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Association for the chronically Mentally Ill

Advocating for those who need it most.

ACMI works in Arizona to improve care for those with chronic serious mental illness by advocating for supportive housing, secure treatment facilities, and cost-effective system reforms that promote long-term well-being.

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    Fast Facts

    • 8.3 million

      0 million

      adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder mental illness (3.3% of the population)

    • 2.8 million

      0 million

      approximate number with schizophrenia (1.1% of the population), 40% untreated

    • 169 ,000

      0 ,000

      homeless people with serious mental illness

    • 3.9 million

      0 million

      approximate number untreated in any given year (1.6% of the population)

    • 50 %

      0 %

      estimated percentage of individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar who attempt suicide during their lifetimes

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Improving lives through advocacy and care

The Association of Chronically Mentally Ill (ACMI) is a nonprofit organization founded by dedicated parents whose adult children have faced the challenges of Arizona’s behavioral health system. Driven by firsthand experience and a shared sense of urgency, ACMI works to improve care for individuals living with chronic serious mental illness.

Through collaboration with families, providers, and policymakers, ACMI advocates for practical, cost-effective solutions—such as supportive community living and secure treatment facilities—to enhance long-term outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population.

Our Mission

Our Mission

We work with stakeholders to improve care for persons suffering from chronic serious mental illness through cost-effective network enhancements.

Our Vision

Our Vision

Improve the well-being of Chronic Seriously Mentally Ill population by providing more “Lighthouse-like community living” * and more Contained Treatment Facilities.

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How We Make a Difference

the power of change

When families hit a dead‑end in Arizona’s mental‑health maze, ACMI steps in as both compass and catalyst—championing safe housing, hand‑in‑hand guidance, and policy change that lasts.

  • Advocate for Housing and Treatment Solutions

    Promotes supportive housing and secure treatment facilities to provide stability and reduce repeated cycles through hospitals, jails, and homelessness.

  • Guide Families Through the System

    ACMI helps families access care by guiding them through Arizona’s complex mental health system, offering hands-on support through volunteer-led efforts.

  • Drive Legislation and Education

    ACMI actively influences state legislation to improve care and oversight for the chronically mentally ill and educates the public through expert-led webinars.

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  • Advocates Housing and Treatment Solutions

    ACMI promotes the “Beacon Home” model and Secure Residential Treatment Facilities to provide stable, supportive housing and care for chronically mentally ill individuals who repeatedly cycle through ineffective systems like hospitals, jails, and homelessness.

  • Guides Families Through the System

    ACMI helps families access care by guiding them through Arizona’s complex mental health system, offering hands-on support through volunteer-led efforts and weekly stakeholder meetings.

  • Drives Legislation and Education

    ACMI actively influences state legislation to improve care and oversight for the chronically mentally ill and educates the public through expert-led webinars and information sharing on their platform.

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Successful change

Accomplishments

ACMI has made an impact in Arizona’s Serious Mental Illness (SMI) legislation from 2019–2025.

View Detailed Legislation

See the Results

The results of the ASU research initiated by ACMI - “Housing is Health Care”: The Impact of Supportive Housing on the Costs of Chronic Mental Illness" have been published.

View Webinar + Full Report

  • Intensive treatment

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  • Guardianship protections

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  • ASH reforms

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  • Direct ASH admission

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  • Insurance fairness (Step Therapy reform)

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  • Community-based treatment expansion

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  • Created secure residential options (SBHRFs)

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  • SMI privacy protections

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Stay Informed

Latest Webinars

Watch our latest webinars with expert insights on mental health care, advocacy, and solutions for those with chronic serious mental illnesses.

View All Webinars

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Support Us and Help Improve the Lives of the Chronically Mentally Ill.

Your gift is instrumental in advancing the vision of ACMI to improving the lives of the chronically mentally ill. Through your generosity, we hope to fuel creative solutions to provide a supportive environment, housing and an improvement in the lives of our most vulnerable population. Together, our potential is limitless.

Please note: We do not accept funding from the behavioral health system, only from private entities.

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Fresh from the blog

The Latest News

Explore our blogs for news, resources, and perspectives on improving care for the chronically mentally ill.