Find a Local NAMI Affiliate

For information and how to contact one of our 9 local Affiliates here in Connecticut, please click here.

Find Support

The Coronavirus outbreak is leaving many people feeling anxious, angry, sad, or scared. People living with mental health conditions, their loved ones, and their caregivers face unique challenges during this public health crisis. You are not alone.

NAMI Connecticut is here for you with virtual support groups and education programs.

To serve our community and to reach people with mental health issues and their loved ones who need help at this unprecedented time, NAMI Connecticut is holding a Friends and Family Support Group every Monday. Our nine affiliates and the volunteers we depend on are also holding virtual support groups and education programs. Currently 10 family support groups, 11 NAMI Connection peer support groups, 2 veterans support groups, 6 Young Adult Connection Community support groups—including a daily YACC group, and 3 NAMI- CAN (Child & Adolescent Network) groups are available online. And we are working every day to add more.

Our support groups are led by trained facilitators with lived experience with mental health issues or with a family member who has a mental health condition.

Browse the categories below to find a group online.
A group you may have attended previously, or facilitated by someone in your local area, may now be available online. 

If you don’t see an option that works for you, please check back for updates. We are continually adding new online groups as they become available.

Because we care about the health and well-being of our community, we are offering our Family support groups by video conference and conference call.

If you don’t see an option that works for you, please check back for updates. We are continually adding new online groups as they become available.

 

Live family support meetings are offered every week.

Please check below for the latest online support groups , and call or email the contacts listed below for status.

NAMI Family Community Check-In
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 824 0341 9307
Contact Thomas Burr, 860.202.4487 for the meeting password

NAMI CT Spousal Support Meeting
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the 3rd Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 853 8277 7538
Contact Valerie Lepoutre @ vlepoutre@namict.org for the meeting password

Cheshire Family Support Group
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the third Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Contact Deb at kaszas@sbcglobal.net for the meeting password

Danbury Family Support Group (1)
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 472 941 987
Contact Gale (860) 350-4915, for the meeting password

Danbury Family Support Group (2)
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 476 888 891
Contact Gale (860) 350-4915, for the meeting password

Middlebury Family Support Group
Time: 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second Tuesday
In the Conference Room, at the Watermark, 611 East Hill Road, Southbury
Contact Scott at: 203-910-0233, or ffllc3333@gmail.com

Natchaug Family Support Group
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 822 2180 8726
Contact Valerie Lepoutre @ vlepoutre@namict.org for the meeting password

NAMI Elm City/Waterbury Family Support
Time: 6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second and Fourth Wednesdays
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 851 262 236
Contact Vicky: (203) 215-1034, for the meeting password

NAMI Fairfield County Family Support Group (1)
Time: 6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the 1st Tuesday
Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpceurqDkuH9LfOc2l46NoUd3FXwuwr5Jp 

NAMI Fairfield County Family Support Group (2) In Person Group starting August 18
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the 3rd Wednesday
Auditorium, First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT
For more information, please call: (203) 586-0826

NAMI Farmington Valley Newington Support Group
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every Month on 1st Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 826 529 942
Contact Valerie Lepoutre @ vlepoutre@namict.org for the meeting password

NAMI Farmington Valley Avon Support Group
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every Month on 3rd Monday; and as this is an in-person group, we respectfully ask that attendees wear a COVID mask.
Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Rd., Avon, CT 06001
Contact Marilyn: (860) 480-9451

NAMI Farmington Valley Simsbury Support Group
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every Month on 1st Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 637 619 452
Contact Carmen: (860) 803-4139; or Marisa: (860) 299-5705, for the meeting password

NAMI Manchester Support Group (1)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time
Every 1st Tuesday of the month
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Contact Roberta: rcluby@comcast.net for the meeting ID & password

NAMI Manchester Support Group (2)
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Every 3rd Thursday of the month
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Contact Roberta: rcluby@comcast.net for the meeting ID & password

NAMI Manchester Support Group (3)
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Every 4th Thursday of the month
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Contact Roberta: rcluby@comcast.net for the meeting ID & password

Ridgefield Support Group Meeting
Time: 6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the second Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 212 727 055
Contact Sheryl: sherylsheehan@gmail.com, for the meeting password

NAMI Shoreline Tuesday Friends & Family Group
Time: Apr 14, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 784 421 723
Contact: Divinna (860) 876-0236, for the meeting password

NAMI Shoreline Wednesday Friends & Family Group
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the last Wednesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 951 698 705
Contact: Wendy (203) 779-9686, or Susan (203) 421-5563, for the meeting password

NAMI Southeastern CT Support Group
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every Wednesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 747 222 466
Email information@namisect.org, for the meeting password

NAMI Southwest CT Friends & Family Support Groups
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time
1st Tuesday of the month
Pleas register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsd-CgpzMtG91-uiM9aZzmql7R4ZgA-JgC

NAMI Windham County Friends & Family Support Group (1)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the second Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 960 265 217
Contact: Bill & Terri (860) 928-5947, for the meeting password

NAMI Windham County Friends & Family Support Group (2)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the last Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 622 198 833
Contact: Bill & Terri (860) 928-5947, for the meeting password

 

 

Live online meetings offered twice a week.

Please check below for the latest online support groups:

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Check-In 
Monday & Wednesday, & 1st & 3rd Fridays – All starting at 3:00PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 922 621 095
Contact Don: 203-378-2500, for the meeting password

West Hartford Connection Recovery Support Group (1)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month of the 2nd Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 273 128 803
Contact Harold: 860-560-6879, for the meeting password

West Hartford Connection Recovery Support Group (2)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Forth Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 960 951 510
Contact: Harold: (860) 580-6879 for the meeting password

New Haven Connection Recovery Support Group (1)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second Wednesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 570 267 384
Contact Mandi: 203-589-0628 for the meeting password

New Haven Connection Recovery Support Group (2)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Fourth Wednesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 973 097 211
Contact Mandi: 203-589-0628 for the meeting password

Hamden Connection Recovery Support Group (1)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the 1st Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 517 315 125
Contact Don: 203-378-2500, for the meeting password

Hamden Connection Recovery Support Group (2)
Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the 3rd Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 731 228 905
Contact Don: 203-378-2500, for the meeting password

 

Because we care about the health and well-being of our community, we are offering our Veteran Connection Recovery support groups by video conference and conference call.

 

West Haven Veteran Connection Recovery Group
Time: 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tuesday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 486 929 450
Contact Mandi: 203-589-0628 for the meeting password

 

NAMI Connecticut Young Adult Connection Community:
The NAMI Connecticut Young Adult Connection Community is a peer-led support network for emerging adults (ages 18-29) who may be experiencing mental health and/or other challenges as a young person. In our selection of groups, young people will have an opportunity to connect with others who are also learning how to manage their mental health and well-being with the stress of today's world. All of our groups focus on managing mental wellness through thought-provoking activities, recovery skill building, goal planning, socialization, and supportive discussion.
Live online meetings offered every day.

Please see below for all other online support groups and Activities:
Updated Virtual Young Adult Connection Community Groups & Activities (as of 9/22/2020):

 

Young Adult Connection Community Check-In
Mondays
Time: 3:30PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Young Adult Connection Community Check-In
Wednesdays
Time: 3:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
This group meets on the GroupMe App, please contact Val to be added to the chat: vlepoutre@namictorg

Young Adult Connection Community Check-In
Fridays (this Group is currently on hold)
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Mending Minds: Student Community Check-In
Mondays
Time: 7:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Here

Rainbow Connections - an LGBTQ+ Community Group
First and Third Tuesdays
Time: 7:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Creative Expressions Group
Second and Fourth Tuesdays
Time: 6:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Creative Hearts – a Group to Share Art, Music, poetry, etc.
Fifth Tuesday of Every Month
Time: 6:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Out of the Abyss: An Alternatives to Suicide Group
Wednesdays
Time: 7:30PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Please note: "Out of the Abyss" is an online adventure program for young adults to navigate the darkness in the current environment - and beyond. This group is both a time to strategize and share ideas for coping with difficult life circumstances AND an adventure module for the 5th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

Self-Discovery: Young Adult Connection Community Group
Thursdays
Time: 6:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Young Adult Game Night
Fridays
Time: 6:30PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register Here

Coffee Break (on hold)
Every Fourth Saturday
Time: 1:00PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Because we care about the health and well-being of our community, we are offering the following support groups by video conference and conference call.

 

Opioid Support Group Meetings

Family Group Meetings
Mondays: 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Recovery Group Meetings
Wednesdays: 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Please call or email Paul Brainerd, for an invite to one of our Google Hangout Video Conferencing Opioid Support Group Meetings:

Paul Brainerd
NAMI Opioid Support Group Coordinator
pbrainerd@namict.org
(860) 882-8674

Because we care about the health and well-being of our community, we are offering our NAMI CAN support groups by video conference and conference call.

If you don’t see an option that works for you, please check back for updates. We are continually adding new online groups as they become available.

 

Wilton NAMI CAN
Time: 10:00am Eastern Time
September 13 Meeting ONLY: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 893 4564 8300

Every 1st Monday of the Month starting October 4
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 858 8952 6381
Contact: Beth at (203) 203-984-0123, or Vanessa at (203) 970-4130 for the meeting password

Farmington Valley NAMI-CAN Support Group
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every Month on 1st Monday
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 811 3948 8309
Contact: Grace: (860) 693-9310 for the meeting password

NAMI Southwest CAN Support Groups:

Every Wednesday
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 208 443 3181
Contact: Valerie Lepoutre @ vlepoutre@namict.org for the meeting password

 

 

 

About Our Programs

Facilitated by people who have experienced what you have/are going through.
Our support groups are available throughout the state, are completely confidential and are peer-led.

NAMI Connecticut offers no-cost training and statewide support to a diverse network of peer-led support groups that serve family members, parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral health concerns and persons living with mental illness.

Groups Include:

  • NAMI Friends and Family
  • NAMI-CAN (Child and Adolescent Network)
  • NAMI Connection Recovery Groups (People with Lived Experience)
  • NAMI Connecticut Young Adult Connection Community Groups (18-29)
  • NAMI Connecticut Young Adult Grief Groups (18-29)

Education Classes

NAMI Basics
A no-cost six-week program that allows families to connect to another while learning about mental illness, its impact on children and adolescents, strategies to deal with schools and providers and tool to empower parents/caregivers to overcome new challenges. This program is for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral health challenges that have diverse complex needs. Learn More >

Family-to-Family
A nationally recognized no-cost evidence-based twelve-week program that provides education on the neurobiological basis of serious mental illnesses, information, resources and support for family members of individuals with serious mental illness based on lived experiences of other family members. Program is delivered by trained volunteer family facilitators and is available throughout the state on a regular basis. Learn More >

NAMI Homefront

A free, six-session education program for family, friends and significant others of Military Service Members and Veterans with behavioral and mental health conditions. It focuses on the unique needs of military and veteran communities, such as post-deployment and post-discharge transitions. Learn More >

Presentations

NAMI Overview
Learn about all the wonderful programs and services available from NAMI Connecticut and our statewide network of affiliates. Many of these programs are FREE to the public! Learn More >

Mental Health 101
Learn all about what is required to maintain good mental health, as well as common mental illnesses, symptoms and behaviors; and what mental illness is and ISN’T. Also, a brief overview of all the important programs and services provided by NAMI Connecticut and its network of statewide affiliates. Learn More >

Mental Health Policy
Learn about NAMI Connecticut’s Public Policy Program and how our organization advocates locally and at the state level for caregivers as well as people living with mental health conditions. Learn More >

Ending the Silence
Beginning in 2016 NAMI Connecticut will bring this program to Connecticut. The program consists of an educational package designed to teach students on three grade levels, upper elementary, middle school, and high school about serious mental illness, thereby starting early on to reduce the stigma and discrimination that surrounds individuals with mental illness. Learn More >

In Our Own Voice
A no-cost program offering personal testimonials from individuals living with mental health conditions and share their journey of recovery. The program is a prime vehicle for NAMI Connecticut’s outreach and education to lessen the stigma associated with mental illness. Presentations usually run 60 to 90 minutes in length, though a 45 minute version is also available. Learn More >

Parents & Teachers as Allies
This program offers educators and school administrators an in- service training covering the neurobiological basis of mental illness, the signs and symptoms associated with early onset of serious mental illness in children as well as local and state resources to share with parents. A trained panel consisting of a family member, a person with mental illness, and an educator delivers the program. Learn More >

Sharing Hope
A no-cost interactive educational presentation that aims to decrease mental health stigma in the African-American faith community and the Latino community in general to increase awareness of mental health recovery, and to introduce NAMI education and support programs. The program is presented by a panel of individuals with the lived experience of mental illness and the family member experience. English & Spanish. Learn More >

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