***Next meeting: Wednesday, September 30th, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Introduction
NAMI Connection Support Group is a free, peer-led gathering session for adults (18+) living with mental health conditions. It is guided by trained individuals with lived experience, providing a confidential, judgement-free space to share coping strategies and build mutual support.
A support group setting is one where members can do just that - offer support and show understanding and empathy because of shared experiences. Since everyone in the group is a peer, there is no expert. There is no right or wrong. Each individual should feel safe enough to say what s/he feels and/or thinks and be accepted by the group.
Besides being able to vent in a support group, there is the opportunity to see that one's emotions are the same as others', not abnormal or shameful. Emotions just are. This can be liberating.
Support sessions also provide an ideal setting for problem solving. Other people's perspectives, resourcefulness and creativity are invaluable when a group member is feeling stuck and needs practical suggestions.
Finally, a support group is a social event. People should come away feeling they have met with old and new friends and had a pleasant experience. If a support group does nothing else, it should provide an opportunity for connection, creating time to counteract the isolation in which many peers live.
Disclaimer: This is not a therapy group! It is a support group led by trained peers, not therapists. Please see details about the difference here:
Objectives of a Peer Support Group:
- Offer support through understanding and empathy
- Share insights about similarities of experiences
- Solve problems by using the combined wisdom of group members
- Celebrate good times and be there during bad ones
- Objectives of a Therapy Group:
- Observe and interpret behavior in the group to provide insight
- Analyze relationships within the group to facilitate interpersonal change
- Provide professional analysis of interactions and responses
Important: Faciltators/Leaders do not provide formal therapy in NAMI peer support groups.
To attend, participants:
- must be 18 or older
- must face mental health challenges (but who doesn't?; diagnoses are unnecessary)
- may not bring social support or loved ones
- may not bring pets, only Trained Service Animals are welcome
- may not be under the influence of drugs/alcohol
- may not bring firearms or other weapons
For those who are experiencing
any mental health challenges, please join us in a welcoming space where we can accompany one another on our journey toward improving mental health and wellness.
Join us last on the Wednesday of every month 6-7pm at:
Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains
270 Lake Avenue
Montrose, PA 18801
There is private parking and entry behind the building.
***Note: For members to participate, doors open at 5:45pm and close at 6:00pm. To respect the integrity of the group and its schedule, a strict start time is necessary. Latecomers will not be admitted. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
***Seats are limited, so please register below prior to attending to save your spot.***
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call, text, or chat 988.
Local Crisis Line
1-570-348-6100570-245-0579
Crisis Text Line
Text "PA" TO 741741
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Line
1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
