The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43915

Eri Kuno, PhD, Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Rm #3132, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215 349 8709, kuno@cmhpsr.upenn.edu, Iwao Oshima, PhD, Department of Mental Health, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Japan, Darlene Nipper, MS, Multicultural & International Outreach Center, NAMI, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201, and Hajime Oketani, Zenkaren, 1-4-5, Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0004, Japan.

This study examined roles of non-government organizations in the US and Japan in shaping mental health policy and practice. Method: Two prominent organizations, The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) in the US and the National Federation of Families with the Mentally Ill (ZENKAREN) in Japan, were chosen for the analysis. The history, organization and current activities of NAMI and ZENKAREN were described, based on the review of written documents and interviews with key persons. The analysis focused on mechanisms with which NAMI and ZENKAREN try to influence on major policy decisions, service planning and practice. Findings: The two organizations have similar histories and organizational structures. NAMI was funded in 1979 as a national coalition of local family groups that had began to be formed in 1970's. ZENKAREN was founded in 1965 to bring local family organizations together in response to the proposed revision of the Mental Health Law. NAMI has grown its membership to 220,000 in 2000: ZENKAREN has approximately 70,000 members. NAMI, with more than 60 staff members, has established a strong leadership role in influencing national and state level policy decisions and educational and support activities. ZENKAREN has acted as an influential interest group which opinions were reflected in the revisions of the Mental Health Law. Conclusion: NAMI and ZENKAREN have established the organizational structure that makes it possible to consolidate concerns and interests of grassroots membership. The similarity of the two organizations is striking, given different social and cultural contexts.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify effective strategies to bring changes in mental health care systems which reflect concerns and interests of consumers and family members.

Keywords: Advocacy, Sever Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.