appropriate support, education, and advocacy to all.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that, because mental illnesses co-occur with other conditions with equal challenges, there is a need for treatment, support, education, and advocacy for individuals and their families who experience co-occurring conditions. These include, but are not limited to, substance abuse, sensory disabilities, physical disabilities and other serious medical conditions or disabilities.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support its affiliates, families, and individuals in meeting the needs of the total community.
8. Safe Affordable Integrated Housing
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that all persons with serious mental illness and their families have safe, affordable, and comfortable housing in the least restrictive setting. Statistics indicate that 25 to 30 percent of the nation's people who are homeless have a mental illness. NAMI Wisconsin believes that people affected by serious mental illness must be empowered with a voice and a choice in housing selection.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. to support the provision of a full array of housing options for people with serious mental illness based on personal need and individual choice.
9. Educational and Vocational Pursuits
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that mental health consumers have the right to participate in activities that are productive and meaningful to them. Such options shall include, but are not limited to, educational, employment, training, or volunteer activities as afforded by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that adequate training, vocational, and educational options should be made available to all mental health consumers to insure the highest possible level of choice, independence, and personal recovery.
10. Adults Who Are Veterans
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin that veterans should receive the same full range of integrated services, both inpatient and within the community that are received by other people with serious mental illness.
It is the position of NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. that veterans' inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment programs should be held to the same standards of performance as all other inpatient and outpatient treatment programs.