Consumer and Family Affairs provides education classes, support groups, consultation, resource linkage and advocacy for individuals and families affected mental illness, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. Staff also coordinates the Virginia Beach Community Trust for individuals with mental illness.
- Friends and Family Education is a series of six classes that provide education about substance use disorders, how substance addiction affects families, and community resource information. The goal is to offer information/tools that family members affected by a loved one's addiction can consider using so that they do not remain trapped in the emotional chaos of addiction. Registration required. No fee, no residency requirement.
- MESA (Mutual Education Support and Advocacy) is a series of twelve classes offered in collaboration with NAMI Virginia Beach, designed to provide education on mental illness and reduce the stress on parents, siblings, spouses, other relatives and friends experience as they support their loved one who has a mental disorder. An informal and interactive environment fosters an alliance of support and advocacy among workshop members. The classes include lectures, group discussions, and exercises. Registration required. No fee, no residency requirement.
- NAMI Basics is a six-week class for the parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. Topics include the biology of mental illness, trauma, research, treatment options, the impact of a child's mental illness on the family and an overview of systems involved with caring for children and adolescents with mental illness. Registration required, no fee, no residency requirement.
- WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) classes are for people with mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. WRAP focuses on recovery. Writing a Crisis Plan is a part of the curriculum. Registration required, no fee, no residency requirement.
NAMI education and support groups offered in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Affairs.
- NAMI Peer to Peer is a 10 week education class for people with mental illness that focuses on how to live with mental illness. It includes a relapse prevention plan and an Advance Directive. It is co-led by three facilitators who have personal experience with mental illness and living in recovery. Registration required, no fee no residency requirement.
- Care and Share is a NAMI support group for family members and friends of people with mental illness, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. The group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in Pembroke 3, Suite 140 at 7:00 p.m. No registration, no fee, no residency requirement.
- Focus Now is a NAMI Connection group for people with mental illness, substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders. Focus Now is co-led by trained support group facilitators who have personal experience with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The group meets twice each week: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. & Thursdays at 11: a.m.in Pembroke 3, Suite 140. No registration, no fee, no residency requirement.
The Virginia Beach Community Trust offers the opportunity for families to set up special needs trusts for individuals with mental illness. Trusts are managed by the five member Board of Trustees and coordinated by the supervisor of the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs. For more information visit:
http://vbcommunitytrust.comFor information call: LeAnne Brant at 385-0800