Mental Illness is a lonely road. You don't have to go down it alone!
Support
NAMI was primarily
founded because family members of severely mentally ill persons felt overwhelmed
while dealing with the affects of the mental illness of their family member.
Oftentimes, it was difficult to obtain current and factual information regarding
either the nature or status of the person suffering from the illness. Many times
they felt alone in their struggle. Those that were not being affected by mental
illness, did not understand the depth of their struggle. Those that had
only a clinical understanding of mental illness (health care professionals,
etc.) did not fully appreciate the issues that long term mental illness creates
for others being affected by it, nor did they have the time or capability to
address the issues.
Consequently, these family members sought comfort and counsel from those who
were in the same situation-dealing with the impacts of a severely mentally ill
person. And today, NAMI organizations are providing that same kind of support
and counsel. The support groups are designed to provide an empathetic
environment where the participants know and share "first hand"
feelings, concerns, and experiences with the many aspects of the mental health,
to include the illness and the health care system being provided