10/16/24
Today, our guest speaker was Meredith Kober from NAMI DuPage.
NAMI DuPage was founded by a group of parents in 1985 as an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nationwide mental health advocacy organization who were dedicated to improving the quality of lives of people affected by mental illnesses. These parents were looking for services for their children, who had been diagnosed with mental illnesses. By joining forces, their goal was to advocate for improved services. NAMI DuPage has grown from this handful of parents to an organization of over 1,000 members. Their mission is to provide support, advocacy, and education in order to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illness and their families. They are located at 115 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton
Services include:
* Individual services and support groups including the Living Room Program: a peer-led non-clinical alternative to emergency room for those experiencing a mental health crisis. A visit to the Living Room provides the guest with a safe and
calm atmosphere where he or she can talk through and de-escalate the crisis, develop a plan to manage symptoms, and receive resource information.
* Family services and support groups for people who have family members or loved ones with a mental health condition.
* Youth services are designed to end the stigma surrounding mental health by providing interactive and educational presentations to students, professionals, and families.
* Recreational and social programs.
To learn more, to support, or to volunteer:
* Visit their website: https://namidupage,org or call them at 630-752-0066.
* View a video: https://vimeo.com/942177101