The organization I attended was a family support group. Members of the group regularly meet at Wilson Auditorium in Pasadena, California. The program operates under the sponsorship of the National Alliance of the Mentally III (NAMI). The main purpose of the organization is to help families with children suffering from mental illness. It comprises parents and guardians who converge to share their experiences about their children’s suffering from illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and other mental health defects. The group has a leader who guides and moderates meetings. Each person had to take turns and share their struggles and borrow ideas on how to further help their patients.

As mentioned earlier, the NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group that shelter parents or relatives of a person suffering from mental health-related issues. The group is a safe haven for people experiencing challenges as they have to learn from others who share similar experiences. The support groups under this organization are unique as evidenced by how they function during meetings. For instance, the leader ensures that every attendee has an opportunity to share their experiences and equally receive any help to counter their challenges. The organization has several unique characteristics. Specifically, the services are free for all participants. Secondly, it is designed purposely for adults who have a mental health patient at home. Also, the leader must have firsthand experience with mental illness or support a family member with the same condition. The weekly meetings last 60 to 90 minutes. Notably, since this is a support group, no professional services such as medical therapy dispensed. Finally, there is a high level of confidentiality as people’s information is highly safeguarded.

Even though medical services are not offered, the team members receive emotional support by sharing their experiences. It is the only chance they get to mingle with people who understand their situations. The supportive relationships formed from this group give them hope to keep fighting and face another day. Further, the participants can freely share their thoughts without fear of judgment and discrimination. The environment is also a learning moment from other people’s experiences. They, therefore, gain self-motivation and confidence to face life despite the challenges experienced.

Communication is the key to successful programs in every organization. Such is evident in this support group where there are routine updates made to the members through text messages and phone calls. The leader is always in contact with the NAMI officials to get updates and give feedback about the group’s development. Resultantly, he has to relay the message to the members after the weekly meeting. In addition, the members have been empowered to care for one another and follow up on those who miss meetings.

While the group has helped many families to heal and learn how to care for their sick loved ones, there are changes that would help the organization. For instance, there is need for the NAMI to consider introducing professional services in the support groups. Such should entail a medical professional to offer clinical guidance for sick patients. Moreover, there should also be a monthly meeting where parents get to come with sick members so that they can interact in various ways. Such might help these patients in recovery through fun activities and games so that they are not socially isolated for prolonged periods.