For those struggling with mental health challenges, the strength to tackle issues can come from discussing them confidentially in a group setting.

For those with family members who are facing mental health challenges, the same group setting can offer valuable insights into their loved ones’ feelings and behaviors.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Maine (NAMI) offers just such a confidential support group in the Boothbay region. The group has been meeting at the Community Center every month since March 2017.

Effective Aug. 21, it will now meet at St. Columba’s Church, 32 Emery Lane in Boothbay Harbor. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Two NAMI-trained facilitators, Debbie Graves and Jane Good, help group members share their challenges and find ways to cope with them.

Each week, the NAMI group welcomes old and new members and begins with a reminder of the guidelines for participation. Confidentiality is stressed. Attendees “check in,” briefly explaining what brought them to the group.  After that, discussion is free-flowing and, as Good and Graves explained, other group members who have wrestled with similar issues help their fellow members.

“The group runs itself,” Good said.

In 2016 after a number of suicides in the area, the Hope & Resiliency Coalition identified the need for support groups for area residents having a difficult time with mental health issues.

Good and Graves decided to facilitate a group and both were trained by NAMI at Augusta’s Riverview Psychiatric Center. The two chose to have a combined group for people with mental health challenges and family members of those who have challenges.

“In the group, people share their concerns,” said Good. “So a family member of someone dealing with depression, for example, can learn what it is like from a group member suffering from depression.”

Graves explained the three stages of emotional health and how the group helps members through these. “First is dealing with the crisis. The group helps members resolve their concerns in a positive way.”

The second stage is learning how to cope with the situation. And the third is understanding and accepting the circumstances. At each stage, the actions and resources to help are identified and provided.  

The group is open to anyone 18 years and older struggling with depression, anger, anxiety and other mental health challenges or who has a family member struggling with these. 

Good and Graves emphasized, the group is a safe environment and most members leave feeling hopeful.

For more information, contact Graves at (207) 380-3550 or Good at 633-2563. All information is confidential. NAMI also offers a toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day “warm line” staffed by peers at 1-866-771-9276.