Is there someone in your life that you care for deeply who struggles with mental illness? Maybe they have been diagnosed, or maybe they haven’t. Either way, it often can have a tremendous affect on you and others in their lives.

A NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Member Support Group meets once a month locally. Starting Feb. 7, the group will meet on the first Monday of the month in Columbus, from 10 a.m. – noon.

The support group is open to those who have a mentally ill relative or friend. Sponsored by NAMI Four Seasons, the voice on mental illness in Polk and Henderson counties, the local group welcomes new participants.

To better understand Family-to-Family Support Groups, NAMI North Carolina explains it this way:

“If your loved one suffers from mental illness, you may often feel isolated and alone. Other family members and friends may offer support, but without having ‘been there’ themselves, they may not fully understand what you’re experiencing.

“Fortunately, through your local Family-to-Family Support group, you can receive the peer support you need from people who understand the issues you’re facing.

“Trained facilitators guide group discussions and see that everyone has an opportunity to participate.”

For more information and exact location of the local Family Member Support Group that meets in Columbus on the first Monday of the month from 10 a.m. – noon, call Lisa Murphy at 828-894-0104 or Annie Ewing at 864-457-7278. There is no charge and NAMI membership is not required to attend.