Mental Health Support and Education
NAMI CT 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:
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-CT’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.
Peer-to-Peer – a nationally recognized FREE ten-week program for individuals who use mental health services. The program provides education on the neurobiological basis of serious mental illnesses, information, resources, support and coping strategies for various situations that arise based on the lived experiences of consumers in recovery. A team of three trained consumer facilitators delivers the course for which they are given a payment stipend.
The Veterans Revovery Support Group is held weekly at the VA Community Center in West Haven. This group is for veterans only.
NAMI Connection support groups are held weekly, and are open to anyone who needs support as they recover, regardless of diagnosis. 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. Groups are free.
Anyone interested in finding out more about these programs or how to become a support group facilitator, IOOV presenter or Peer to Peer mentor can contact the Consumer Programs Coordinator at the NAMI CT 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.
Recovery Support Group for Veterans Only
West Haven
VA Community Center
144-52 Boston Post Rd, Room R28, West Haven
Wedensdays at 11:30 am
Contact; Moe (203)-623-0731
Connection Support Groups
Brooklyn/Danielson coming soon
Greenwich
Pathways, 509 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich
Sundays 3:00-4:30 pm
Contact; Don (860)-882-0236; mail to:consumerprograms@namict.org
Hartford
St Francis Med. Ctr.- Mt. Sinai Campus
500 Blue Hills Avenue, Community Affairs Conf. Rm., 2nd Fl.
Use main hospital entrance at 500 Blue Hills Ave. and go down one floor (which will be 2nd floor)
Free parking is available across the street. Enter parking lot from Tower Ave. Upon entering turn right and go to the back of the lot.
2nd and 4th Saturdays each month 10:00 – 11:30am
Contact; Don (860)-882-0236 mail to: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; mail to:consumerprograms@namict.org
A program of NAMI Manchester
Meriden
Center Congregational Church,
474 Broad St, Meriden- (corner of Broad St and East Main St)
USE THE BACK DOOR IN THE PARKING LOT. RING BELL IF LOCKED. GO UP STAIRS TO MAIN LEVEL, MEETING IN THE BIG ROOM.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
Contact: Don (860)-882-0236; mailto:consumerprograms@namict.org
New Haven On hold for the time being
The Connection Inc. 205 Orange St, New Haven (between Elm St and Chapel St)
ENTER IN THE FRONT. AT THE SECOND SET OF GLASS DOORS, PRESS THE BUZZER FOR THE RECEPTIONIST TO LET YOU IN
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
Contact: Don (860)-882-0236 and consumerprograms@namict.org
Rose: (203)-787-9213; A program of NAMI Elm City
PARKING: in the lot next to the building
BUS LINES: C and M stop at Elm St and Orange St. D, F, G, Q and Z stop at Chapel St and Orange St. Others nearby
RAILROAD: State St Sation is one block away
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 and consumerprograms@namict.org
A program of NAMI Farmington Valley
Willimantic
Lighthouse, 47 Arnolds Lane, Willimantic
Mondays 6:00 – 7:30pm
Beth (860) 208-6002
A program of NAMI Windham County
