Support Groups
NAMI Dane County support groups operate based on a Peer Support Group model developed by NAMI Wisconsin. Each group is facilitated by at least two NAMI-trained volunteers who have lived experience managing a mental health condition. Volunteers are considered to be “experts of their own experience,” but they are not trained clinicians. This means our groups are not clinical treatment groups.
Groups for specific populations (i.e. Women's, Young Adult, and LBGTQIA+ groups) are facilitated by individuals who identify as being a member of the specified population. Similarly, the Family Support Group is facilitated by family members of a person living with a mental illness.
NAMI Dane County Support Groups are provided at no cost to participants. This contributes to our mission of providing access to mental health support in Dane County. Our mission is supported by our generous donors, dedicated members, and tenacious NAMIWalks fundraisers.
To learn more about how you can support our mission, click on GET INVOLVED at the top of our Homepage!
Please Read:
If you are a new participant in our support groups:
After you complete the NEW PARTICIPANT interest form you will receive an email from us with general information and the Zoom links for all of our support groups.
If you are an existing participant in our support groups:
You no longer need to sign up for groups.
You were sent an email with the Zoom links for all of our support groups. If you did not receive this email or cannot find it, please contact us at jhyatt@namidanecounty.org so we can update your contact information in our database and provide you with the links for our groups.
Adult mental health support group (in-person):
Join us if: You are an adult living with a mental health condition. This group is not specific to any diagnosis - all are welcome.
When: 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays of each month @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church (1021 Spaight St, Madison, WI 53703)
Directions: Enter lower level door next to the parking lot, walk down the stairs, turn right, walk straight to the room overlooking Lake Monona. Doors will be locked at 6:30pm sharp.
COVID-19 Protocols: Mask optional. Social distancing encouraged. Please follow CDC Guidelines.
Adult mental health support group (virtual):
Join us if: You are an adult living with a mental health condition. This group is not specific to any diagnosis - all are welcome.
When: 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month@ 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Zoom link remains same every week.
Family mental health support group (virtual):
Join us if: You are a family or friend of an adult living with a mental health condition.
When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month @ 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Zoom link remains same every week.
BEING TOGETHER SUPPORT GROUP (VIRTUAL):
Join us if: You live anywhere in Wisconsin (especially outside of Dane County) and are looking for support from others who may not live within Dane County. Open to all adults with any diagnoses or mental health concerns. This group is hosted by NAMI Dane County once a month, but is a group operated through NAMI WI that is meant to support the mental health of individuals all over the state, especially if you live in a county without support group access. Also open to folks who live in Dane County.
When: 2nd Thursday @ 6:30pm-8pm
If you are interested in joining, please sign up using this link.
LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support Group (virtual)
Join us if: You are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and are living with a mental health condition. Individuals who are still questioning, or do not have specific labels for themselves, are entirely welcome to the group. In addition, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, and other identities are all welcome. The group will be gender-affirming and welcomes all diverse genders. This group is not specific to any diagnosis - all are welcome.
When: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Zoom link remains same every week.
Women’s mental health support group (virtual)
Join us if: You are a woman who is living with a mental health condition. This group is not specific to any diagnosis - all are welcome.
When: 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 6:30pm - 8pm
Zoom link remains same every week.
young adult mental health support group (virtual):
Join us if: You are a young adult who is living with a mental health condition. This group is not specific to any diagnosis - all young adults over the age of 18 are welcome.
When: 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month @ 6:30pm - 8pm
Zoom link remains same every week.