NAMI Coastal Virginia Online Support Groups
The NAMI Online Support Group for Individuals in Recovery is a peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances through groups facilitated by trained leaders who’ve been there.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - or feel free to jump right in to one of our groups! We are here with you and for you.
If you are in a crisis situation, please call 911, Call or Text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
or visit our Crisis Intervention page
Schedule
To join any group, just click the time that you wish to join - you will be directed to Zoom. No registration is required.Please plan to connect to the meeting at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time to address any technical difficulties. In an effort to keep groups productive and effective for all participants, we may experience a need to divide the group in to separate meetings or recommend attendance during a different time slot.
We ask that you review our group guidelines and principles of support - feel free to download and keep a copy for yourself to refer back to as necessary. Click here for online support group resource table
Family Support Group for Seniors
This is a 90-minute support group for Seniors (65+) who have a family member living with mental health challenges and provides a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope. The group is led by Senior facilitators, is completely confidential and follows a flexible structure without an educational format and does not endorse medical therapies or medications.
Contact Sandra Mottesheard at sandymotts@yahoo.com for the Zoom link
Grupo de Apoyo para Familiares
NAMI Prince William, una organización filial de la Alianza Nacional de Enfermedades Mentales, ofrece el Grupo de Apoyo para Familiares en español. Por razones del virus COVID-19, las reuniones son virtuales utilizando la aplicación ZOOM, el segundo y cuarto Jueves de cada mes. Gratuito, y no hay que inscribirse. Para mas información: Envie un correo a
pwnamispanishsptgrp@gmail.com o info@nami-pw.org.
Online Connection Recovery Support for Adults in the LGBTQ+ Community
The last Sunday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Group is free and open to adults experiencing
symptoms of mental illness
Hosted by NAMI New Jersey
Registration required.
Contact jyudof@naminj.org for more information
Family Support Group for Parents of Youth and Adolescents
Family Support Group specifically for parents who have loved ones under the age of 18 experiencing symptoms of mental illness/mental health condition. Meet the last Thursday each month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via ZOOM
Hosted by NAMI Central Virginia, Registration required
Classes & Community Events
Educational classes, intriguing conversations, presentations, events, and more provided by NAMI Coastal Virginia and other community partners!
Click here for scheduling
& more information
NAMI National Online Programming
NAMI NATIONAL list programs from across the nation.
Click here for scheduling
& more information
NAMI Virginia Online Programming
NAMI Virginia has a wealth of online classes and socials for adults and youth - including a support group for parents of children 17 and under, virtual movie nights, and more!
Click here for scheduling
& more information
Check back on our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information!
Joining NAMI Coastal Virginia
Online Support Groups
We will be utilizing Zoom to host our online support groups. Zoom is an online video conferencing tool which allows individuals to meet virtually via video and/or audio from phones, computers, and tablets. Zoom works best by downloading the app, however, it is not required. If you have any questions - technical or otherwise - feel free to contact us!
To join a meeting, simply click on the links on the schedule. We recommend connecting a few minutes before the scheduled meeting time so that you have plenty of time to navigate any potential technical issues, adjust your settings and display name, and ensure that you and your peers have adequate time to utilize the group productively and positively.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Although this is a different platform, please remember that this is a space of confidentiality. The conversation shared within this group must remain within this group.
Zoom software is designed to be HIPAA compliant, meaning the video is encrypted to ensure confidentiality. We have disabled audio, video, and chat recording capabilities. We ask that you do not attempt to record or save any of the video or messages shared in the group. We also ask that you consider your surroundings - try to find a space with no traffic and that is not easily listened upon, and use headphones if you can. Finally, you have the ability to change your display name to ensure privacy - simply hover over your name in the participants list, click "more" and "rename" or send a message to one of the hosts and we are more than happy to do it for you.
We also want to remind everyone that Connection is a group for adults 18+ who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Family Support Group is for family/friends/partners of an individual experiencing symptom of mental illness.
The same Group Guidelines and Principles of Support that apply to in-person meetings will be used to guide NAMI Online Support Groups, and each NAMI Online Support Group will be led by two NAMI-trained facilitators who are either family members or individuals in recovery themselves. These groups are offered free of charge..
If you are in a crisis situation, please call 911 or
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, National Suicide Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255), Text NAMI to 741-741, or visit our Crisis Intervention page
Agenda, Group Guidelines, Principles of Support, and Emotional Stages of Recovery
NAMI Connections Support Group Information
FAQ
Below are some of the questions we have been asked by our peers and facilitators - if there is something further you'd like information or clarification on, we are happy to answer. Just contact us!
Q: Do I have to use video?
A: Nope! It is recommended, but not required - as long as you are comfortable and able to engage in the group beneficially and productively (we understand wanting to skip getting out of pajamas or brushing your hair!) However, one of the benefits of utilizing the video function - besides feeling as close to an in-person social interaction as possible - is ensured confidentiality for other group participants. In other words, we can see that there is nobody listening in or walking around the room you're in! Topics of comfort in the digital world are, of course, some new facets that we can discuss and process as a group.
Q: I don't want my full name displayed - can I edit this?
A: Absolutely! Depending on your connection device, you will most likely be prompted to enter your name upon entering the meeting. You can choose whatever is comfortable for you, whether it be a first name, initial, or (appropriate) nickname. If you do not have this prompt initially, you can click on your name in the Participants list, click more, and either "edit" or "rename." We will have an additional tech-savvy peer in each meeting, so if you are having any trouble, send a message to the host and we will help out in any way possible.
Q: You said additional tech-savvy peer - who is that?
A: This individual will be sort of like a bonus but silent facilitator. In other words, this individual will be a peer that is affiliated with NAMI Coastal Virginia, has experience with mental health either personally or within their family, and knows their way around Zoom. This is to ensure that participants and facilitators can engage productively, and any technical needs can be taken care of with little to no interruption!
Q: Can anyone join these groups?
A: Our Connections Recovery Peer Recovery is for Adults 18+ experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Family members, caregivers, partners, friends of individuals are welcome to attend our Family Support groups.