Are you coping with your own, or a loved one’s mental health challenges? NAMI Maine (the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maine) will sponsor a free combined support group in the Boothbay region for individuals living with mental health challenges and family members supporting individuals with those challenges. The group is confidential and a safe place to join a caring group of individuals helping one another through their learned wisdom.

The support group will be offered monthly on the third Wednesday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Community Center at the Meadow Mall, 185 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. The first meeting is Wednesday, April 19. Contact Debbie Graves (207) 380-3550 or Jane Good at 633-2563 (after 5 p.m.) for more information.

These groups are peer-led by trained volunteer facilitators who have been affected by these challenges themselves or in their own family. By attending the group, people can gain insight, learn new coping skills, gain hope and see that they are not alone. No registration is necessary for NAMI support groups. They are set up as drop-in groups for people to attend as often or as little as they want. Attendees must be 18 years old or older.

“These groups are tremendously helpful in providing concrete, practical information and skills through the learned experience of others experiencing similar concerns in a non-judgemental, caring and confidential setting. The groups assist people in moving forward with mental health recovery and coping with current issues than can arise with mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance us disorders,” says Christine Canty Brooks, director of Peer and Family Programs at NAMI Maine. “These groups provide emotional support, self-care, empowerment and hope. NAMI Maine encourages individuals and families with relatives who have mental health challenges to take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

For more information about NAMI support groups, contact Christine at the NAMI Maine office at 1-800-464-5767, ext. 2305, or email: ccantybrooks@namimaine.org