The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin is expanding its mental illness support groups to help people who live with a mental illness and their family members throughout the state.
Program Director, Emilie Smiley, said a new online model is being introduced to reach people in rural areas of Wisconsin who otherwise would not have access to in-person support groups.
“Mental illness does not discriminate,” she said. “There are people all throughout Wisconsin without access to proper support. We hope these support groups can help bridge the gap.”
Smiley says many people feel isolated and alone. “We want people to be able to reach out for help when they need it,” she said. “These groups provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.”
NAMI Wisconsin is offering both peer and family support groups that will take place on Zoom monthly. There is no cost associated with attending, and it is open to all residents in Wisconsin. Family Support Groups are on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Peer Support Groups are on the second Thursday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Links to register can be found at: https://namiwisconsin.org/being-together/.
NAMI Northwoods serves Lincoln, Marathon, and Langlade Counties and also offers an in-person peer support group on the second Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at Grace United Church, 535 South 3rd Ave. in Wausau, and at Biggby Coffee in Rib Mountain on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. No need to register; just come. To contact NAMI Northwoods, email: [email protected] or call 715.432.0180.
NAMI Wisconsin is the state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI Wisconsin is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those affected by mental illness and to promoting recovery. Learn more at namiwisconsin.org.