Neola, Iowa – August 25, 2021 – NAMI Southwest Iowa is expanding their programming beginning in September!  Two new monthly NAMI Family Support Groups will begin in Atlantic and Clarinda.  In addition, a NAMI Family-to-Family Class will begin October 2nd in Atlantic. Anna Killpack, Executive Director at NAMI Southwest Iowa, says “When families are struggling to cope with loved ones that have challenging mental health conditions, it can feel very isolating and overwhelming.  Families and caregivers need to know that they are NOT ALONE!”

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Participants can gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. 

NAMI Family Support Group will be held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in Atlantic at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street starting September 7th.  Also, NAMI Family Support Group will be held the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in Clarinda at Southwest Iowa Families, 215 E. Washington starting September 21st.

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition. NAMI Family-to-Family class will take place Saturday mornings from 9:30am-11:30am beginning October 2nd in Atlantic.  Call 712-542-7904 to register.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.  NAMI Southwest Iowa is an affiliate of NAMI and NAMI Iowa.  For information on ALL of NAMI Southwest Iowa’s programming, visit the website at www.namisouthwestiowa.com or call 712-542-7904.