Needs From: Central Iowa RSVP

About NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.  

What is NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group?

A confidential support group for adults living with mental health conditions Available free of charge to participants Support groups meet weekly, every other week or monthly (depending on location) for 90-minutes and follow a flexible structure without an educational format Led by trained leaders who make mental health and wellness a priority in their daily lives. Leaders are trained to guide participants, not to instruct or provide therapy. Participants can share as much or as little personal information as they want NAMI Connection groups add to, but do not replace, traditional treatment plans created by people and their mental health care providers NAMI Connection does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies NAMI Connection is copyrighted

What are the goals of NAMI Connection support groups?

See the person first, not the condition Understand that mental health conditions are traumatic events Aim for better coping skills Find strength in sharing experiences Not judge anyone's pain Provide a safe place for participants to share resources and experiences Establish a sense of community Encourage empathy among participants Promote productive discussion so participants leave feeling better than when they came

 

How do I become a NAMI Connection Facilitator?  

The application includes the following information about the jvolunteer requirements for NAMI  Connection Facilitators:   

1. Willingness to undergo all expense paid training 

2. Adhere to fidelity to the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group model 

2. Commitment to perform weekly support groups for a minimum of one year  

3. Ability to record and provide group participant data as required 

4. Willingness to identify potential new facilitators from their support groups

5. Positive regard for, or personal experience with mutual support  (lived experience with mental illness) 

6. Be or become a member of NAMI Central Iowa 

7. Must be age 21 or older 

About NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.  

What is NAMI Family Support Group? 

A 60-90 minute confidential support group for family and friends of people with mental health conditions that meets weekly, every other week or monthly (depending on location) Available free to participants Led by family members of people with mental health conditions Participants have an opportunity to learn from their common experience The support group model encourages full group participation and creates upbeat and constructive meetings Does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies

What are the goals of NAMI Family Support Group? 

Provide a safe place for participants to share resources and experiences Follow a structured model that allows all participants to feel heard Establish a sense of community Encourage empathy among participants Promote productive discussion so participants leave feeling better than when they came

How do you become a Family Support Group Facilitator? 

1.  You must have a family member living with a mental health condition

2.  Lived experience is key as empathy, understanding and personal experience is needed

3. Must commit to co-hosting the support group at least 1 time per month for 12 months

4. Must complete certification by attending a two-day all expense paid training.  

5.  Must agree to follow the NAMI fidelity guidelines 

NAMI Central Iowa has a few projects that a handy-person could help with.  

 

1.  Shelves:  We have a closet that has brackets for shelves, however, we need shelves cut out of wood.  

 

2.  TV Mount:  We need a small flat screen TV mounted to a wall.