Announcing New Mental Health Support Group

A group of consumer peer specialists notified NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania of a new mental health wellness support group they have begun in Pittsburgh.

Weekly Mental Health Wellness Support Group
Beginning Monday, June 16
Every Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Location: One Smithfield Street
Rachel Carson Room (Lower Level)
Downtown Pittsburgh

Parking at rear of building is free.

The group will be facilitated by Certified Peer Specialists and will provide a caring community for individuals living with mental illness.

Recovery based. Wellness oriented. Free.

For more information, contact:

Gary Halliday dimmore829@yahoo.com or (412) 708-9423
JoAnn Fueller jody3965@aol.com
Mike Sable recoverysi@earthlink.net

Join NAMI North Support Group for Year End Meeting

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania offers 25 support groups throughout the 10-county region. One of those groups, NAMI Pittsburgh North, meets at our office on McKnight Road in the North Hills. They invite new members to join them for a year-end support group meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

This is a support group for any family member or friend of a loved one living with mental illness. Nothing can replace the support of peers who understand what you are going through. Join the North Hills group for its last meeting of the year, and also a celebration of the holidays. Existing members are encouraged to bring a refreshment.

NAMI Pittsburgh North

December Support Group Meeting

Wednesday, Dec. 5

7 o'clock

105 Braunlich Drive

Pittsburgh 15237

2nd Floor

 

For a full list of support groups in our region, click here.

Depression Support Groups

Some say this is the most wonderful time of the year. But for many, the holiday season causes stress, memories and other feelings that can trigger or contribute to depression. For our friends in southwestern Pennsylvania who could use extra support this time of year, take a look at the following support groups for individuals with depression and bipolar disorder. Thank you to the Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance for providing us with the updated list below.

Depression and Bipolar Support Groups

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Pittsburgh (DBSA-Pittsburgh)
The Big D: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Oakland: Western Psychiatric Hospital, 4th Floor, Room 413
Contact: Ray Millsap 412-379-3902

Mood Support for Manic Depressive and Bipolar Disorder
2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Mt. Lebanon: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rt.19
(Washington Rd. & Mayflower Rd.)
Contact: Tony (cell) 412-779-5834

Bipolar and Manic Depression Support Group
Every Tuesday 7-8 p.m.
Butler: Grapevine Drop-In Center, 221 West Brady St.
Contact: Bette Peoples
724-283-1704

Westmoreland County
Depression & Bipolar Support Group
1st Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1p.m. & 3rd Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Greensburg: 409 Coulter Ave., Suite 409
Contact: Julie Kostenbader 724-858-7533

Depression Support Group
1st Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Bethel Park: Christ United Methodist Church Youth Center
44 Highland Rd., Rte 19 (across from Village Square)
Contact: Duba Weinstein 412-344-6600 Ext.2320

For more information on depression or bipolar disorder, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

New NAMI Family Support Group

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NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is proud to announce a new support group for family members of children and transition-age youth forming in East Liberty.  Details are as follows:

NAMI Youth and Transition-Age Support Group

Meetings Begin:  Monday, Feb. 7

Location:  East Liberty Carnegie Library, 130 S. Whitfield St., Pittsburgh PA, 15206

Time:  5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Contact:  Linda Thornhill 412-403-9539

For more information about mental health, visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Reaching Out

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There are many challenges to deal with when you or a loved one is living with a mental illness. NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is committed to reaching out to consumers and family members throughout all stages of recovery. Through support groups, Family-to-Family education programs and awareness-raising events like the NAMI Walk, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is dedicated to providing support for those impacted by mental illness.

Want to be a part of this important work? There are many ways to get involved, support recovery and increase awareness of mental illness in southwestern Pa. Call us at 412-366-3788 to find out more!

Step #5 Of Living A Balanced Life

According to NAMI's Family-to-Family program, there are seven principles for caregivers to live a balanced life. The first, second, third and fourth principles were highlighted in previous blog posts.

Principle #5 is: Seek out and join a support group.

Support groups are an important resource for people caring for a loved one with mental illness.

Support groups allow caregivers to come together, share ideas, coping tips, experiences and most importantly, to exchange emotional support. Most support groups are facilitated by a leader with personal experience. The primary goal of many support groups is that no one the group serves ever has to feel alone again.

Members report that a support group gives them faith and hope. It makes them laugh despite the trials of their situations. It helps them to come to terms with the illnesses of their loved ones. Together, the mutual support can be an integral part of a balanced life for a caregiver.

To find a support group, visit the Support Group page on NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's website.