NAMI COLORADO CONNECTION  SUPPORT GROUPS

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About NAMI Connection

What is NAMI Connection?

NAMI Connection is a recovery support group program for adults living with mental illness that is expanding in communities throughout the country. These groups provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope. 

NAMI Connection groups offer a casual and relaxed approach to sharing the challenges and successes of coping with mental illness. Each group:

• Meets weekly for 90 minutes
• Is offered free of charge
• Follows a flexible structure without an educational format
• Does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies

All groups are confidential - participants can share as much or as little personal information as they wish.

Meetings will be guided by NAMI Connection’s "Principles of Support". 

Principles of Support

• We will see the individual first, not the illness.
• We recognize that mental illnesses are medical  illnesses that may have environmental triggers.
• We understand that mental illnesses are  traumatic events.
• We aim for better coping skills.
• We find strength in sharing experiences.
• We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination.
• We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own.
• We forgive ourselves and reject guilt.
• We embrace humor as healthy.
• We accept we cannot solve all problems.
• We expect a better future in a realistic way.
• We will never give up hope.

Who can attend a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group?

Support groups are open to all adults with mental illness, regardless of diagnosis.  Participants should feel welcome to drop by and share feelings, difficulties, or successes. Everyone is a valued participant.

Is there a registration fee?

There is no program registration fee, and each meeting is free of charge.

Why is NAMI Connection a helpful step in my recovery?

Research has shown that having someone to talk to is instrumental in the recovery process. Too often, mental illness is an isolating experience. Recovery is possible but often requires a connection with community—a community that offers support, encouragement, and insight. NAMI Connection is meant to be only one avenue to recovery for people with mental illness.  Support groups should add to and not replace the treatment plan determined by the individual and their mental health care provider.

How will NAMI Connection groups be run?

NAMI Connection groups are facilitated by trained individuals living with mental illnesses who are at a point in recovery where they want to "give back" to others. They understand the daily challenges of living with mental illness and can offer encouragement and support.

What is a NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator?

A NAMI Connection facilitator is a trained NAMI leader who leads a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group. They play an important role in ensuring that all participants feel welcomed and supported. NAMI Connection facilitators are uniquely qualified to lead support groups because they are going through their own recovery process. They can empathize with and encourage those who are just beginning the journey to a renewed life. A NAMI Connection facilitator ensures that the group shares responsibility for maintaining guidelines, sustains clear participant boundaries, clarifies goals, and reinforces communication skills that encourage group participation.

How can I become a NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator?

NAMI Connection facilitators are certified by attending and graduating from a 3-day training event. The training event is designed for facilitators to learn and practice specific skills that will guarantee a meaningful support group experience for all participants. After the training event, certified facilitators know how to encourage the group to make room for all of its voices; short-circuit personal sagas; engage the group in subjects of collective interest; encourage collective thought; and circumvent negative interactions by identifying common ground for real discussion among group participants. NAMI Connection support group facilitators make use of the strategies, structures, and processes they have learned from the training events to ensure the group provides a place that is safe and maintains group guidelines.

Facilitator trainees are required to go through an application and screening process before being approved to attend a training event.

You will need to contact NAMI Colorado (303-321-3104) for information about the training application, screening, and registration.

What is a NAMI Connection "Champion?"

In every community, NAMI will be looking for "Connection Champions" to help ensure that NAMI Connection recovery support groups take root, grow, and flourish. Some of the tasks a champion might perform are as follows:

• Securing support group locations
• Assisting with securing transportation for facilitators
• Ensuring an adequate supply of resource materials and possibly refreshments for the groups
• Promoting the NAMI Connection support groups in your community

Dedicated champions will help NAMI make history--by greatly increasing the number of people with mental illnesses whom we help and the number of people who learn about NAMI.

How can I become a NAMI Connection "Champion?"

Contact the NAMI Colorado office directly at 303-321-3104, and let them know you are interested in being a NAMI Connection Champion.

Who can I contact for more information?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAMI Connection in Colorado, contact the NAMI Colorado office at 303-321-3104.

Where can I find a NAMI Connection Support Group?