Nashua NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Welcomes You
Families Helping Families and Friends
Introduction
Welcome to Nashua NAMI. We are an organization of ordinary people who all have a loved one with mental illness. When mental illness strikes our families, it can be frightening. One doesn't know what the future will hold for our loved one, our self or our family. There is a feeling of isolation and confusion.
This affiliate provides a safe and confidential place for families and friends to share their common concerns and learn from common experiences. A facilitator, who is also a family member of a loved one with mental illness, leads the support group. This facilitator understands the challenges facing these families. Within the group, you will find that you are not alone and will gain insight and understanding.
Goals
NAMI Nashua is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with mental illness, and their family and friends - so they have the opportunity to achieve their aspirations and function in a supportive community without discrimination or stigma.
We offer support to family members and friends of loved ones dealing with mental illness. We are a source of information and help.
We provide educational meetings where a speaker presents information about different illnesses, medications, treatment options, coping skills and available services.
We provide support meetings where we share our common experiences and learn about options and practical solutions to the everyday situations we encounter.
We advocate for best treatment practices for our loved ones.
We advocate for our loved ones by educating the public sector with the facts about mental illness, and work to eliminate the stigma and fears associated with this biologically based brain disorder.
We work to make our voices heard locally and in the state and federal legislature, to advocate for the best possible services for our mentally ill loved ones.
When we meet: Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month,
from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where we meet: St. Joseph School of Nursing Academic Building. Classroom B on the 3rd floor (F2 in the elevator). Please enter the building from the back door which is located behind the far left corner of the bottom floor of the hospital Kinsley St garage (Go into the garage and drive 3/4 around from the entrance on the lower level).
About our meetings: The educational meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month. Guest speakers provide information in areas such as illnesses, medications, treatments, services, support and facilities. The fourth Tuesday of the month is for support, and dedicated to caring and sharing. We come together to share our common experiences and discuss solutions to our situations.
Please join us.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, 24 June - Caring and Sharing
Our caring and sharing night is where we come together to share our common experiences and find support in each other.
Future Meetings:
Tuesday, July 8 - Educational
Speaker: Humorous Look at Depression (DVD - "Side by Side, A Journey with Depression")
Topic: Come watch the DVD and also share your favorite books, DVDs, movies and articles on mental health issues.
Tuesday, July 22 - Caring & Sharing
Our caring and sharing night is where we come together to share our common experiences and find support in each other.
Tuesday, August 12 - Educational
Speaker: A Panel of Loved Ones with mental health issues.
Topic: Learn first hand about the journey to recovery.
Tuesday, 26 August - Caring & Sharing
Tuesday, 9 September - Educational
Speaker: Heidi Nielsen, MBA, Benefits Specialist, Community Council of Nashua.
Topic: Discussion with Q&A on the benefits available for individuals with mental health issues.
Tuesday, 23 September - Caring & Sharing
LINKS FOR ASSISTANCE
Emergency
1-800-762-8191 (after hours) and daytime 603-889-6147 Community Council of Nashua (Mental Health Center for Greater Nashua) www.ccofnashua.org
603-577-2728 Access (crisis center – SNHMC)
www.snhmc.org/our_depts/behav_hlth/access.html
911 Nashua Police (603-594-3500)
1-800-852-3388 State/NH Hospital Hot Line
Support
Nationwide Suicide (Phone Support) 1-800-273-8255NH State Hospital Central 1-800-852-3345 ext. 5300
SNHMC West Campus Central 603-577-5720
Peer to Peer Support Group Meetings - DBSA (Depression/Bipolar Support Alliance) Every Thursday at 7:00 pm contact tel. 603-882-2141 or email info@dbsanashua.org. Visit www.dbsanashua.org.
Legal Help (non-criminal)
Disability Rights Center 1-800-562-3174 or 228-0432
NH Legal Aid 1-800-562-3174 or 668-2900
Social Support
ServiceLink - 603-598-4709
GSIL (Granite State Independent Living) - 603-881-7144
United Way Social Services - 866-444-4211
Beginning June 11 the United Ways of NH will activate the 211 telephone system which provides information on health and human services available in NH>
Help is available if you're in trouble with the law
Nashua District Court Community Connections Program
The Community Connections Program seeks to provide an effective and meaningful alternative to the traditional criminal justice system for individuals with a mental illness. Our goal is to promote prompt intervention, education, treatment and recovery in order to improve the quality of the individual's life, reduce recidivism and improve community safety.
Point of contact: Scott Brennan, Community Council of Nashua (Mental Health Center for Greater Nashua) 889-6147 or e-mail brennans@ccofnashua.org
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Are you a NAMI member? Why not? We need your help!
Yearly dues are $25. You are missing the magazine and valuable resources.
Call Ed at 883-6477 or e-mail nashua-naminh@comcast.net
Join on-line http://naminh.org/action-join.php
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Check us often for updates.
Nashua NAMI Affiliate
Call:
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Rita at 262-5024;
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Ed at 883-6477;
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Norma or Scott at 882-6771;
or e-mail us at: nashua-naminh@comcast.net
