Family night hosted by local NAMI
The National Alliance on Mental Illness, local chapter NAMI of Tusc/Carroll, will host a family night in New Philadelphia. The evening will include a dinner catered by Texas Roadhouse, door prizes, games, karaoke and social time. There is no charge for family night at ACE, though registration is needed.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness, local chapter NAMI of Tusc/Carroll, will host a family night Wednesday, March 14 from 6-8 p.m. at ACE Inc., 115 Third St. NW in New Philadelphia.
The evening will include a dinner catered by Texas Roadhouse of New Philadelphia, door prizes, games, karaoke and social time. There is no charge for family night at ACE, though registration is needed.
“We do family nights every quarter,” said Todd Little, chairperson for the event. “We offer them as an outing for people who are supporting a family member with a mental illness, to give them a little respite. They can get some help and support, talk to others, and realize they’re not alone.”
NAMI is a family support organization for both patients and family members, Little said.
Little explained while NAMI has been around in the area for a long time, a local reorganization three years ago has helped the agency regroup and redefine its mission.
“We’re now at a point where we can reach out into the community a little more and make people more aware of NAMI and what we can do for families,” he said. “We are also looking for people who can help in peer-leading support groups.”
Support groups are led by individuals who receive specific training and who are family members of a person with a mental illness, Little said. “We hope our family night will help people learn more about NAMI and help us find those who may be interested in getting training to help others. If you are working with a family member, you may be able to get peer training and provide help in a larger way.”
NAMI offers support and several programs to both patients and family members. NAMI Connections is a peer-led group for people with mental illness that meets each Wednesday at ACE from 1:30-3 p.m.
“As we identify and train more group leaders, we can expand our ability to provide more group-setting services,” Little said.
ACE stands for Advocacy, Choices and Empowerment and works to aid those with mental illnesses or addiction recovery.
In order to join NAMI, Little said all one need do is express interest. “Just say ‘I’m interested,’ and we can help from there.”
Little said the family fun night is funded internally with many in-kind donations. “All of the food for family night is donated by Texas Roadhouse for example,” he said.
Nationally NAMI serves as advocate for the nearly 60 million Americans who deal with mental illness daily. It provides education and support from trained peers and provides leadership on issues affecting those with mental illness and their families. One in every five Americans are affected by mental illness with 50 percent of them going untreated. Seventy percent of minors or young people in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness.
NAMI of Tusc/Carroll is always welcoming new members. Little said to join “if you have a family member who lives with a mental health issue and you need support as you try to support them or if you feel that you are strong enough to support others as they walk with their own loved one experiencing mental health issues.”
Meetings are the second Monday of each month at noon at New Life Counseling at 130 W. Third St. in Dover.
Find out more or register for family night by calling ACE Inc. at 330-308-8604.