Mental-health Support Group for Black and Brown Communities to Launch on Oct. 6

AGAWAM — Adventist Community Services Department of the Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts (NAMI-WM) announced a new support group for Black and Brown communities.

The Black/Brown Family & Friends Support Group will meet on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. and on the first Thursday of every month. A Zoom link will be provided for participants.

NAMI family support groups are free groups for family members, friends, and other caregivers of people diagnosed with mental-health conditions. Family support groups provide a non-judgmental environment where caregivers can discuss concerns, learn about local resources, and benefit from one another’s collective knowledge and experience. Led by NAMI-trained facilitators who are also family members, they provide comfort, hope, and a sense of community.

NAMI family support groups follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get the support they need. By sharing their experiences in a safe and confidential setting, attendees gain hope and develop supportive relationships. For more information, contact the NAMI-WM office at (413) 786-9139 or information@namiwm.org.