National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connection Recovery Support Group and Family Support Group are available to everyone as locally-based resources

Millions of people around the world are impacted by mental health issues, either directly or indirectly. For each individual living with a mental health condition there are also family members who are dealing with the challenges of support and care for these loved ones.

It can be hard to know what to do when experiencing a mental health challenge, but National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) can offer assistance to those who are in need. One function of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is to offer support for all those impacted by mental health conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support groups both for those who live with mental health conditions and the individuals who love those directly impacted.

A National Alliance on Mental Illness Connection Recovery Support Group is for any adult living with a mental health condition. A National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group is for any adult with a loved one who is living with a mental health condition. They are both free of cost.

These National Alliance on Mental Illness support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and get what they need. The groups are led by NAMI-trained leaders who have lived mental health experience, either as ones who live in recovery or as family members of one who lives with mental health issues. Specific medical therapy or treatment is not endorsed. Participants agree to confidentiality.

By sharing experiences in a safe setting, participants gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Participants can gain hope and develop supportive relationships. These groups encourage empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Northeast Iowa offers the following meeting details for these support groups:

For adults living with a mental health condition, the Connection Recovery Support Group meets weekly every Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Spectrum Network’s “The Kitchen”, located at 200 Railroad Street in Decorah. Facilitators of that group are Anna Linnell, Farah Fritz and Pam Moss, and more information can be found by contacting 563-422-8852.

For adults of a family member living with a mental health condition, the Family Support Group meets monthly the fourth Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the North Fayette Valley Community Coalition Youth Center, located at 23689 Canoe Road, Elgin. Facilitators for that group are Shannon Brown, who can be reached at 319-505-7802, and Susan Friedrich, who can be reached at 563-422-7882.

Additional information about each group can be found at namineiowa.org. National Alliance on Mental Illness Northeast Iowa serves Howard, Winneshiek, Clayton, Allamakee and Fayette counties in northeast Iowa, but programs are open to all regardless of where participants in either group live.