Hope From Those Who Know
Mental health education, advocacy, and support for people who live with a mental health condition and their loved ones.
What We Do
Mental Health Support Groups
NAMI WC has support groups for people who live with a mental health condition. Groups are also offered for family members and friends who live in support of someone with a mental health condition. Group leaders have personal experience with a mental health condition and are trained in group facilitation.
NAMI support groups are not condition-specific, meaning that people who attend may have varying diagnoses. These diagnoses include but are not limited to: anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders, PTSD, psychosis, or addiction.
Support groups are currently offered only online (through Zoom) and are open to participants located in any state. NAMI WC serves Washtenaw County communities, including the cities of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti.
Groups typically meet biweekly or monthly. Sign up below to attend.
For People Who Live with a Mental Health Condition
| Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To register visit: https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/connection-support-group-registration/. Please remember to indicate which Wednesday session you plan on attending (see registration form for details). |
Support Group Description:
This group is now open to anyone with a mental health condition aged 18 and above.
“It is not easy to talk about what’s really going on with you,” said Pat, a group leader. “The NAMI Connection format helps smooth the way, especially for newcomers, with the structure of an agenda, group guidelines, and principles of support.”
Meetings are mainly devoted to discussion conducted with these guidelines and principles in mind, such as absolute confidentiality, respect for others, and aiming for better coping skills.
Group member Anna finds the other participants supportive and resourceful. Merely attending meetings can have a therapeutic effect, she said.
| Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 3:30-5 PM | Online through Zoom | To register for the group visit: https://namiwc.org/wcc-connection-recovery-support-group/ |
Support Group Description:
NAMI’s WCC Connection Support Group (ages 18 up) is a new support group for people who live with a mental health challenge. Meetings begin with a brief check-in and then move to deeper sharing about feelings and topics such as relationships, medication, and therapies. Group members benefit from shared experiences and group wisdom. The leaders are trained NAMI volunteers who live with a mental health challenge.
| Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the months from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To register visit: https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/young-adults-support-group-registration/ Please remember to indicate which Monday session you plan on attending (see registration form for details). |
Support Group Description:
NAMI’s Young Adult Support Group (ages 18-30) is a support group for people who live with a mental health challenge. Meetings begin with a brief check-in and then move to deeper sharing about feelings and topics such as relationships, medication, and therapies; both tried and true and alternative. Group members benefit from shared experiences and group wisdom to help with current problems and struggles. Groups are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 7-8:30 pm through Zoom.
Supported by the Washtenaw County Public Safety & Mental Health Preservation Millage.
| Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To register for the group please visit https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/nami-faith-support-group-registration-2/ |
NAMI Faith Group combines scripture lessons, educational topics, and sharing time to promote support and spirituality in mental health. They believe that a person’s faith can play a positive role in their mental health experience.
The group is open to adults living with mental health challenges, and to anyone who wants to learn how to better support those living with a condition. There is no fee or registration required. Attendance is on a drop-in basis and each meeting will have a new lesson. NAMI Faith Group is inclusive and welcomes all religions and all people.
For People Who Live in Support of Someone who Lives with a Mental Health Condition
| Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | For more information and to register, email Alison at alisonpaine21@hotmail.com. |
Support Group Description:
This mental health support group is for parents of children aged 12 to 25 who have contemplated or attempted suicide. Rather than struggle alone with how to get help for your child and yourself, join this group and share effective strategies with others in the same situation.
| Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To learn more and register for the next Tuesday group visit: https://namiwc.org/tuesday-family-and-friends-registration/ |
| Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To learn more and register for the next Wednesday group visit: https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/wed-friends-and-family-support-group/ |
| Every 4th Monday of the month from 6:30-8 PM | Online through Zoom | To learn more and register for the Monday group please visit https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/family-friends-online-support-group-registration/ |
Support Group Description:
This group is for adults who have a friend or family member with a mental health condition. Meetings revolve around topics of interest to people caring for others, including self-care.
Caring for someone with a serious mental health condition can feel lonely and dispiriting. However, said a group member, “coming to meetings empowers me. I feel so much less alone and am inspired by the courage of group members.”
Participants trade strategies and learn from one another. Meetings end “with everyone sharing something they are going to do for themselves that they enjoy,” Chuck, a group leader, said.
The Monday 4:30-6 PM Friends and Family Support Group is supported by Washtenaw Community College.
The Monday 6:30-8 PM Friends and Family Support Group is supported by St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.
| Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 PM | Online through Zoom | To register for the group please visit https://namiwc.org/about/mental-health-support-groups/nami-faith-support-group-registration-2/ |
Support Group Description:
NAMI Faith Group combines scripture lessons, educational topics, and sharing time to promote support and spirituality in mental health. They believe that a person’s faith can play a positive role in their mental health experience.
The group is open to adults living with mental health challenges, and to anyone who wants to learn how to better support those living with a condition. There is no fee or registration required. Attendance is on a drop-in basis and each meeting will have a new lesson. NAMI Faith Group is inclusive and welcomes all religions and all people.
Educational Programs
At no cost to participants, we educate the community about serious mental health conditions, including treatments and management strategies, and how to navigate the health care system to access professional services.
Advocacy Work
Advocacy improves the lives of people living with brain disorders by improving mental health care systems and by changing values and attitudes, especially stigma and discrimination around mental health conditions.
