A nurse counsels a patient diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness. The patient lives at home with family. Which resource could the nurse suggest to assist the patient and family to cope with the stigma of mental illness as well as provide support and education?

A) American Psychiatric Association (APA)
B) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
C) Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs)
D) Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)

Stigma represents the bias and prejudice commonly held regarding mental illness. NAMI actively seeks to dispel misconceptions about mental illness. The organization also offers patient and family support and education about living with mental illness. Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are government agencies that provide outpatient services to persons diagnosed with SPMI. The APA is the professional organization of psychiatrists. Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) use a treatment team approach to improve symptom management and quality of life for persons diagnosed with SPMI.