Youth Penal Support Program
Wilbraham-Rick’s place offers free youth penalty groups (between 5 and 18 years) and their caregivers. Rick’s site offers young people and their families a place to remember their loved ones and to avoid the feeling of isolation that these losses can produce Rick’s site was established in 2007, in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 11 of 11. This is for young people and their families from all Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and are offered without charge. To participate in these free support programs for the penalty provided by Rick’s Place, send an email info@ricksPlacema.org or call 413-279-2010.
Walkathon’s Birthday Celebration
Holyoke – Nami Western Massachusetts (The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Mass) will celebrate its 25th annual Walkathon anniversary celebration. “A journey of hope and recovery“ On Sunday, May 18, from 11 am with the registration at 10 am in Stanley Park, Annex Pavilion Beveridge, Western Avenue, Westfield. The event is suitable for all ages and skills and will directly benefit the continuous efforts of Nami Western Massachusetts to help improve the lives of all those affected by mental health conditions and their families.
Among the festivities will be invited speakers, including Cristianna Borelli, Mrs. 2025; Activities, face painting, raffles and more! Help Nami-WM continue your mission by participating in this Walkathon or easily giving the event on its website. For more information please contact your office at 413-786-9139 or visit www.namiwm.org/walkathon For the entry/promise form. Volunteers are needed.
Virtual support groups for patients and families who face cancer
Palmer, Cancer Support Groups, led by Camille St. Onge, an oncological social worker for Baystate Health, will be offered in the coming months. Support groups are designed to help patients, their families and caregivers meet the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
The groups offered included: Cancer Support General: 1st Wednesday of the month, from 11 to 12:30; Partners in Caregiving, 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 17 to 18.30; Expressive writing through cancer, 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breast Cancer Support Group, on the 4th Wednesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at present all meetings will hold virtually and are possible through funds raised by Paseo dels Campions. For more information, contact St. Onge at 413-239-7239 or by email cstomagin@gmail.com
Support Group on Nami Online/Telephone
Holyoke: The National Mental Illness Alliance (NAMI -WM) of Western Massachusetts would like to inform the public that Nami Connection Recovery Support Groups have resumed in virtual format.
Monday, from 18 to 19:30 Access in line with zoom: https://us02web.zom.us/j/88206475051; Telephone access, 646-558-8656, identification of the meeting: 88206475051.
Wednesday, from 18 to 19:30 in line with zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82690755017; Telephone Access, 646-558-8656, meeting 82690755017. For more information please contact the office or go to namiwm.org/support.
For members of the LGBTQIA+community, Wednesday, from 19:15 to 20:45 for more information by email: triciafitz7@gmail.com.
The Church of Shiloh SDA and the National Alliance on Mental Disease (Nami-WM) of Western Massachusetts announces a new support group for family and friends for black and brown communities. Black & Brown Family & Friends support group meets the first Thursday of each month. A zoom link for participants will be provided. For more information, contact the Nami-WM office at 413-786-9139 or by email Computer science@namiwm.org.
No diagnosis is required to attend any group. Anyone with a mental health status is welcome to attend any group without prior registration.
Nami – Western Massachusetts family support group
Greenfield – The National Alliance on Mental illness of Western Massachusetts announces that his family support group in Greenfield resumes in person. The group meets monthly on Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm at Clinical Support Options (CSO), 296 Federal Street, in front of Sandri’s gas station.
In Nami family support groups, families join a group of people who usually help each other through their collective lives and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one who lives with mental health challenges. Nami’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring that everyone can hear and obtain what they need: free, confidential and safe; Designed for loved people with people with mental health conditions; directed by family members with mental health conditions; No medical therapy or specific treatment is provided. For more information please contact the Nami-WM office at 413-786-9139 or Computer science@namiwm.org.
MJD Support Group
Ludlow – The Michael J. Diats Foundation provides education, area resources, peer support for family members and friends who face a loved one with a substance use disorder. A support group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 18 to 19.15 in the Parish Center of the Virgin of Fatima, 438 Winsor St. Anyone who needs support is welcome to attend. Masks are needed and customers will sit six meters away. If you have any questions please contact Maureen at 413-563-6226.
Penal Support Group
Chicopee – The Saint Rose de Lima Penal Support Group meets every Monday, except for important parties from 6pm to 7.30pm. This free weekly support group is for people who have experienced the loss of spouse, partner, family member or friend. They are all welcome. The group meets at the Pastoral Center of Saint Rose de Lima, 15 Chapel St.
Online stroke support group
Springfield – The Department of Occupational Therapy of Springfield College (OT) offers a free weekly support group for people living with stroke and their caregivers. The group meets in virtual format at zoom every Thursday from 15 to 16:00 provided by Kathy Post, the emeritus teacher, with the assistance of 1 or 2 postgraduate students OT, the group offers opportunities to meet other Western Massachusetts stroke survivors and share challenges, successes, questions and resources. For more information and link to meetings, send an email to Kathy to kpost@springfieldcollege.edu
Anonymous narcotics
AGAWAM: To find an anonymous support group of local narcotics, visit Nerna.org or Westernmassna.org or call 866-na-halp-u.
Survivors of loss of suicide
East Longmeadow – Survivors of Loss of Suicide, a support group for adults who have lost a loved one to commit suicide – Meet on the 3rd Monday of each month (except for important parties or strong time) at the Funastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St. From 6:30 pm to 8 pm, this is a group provided by equals. Meetings are open, that is, new members are always welcome. The meeting room is created to allow recommended social distance and attendees must carry and carry their own mask while in the meeting room. If the circumstances allow, some open -air meetings can be held.
Free accessible transmission readings
Springfield – Free Local Accessible News and Information 24/7 are available on Valley Eye Radio for those in the Pioneer Valley who can no longer read independently due to visual and physical and physical challenges. Put -ye in touch with them at www.valleyeerradio.org or (413) 747-7337 for more information on how to listen to one of its special radios or through its website, smart speakers, cable access channel or mobile phone.