NAMI National Information Hotline:  1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

The NAMI Help Line is staffed by trained volunteers Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Central  time) and has a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week message machine.

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Family to Family Support Group (Formerly Journey of Hope Support Group)

The MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS provide a place to share, discuss, and resolve issues as they come up. Groups are lead by a trained facilitator and offer the support needed by families and caregivers who have a loved one with a mental illness.

Covington / Mandeville F2F monthly support group typically meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Lakeview Regional Medical Center / Mandeville, LA in the 1st floor conference room starting at 7:00 p.m.  Reminders are sent via e-mail.

Mental Health Support Group

NAMI Connection is a recovery support group program for adults living with mental illness that is expanding in communities throughout the country. These groups provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope. NAMI Connection groups offer a casual and relaxed approach to sharing the challenges and successes of coping with mental illness.

Covington / Mandeville Connection meets the last Wednesday of each month at Lakeview Regional Medical Center / Mandeville, LA. Starting at 6:30 p.m. in conference room B. 

Slidell Connection meets the second Thursday of each month at Slidell Memorial Hospital / Slidell, LA Starting at 6:30 p.m. in annex building A.

Hammond Connection meets the second Monday of each month at North Oaks Medical Center / Hammond, LA Starting at 6:30 p.m. in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center Room B 

Call for more information. Each group:

• Meets monthly for 90 minutes
• Is offered free of charge
• Follows a flexible structure without an educational format
• Does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies

Call 985-626-6538 or 1-888-521-2297 for further information.

EDUCATION For Family and Friends of individuals coping with mental illness
The NAMI Family to Family education program is a free 12 week course for families and friends of individuals with a mental illness taught by trained NAMI family members. This class is presently offered twice per year. Please call our office at 985-626-6538 for further information.

The 12 week Education program provides:

Introduction/Brain Biology
Mood Disorders such as Bipolar Disorder & Depression
Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic, & Generalized Anxiety Disorders
Dual Diagnosis / Co-Occuring (Substance Abuse with some form of mental illness.)

Fundamental information about mental illnesses are provided:
Biological Causes
Emotional Cycles of the Family to Family & Principles of Support
Definitions, symptoms, & treatment of various illnesses
Information on Medications
Coping Skills Training
Communication Skills
Coping with myths & real life stories
The stigma of mental illness
Community Resources

EDUCATION For Parents / Caregivers of Youth & Adolescents coping with mental illness
NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The free six week course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. This class is presently offered twice per year. Please call our office at 985-626-6538 for further information.

The 6 week Education program provides:

• Introduction to the stages of emotional reactions of the family to the mental illness
• Insights into understanding of the lived experience of the child living with the mental illness
• Current information about Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders
• Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents
• Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills
• Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness – the school system and the mental health system
• Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems
• Information on planning for crisis management and relapse
• Information on locating appropriate supports and services within the community to build a community of support for the parent/caregiver
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level
  

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2010 Northshore Mental Health Resource Guide:                                                     Eff 7-10

Come check out a book from our resource room at Southeast Louisiana Hospital:  Eff 7-09

Find Resources in Jefferson Parish:                                                                          Eff 2-09

Special Needs Estate Planning Tips:                                                                          Eff 6-09

Advanced Directive for Mental Health Treatment:                                                    Eff 2-09 

Louisiana Mental Health Law:                                                                                    Eff 12-03

CIT - Officer Handout - (NOPD):                                                                               Eff 8-04

Disclaimer:

 The National Alliance on Mental Illness – St. Tammany (NAMI St. Tammany) provides information to families and friends of those suffering with mental illness for their information and guidance.  None of the information is endorsed by NAMI St. Tammany and should not be accepted as a recommendation  by NAMI St. Tammany.  The information is furnished as a guide and each participant must judge the value and worth of the information for themselves.