Have you ever thought that you needed support from other people with mental illness when you are experiencing mental health issues? National Alliance For The Mentally Ill, (NAMI ) peer support group would like to have you attend meetings because we can relate to you. NAMI members have been there. They have firsthand knowledge on what it feels like to suffer with a mental illness. Living with mental illness for me is often challenging.

I sometimes have a focusing problem because of a brain imbalance. I live each day trying to overcome and defeat mental illness. Although, schizophrenia is often colorful and creative, its opposite is dark and stormy. I have spent most of my adult life with mental illness. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 19 years of age. I had never experienced anything like this overwhelming disease in my childhood and teenage years. I started hearing voices and having visual hallucinations in my mind. Some of these experiences were not very friendly.

I was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit and put on intense drug therapy that was as overwhelming as the disease itself. From then on I had to deal with dark depression on and off for three years from medication. I have accepted my mental illness as a chemical imbalance. I have worked with so many wonderful people in the psychiatric field. However, in my belief and experience, schizophrenia is more complicated than a simple scientific analysis. It involves spiritual and ESP enlightenment. With psychiatric medication and spiritual guidance, I have earned a bachelors degree in psychology and have published three books.

Now that I have NAMI meetings I am not alone anymore. We talk openly about our lives and help each other in recovery. We share stories and we all seem to have a connection with each other. One member shared that the first time she attended a meeting she felt at home within a few minutes. Open up with us!

NAMI Peer Support Group meets the first and third Thursdays of the each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 410 N. Main St., Centerville.

We have group leaders who guide the meeting. We want to inform others how to end the stigma of mental illness and we will not tolerate discrimination. We meet together in a realistic way and desire to be productive members of our communities. We have a way of humor in this group. We would love to have you come join us if you need some new friends to communicate with.

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NAMI Peer Support Group extends open invitation - Centerville Daily Iowegian