Support

NAMI Connection (Peer) Support Group

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there.

NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone can be heard and get what they need.

More About Connection Peer Support Group
  • Free of cost to participants
  • Designed for adults (18+) with mental health conditions
  • Led by people with mental health conditions
  • 90 minutes long and meets weekly
  • No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed
  • Confidential

What You’ll Gain

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 non-judgmental space.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group will help you:

  • Aim for better coping skills
  • Find strength in sharing experiences
  • Not judge anyone’s pain
  • Forgive ourselves and reject guilt
  • Embrace humor as healthy
  • Accept that we cannot solve every problem
  • Understand that mental health conditions are no one’s fault and can be traumatic experiences

What People Are Saying

“… People can solve problems [at a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group]. It isn’t just a bunch of sad stories; people are coming up with solutions and stuff to do for the next week. One of our group attendees is taking her meds and getting herself to her counselor and is just about able to go back to her career in great part due to Connection.”

“NAMI Connection has enabled me to take a good look at my illness and see that I am not alone. The program has given me additional tools to not only accept my illness, but to help others along the way.”

Connection Peer Support Group: In-Person

  • 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month at 3 PM
  • Open to adults 18 and older who live with a mental health condition
  • The Taylor Center, 358 NE Marshall Ave, Bend, OR 97701

Connection Peer Support Group: Online

  • Monday from 7 PM to 9 PM via Zoom
  • Open to adults 18 and older in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties who live with mental health conditions
  • To register for Connection Peer Support Group, email info@namicentraloregon.org. (Requests are screened to ensure those joining are individuals living with mental illness to maintain the privacy and integrity of the online meeting.) 

For more information about our Connection Support Group, contact info@namicentraloregon.org

NAMI Family Support Group

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. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.

NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone can be heard and get what they need.

More About NAMI Family Support Group
  • Free of cost to participants
  • Designed for adult loved ones of people with mental health conditions
  • Led by family members of people with mental health conditions
  • 90 minutes long and meets monthly
  • No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed
  • Confidential

What You’ll Gain

By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you can 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.

NAMI Family Support Group will help you:

  • Aim for better coping skills
  • Find strength in sharing experiences
  • Not judge anyone’s pain
  • Forgive ourselves and reject guilt
  • Embrace humor as healthy
  • Accept that we cannot solve every problem
  • Understand that mental health conditions are no one’s fault and can be traumatic experiences

What People Are Saying

“The most beneficial thing for me was that I am not alone. I found the NAMI Family Support Group at the time I really needed it!”

“The support group facilitators and attendees were respectful of other people’s experiences and were non-judgmental when there were different ways of handling things.”

“I felt I received constructive, practical and helpful information from group members.”

“Using the [NAMI] support group model is so essential to the success of our family support groups. As a group, the collective wisdom covered a lot of possibilities.”

Family Support Group – In-Person

Starting Wednesday, November 13th, we are offering a new In-Person Family Support Group.

  • Begins Wednesday, November 13th
  • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – every 2nd & 4th Wednesday
  • Embark Coworking Community
    2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend, OR 97703
  • Please arrive on time, as the building will be locked. The group co-facilitator will be downstairs to greet folks and let them into the building. 

Family Support Groups: Online

  • 3rd Saturdays, 10-11:30 AM
    • Meets once a month on the 3rd Saturday from 10 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Last Thursdays, 5:15-6:45 PM
    • Meets once a month on the last Thursday from 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM
    • Register via Zoom for last Thursdays

For more information about our Family Support Groups, contact info@namicentraloregon.org

More Support Resources

NAMI Oregon Support Groups

NAMI Central Oregon Compassion Committee

NAMI Oregon Helpline 

NAMI HelpLine

The David Romprey Oregon Warmline

Talk it Over

  • Talk It Over Support Group is for parents/caregivers with school-age children and young adults living with behavioral health challenges.
  • Meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month via Zoom
  • Click here to sign up

Charlie Health Free Support Groups

Hearing Voices Network USA

Senior Loneliness Line 

Friendship Line