…individuals having received Family to Family (FTF) showed significantly greater overall empowerment and empowerment within their family, the service system and their community. Individuals who received FTF also had greater knowledge of mental illness, higher ratings of constructive emotion focused coping, and lower ratings of anxiety than individuals in the control condition. In addition, individuals who received FTF reported higher ratings of personal skills related to family functioning. …FTF was also significantly associated with reduced depression symptoms and reduced overall distress.

Study Shows Long-term Benefits Family-to-Family Participants1

A University of Maryland study of 95 families, has demonstrated significant benefits to participants in Family-to-Family classes. Compared to a control group, six months following their classes, Family-to-Family graduates:1. Had greater knowledge of the causes and treatment of mental illness; 2. Felt less burdened by their loved one’s illness; 3. Had an improved understanding of the mental health system; 4. Showed a reduction in depression. The authors conclude that Family-to-Family meets the national criteria for an “evidenced based practice.”

1 L. Dixon, et. al.Acta Psychiar. Scand 2004:109:207-215

The IOOV program helps to dispel many myths surrounding mental illness. Audiences benefit from this type of presentation because they learn, first hand, what it means to have a serious mental illness and how the recovery process works.

All IOOV presenters complete a 16 hour NAMI training course. Presenters often find that participating in this program helps build self-esteem. Presenters may learn new coping strategies from one another and are given hope and strength by finding a community of peers.  There are a myriad of ways consumers can grow as In Our Own Voicepresenters.

All IOOV presenters complete a 16 hour NAMI training course. Presenters often find that participating in this program helps build self-esteem. Presenters may learn new coping strategies from one another and are given hope and strength by finding a community of peers.  There are a myriad of ways consumers can grow as In Our Own Voicepresenters.

Participation Station  (PS) is a Peer Operated Center developed to embrace philosophical and practical extensions of the psychiatric rehabilitation and social re-integration recovery model. PS provides evidence-based, best practices in the realm of supports and recovery from serious mental illness (SMI). The program is helping individuals regain HOPE and BELIEF in a life that is not defined by SMI, but by meaningful, personal choice and empowerment.

 Individuals with SMI are involved at every level of day-to-day operations, program planning and implementation at PS. The Leadership Team, led by Kentucky Peer Specialists, schedules "tracks" and social events on a bi-weekly basis. The Warm-Line is manned exclusively by peers who have completed specialized training. This program and facility truly define "peer- operated."

 Housing, clinical, vocational and educational programs throughout our area are engaged at PS as referral sources, volunteers, educators and/or funding entities.

The Fayette Mental Health Court turns 2 November 24th. Though our growing pains continue as we learn the needs of our community, we have yet to turn away any eligible referral. We strive to increase and improve supports offered from within the NAMI family to fill the gaps in existing services, as we continue to “do the next right thing.” 

To date, over 70 referrals have come through the MHC. MHC has been able to work with 32 of these individuals, serving 24 of them still today. Keeping in mind—not all referrals are accepted based on the regulations of the court and some that are accepted decide against joining the program due to length or requirements, etc…not everyone is ready to get well or do the work required to get well. Similarly, some take the program to get out of jail or comply with probation only to decide and demonstrate that they are unwilling to participate in achieving their goals nor abide by program regulations, in which case the participant has opted to quit the program and on a few occasions, the court has had to discharge clients for major/repetitive rule violations and new offenses. At entry, we have seen 43% of participants homeless or in precarious/non-permanent housing situations…of those, all are served to enter safe, temporary housing or shelter immediately upon release from jail. Then, the team works to support them with finding transitional and permanent housing. At entry, we find 71% of participants are dually diagnosed, meaning they have a mental illness diagnosis as well as an issue with substance abuse. These participants are advised to address both needs simultaneously as is recommended as a best practice, engaging in therapy and medication management while attending Double Trouble in Recovery groups and various other community sobriety support groups. At entry, we find 66% of participants not engaged in treatment, services, or medication. This is a priority for the program and staff will assist participants with getting intake appointments as soon as possible, sometimes even prior to jail release or program acceptance. At entry, 69% were repeat offenders. While in the program, 37% re-offended with new charges—of those, 63% were asked to leave due to no longer being appropriate for the program or they opted to terminate participation. We have had 3 successful graduates, one of whom has returned to the program as a mentor, assisting with the creation of a support group for fellow participants who struggle with shoplifting/kleptomania/ impulse disorders, a service not currently offered in person in our community. The Mental Health Court diversifies more and more each week, welcoming new participants into what is often referred to as a “family,” where they volunteer to sign on to a personalized plan for recovery, rehabilitation, and resources that empowers them to move beyond their past, their illness, their addiction, and their circumstances to live the best crimefree life they choose.

NAMI Connection is a weekly recovery support group for people living with mental illness in which people learn from each others’ experiences, share coping strategies, and offer each other encouragement and understanding.

This FREE Support Group meets every Sunday at 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Participation Station
869 Sparta Court – Lexington, KY 40504

What You’ll Gain

By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you gain hope and develop relationships. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group will help you:

• See the individual first, not the illness
• Recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers
• Understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events
• Aim for better coping skills
• Find strength in sharing experiences
• Reject stigma and not tolerate discrimination
• Not judge anyone’s pain
• Forgive ourselves and reject guilt
• Embrace humor as healthy
• Accept that we cannot solve every problem
• Work for a better future in a realistic way

What People are Saying

“NAMI Connection has enabled me to take a good look at my illness and see that I am not alone. The program has given me additional tools to not only accept my illness, but to help others along the way.”

“… People can solve problems [at a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group]. It isn’t just a bunch of sad stories; people are coming up with solutions and stuff to do for the next week. One of our group attendees is taking her meds and getting herself to her counselor and is just about able to go back to her career in great part due to Connection.”