Organization Description NAMI Monterey County offers hope and reduction of stigma associated with mental illness through education, advocacy, service access and support for families and their loved ones living with mental illness. To this end, we seek to enhance the quality and fulfillment of their lives through wellness and recovery.
NAMI Monterey County believes in:
* Education. Education for individuals living with mental illness, their families and the community is important to dispel stigma and ignorance regarding mental illness. We believe that education and information is a vital tool to living with a mental illness.
* Advocacy. NAMI Monterey County believes in advocating for legislation and benefits for those living with mental illness. We use our voice within the state and federal system to support and improve the quality of life for those who are mentally ill.
* Service Access. Our mission is to provide up-to-date information for anyone wanting to learn about mental illness. We work closely with other local resources to provide assistance to those in need.
* Support. NAMI Monterey County provides many classes and support groups for family members and their loved ones. These classes and support groups provide a safe place for family members to get the encouragement they need and to know that they are not alone.
Program Information NAMI Monterey County is seeking an Outreach Intern. This intern will support the Outreach Coordinator by advocating for mental health awareness through presentations, social media, and through community outreach tabling events. Individuals with lived experience and who are bilingual are encouraged to apply.
By the end of this internship opportunity, students will have learned about the National Alliance on Mental Illness including the services we provide at the national, state, and local level, and how to recognize and support individuals living with mental health conditions. The student will also experience working alongside community leaders and prevention and early intervention programs throughout Monterey County.
CHHS interns will assist with outreach, volunteer coordination, event coordination, program assistance
The Outreach Intern works with the NAMI Outreach Coordinators to connect with English and Spanish speaking families and individuals in Monterey Peninsula, Salinas and in South Monterey County communities regarding NAMI Monterey’s programs and resources.
The Outreach Intern assists with a wide range of duties and activities:
- Shadow at outreach events to learn how to interact with community members and help promote NAMI’s mental health support and resources.
- Assist in preparing materials/packets for community presentations and may shadow presentations.
- Assist in community outreach by helping distribute flyers to various community sites and organizations.
- Assist in promoting NAMI events/classes via print, media, and social media.
- Assist in coordinating community events in to better inform the community and reduce the stigma against mental illness.
- Opportunity to assist with the Stepping Up initiative, an advocacy effort to divert people with mental illness to treatment instead of jail.
Personal Characteristics:
- Desire to reduce the stigma and discrimination against mental illness.
- Desire to help those individuals/families affected by mental illness.
- Familiarity with NAMI or willingness to learn more.
- Understanding of mental illnesses either from personal experience, family experience, or educational study (Behavioral Science, Psychology, Social work, Sociology, Human Services,
Social Science and related fields).
- Bilingual (desirable)
- It can be helpful to have a laptop
Location: Salinas Office with possible travel to additional locations for outreach activities