NAMI Submission Guidelines

NAMI is always reviewing submissions for its many publications—like the NAMI Blog and Advocate magazine. Unfortunately, we only accept a small amount of the submissions received, so the best way to ensure publication is to follow these guidelines. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Length: Max 1,000 words
• Style: Plain language, or, write how you talk
• Tone: Friendly, informative, empathetic and reliable
• Structure: Try to use headings and bullet points, if possible
• Topic: Strategies for living well, fresh insights, practical tips, ways to end stigma, your experience with mental illness (as a family member, caregiver, individual, friend, advocate, etc.), or whatever else you’d like!
• Timing: If you are submitting a blog for a specific theme, it's best to submit before that theme starts because our calendar gets filled in advancce. 

Read the NAMI Editorial Guide for more information about writing for NAMI. 

If you’re battling a case of writer’s block, check out a few pieces that have been published for a bit of inspiration:

• Tips/Advice: Writing Tips that can Reduce Symptoms
• Personal Essay: A Sermon of Truth about Depression
• Professional Perspective: Outreach and Engagement for Early Psychosis

How to Submit

1. Attach a Word doc to your email. We'd prefer your wonderful writing to come to us ([email protected]) as a fully-formed draft in a Word document.
2. Make sure you have citations/linking. We like our content to be backed by research, which means you should link to any statistic or health claim you reference.
3. Don't forget a brief author’s biography. All authors may have a 50-word bio at the bottom of their piece; you are permitted to reference your personal/company website or blog.

Submit Now!

Note: All submissions we accept go through an editorial process to fit NAMI's voice and style. 

The NAMI Blog is now accepting submissions for 2023! Here are the themes* for the year:

• January- How I Cope with Mental Illness
• February- Symptoms People Don't Talk About
• March- Navigating Discrimination
• April-Lived Experience as Expertise: Lessons Learned
• May-Early Intervention
• June-Advocacy
• July-How Culture and Identity Intersect with Mental Health
• August-Understanding Serious Mental Illness
• September-The Impact of Suicide & The Power of Peers
• October-Why Treatment is Lifesaving
• November-Caregiving
• December-No Theme

*These themes are subject to change

Submissions are subject to NAMI's Terms of Use.