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NAMI Greater Des Moines - Support Groups
SUPPORT GROUPS

If you know of other support groups which could be listed – please e-mail namigdm@gmail.com

NAMI Principles of Support
  1. We will see the individual first, not the illness.
  2. We recognize mental illnesses are brain disorders.
  3. We aim for better coping skills.
  4. We find strength in sharing experiences.
  5. We reject stigma in ourselves and in others.
  6. We won't judge anyone's pain as less than our own.
  7. We forgive ourselves and reject guilt.
  8. We embrace humour as healthy.
  9. We accept we cannot resolve all problems.
  10. We expect a better future in a realistic way.
  11. We will never give up hope!

Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK
Veterans Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

What to Look For, What to do

A person may be suicidal if he or she:
v/   Talks about committing suicide.
v/   Experiences drastic changes in behavior.
v/   Withdraws from friends and social activities.
v/   Loses interest in hobbies, work, school.
v/   Gives away prized possessions.
v/   Has attempted suicide in the past.
v/   Takes unnecessary risks.
v/   Is preoccupied with death and dying.

What you can do:
v/   Be direct.  Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
v/   Be willing to listen.  Allow expressions of feelings.
v/   Be non-judgmental.
v/   Show interest and support.
v/   Don't act shocked.
v/   Don't be sworn to secrecy.
v/   Offer hope that alternatives are available, but do not offer glib reassurance.
v/   Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
v/   Get help.  If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the 24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Sources:  Suicide Prevention Action Network (spanusa.org)
And the American Association of Suicidology(www.suicidology.org).

SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
Third Sunday of the month - Family members, if you are interested in participating in a NAMI family support group, please contact Glenn Hobin IowaGH@aol.com or call 965-9799 - or contact Grace Sivadge 961-6671. Meetings are at Eyerly-Ball Community Mental Health Center, 1301 Center St., Des Moines – 2:30 – 4:00 P.M.

First Thursday of each month - 6:30P.M. - a support group for Family members – First United Methodist Church – 307 W. Ashland, Indianola. We'll be in the first room on the right when you go in the Northwest door on Ashland Ave. The room is called Gabel Chapel. The facilitators will be Erika Bachof 961-4001 and Rose Weeks 480-8286.

First Saturday of each month - 10 A.M. – support group for Family members – St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1120 North 8th St., Winterset – contact Grace at 961-6671 or Pat at 515-462-3479 for more information

1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month – Des Moines CURE/Voices to be Heard Support group – Union Park United Methodist Church –East 12th & Guthrie - Light meal at 5:30 P.M. Support group for adults and program for children from 6 PM to 7PM. –If you have a loved one in prison or parole system you are concerned about or if you are concerned about those in prison, please feel free to join us. If you have questions, please call Jean Basinger at 277-6296 or Melissa Nelson at 280-9027.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE
First Monday of each month -6:30 – 8 PM - a support group for parents and caregivers of children with severe emotional disturbance (SED) or mental illness – meets at the Child Serve Center – 5406 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston.  For more information – call Diane at 255-8157.

4th Monday of each month – 5:30 – 7 PM – a support group for Polk County parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance (SED) or mental illness – a sibling support group meets separately - at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines St., in the basement – child care provided, can also provide free transportation and interpretation services – please pre-register, if possible – call Dawn at 558-6247. The outreach target is the Sudanese and minority population, but anyone can participate.

2nd Tuesday of each month – 7 – 8:30 PM – a support group for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance (SED) or mental illness – at Adventure Life Reformed Church, 1700 8th St. SW, Altoona – Call Dawn at 558-6247 for more information.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PERSONS IN RECOVERY
Every Monday evening 7-8:30 P.M. – NAMI Connections – a support group for persons with mental illness – facilitated by persons with mental illness – at the NAMI Iowa office – 254-0417 – or 1-800-417-0417 - 5911 Meredith Drive, Suite E, Des Moines. Contact Dawn Olson at dawnao@iowatelecom.net or 641-842-3859 if you have questions. Dawn Olson and Kyle Damman are facilitators.

2nd & 4th Mondays of each month – 7 P.M. – For depression and anxiety disorders only – WestView Church, 1155 SE Boone, in Waukee. Call Julie at 710-1487 or E-mail at candlesinthedarkness@mchsi.com

2nd & 4th Mondays of each month – 7 P.M. – depression and bipolar support group., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Lane, Waukee. Candlessupportgroup@mchsi.com 313-6184

Every Tuesday evening – 8-10 P.M. - Recovery Inc., a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3120 E. 24th St., Des Moines – Call 266-2346 – Marty Hulsebus.

2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month – New Light Support Group – for persons experiencing depression or other mental health issues – at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, Iowa – 515-253-0330 – Pastor Michael Mudlaff

Every Thursday at 2:00 P.M. – Recovery, Inc. - a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, 665 Walnut St., Des Moines – Call 237-0232 – Mark Grunzweig.

Every Thursday evening – 7:45 – 9:45 P.M. – Recovery, Inc. - a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 1020 24th St., in West Des Moines. Call – 277-6071-Deb Rogers.

Every Saturday morning – 10 to 11:15 A.M. – Room 214 - The H.E.L.P. Depression Support Group meets at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, Call 222-1520, ext. 175 or Lisa.davidson@hopewdm.org

Every Saturday afternoon – 2:00 – 3:30 P.M. – the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meets at Iowa Lutheran Hospital – University at Penn Avenue – Level B – private dining room. This is a support group for consumers.

6 nights a week – DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) has on-line support groups. Go to their site; http://www.DBSAlliance.org click on "find support", you get a drop down menu that lists the online groups. You must pre- register to participate.

COPING AFTER SUICIDE
Coping After a Suicide Support Group – Polk Co. Crisis and Advocacy Services – Contact: Chris 515-286-3887
Meeting day – 2nd Thursday of each month 6-7:30 P.M. and last Saturday of each month 9-10:30 A.M. Meeting place is 525 5th Avenue, Suite H. Victim Services Phone: 515-286-3600

Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Veterans Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Written Support Materials
Schizophrenia (SZ) Magazine,
BP (Bipolar) Magazine and
Esperenza (for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders) magazine are each offered at Sunday educational meetings, conferences, and other events at reduced cost.

Many people find support through these magazines. Each issue has the latest information on research, treatments, medications, therapies, stories of persons' journeys in living with brain disorders (mental illness), what the illness is and what it is not, holistic ways to live well with the illness, etc.

Two main messages emerge – you are not alone – and – never give up hope.



If you know of other support groups which could be listed – please e-mail namigdm@gmail.com


Science – Support – Dignity

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