July 20, 2020 – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade continues to serve its community by providing an alternative method of therapy during the global pandemic. The added stress and fear caused by the pandemic has had negative mental health impacts in our community. According to a recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 19% of people are facing "major negative impacts" on their mental health due to the COVID-19 Crisis. Close to 40% of respondents said that the crisis is having a "negative impact" on their mental health. In response, with the use of technology (Zoom), NAMI Miami-Dade will be extending its Wellness Support Groups on Zoom and by phone until the end of summer and possibly beyond.
The Wellness Support Groups on Zoom are for individuals living with mental health challenges and their family members and caregivers who need support now more than ever. These meetings are facilitated by NAMI trained and certified family members and peers. They provide free, confidential, and safe support, resources and coping tools for the participants. NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow structured evidenced-based models developed by the NAMI National organization, the largest grassroots mental health organization in the US.
NAMI is hosting these Zoom meetings every week with the following schedule:
Family Member Wellness Support: for family members living with a loved one with mental health challenges:
•Tuesdays, 7 pm – 8:30 pm (English & Creole).
•Wednesdays, 7 pm – 8:30 pm for Parents/Caregivers of Youth ages 12-22 (English & Spanish)
•Thursdays, 7 pm – 8:30 pm (Spanish).
•Saturdays, 10 am – 11:30 am for Parents/Caregivers of Youth ages 12-22 (English & Spanish)
Peer Individual Wellness Support: for individuals ages 18 and up who are experiencing mental health challenges:
•Mondays, 11 am – 12:30 pm (English)
•Mondays, Young Adults (ages 18-28) 7 pm – 8:30 pm (English)
•Wednesdays, 7 pm – 8:30 pm (English).
•Fridays, (Every other), 7 pm – 8:30 pm (Spanish).
•Saturdays, 1 pm – 2:30 pm (English).
“The move from our in-person support groups to the Zoom platform in response to the Covid 19 crisis, has been very well received,” said Kathy Coppola, Executive Director of NAMI Miami-Dade. “On Zoom, we have been able to replicate the caring, informative and supportive atmosphere of our in-person groups. Covid-19 has tremendously amplified stress and anxiety and we want our community to know that NAMI Miami, its staff and its volunteer network are here for you.”
For more information and Meeting ID, visit NAMIMiami.org; email Programs@NAMIMiami.org or call 786-775-1980.
About the National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI Miami-Dade County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is an affiliate of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of individuals affected by mental illness and their families. Approximately 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness in a given year, yet in Miami-Dade less than 35% will receive the mental health services they need and deserve. NAMI Miami-Dade offers free, safe, and confidential mental health support, education, and advocacy for peers and their families and friends in both English and Spanish. For more information, call 305-665-2540, email Programs@NAMIMiami.org, or visit NAMIMiami.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Meetup at @NAMIMiami.
