With Peers And Cope With MentalIllness (NAPSA)—According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 58 million American adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year, and one in 17 lives with a serious mental illness. Without proper care, which may include medication, exercise and peer support, these illnesses can have debilitating effects. To help assist people with mental illness, NAMI hosts weekly support groups, free of charge, in local communities throughout the country. Led by individuals who are in recovery, NAMI Connection offers people with mentalillnesses an environmentof respect, understanding, encouragement and hope. Participants in a free mental health support group offered by NAMI. to understand. Eventually, a combination of medication and therapy set Deanna on the road to recovery. But it was her involvement in a peer support group that support.” truly helped her come to terms with her illness and educate the people in herlife aboutit. Today, Deanna is a NAMI Connection field manager as well as a mother and grandmother. “NAMI Connection gave me an outlet to share my thoughts with others in a safe and supportive environment,” she said. “The support of my peers has been instrumental in helping medeal with myillness and develop strategies to educate others about whatit’s like to live with a mentalillness.” Launched in 2007, the NAMI Connection program has grown to more than 35,000 participants in nearly 400 groups held in 43 states throughout the country. For more information on the “highs,” called mania, was diffi- find a location near you, call (800) 950-NAMI or visit www.nami.org/connection. NAMIConnection is supported by a contribution from AstraZeneca, a leading pharmaceutical company committed to mental health re- For more information about NAMI Connection, call (800) 950-NAMIor visit www.nami.org/connection. “Mental illness can be extremely isolating, especially for people who are newly diagnosed. Connecting with other people who are dealing with the same issues can be an important part of recovery,” explains Ken Duckworth, M.D., medical director for NAMI. “Support groups are a cost-efficient way to bring individuals with similar experiences together to share their stories and offer When she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder more than 10 years ago, Deanna Greenfelt isolated and misunderstood. The complex illness, which caused her to experience bouts of depression as well as periods of extreme cult for others—and for Deanna— 281086 8/09 NAMI Connection program or to search, education and treatment.
