Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well and staying positive.  

In a little less than 2 weeks I go to my first NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) support group.  It will meet in a public library in a large town about a half an hour away from me.  I am nervous about going alone, so next week I'm planning to make a trial run and scout out the library, maybe bring my brother if he's willing.  This NAMI group meets only once a month unfortunately, but I've been wanting to go to a mental health support group for years now and I'll take what I can get.  

I live in a poor, rural area.  There has been no mental health support group till now and I'm hoping the people in this group will show me how I can start a NAMI support group in my town.  The main thing is that I can't do it alone; I need help.  To be honest, I wish there were more mentally healthy people out there willing to organize and start mental health support groups for the mentally ill in their communities as well as for the caretakers, friends and family of the mentally ill.  

I am grateful that NAMI exists and I am encouraged by the fact that their support groups are growing into isolated, rural areas.  For those of you who live in cities with support groups and club houses, count yourself very fortunate because there are many, many people who don't have access, who are living in unnecessary isolation.  

I have yet to meet another person face to face who suffers from schizophrenia, despite the fact that my therapist and psychiatrist both say that there are schizophrenia sufferers in this area.  Sometimes I feel very alone, which is why I am going to the NAMI meeting rain or shine!