Are you living well in recovery? Help your peers cope with mental illness!

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with serious mental illness and their families.

Volunteers help to serve as Support Group Facilitators for NAMI's Connection Peer Support Group program. Support Group Facilitators provide support, education, and practical knowledge to other people living with mental illness. Groups meet weekly under the guidance of two Volunteer Facilitators.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

▪ Offer respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope to peers in the group coping with mental illness

▪ Facilitators are not counselors or teachers; rather, they are present primarily to give the group structure by opening and closing each support group session, guiding discussion, and shifting discussion when necessary

▪ Maintain confidentiality of support group attendees

▪ Work cooperatively with a co-facilitator to conduct the group

▪ Report attendance to Director of Signature Programs

Volunteer Requirements:

• Participate in NAMI Connection Support Group regularly
• Personal experience having a mental illness and living well in recovery
• Complete a 2-day training program provided by NAMI.
• Current member of NAMI, or willingness to join
• Volunteers are kindly asked to make a 12-month commitment upon completion of training. Facilitators are scheduled on a rotating basis; minimum 3 hours per month