Nebraskans with mental health conditions face significant barriers to finding and receiving the services and support they need to achieve their personal and professional potential. Besides the stigma surrounding mental illness and the lack of adequate insurance coverage for mental healthcare, there is a shortage of mental health professionals in most rural Nebraska counties. Many people in rural communities lack transportation to clinics and support groups that may be two hours or more from their homes. Even many people living in Nebraska cities lack affordable, reliable public transportation to receive care.

In order to address these barriers, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Nebraska runs a variety of in-person and virtual support groups and classes. Several free, peer-led NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups meet on a bi-weekly basis over Zoom and are open to any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. The NAMI Family-to-Family education program is a free eight-week class for family members of people with severe mental illness. NAMI Ending the Silence is a free 90-minute program NAMI Nebraska provides to middle schools, high schools, and colleges to educate students on what mental health is, what services are available, and what they can do if a friend needs help. NAMI Nebraska also provides free professional development classes with continuing education units (CEUs) to mental health professionals.

NAMI Nebraska will host its annual meeting on Tuesday, October 25th from 12:00-1:30 PM. Participants can attend in person at the Community Engagement Center Room 201, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182 or by following Zoom instructions which will be sent out upon registering at www.naminebraska.org. NAMI members and program participants, as well as interested members of the public, will have the opportunity to learn about NAMI Nebraska’s accomplishments over the past year and plans for expanded initiatives in 2023.

“For the first time ever, NAMI Nebraska will have board representation in all the Department of Health and Human Services’ behavioral health regions,” said NAMI Nebraska Executive Director Carrin Meadows. “This is the first step to getting programs and services free of charge to the people who need them in every community in Nebraska.”

Meeting attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Ken Duckworth, author of the best-selling book “You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health - With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families.” This book includes stories from over 130 people with mental illness, their family members, and professionals.

If you, a family member, or your organization are interested in any of the support groups, classes, or trainings offered by NAMI Nebraska, more information is available at www.naminebraska.org, on the NAMI Nebraska Facebook or Instagram pages, or by emailing Carrin Meadows at cmeadows@naminebraska.org.