Support Group Participant Information - Find out what to expect from our NAMI affiliate support group meetings.

In Our Own Voice- For persons diagnosed with a mental illness and in recovery.

In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique, informational outreach program developed by NAMI National that offers insight into the recovery now possible for people with severe mental illness.

In Our Own Voice shows how people with serious mental illnesses cope with the realities of their disorders while recovering and reclaiming productive lives with meaning and dignity.  Additionally, the program provides a safe way for consumers to share the ups and downs of their recovery and learn from others

Who better to talk about having a mental illness than those in recovery from a mental illness? Consumers are the experts in sharing their life experience.  Consumers know what has and has not worked for them. So far in Tennesse we have trained  almost 40 presenters and we have presented in a variety of places, from hospital groups to rotary clubs with Commissiner Betts.

The program includes

• Two trained presenters give personal testimony about their journeys with mental illness through dark days, acceptance, treatment, coping skills, and successes, hopes, and dreams.
  
• Target audiences include: consumers, families, mental health service providers, educators, students, law enforcement personnel, professionals, faith communities, and all people wanting to learn about mental illness.

If you are interested in becoming a presenter or having a group speak to your organizationplease contact Lisa Hubler at lhubler@namitn.org, or Michael Corbin at mcorbin@namitn.org.

BRIDGES - For persons with a diagnosis of major mental illness.

BRIDGES (Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support), a program administered by the Tennessee Mental Health Consumer’s Association (TMHCA), provides education and support to mental health consumers. The world of mental disorders is difficult and confusing, especially for those directly experiencing illness. BRIDGES is designed to assist you, or someone you love, on the journey back to a sense of self and purpose. BRIDGES provides hope, information and coping skills.

Consumers trained in the BRIDGES method share common experiences and offer tools to help others build personal bridges to recovery. Support groups are directed by trained class members who are themselves in recovery. They are free and available to everyone who has a diagnosis of mental illness. Many BRIDGES courses are taught in drop-in centers across the state.

Support groups use a person-to-person approach to provide consumers with opportunities to learn and practice coping skills. One consumer described Bridges this way: “We learn that we are not alone. Our experiences, when shared, can be a foundation for recovery.”

For information about BRIDGES, visit the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association web site or contact them at

Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association
480 Craighead Street, Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37204
615.250.1176
888.539.0393 Toll Free

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