BELLOWS FALLS — The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) is forming a new Connection Recovery Support Group offered virtually via Zoom.
Connection Recovery is a peer support program intended for individuals living with mental health challenges. The new support group will begin Sept. 11 and meet the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Information about the Zoom login is available at namivt.org/csg.
Group meetings follow a structured, peer-led model. Trained facilitators who have their own lived experience with mental illness lead the meetings based on the NAMI model used for peer support groups nationwide. The structured, yet flexible format allows all participants the opportunity to be heard, to receive support, and to form meaningful connections within their community.
In May 2023, NAMI Vermont held a two-day, in-person training for individuals to become Connection Support Group facilitators. One of the newly trained facilitators will co-facilitate the Bellows Falls Connection Support Group with a previously trained co-facilitator.
Facilitators will guide group discussions to create a safe, respectful environment to share lived experience stories and serve as a resource for any individual looking for community resources. Those interested in becoming a facilitator may contact NAMI Vermont's Program Coordinator at [email protected].
NAMI Vermont provides several free programs and training opportunities, including educational presentations, shared stories from peers with lived experience, classes, and workshops.
In addition to free peer support groups, the organization offers support groups for family members and close friends of individuals with mental health conditions. NAMI Vermont also maintains an active presence at the state legislature to advocate for better mental health systems at the state level.
Meetings are free and do not require any registration. For more information about this support group, call 802-876-7949, ext. 102. To learn more about other NAMI Vermont offerings, go to namivt.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.