Why NAMI Support Groups?
NAMI Support Groups are unique. They follow a structured model to ensure you and others in the group have an opportunity to be heard and participate in productive discussions.
NAMI Support Groups are safe and confidential. Sharing your experiences with peers helps you develop positive relationships, belong to an empathetic community and gain hope.
NAMI Connection Recovery Peer Support Groups
Peer Support Group – In-Person at Chad’s House
In-Person meetings for adults (18 and older) living with mental illness. These meetings are free of charge.
Gain insight through hearing the challenges and successes of others. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who are your peers-they’ve been where you are.
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 PM at Chad’s House which is directly behind the The Carriage House.
Pre-registration is NOT required.
Download a printable copy of this month’s schedule.
Peer Support Group – Online
Online meetings have been cancelled as of September 2026. Please consider attending an in-person meeting at Chad’s House which is directly behind The Carriage House.
NAMI Family Support Groups
Family Support Group
For adults (18 and older) with a loved one living with mental illness.
Gain insight through hearing the challenges and successes of others. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who have been where you are.
Meetings are on Tuesdays from 7-9 PM at The Carriage House.
Preregistration is NOT required.
Family Support does not meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Please join us for our Education Night Speaker Series instead.
Download a printable copy of this month’s schedule.
Spouse Support Group
For adults (18 and older) with a spouse or partner living with mental illness.
The group is led by trained facilitators who have been where you are.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM at The Carriage House.
Preregistration is NOT required.
** This is a special offering unique to NAMI Fort Wayne and is not an official NAMI program.
Download a printable copy of this month’s schedule.
PBHI Family Collaboration
Parkview Behavioral Health Institute (PBH) has a dedicated e-mail address for families and caregivers to use to share information and history when they believe their loved one is hospitalized at PBH:
PBHIInpatientFamilyCollaboration@parkview.com OR click button below to open an email client
Plan to provide your full name, relationship to the patient, and accurate contact information so someone at PBH can return information in cases where a Release of Information (ROI) has been signed by the patient. All information, regardless of ROI status, will be passed on to the PBH care team. The e-mail will be monitored during regular business hours by a desk clinician (social worker or therapist), but messages can be sent to PBH at any time.
NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine
The NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine is a free, confidential resource offering caregiver-led support, practical tools and strategies, and trusted guidance at every stage of the caregiving journey.
When caring for a loved one with mental illness feels overwhelming, a simple call, text, email, or letter connects you to someone who truly understands—trained specialists with lived experience who can provide support and direction.
Available Monday Through Friday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET
Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — Press 4 to reach a Caregiver HelpLine Specialist
Text: Text Family to 62640
Warmline Support
A warmline is a careline offering non-emergency, emotional support. Many are 24/7 and also offer text, chat, and bilingual support. Some will accept calls from anywhere in the country.
Volunteers are in recovery themselves or have personal experience caring for a loved one with a mental health condition. They will share their own story and daily struggles or simply listen to the caller’s personal challenges.
NAMI Support Group FAQs
Each meeting begins promptly at the posted time with a few brief announcements regarding upcoming education night speakers, social events, or NAMI state and national events.
The evening’s facilitators introduce themselves and invite participants to read aloud the Group Guidelines and Principles of Support.
The facilitators then share a brief summary of their own personal stories–a description of their own or their loved one’s mental health situation, what stage of emotional reactions they are currently in, and perhaps how they found NAMI and what they have gained from being a part of NAMI.
Going around the circle, each participant is invited to share a 1-2 minute opening story. Anyone who does not wish to speak may pass.
After everyone has had an opportunity to share, the facilitators guide the discussion based on the most pressing needs of the group that evening.
Meetings conclude promptly at the posted time.
- Start and stop on time.
- Time limit for opening stories.
- Absolute confidentiality.
- Be respectful.
- Be mindful of others; no monopolizing or cross talk.
- Keep the conversation in the present.
- Empathize with each other’s situation.
- We will see the person first, not the illness.
- We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers.
- We understand that mental illnesses can be traumatic events.
- We aim for better coping skills.
- We find strength in sharing experiences.
- We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination.
- We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own.
- We forgive ourselves and reject guilt.
- We embrace humor as healthy.
- We accept we cannot solve all problems.
- We expect a better future that is ours to shape.
- We will never give up hope.
No one is required to speak during support meetings. We understand that this may be a difficult emotional time for you. Sometimes simply listening to others’ experiences, challenges and successes can be comforting. We invite you to share your story when it is appropriate for you.
To be respectful of people’s time, meetings do start promptly at the posted time. However, you are welcome to join whenever you can arrive.
No. Although participants may share their own personal experiences, NAMI does not endorse any specific providers.
No. Although participants may share their own personal experiences, NAMI does not endorse any specific therapy or medical treatment.
Any person 18 and older living with a mental health condition may attend NAMI Connection Peer Support.
Any person 18 and older with a loved one who has a mental health condition may attend NAMI Family Support.
Any person 18 and older with a spouse or partner having a mental health condition may attend NAMI Spouse Support.
NAMI Fort Wayne does not currently have a support group for any person under 18 years of age.
No. Students in fields such as nursing, psychology, or social work may not attend NAMI support groups for observation or to meet academic requirements. NAMI support groups are designed to be safe, confidential spaces where participants can share openly; limiting attendance helps protect members’ privacy and fosters trust.
If a student has a mental health challenge or a close family member with a mental health condition and wishes to attend as a participant, he or she is welcome to join the group.
