New Hope Connections
New Hope Connections Support Group offers hope and support for adults, age 18 and older, diagnosed with mental illness. In this environment of mutual support, people learn that they are not alone dealing with mental illness.
By sharing their common experiences and exploring successful coping techniques, people learn how to live better despite having an illness.
People who themselves have experienced mental illness facilitate the group, allowing first-hand understanding of what the group attendees may be experiencing.
We follow The Principles of Support in our groups:
- We will see the individual first, not the illness
- We recognize mental illnesses are brain disorders
- We aim for better coping skills
- We find strength in sharing experiences
- We reject stigma in ourselves and others
- We won't judget anyone's pain as less than our own
- We forgive ourselves and reject guilt
- We embrace humor as healthy
- We accept we cannot resolve all problems
- We expect a better future in a realistic way
- We will never give up hope!
We also follow THE STABLE Principles:
- Start and stop on time
- Time limit for opening stories
- Absolute confidentiality
- Be respectful
- Let's keep it in the here and now
- Empathize with each other's situation
