Join Our Amazing Volunteer Team!!

NAMI Greenville is driven by the passion and dedication of our volunteers who play a crucial role in fulfilling our mission. Our volunteers lead and support various programs that are offered free to the public, contributing to the overall mental health and well-being of our community.

Our education initiatives, presentations, and supports groups rely on the commitment of volunteers. Please see the information below about each of our signature programs to learn more.

Outside of leading one of our programs, there is a great need for volunteers in assisting with fundraising, event planning, community outreach, and administrative tasks. Whether you can spare an hour or two every week or contribute occasionally, your support is invaluable to us!

If you are ready to make a difference, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. Once submitted, our Program Coordinator will reach out to discuss the various volunteer opportunities available. We appreciate your willingness to contribute to our cause and our community.

LEAD A SUPPORT GROUP.

Facilitate a Family Support Group:

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers, and close friends of individuals living with mental illness.

As a facilitator, you will follow NAMI’s structured model to ensure everyone in the group has an opportunity to be heard and get support. Ensure a safe space for support group members to gain hope and insight from the challenges and successes of people facing similar experiences.

Help others discover their inner strength and empower themselves through empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community in a non-judgmental space.

Each Support group is 90 minutes. We ask volunteers to facilitate one group per month.

Requirement- You need to identify as a family member with a loved one affected by mental illness and attend our training. You also MUST attend at least 2 Family Support Groups prior to the training.

Facilitate a Connection Support Group:

This is a peer support group for adults with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, etc.

As a facilitator, you will follow NAMI’s structured model to ensure everyone in the group has an opportunity to be heard and get support. Ensure a safe space for support group members to gain hope and insight from the challenges and successes of people facing similar experiences.

Help others discover their inner strength and empower themselves through empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community in a non-judgmental space.

Each Support group is 90 minutes. We ask volunteers to facilitate one group per month.

Requirement- You must identify as an individual living with a mental health condition in recovery and attend our training. You also MUST attend at least 2 Connection Support Groups prior to the training.

SHARE YOUR STORY AS A PRESENTER.

Give an Ending the Silence Presentation:

This is a presentation given in schools around Greenville County. As a presenter, you educate the audience on how to recognize the early warning signs of mental illness and what to do if they or someone they know is showing these signs. NAMI Ending the Silence encourages people to reduce stigma and speak up about mental illness.

Commitment- You must go through training before-hand and be willing and able to travel during school hours.

Requirement- Lead presenters need to have their own experience with mental health challenges or experience from supporting a loved one with a mental health condition.

Give an In Our Own Voice Presentation:

As a presenter, you educate people about mental health conditions to change attitudes, assumptions, and ideas. These are free, 40-to-60-minute presentations where you provide a personal perspective and talk openly with others about it’s like to have a mental health condition.

Help others gain deeper understanding of their mental health conditions by dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions. We ask volunteers to lead one presentation per month.

Requirements- This opportunity is only for adults living with mental illness in recovery and you must attend our training.

TEACH AN EDUCATION COURSE.

Teach a Family-to-Family Class:

Teach an 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions.  You will use this evidenced-based program to empower people to become better advocates for their loved ones and increase their coping skills. All materials are provided by NAMI. We ask volunteers to teach one class per year.

Guide participants as they learn about:

  • How to solve problems and communicate effectively
  • Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
  • Supporting your loved one with compassion
  • Finding and using local supports and services
  • Information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
  • How to handle a crisis

Commitment- Teachers usually commit to 2-3 hours/week for an 8-week period.

Requirements- You need to be a family member or caregiver of an adult living with a mental health condition. You must be trained before teaching this class and need to have completed the course prior to training.

Teach a Peer-to-Peer Class:

Teach an eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. All materials are provided by NAMI. We ask volunteers to teach one class per year.

You will guide participants as they learn about:

  • Developing confidence for making decisions
  • Practicing relaxation and stress reduction tools
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Enhancing communication skills
  • Learning about mental health treatment options

Commitment- Teachers usually commit to 2-3 hours/week for an 8-week period.

Requirements- You need to identify as someone living with a mental health condition who is living in recovery. You must be trained and need to have completed the Peer-to-Peer course prior to training.

Teach a NAMI Basics Course:

This is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers, and other family who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. The program provides education concerning diagnosis and symptoms, as well as school issues and support. NAMI Basics is currently being offered online right now, but we are hoping to offer it in person again soon! Learn more at NAMI Basics | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Commitment- Teachers usually commit 2 hours per week for a total of 6 weeks per year.

Requirements- You need to be a family member or caregiver of an individual living with a mental health condition who developed the symptoms of mental health issues prior to the age of 13. You must be trained and need to complete this course before training.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT NAMI GREENVILLE:

NAMIWalks Upstate South Carolina is our largest fundraising event of the year! All funds raised allows us to provide education, support, advocacy, and information to those with a mental health condition, their families, friends, and the community at zero cost. Volunteering with NAMIWalks could include helping us set up, handing out waters, signing in participants, and more!

NAMI Greenville tries to be involved as much as possible in the community. We might need volunteers to table at events or help us with outreach throughout the year

NAMI Greenville is seeking a motivated individual to assist with developing and writing grant proposals to grant-making organizations that will communicate our mission and programs to potential funders.

Help NAMI Greenville write letters and lobby to improve the quality of life and promote recovery for those suffering from mental illness.

We are always looking for help in the office that include duties like filling, letters, receipts, donor correspondence, inputting data, reporting, inventory management, and more!

Help us develop an intern program to work along with local universities.

Help NAMI Greenville enhance our website and maintain social media platforms to tell our story. We also need people to help with our monthly newsletter and telling our story.

We need volunteers to educate the community about membership benefits, to help grow our members, and to help us keep records of our current members.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved with NAMI Greenville, please email jen@namigreenvillesc.org or complete this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.