NAMI Hope Center 819 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802

"No body want to believe a raider"

"I visited in the Summer of 2022 I think it was. I had the pleasure of visiting NAMI in the past and recently returned in 2020 after a long hiatus. NAMI, which used to be located on Sunshine and Campbell, had since relocated to the Cox North campus. My first impression of the new location was that it was a tidy and well-maintained spot, but I must admit that the new location caught me by surprise. Upon my most recent visit last summer, I discovered that NAMI had moved yet again, this time to the former Victims Center. Unfortunately, the moment I stepped through the front door, I was immediately overwhelmed by an unpleasant smell that seemed to be a mixture of raw sewage and a hot moist pile of freshly exhumed rancid human remains. As someone who has hypersensitivity sensory issues, the odor was too much for me to bear. Despite the off-putting odor, I tried to keep an open mind as I approached the front desk. There was a man sitting there who appeared to be an employee, but he seemed preoccupied with something in the lower desk drawer and didn't acknowledge my presence for a full five minutes. It was disconcerting and I found myself struggling to stay focused on the task at hand. As I looked around, I noticed that the decor was minimalistic but tasteful, with muted colors and simple furnishings. However, the overwhelming scent detracted from any positive attributes the space had to offer. In summary, I found the new location of NAMI to be lacking due to the overpowering smell and lack of attentive service. I do hope that they can resolve whatever plumbing issue or other problem caused the odor, as I would like to return in the future and experience the help and resources that NAMI offers."

"Great place, with great leadership. They truly care about helping people! I'm very grateful for this program."

"PROS: a handful of really great, caring people. Good support group system, especially for temporary needs. Several extremely dedicated staff members and the potential to make many friends CONS: Nobody here actually has confidently. Personal information gets spread without consequences. They will alienate those who are not southern-baptist, and many run their support groups like a bible study. Several paid staff members are known for not practicing ethical/legal behavior. Stealing is common and there are occasional fights. If you are keen on avoiding shady people during your psychological recovery, this isn’t the place for you."

"We constantly hear that there isn't enough support for mental illness in this country. This organization does a great job in providing local support and advocacy for those impacted by mental illness in Southwest Missouri. There are a variety of groups for people impacted. They also provide programs for veterans and families. Often time people don't realize it but the first responders really become the family. NAMI SWMO is active in the community organizing 5Ks, Walks, and various other events. One of the most unique events is the Night Run they do. Illuminaries line the trail to commemorate suicide victims which the participants have purchased in the memory of those individuals. They have recently helped place several of their clients who did not have permanent homes in Eden Village. This is a great organization, doing great things!"