SALT LAKE CITY — National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah is rolling out free online support groups and mental health seminars to anyone in Utah impacted by mental illness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and now more than ever these services are needed.
In addition to online support groups, NAMI Utah will provide online 90-minute mental health education workshops each Thursday in May at 7 p.m.
New to the state, these presentations provide information on signs, symptoms, treatments and resources. The presenters, NAMI Family-to-Family teachers, share their stories of having a family member with a mental health condition, giving hope to those who may be struggling with their loved one.
“We are excited to be offering online support groups and mental health education seminars online. We know there is tremendous need, especially in light of new stressors related to COVID-19,” Robert Wesemann, executive director of NAMI Utah, said in a statement.
While some may be concerned about confidentiality in an online format or their ability to use video conferencing, NAMI Utah assures confidentiality, and technological problems have been minimal. Participants must register ahead of time and will receive a weekly confidential log-in invitation, which allows them to join the online meeting. Starting in May, family members of loved ones with mental health conditions can also attend online family support groups every Tuesday at 7 p.m. And adults with mental health conditions are invited to attend Connection support groups every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.
To register, log on to form.jotform.com/200846724854158.