NAMI Northern Virginia – a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – was founded on September 1, 1977, as “Pathways to Independence” by people with ‘lived’ experience regarding mental health conditions who recognized the power of peer support for individuals and family members.

Since that time, we have grown into a thriving, independent, locally supported 501(c)(3) with a professional staff and over 125 trained volunteers. We serve the over 1000 square mile area of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County, and the 2 million+ community members, making up over 20 percent of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Every year, we touch thousands of lives, offering critical mental health support, stigma-breaking education, and advocacy.