Partner Spotlight - NAMI

September 25, 2024

Topic: Updates

Lorri Grainawi's photoThough her degree may be in engineering, Lorri Grainawi’s education in mental health is what she would call “lived experience.”

Shortly after her youngest son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2012, Grainawi enrolled in a class through the National Alliance on Mental Illness called “Family to Family,” which was geared toward anyone with a loved one who has a mental health condition.

“It was a really great experience, and I left that wanting to do more, so I started volunteering,” she added.

Around 2018, two years after her son passed away, Grainawi chose to retire from her full-time job and focus her attention on mental health.

“It really was life-changing to live that experience,” she added. “I spent a lot of time trying a number of things to get him help, and came to realize just how frustrating our system is, how difficult it can be, for people to try and get care or help. The illness changed him so much that I just want to be able to help others that might be going through the same thing.”

One of her first moves was to teach a class called “Ending the Silence.” Though intended originally for children and focused on ending the stigma of mental health conditions, as well as identifying the symptoms and how to get help, she wanted to adapt that to a parent level.

“I felt really strongly that my kids, when growing up, were really only presented with these talks on substance abuse,” Grainawi said. “If I had been more aware [of the mental health aspect] as a parent, I might have recognized some of these signs earlier and sought help sooner, and maybe my son would have, too.”

While she now serves as a board member at large for the Northwest Suburban Chicago chapter of NAMI, Grainawi’s role remains that of volunteer – especially as the affiliate is 100% volunteer and “everyone kind of pitches in for whatever is needed.”

For her, this includes giving a number of presentations and talking to various groups about being a parent and her personal experiences. Grainawi also works with the Illinois Legislature to try and follow legislation on mental health, along with advocating for bills that may be of help. Volunteers also attend mental health fairs in the neighborhood to inform attendees of what resources are available to them.

“I think my No. 1 goal is just to make it easier for people to talk about [mental health],” she adds. “If people could talk about their mental health the way they talk about having a sprained ankle – or if we could treat it the same as something like that – it could make things a whole lot easier. People could talk about their experiences, where they get their resources.”

NAMI, as a whole, is committed to helping people. If anyone has a question, Grainawi encourages them to call (847) 496-1415, head to NAMI’s website at nami-nwsc.org/, or whichever way is most comfortable for them.

“Regardless of the kind of concern you have, it’s a big deal,” she adds. “While anxiety may not be considered as ‘serious mental health,’ it’s still serious to you when you’re dealing with it. We understand. We want to help.”

Outside of her new “lived experience,” Grainawi can be found tending to her garden, running, or with her nose in the newest and best book.