NAMI Westside LA Family support groups are free for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental health conditions. By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you can connect with others experiencing similar challenges, gain hope, and develop supportive relationships. This group allows your voice to be heard and provides an opportunity for your personal needs to be met. It 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 non-judgmental space. Our family support groups will help you aim for better coping skills; find strength in sharing experiences; not judge anyone’s pain; forgive yourself and reject guilt; embrace humor as healthy; accept that you cannot solve every problem; understand that mental health conditions are no one’s fault and can be traumatic experiences.
Grupo de Apoyo para Familiares de NAMI: En los Grupos de Apoyo para Familiares de NAMI, las familias se unen en grupos de cuidado y se ayudan los unos a otros mediante el uso de sus experiencias y aprendizajes de cómo lidiar con las enfermedades mentales. Miembros de familias pueden lograr un renovado sentido de esperanza para sus seres queridos que viven con problemas de salud mental. Son grupos libres, confidenciales y seguros para ayudar a las familias que viven con problemas de salud mental. Para video.
We we are offering virtual support groups online using Zoom. You can join by phone or computer/tablet/phone using the Zoom app; instructions are below.
Monday Family Group Support Group
The Monday family support group meets weekly on Mondays, 6:30 pm to 8 pm PT, using the online video-conferencing service Zoom. Scheduling note: This group does not meet on observed holidays that fall on Mondays. There will be no support groups on Martin Luther King Day on January 15; President’s Day on February 19; Memorial Day on May 27; Labor Day on September 2.
Wednesday Family Support Group
Starting January 2023, the group will continue to meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month; 7 pm to 8:30 pm PT using the online video-conferencing service Zoom
Thursday Family Support Group
Meets weekly on Thursdays, 6:30 pm to 8 pm PT, using the online video-conferencing service Zoom
Saturday Family Support Group
Meets weekly on Saturdays, 10 am to 11:30 am PT, using the online video-conferencing service Zoom
Grupo de Apoyo los Martes (Tuesday Spanish Family Support Group)
Cada primer y tercer noche de Martes del mes vía Zoom
Meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month using the online video-conferencing service Zoom
7 to 8:30 pm PT
*Ambos grupos se ofrecen solamente en línea*
Grupo de Apoyo los Sábados (Saturday Spanish Family Support Group)
Todos los segundos Sábados del mes; Cada cuarto Sábado del mes por la mañana en persona en Virginia Ave. Park, Santa Monica (mapa), en el centro para los adolescentes.
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning of the month in-person at Virginia Ave. Park in Santa Monica (map), inside the Teen Center.
Using Zoom for the Virtual Support Groups
How to use Zoom?
Before the group:
- Start by downloading Zoom
- Click the “Download” button to add the Zoom app to your computer/tablet/phone
- If you are using your phone, there is a Zoom app on the app store that you can download. You can join meeting by inputting the meeting ID
- When signing in, please use your real first name (not a screen name), so that the NAMI WLA group leader can accept you into the group; the group leader will be accepting requests as people join the meeting. (We are doing this to ensure the class remains a safe and secure setting for all!)
At the Time of the Meeting:
- Click the hyperlink to open the meeting or input the meeting number
- Join the Zoom Meeting
- Be sure to Select Video and Audio inputs
- When others are speaking, please “Mute” yourself to eliminate background noise
- Hold down the Space bar on your keyboard to talk or “Unmute” yourself
About Our Family Support Groups
NAMI Westside Los Angeles offers support groups for families impacted by mental illness. Our support groups are free and no registration is required for you to attend.
When a friend or family member develops a mental health condition, it’s important to know that you are not alone. In our family support groups, loved ones of those living with mental illness have the opportunity to share their stories, learn from one another, and give and receive support to others facing similar challenges, in a safe and confidential setting. The groups are peer-led by family members of individuals living with mental illness. Attendees in our support groups report back they they have found comfort and guidance, and have learned new coping skills.