It's easy to feel alone during times like these, which is why NAMI on Grounds and NAMI Virginia are hosting various events around hobbies, self care, films, and mental health!
NAMI at UVA and NAMI Virginia Recurrent Events Stay in and Stay Busy (every other week, 7 PM - 8 PM) A 45-minute group led by peers, supportive organizations, professionals and NAMI VA Staff. This event is held on Zoom and focuses on creative ways to stay occupied and take a break from school or work during shelter in place. Topics include using your lived mental health experience to shape remote volunteer projects, community engagement, leadership, values, and other topics. There is a limit for participants so registration is required. This first one will be Wednesday, April 29th from 7 PM - 8 PM EST and the focus will be on sharing what you do and get ideas from each other. Register here for updates on staying busy sessions.
Film and Friends (weekly, Fridays from 7 PM - 9 PM)
The second one is Friday! This is a shared movie watching experience and a chance for young adults to relax and have fun while viewing a film with individuals who share similar lived experiences with mental health and other systems. This Friday we will be screening Silver Linings Playbook from 7 PM - 9 PM EST! Register for updates on these film hangouts here.
Guided Self Care (twice per month)
A twice monthly, one-hour long activity based group for both YA and Youth. Facilitators will guide the group through a new self-care practice as the participants partake in the practice. During the final 20 minutes, the group will discuss how they felt during the practice and how their self-care routine has gone over the previous week. Registration will be required and it will be held on Zoom. The second one will be Monday, May 9th from 7 PM - 8 PM EST! We are going to discuss Mindfulness. Register here for updates on these self care sessions.
Upcoming NAMI At UVA Event
BASIC Mental Health Training & Discussion On Monday, QSU and NAMI are hosting a collaborative event called BASIC (Bringing Empathy and Sincerity to Interpersonal Communications) Mental Health Training on April 27th from 7 PM - 8 PM EST. The event will focus on discussing ways to best support and interact with others to foster mental wellbeing. To get the zoom link, register here.
Get Involved Become a Mental Health Facilitator Additionally, we are always looking for members who would like to become facilitators for dorm talks/BASIC workshops for UVA members as well as virtual peer support members for young adults from around the state (through programs like Stay in and Stay Busy, Film and Friends, Guided Self Care). No experience necessary-open to anyone of any background! We may expand our peer support offerings with NAMI Virginia based on the number of facilitators. Find more information here if you are interested. Reach out to gml5su@virginia.edu with questions if you are interested! Archives Project Submit pieces (anonymously or not) here for our Archives Project. Remember, pieces may be poems, inspiring quotes, journal entries, designs, reflections, anything that reflects where you're at right now! We want a collective piece of work that is truthful and reflective of society's thought processes. As we are an organization focused on mental health, we very much prioritize publishing works focused on mental health. Thank you to everyone who has edited or submitted a piece so far!
Let us know if you have any questions!
~NAMI on Grounds