Note: The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns and letters to the Times written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
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Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. One in 5 adults in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2021. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) wants you to know that you are not alone.
NAMI Douglas County offers two free support groups. The Connections Recovery Group is for adults who have experienced a mental illness. The Family Group is for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals who live with a mental illness. Both groups are led by NAMI trained facilitators and meet in separate rooms.
By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you can gain hope and feel a sense of connection. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community. You’ll benefit from other’s experiences, discover your inner strength, and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a nonjudgmental space.
The support groups meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Plymouth Church, 925 Vermont St. in Lawrence. Enter through the double glass doors north of the main entrance. There will be a sign on the doors telling where the groups meet. If the doors are locked, knock on the doors, or call the phone number on the sign.
If you have any questions, please call Bill Wood at 785-840-5889.
— Billy Douglas Wood (he/him), Lawrence, with NAMI Douglas County
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