[amandalouise]

Another thread asking the hypothetical question of what would happen if psych central was a real place, got me thinking...

psych central is an amazing place... people of all kinds coming together to share their problems, being that open mind, open ear and shoulder for each other, making suggestions to others based on what has helped ourselves....

is it possible to find that outside of computer life?

answer yes places like psych central exist outside the computer. Most USA cities now have a real life, off the computer network where people of all kinds can get together share their stories, help each other, in open mindedness and with listening ears and shoulders to lean on. The most popular and most well knows place is called NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

what happens at NAMI friends family and those with mental illness get together in real time places to help each other, share their stories. Sometimes theres community awareness activities. I have been a part of NAMI here in my city as a client, advocate and educator in many of their programs for many many years. Some of my family members have also attended many of their programs, either as a client or part of their program called "in our own voices" or the family oriented programs.

to find a NAMI near you where you can have the same psych central experience but in real time (off the computer) just google nami.org

there are other places too where you can get the same kind of help psych central gives but in real life. its called therapy groups and support groups, almost every major city and sometimes small towns too in the USA have therapy groups and support groups where you can get help off the computer too.

[Wild Coyote]

Thank you, amandalouise!

I deeply appreciate your thoughtful and informative posts here at PC.

NAMI is a great organization!

Thanks again!

WC

[Calla lily12]

There is also http://dbsaboston.org/. It's a resource group for family and those that have affective disorders. It's a really good group.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you for this post, amandalouise! I first started going to NAMI Connection (peer support) groups many years ago. Those groups were immensely helpful for me...a lifeline. Support, and tons of info about medication. For the past 14 months I've been facilitating a weekly NAMI Connection group. What a blessing! I am so attached to my group members...we truly care about each other.

I've been in several therapy and support groups and found them immensely helpful.