NAMI Bucks County PA was founded 40 years ago in 1983 by a mother whose son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 12. This mother did not have the support she needed to help her son, discuss the best treatment for him, and deal with the emotions she was experiencing. She didn’t want other parents and families to be left without the support they needed in a time of crisis. Beginning with a small group called “Families Unite for Mental Health,” the organization has since blossomed into NAMI Bucks County and has become a major source of help and support for people who are dealing with mental health issues and their families.
What NAMI Bucks County offers
NAMI Bucks County offers a variety of services to families, individuals, the community, and local mental health providers. NAMI Bucks County offers a hotline for those in distress, along with support groups for specific needs, youth programs, and education programs. They also recognize the specific needs of veterans and frontline workers.
Besides providing resources for mental health issues, NAMI can also direct you to support for other needs, such as housing, food services, homelessness, inpatient care, substance abuse, and legal representation.
NAMI Bucks County helps people through the process of recovery. Recovery from mental disorders and substance abuse disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, find purpose and meaning, and build community relationships to live full and healthy lives.
Getting help
NAMI Bucks County offers a variety of ways to get help, and there are also national services to help you in crisis.
If you are in crisis:
- Call the NAMI Bucks County Helpline: 1-866-399-NAMI (6264), option 2, from 9am-9pm for information and referrals
- Call the NAMI Bucks County Emotional Support WarmLine: 1-866-399-NAMI (6264), option 1, from 3pm-10pm for one-on-one peer support
- Text NAMI to 741741 any time, 24/7
- Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 any time, 24/7
- Call the Bucks County Crisis Center at Lenape Valley Foundation: 1-800-499-7455 any time, 24/7. Their services include dispatching crisis teams and medical assistance.
If you are not in crisis but need help, NAMI Bucks County offers a Warmline, 215-343-3055 from 3pm-10pm. Staff providing the services on the Warmline have been through a similar journey and are trained to provide an empathetic, listening ear and offer resources when requested. Using a strengths-based model, Warmline responders help callers feel empowered with the tools to make the necessary changes in their lives or reach the help that they need in a non-crisis situation.
All NAMI services are free. If you are in need, reach out to NAMI Bucks County by one of the above means or by visiting their website, namibuckspa.org, for a complete listing of their services.
