"Talk to someone who understands - someone just like you" This is the tag line for a new recovery support group for people with mental illness.
Research has shown that having someone to talk to is instrumental in the recovery process. Recovery requires a connection with community, a community that offers support, encouragement, and insight. "NAMI Connections" is one avenue to recovery. It is designed to fit in with- not replace-individual treatment plans. NAMI CCNS "Connection Recovery Support Group" will meet weekly for 90 minutes in a flexible and casual environment, one without any set agenda, topic, or educational format. This support group is open to all adults with mental illness, regardless of their diagnosis. People challenged by mental illness can drop in to share feelings, thoughts, problems, success stories or to offer encouragement. Meetings are non-judgmental and free of charge.
Illinois is one of 15 states that will launch the "NAMI Connection" program this year. Affiliates in Cook County were trained in September, with a second training scheduled for late October. NAMI's goal is for anyone with mental illness to have access to a recovery support group any day of the week, no matter where they live, by the year 2010.
"Connection Recovery Support Groups" will be run by trained facilitators living with mental illnesses and who are at a point in recovery where they want to "give back." NAMI CCNS members Avigal Rhodes, Candice Savastio and Lisa Weintraub recently completed an intensive three-day training by NAMI national trainer, Anna Goodwin.
Candice says, "In the past we have had support groups for family members, [spouses, children, parents, aunts, uncles, friends] and one just for parents of children and adolescents. We've never had a support group just for people with mental illnesses. The NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group is important to NAMI CCNS." Candice believes her experiences with mental illness have given her insight into how others feel and the troubles they encounter.
Facilitator Avigal Rhodes said people living on the affluent North Shore may not think people with mental illnesses need support. "But," she says, "when I first started having difficulties I looked for support groups and could not find one that was right for me. I think I can lead this kind of support group. NAMI CCNS has given my parents a lot of insight to helping me when they took the "Visions for Tomorrow" psychoeducation course, and I want to give back to NAMI."
Support group facilitator Lisa Weintraub, new to NAMI CCNS, visited the NAMI web site at her doctor's suggestion and found the "NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group" information. Lisa contacted our office and volunteered.
If you are interested in finding out how you can become a trained "NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group" facilitator, contact the NAMI CCNS office at 847-716-2252.
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