NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Champions Mental Health Support
- Shari Berg
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Mental health advocacy has found a powerful voice in Pittsburgh through NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness. Maria Kakay, the organization’s director of communications and marketing, spoke with North Hills Monthly about the vital work being done to eliminate stigma, provide education, and connect community members with life-changing resources.
North Hills Monthly (NHM): What is NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s mission?
Maria Kakay (Kakay): Located in Pittsburgh, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families affected by mental illness through recovery-focused support, education, and advocacy.
NHM: How does NAMI Keystone PA support individuals and families dealing with mental illness?
Kakay: We offer free peer and family support groups, education programs, and advocacy initiatives. NAMI peer and family support groups help people affected by mental health conditions connect with others who are experiencing similar feelings and situations. Our peer-led education programs provide information and insight about mental health by helping individuals and families better understand mental health conditions, coping strategies, communication techniques, and ways to handle crises and relapse.
NHM: What types of educational programs do you offer?
Kakay: We offer NAMI Family-to-Family, which is for people who have adult loved ones living with a mental health condition. We also offer NAMI Peer-to-Peer, a course for adults who have a diagnosis and are looking to learn more about their wellness and recovery journey. Our NAMI Basics program is for parents and caregivers of youth aged 22 and younger who are experiencing mental health conditions or symptoms. NAMI Basics is available online in an on-demand format. We also offer NAMI Homefront, a free, six-session educational program for families, caregivers, and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions.
NHM: Who leads the support groups and educational sessions?
Kakay: All volunteers who lead a NAMI support group or education program must complete a NAMI training, which is held virtually and organized by NAMI Keystone PA. Affiliates send volunteers to training events to learn how to lead a support group or an education program following the NAMI model in their community.
NHM: How does your organization work to reduce the stigma around mental illness?
Kakay: NAMI’s entire mission is built on eliminating the stigma associated with mental health. We believe that the more knowledge people have about mental health, the less likely they are to judge themselves or others. That is why we believe so strongly in our free educational programs, as well as the mental health awareness presentations we do in schools, workplaces, and communities. We hope that the more people hear about mental health, the more open they will be to talking about it, which can lead to more people seeking help when they need it. Awareness events like NAMIWalks also help lessen the stigma because it is a fun, family-filled event designed around acceptance, hope, and recovery.
NHM: What advocacy efforts does NAMI Keystone PA engage in?
Kakay: NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania has an Adult Mental Health Advocate in Allegheny County who helps people navigate the mental health system and better understand the supports and services available in the county. We also work closely with NAMI National, following state and federal legislation related to mental health, and we send Action Alerts to keep supporters informed.
NHM: Are there specific programs for youth and adults?
Kakay: We offer NAMI Ending the Silence, a free, evidence-based mental health awareness presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff, and parents or guardians of middle- or high school-aged youth. Audiences learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to recognize the early warning signs, and the importance of acknowledging those signs and getting help. We host a youth mental health conference every year in Pittsburgh that draws students, as well as parents, caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals.
NHM: How does NAMI Keystone PA address the needs of diverse communities?
Kakay: Every year, we host a Black Mental Health Summit that addresses the unique challenges that members of Pittsburgh’s Black community are facing, how stigma can be a barrier to seeking treatment, and the obstacles experienced when getting help. We also offer NAMI Sharing Hope, a three-part video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Black communities through dialogue, storytelling, and guided discussion. Sharing Hope is designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, and highlight how and where to find help.
NHM: What resources does your organization provide for workplace mental health?
Kakay: NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania has a program called CEOs Against Stigma, a workplace mental health initiative that educates leadership teams on the impact mental illness is having on the workplace and assists them with developing policies and practices that prioritize mental health, reduce stigma, and promote employee well-being. The program includes workplace presentations and a partnership with NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania.
NHM: How can community members get involved?
Kakay: People can get involved with NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania in several ways. They can volunteer to lead a support group or education program, or they can get involved with NAMIWalks by creating a team and helping to raise funds. Our website is www.namikeystonepa.org. If anyone has any questions, they can email us at info@namikeystonepa.org.
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