The stigma of mental illness causes many problems for the individuals affected by this illness as well as their families. It often causes people to suffer in silence and may prevent them from getting diagnosed in time. There are times when the help comes too late. In this podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk with Christina Valdez-Roup, executive director of NAMI, about how this organization serves the mental health needs of our community. NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. They have been serving the Fresno community for 40 years. Their goal is to reduce the stigma of mental illness. They provide hope and improve quality of life for those affected by this disease at no cost. The organization has a 24/7 crisis hot line where a person can get help right away. If you want to learn more about NAMI, volunteer or donate, you can call: (559) 224-2469 or you can visit their website: https://namifresno.org/