NAMI Training

My name is Tina W. Myself and two other clubhouse members, Letitia D. and Lisa P, attended a weekend training in Jefferson City for the NAMI facilitator training. NAMI is National Alliance on Mental Illness. We arrived around 5pm Thursday and training started Friday at 9 am.

We learned to run a support group for people like myself with a mental diagnosis. We learned that the most important thing is to have compassion and understanding and let them know they are not alone. We learned about “AIDS Us” which stands for “affirm, inquire, direct, understand, support.” We learned that while dealing with group members’ emotions or situations, there are not always clear cut right or wrong answers.

All three days of the training was very informative and intense. The trainers were very patient, helpful and supportive. In our free time in the evening we were able to do some sightseeing and shopping. The hotel staff was courteous and very helpful. The three of us look forward to helping others in the monthly NAMI groups with our shared knowledge.

Please join us every Thursday evening from 7-8:30 PM at Mineral Area Hospital for the NAMI Peer to Peer Support Group.