It seems that there's a new app every week to help you chat, message, connect, meet, group, share, like, or whatever else so strikes you. Some aim to inspire specific types of conversation.
Enter NAMI AIR. Initially launched by NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) on March 19, 2015 and last updated on the Apple Store and Google Play on April 24, 2015, this app aims to give users a safe space to talk about their experiences with mental health challenges, and to offer support and advice to each other. Users choose between one of two groups: "I live with a mental health condition" or "I am a family member or caregiver." Of course, many people fall into both of these categories. The app allows one to switch between the two groups, but a user can only be in and see the posts of one group at a time.
The app is Anonymous. An email address is required for signing up for the app, but this email is never seen by other users (though admins can see the email addresses to retrieve lost passwords and to intervene in cases of serious threats of self-harm or suicide), and there are no usernames or any other form of identification.
The app also aims to be Inspiring and Relatable. There is the "Compose" button that allows one to type out a message. Posts range from a sentence about one's mood to long discussions about the side effects of medications or dealing with other people, to just about everything in between.
Once the post is made, or when scrolling through the feed and seeing posts made by others, there is the "Like" button (with a heart instead of the Facebook-claimed thumbs up), a "Hug" button for when a hug is more suitable than a like, and a "Me Too!" button, which gives the option to compose a message in reply or to not do so.
There is also the #Note (hash-note) feature, which allows one to leave as few or as many pre-determined supportive hashtags as one likes.
The "Get Help" button directs the user to information and help: "Contact Someone Now" provides numbers for the NAMI Help Line, a directory for mental health services (1-800-950-6264), and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), and one can also find links to their local NAMI chapter as well as information about mental health and mental health services.
Thus, this app is more than just another social network: this app is life-saving information, compassion, understanding, and a friendly reminder that whatever you may be facing, you are not alone.
