Yesterday the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Louisiana (NAMI SELA) hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Mid-City campus.
The event marked the organization’s first official gathering following the recent merger of NAMI New Orleans (NAMINO) and NAMI St. Tammany (NAMIST), symbolizing the organization’s unified effort to enhance mental health services across the Southeast region. The ceremony featured distinguished keynote speakers, including U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, a staunch advocate for mental health reform, and Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, NAMI SELA’s largest funder and community partner.
The merger received support from the organizations’ board of directors and membership, and in June, they voted in favor to consolidate.
Local leaders, elected officials, press and community members attended the grand opening, showing their support for NAMI Southeast Louisiana’s enhanced services and expanded reach, a network that encompasses a nine-parish territory, including Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington. The event included tours of the New Orleans facility, opportunities to meet the staff, and information on how the community can get involved in programs and future events.
For more information about NAMI SELA and its services, please visit www.namisel.org.
