If you or someone you love has depression, anxiety or another mental illness, you don’t have to face the challenges and struggles alone. Here are some resources.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, sponsors free, confidential support groups in and near Northeast Los Angeles, where you can find understanding and helpful information in English and Spanish in safe, supportive settings. The meetings are open to all. There are separate groups for people diagnosed with mental illness and for family members and loved ones:
- NAMI Connections is a peer support group for and led by people who are working on mental illness recovery. Participants learn from each other’s experiences, share coping strategies and offer each other encouragement, understanding and hope. The meetings take a relaxed approach that helps participants to express their challenges and acknowledge their successes in dealing with mental illness. Didi Hirsch Mental Health / 1540 E. Colorado St. in Glendale, just west of the 2 Freeway entrance at Colorado Blvd. / Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday / Upcoming meetings: Tuesday, Mar. 13, Tuesday, Mar. 27 / 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. / For more information: (213) 797-0494
- At meetings of NAMI Family Support Groups, relatives, caregivers and loved ones of people living with mental illness tap each other’s knowledge and experience to find solutions to problems and strength in sharing. The group is led by a trained team of family members of mentally ill individuals. Participants may share as much or as little information as they wish. Everyone pledges to keep everything that is said confidential. Please note: NAMI Family Support Group does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies for your family member. Local NAMI Family Support Group meetings in English are held at two locations:
Didi Hirsch Mental Health / 1540 E. Colorado St. in Glendale, just west of the 2 Freeway entrance at Colorado Blvd./ Every Tuesday / Upcoming meetings: Tuesday, Mar. 6, 13, 20 and 27 / 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information: (213) 797-0494
Adventist Health Glendale / 1509 Wilson Terrace / Psych 1 West, Classroom 1 (Ground floor) / Glendale / 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month / Upcoming meetings: Sunday, Mar. 11 and Sunday, Mar. 25 / 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. / For more information, contact Walter Jarvis at (323) 478-1656. - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar NAMI en Español es un grupo de apoyo dirigidas a familiares, cuidadores y seres queridos de las personas que viven con la enfermedad mental. El sello distintivo de un grupo de apoyo de National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) está aprovechando el conocimiento colectivo y la experiencia de los demás participantes. Nuestros grupos son facilitados por un equipo capacitado de los familiares de las personas que viven con la enfermedad mental. Nos comprometemos absoluta confidencialidad – participación como información personal tanto o tan poco como usted desea. Grupo de Apoyo a la Familia de NAMI no recomienda ni aprueba los medicamentos u otros tratamientos médicos para su familiar. / Northeast Wellness Center (Centro de Bienestar del Noreste) / 5564 N. Figueroa St. / Highland Park / Todos los martes / En marzo: Martes, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27 / 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aportamos nuestra cena y compartir una comida antes de nuestro grupo de apoyo. Póngase en contacto con: Dina Flores o Irma (323) 341-5100
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), is a national peer-led organization for people who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar illness. The DBSA Pasadena chapter holds meeting three nights a week. Participants share and gain insights, listen and learn, and receive information, support and strategies for living with their illnesses. Meetings are free and open to all at: Huntington Hospital / 100 W. California Blvd. / Conference Room 8, inside the cafeteria / Pasadena / Each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday/ 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. / For more information, contact Dave at (818) 404-2359.
T.A. Hendrickson, a native of Eagle Rock, is the editor of the Boulevard Sentinel and a former member of the Editorial Board of the New York Times.
