The Eastside affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Eastside) offers 10 free support groups that meet a total of 20 times each month.
The groups provide support, knowledge and understanding along with an opportunity for group members to share experiences, concerns and interests in a confidential setting. Meetings are led by NAMI members who have personal experience with the topic. These are drop-in support groups; preregistration is not required.
NAMI Connections Consumer Recovery Group has moved to Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at Redmond’s Together Center at 16315 N.E. 87th St. in the Baker/Adams Conference Room in Building B.
A second NAMI Family Support Group at Fairfax Hospital, 10200 N.E. 132nd St. in Kirkland, will begin meeting next week, March 21, in the boardroom. Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m.
Grupos de Apoyo Para Familias, a family and consumer support group for Spanish speakers, meets at various times and locations. Contact Luis Viquez, lviquez63@hotmail.com, (206) 992-6844 for information.
NAMI Eastside is also offering free forums focusing on mental illness issues throughout east King County.
The forums are open to the public and held on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at Evergreen Hospital, 12303 N.E. 130th Ln., Suite 100 in Kirkland.
This month’s forum will be March 20 and focus on suicide prevention.
Kelly McDonald will discuss suicide facts and warning signs, the relationship among suicide, bullying, and depression as well as the higher risk of suicide in gay, lesbian and bisexual youth.
On April 17, Kevin St. Jacques will discuss will discuss the relationship between mental illness and violence and will share strategies for interacting with mentally ill individuals acting out violently.
On May 15, Greg Schell will address resilience, a strength all humans possess to deal with the challenges of life.
For a full listing of forum topics, locations and dates visit www.NAMI-eastside.org. Details about the forums, support groups and classes are also available by calling (425) 885-NAMI (6264) or emailing info@NAMI-eastside.org.
