Support Groups
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NAMI Family to Family
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session (over 4 weeks, 2 nights/week) educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.
NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.
What You’ll Gain - NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you'll also find out that you're not alone. The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class. In the program, you'll learn about:
· Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
· How to handle a crisis
· Current treatments and therapies
· How to solve problems and communicate effectively
· Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
· Supporting your loved one with compassion
· Finding and using local supports and services
Participants will receive a free workbook and certificate of completion.
Registration is required. Contact Marianne Bithos (708)852-9126 or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com
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NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago
NAMI Family & Friends
NAMI Family and Friends, a 90 minute seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition or experiencing difficulty with mental health how best to support them. It is also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.
What You’ll Learn
The seminar is led by trained people with lived experience of supporting a family member or friend with a menal health condition. They will walk you through the following topics –
• Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery
• Effective communication strategies
• The importance of self care
• Crisis preparation strategies
• NAMI and community resources
What People Are Saying
“Hearing personal experiences and how relatable my experiences are to them was very helpful….. Learning that the illness is what can cause “cruelty” and poor decisions rather than the person…..
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NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for family members, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.
Group 1: First Monday of every month, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Palos - Northwestern Hospital, Room C1622 (12251 S.80th Ave, Palos Heights, IL)
Group 2: Second Monday of every month, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Bremen Senior Center (15350 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest IL)
Questions or to RSVP: Please contact Marianne Bithos at 708-852-9126 or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com
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NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions.
NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/veterans with mental health conditions.
Dates coming soon!
Questions? Please contact Marianne Bithos at 708-852-9126 or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com
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NAMI Basics is a free, six-session program designed for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties. NAMI Basics helps parents and caregivers of children to understand the illnesses that are causing those behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties prior to age 13.
Dates coming soon!
Questions? Please contact Marianne Bithos at 708-852-9126 or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com
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NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who've been there.
Groups starts on June 14th at 10:00am to 11:30am every other Friday of the month at The Living Room 3325 Vollmer Road, Flossmoor, IL 60422
Questions or to RSVP: Please contact Marianne Bithos at 708-852-9126 or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com