History of NAMI Tulsa
EDUCATION. SUPPORT. ADVOCACY. TRAINING.
NAMI Tulsa was formed in the early days of 1989. It was known as TAMI (Tulsa Assoc. on Mental Illness). As part of OAMI (Oklahoma Assoc. on Mental Illness). We were faced with many daunting tasks regarding some massive changes to state funding of mental illness programs.
In the following decade, Oklahoma saw many reforms in state agencies and many top leaders were pressed to resign after controversial policies proved unworkable. Then came the closure of state hospitals like Eastern State, at Vinita. Shortly thereafter, Parkside Hospital ended their long association with the state mental health agencies. NAMI Tulsa was instrumental in founding the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health.
Today, NAMI Tulsa is heavily focused on education, support groups, public policy, training, and we have developed lasting relationships with many local, state, and national agencies for the betterment of the care of our mentally ill.