What is research? Research is a systematic, objective, and methodical investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, verify existing facts, or solve problems. It involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data through structured methodologies to expand the understanding of a subject. What is NAMI’s mission? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) mission is to provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.  These simple definitions provide guideposts for the challenges and benefits of NAMI’s engagement in research. We want to help people build better lives research itself as a tool. This presentation will summarize and reflect on the steps that NAMI and research partners took to create and maintain programs that need NAMI’s mission. The family to family education program met the challenge and set the standard for research partnership moving forward. Important principles include co-creation and partnership and choosing methods that balance rigor with human needs and kindness. Measures must optimize scientific validity and relevance to participants. We need to consider both Internal validity—the ability to draw inferences and attribute cause-and-effect—and external validity—confidence that the findings generalize to our communities. This presentation will reflect on the highlights of NAMI family-based research and identify lessons learned that will help us move forward.

Learning Objectives

1. To list the general principles and features of high-quality, impactful community-based research
2. To identify the characteristics and findings of the NAMI studies on FTF and Homefront.
3. To consider  research challenges and opportunities moving forward to optimize NAMI's impact and ability to achieve submission