NAMI Launches Social Networking Site for Young Adults: Mental Health, Finances, Relationships, Music and More

ARLINGTON, Va., March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched StrengthofUs.org, a new online community where young adults living with mental health concerns can provide mutual support in navigating unique challenges and opportunities during the critical transition years from ages 18 to 25.

Developed by young adults, StrengthofUs.org is a user-driven social networking community where members can connect with peers, share personal stories, creativity and helpful resources by writing and responding to blog entries, engaging in discussion groups and sharing videos, photos and other news. The site offers resources on issues important to young adults, including:

Healthy relationships
Family and friends
Campus life
Independent living
Finances
Employment
Housing
Mental health issues

"Young adulthood is an exciting challenge, but also a confusing and stressful time for anyone," said Michael Fitzpatrick, NAMI executive director. "Life can throw things at you fast." "Mental illness affects everyone. StrengthofUs.org is intended not just for young adults who have a mental illness, but for anyone entering adulthood that has a friend, parent or other family member facing a mental health problem." "Most of all, StrengthofUs.org is an interactive, fun space where young adults can share experiences and other information to empower each other, build relationships and offer peer support."

"StrengthofUs.org is about helping and inspiring each other," said Alex M. White, age 23, a member of the advisory group of young adults who helped develop the Web site. "I would not be alive today if it had not been for the love, care and support I received from family, friends and loved ones."

White was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 13. He dropped out of school and attempted suicide before gaining control of the illness.

A Montana State University graduate, White now leads a happy, productive life in New York City. He has made an award-winning short film, Une Vignette de Melancolie, about depression and suicidal ideation that has played internationally.

NAMI created the StrengthofUs community through the support of the Rodwell Dart Memorial Foundation, established by Hailey Dart, in loving memory of her son, Roddy, who lost his life at age 22.

Special Note

On April 20, the Web site will host a "launch party" featuring a remix of the song "Goodmorning" from the upcoming Derivatives album by William Fitzsimmons, who worked helping people with mental illness before turning a passion for music into his profession. He was named an iTunes Best Singer-Songwriter for his album The Sparrow and the Crow and his music has been featured on the television show Grey's Anatomy.

http://www.nami.org/

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www.strengthofus.org

SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI-BV to offer 4th FREE Family-To-Family Education Course

Sign Up Now - Class Begins February 4, 2010!

The NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program is a twelve-week course structured to help family members understand and support their mentally ill relative while maintaining their own well being. Click Here for further details and registration information.

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation's voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education. (text taken from www.namitexas.org)

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions about local services.

Click here for information about the 2009 NAMI Texas Conference.

Support Groups

NAMI Family Support Group

Join BVCAA, Inc. and NAMI-BV the first Tuesday of each month for the NAMI Family Support Group!

This is a monthly support group for families faced with mental illness. The meetings are open to families with mentally ill relatives and offer support, education, information, and referral services. Conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder are addressed. Participants come together to share information and learn from others in similar situations in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

	Date:	First Tuesday of each month
	Time:	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
	Place:	Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., Head Start Resource Room (3141 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 513, Bryan)
	Cost:	FREE

For more information, contact NAMI-Brazos Valley at:

Day: (979) 693-2303 (Kathleen Kenefick)
Night: (979) 778-8731 (Linda Goolsby)

NAMI Peer Support Group

Join BVCAA, Inc. and NAMI-BV the third Thursday of each month for the NAMI Peer Support Group!

The NAMI Peer Support Group serves persons with mood disorders and other major disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorders, depression and bi-polar disorder.

	Date:	Third Thursday of each month
	Time:	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
	Place:	Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., Head Start Resource Room (3141 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 513, Bryan)
	Cost:	FREE

For more information, contact NAMI-Brazos Valley at:

Day: (979) 693-2303 (Kathleen Kenefick)
Night: (979) 778-8731 (Linda Goolsby)

NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program

Contact Karen Garber at (979) 777-9455 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive updates on upcoming classes.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Brazos Valley (NAMI) and Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. (BVCAA, Inc.) will begin offering the NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program. The NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program is a twelve-week course structured to help family members understand and support their mentally ill relative while maintaining their own well being. The course is intended for families with relatives diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and other mental disorders. The program is offered free of charge and is available to family members only. For more information, please contact Karen Garber at (979) 777-9455.

Download a flier and application for the NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program.

(You will need Adobe Reader to read and/or print out the brochure.)

	Date:	June 8 - August 24
	Time:	6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
	Place:	Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., Head Start Resource Room (3141 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 513, Bryan)
	Cost:	FREE

Need someone to talk to?

Contact NAMI-Brazos Valley at:

Day: (979) 693-2303 (Kathleen Kenefick)
Night: (979) 778-8731 (Linda Goolsby)

Support Your Local NAMI Though Membership

Click here for information regarding joining NAMI-BV.

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