A National Alliance on Mental Illness peer-led recovery support group for people age 18 and older who live with a diagnosed mental health condition.
Call (510) 770-6264 for more information.
The group provides a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.
NAMI Connection offers a casual and relaxed approach to sharing the challenges and successes of coping with mental illness.
Each group:
- Is led by one or more NAMI-trained facilitators
- 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:
- 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?
The group is open to all teens and 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.