Deniece Chi turned to NAMI-NYC Metro for help in January 2002, two weeks after her daughter Lucy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression. A single immigrant mother at the time, Deniece decided to educate herself about her daughter’s conditions, particularly since she was finding that the existence of mental illness was not talked about in her Caribbean culture. Inspired by what she had learned, she soon went back to school to obtain her associate degree in child Psychology, while volunteering at NAMI. After demonstrating strong leadership skills and a passion for helping others, in 2008 Deniece became one of the first NAMI Basics teachers. Her commitment to the program led to her being hired in January 2010 as NAMI-NYC Metro’s Program Director. Deniece is also a certified Support Specialist as well as a State Trainer and National Trainer for NAMI Basics, NAMI Peer to Peer, and NAMI Support Groups. Deniece is also an In Our Own Voice, Ending the Silence, and Family and Friends Presenter as well as a Teacher for NAMI Basics, NAMI Family to Family, NAMI Peer to Peer, and NAMI Homefront
Deniece served as the Program Director at NAMI-NYC Metro for eight years where she oversaw the Family Support Liaison Center, city wide contract (FSLC). She has taught over 6,000 classes and graduated over 15,000 parents and professionals. She also worked closely with the Manhattan VA in training and supporting Families of children and adolescent whose parents have been deployed. Deniece has been instrumental in NAMI-NYC Metro’s use of NAMI Basics to train workers in the child welfare and foster care system. She is also a parent advocate in the mental health systems.
She was given the very first NAMI Basics Leadership Award in 2011. She is honored to assist family members in finding the support, respect, and services that they deserve. In 2017, Deniece joined NAMI South Carolina Family as the Midlands Ending the Silence Coordinator, in 2021, Deniece was promoted to the Manager position overseeing the Midlands, and Pee Dee Region. Deniece is now serving as the Statewide Bilingual Program Director. Deniece was awarded the Joyce Burland Inspiration Award at NAMICon 2024 in Denver, CO. Deniece continues to serve the Hispanic and African American Families across the state of South Carolina.