Introduction
When people are diagnosed with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, finding appropriate medical and psychiatric care is the first priority.  But once such treatment begins, they and their families soon discover that the illness affects many aspects of their lives and they need more than medical help.

These pages describe the kinds of non-medical services that are available in many communities for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses and their families.

No single, coordinated system of services currently exists across the country.  When someone has a serious mental illness, his or her family often has to assume responsibility for managing the person's comprehensive care.  Although the service system is fragmented, support groups of other families and people with mental illnesses (often called consumers) who have faced the same challenge exist in every state.

If you or someone you love has a serious mental illness, the information in these pages can help you find and evaluate the services in your community, find others who are asking the same questions you are, and perhaps join those across the country who are working to create more coordinated and comprehensive services for those with mental illnesses in every community.

• How can people with serious mental illnesses lead satisfying, independent lives?
• What kinds of services help individuals with mental illnesses live successfully in their communities, and how do these services support their families?
• If I or somone I love has a mental illness, what kinds of help might I look for in my community?
• In Conclusion

NAMI Chelan-Douglas
Meeting - 3rd Tuesday each month @ 7:00pm
Riverwest Retirement Community
900 N. Western, Wenatchee
509-663-8282

Crisis Line - 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923