Mental Health Support and Education
NAMI Connecticut values input and participation by consumers across the life-cycle, regardless of where a person is in his/her recovery. Currently NAMI CT has three consumer run programs. We are strong advocates of evidence-based, community mental health programs that support recovery and family inclusion:
NAMI Connection support groups are held weekly, and are open to anyone who needs support as they recover, regardless of diagnosis. Groups are free. Each group is facilitated by people in recovery who have reached a point in their journey where they want to assist others. They are trained and certified by NAMI to conduct Connection groups.
For a listing of NAMI Connection groups, scroll down toward the end of this page.
The group held weekly at the VA Community Center in West Haven is for veterans only. All others are open to anyone in recovery.
In Our Own Voice – a FREE program offering personal testimonials from individuals living with mental health who are in recovery who share their lived journey with mental illness and recovery. The program is a prime vehicle for NAMI Connecticut’s outreach and education to lessen the stigma associated with mental illness. Consumer presenters receive a small stipend for each presentation they deliver. Presentations usually run an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes in length.
Anyone interested in finding out more about these programs or how to become a support group facilitator or IOOV presenter can contact the Consumer Programs Coordinator at the NAMI Connecticut office.
Below are the meeting places and times, plus related information for the NAMI Connection support groups
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched the Mental Health Campaign for Mental Health Recovery to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. The prevalence of serious mental health conditions in this age group is almost double that of the general population, yet young people have the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors. This group has a high potential to minimize future disability if social acceptance is broadened and they receive the right support and services early on.
***NAMI Connection Group for Veterans Only*
West Haven
VA Community Center
144-52 Boston Post Rd, Room R28, West Haven
Wedensdays at 11:30 am
Contact; Barry (203)997-1062 (home), (203) 281-1228 (cell)
NAMI Connection Support Groups
Bridgeport
Office of Veterans Affairs
752 East Main St., Bridgeport,
(just south of Crescent St and the railroad overpass)
Entrance is at the back corner of the building and parking lot.
Ask staff for the NAMI Connection group meeting.
1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month 1:00-2:30pm
Contact: Frank (203)-915-0698; email: f.somohano@hotmail.com
Bus Stop: Corner of East Main St and Crescent St.
Parking: Enter the parking lot on Crescent St.
Danielson Call before going
United Methodist Church
9 Spring St., Danielson
1st and 3rd Mondays of each month 6:30-8:00pm
Contact: Sue (860)-315-2970; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
Glastonbury
First Church of Christ, Congregational
2183 Main St, Glastonbury
Enter the building from the back parking lot.
Then follow the signs to the second floor meeting room.
1at and 3rd Sundays 6:30-8:00pm
Contact; Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
Greenwich On Hold
Pathways, 509 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich
Sundays 3:00-4:30 pm
Contact; Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
Hartford -On hold for the time being
St Francis Med. Ctr.- Mt. Sinai Campus
Contact; Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
Manchester
Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St, Manchester
Use main front entrance and turn right.
Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm
Contact: Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
A program of NAMI Manchester
Middletown/Meriden For Mar 20, April 3 and April 17
Russell Library, 123 Broad St (corner of Broad St. and Court St.)
in Middletown
Meeting Room 2
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
Contact: Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
New Haven-
Connecticut Mental Health Center
34 Park St, New Haven
Meets in Room 133 on the first floor. Ask the security guard
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
Contact: Ryan (203)-468-9055, email: Don at consumerprograms@namict.org
Bus line: Route 0
Parking: Front and back of building have limited spots outside the gates
Securty guard can open the gates to access parking in the gated area.
Note: CMHC is a smoke free location
Seymour
Shady Knoll Health Center
41 Skokorat St., Seymour
Evergreen Meeting Room (last room on the right in main corridor). Enter the Center at the main entrance
1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm
Contacts: Jen (203)-592-9843, Don at consumerprograms@namict.org
West Hartford
Covenant Congregational Church
1 Westminster Dr., West Hartford
OFF OF SEDGWICK ROAD. Use the side rear entrance of the church (closest to Sedgwick Road), go up the stair and turn right.
Tuesdays 6:30-8:00pm
Contacts; Don (860)-882-0236, ext 29; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
A program of NAMI Farmington Valley
Willimantic
Lighthouse, 47 Arnolds Lane, Willimantic
Mondays 6:00 – 7:30pm
Beth (860) 208-6002; email: consumerprograms@namict.org
A program of NAMI Windham County
Contact the Mental Health Association of CT for more statewide support groups: www.mhac.org; 1-800-842-1501 or (860) 529-1970, ext. 10.
Depression, Bipolar Support Group
When: Every Wednesday of each month; 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Room LG066, UConn Health Center. Please use main hospital entrance.
Contact: Please call THE ABOVE NUMBER at the MHA of CT before attending the first time.
