Why Meet ONLINE?
It began during the COVID-19 lockdown as we neared the end of the first year. It was a very difficult time, with people needing mental health support more than ever, while it became very difficult to provide that support by traditional means while keeping everyone safe. To meet this challenge, NAMI MidTidewater became one of the first affiliates in the nation to offer its programs ONLINE.
As we navigated this new platform together, we adapted and expanded our online education and support group offerings. We are finding the ONLINE programs to be very popular. While we are sad that we cannot meet with everyone in person, we have been delighted to see that the ONLINE platform permits people to participate from just about anywhere. Participants save time and money. There is no need to wait for the next class to begin in your affiliate. You can go anywhere.
Three years after the lockdown, as we have all begun to resume normal activities, we will continue our ONLINE offerings. We will also once again offer some IN-PERSON programs, but it has become clear that in a rural setting, such as NAMI MidTidewater's, we can reach many more people when we remove the travel hurdle.
Your mental wellness is just as important as your physical wellness, and we remain committed to providing you with support, education, and resources necessary to build better lives. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - or feel free to jump right in to one of our Family Support Groups! (The Family-to-Family and Peer-to-Peer education programs require advance registration). We are here with you and for you.
If you are in a crisis situation, please call or text the NEW National Suicide Lifeline - 988
Text NAMI to 741-741
Prepare to Join Us ONLINE
We will be utilizing Zoom to host our online support groups. Zoom is an online video conferencing tool which allows individuals to meet virtually via video and/or audio from phones, computers, and tablets. Zoom works best by downloading the app, however, it is not required. If you have any questions - technical or otherwise - feel free to contact us!
Scheduled meeting will have links beside them. To join a meeting, simply click on that link. We recommend connecting a few minutes before the scheduled meeting time so that you have plenty of time to navigate any potential technical issues, adjust your settings and display name, and ensure that you and your peers have adequate time to utilize the group productively and positively.
Download Links:
Download Zoom for Desktop
Download Zoom for Android
Download Zoom for iPhone
Help/Tutorials:
Joining a Zoom Meeting
Zoom Help Center
Zoom FAQ
Contact Us:
email nami-mid-tidewater@gmail.com
804-684-1480 (voice mail only)
Joining NAMI MidTidewater
Online Support Groups
Privacy & Confidentiality
Although this is a different platform, please remember that this is a space of confidentiality. The conversation shared within this group must remain within this group.
Zoom software is designed to be HIPAA compliant, meaning the video is encrypted to ensure confidentiality. We have disabled audio, video, and chat recording capabilities. We ask that you do not attempt to record or save any of the video of messages shared in the group. We also ask that you consider your surroundings - try to find a space with no traffic and that is not easily listened upon, and use headphones if you can. Finally, you have the ability to change your display name to ensure privacy - simply hover over your name in the participants list, click "more" and "rename" or send a message to one of the hosts and we are more than happy to do it for you.
We also want to remind everyone that this is a group only for people 18 and older who are (individuals OR family/friends/partners of an individual) living with a mental health condition.
The same Group Guidelines and Principles of Support that apply to in-person meetings will be used to guide NAMI Online Support Groups, and each NAMI Online Support Group will be led by two NAMI-trained facilitators who are either family members or individuals in recovery themselves. These groups are offered free of charge, as are all NAMI Programs.