Today over 200,000 Arizonans live with serious mental illness (SMI); more than 13 million individuals nationwide. Most are adequately served by our statewide Medicaid system commonly known as AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System). But, many of those with the most serious mental illnesses live on our streets and in and out of our jails and prisons, primarily because of a lack of appropriate housing. They’re not safe, they lead lives filled with misery, fear, and danger because our current system is not able to meet their special housing needs.

The Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill (ACMI), a non-profit organization, was founded by a group of passionate parents whose adult children shared a similar experience with Arizona’s behavioral health system. The families of ACMI are working hard so that future families will not have to endure the multiple and unnecessary hospitalizations, incarcerations and homelessness that their sons and daughters have experienced. People with serious mental illness prematurely die 25-30 years earlier than the average person without serious mental illness. Indeed, the purpose of ACMI is to not only shine a light on this reality, but to advocate and work with our State’s leaders in health care, public safety, and government to implement practical solutions that are both compassionate and effective for our chronically and seriously mentally ill population.  ​

How Can You Help?
You can help by continuing to engage with our communications, share about this work, and partner with ACMI financially. The vision is to improve the well-being of the Chronically Seriously Mentally Ill population through filling the gaps in the current continuum of care with:

• More “Lighthouse-like community living” homes.
• Secure Treatment Facilities. 

We will work with all persons and organizations who share our deep concern for the well-being of this population. Please join us as we seek to ensure that the most vulnerable mentally ill can achieve a life with dignity!