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NAMI EASTSIDE
Family Resource Ctr.
16315 NE 87th Street
Suite B-11
Redmond, WA 98052
425-885-NAMI (6264)
info@nami-eastside.org

NAMI Eastside News - From the Editor

The NAMI Eastside News “From the Editor” column is penned by Susan Rynas. You can reach Susan via e-mail at sgrynas@yahoo.com (include "Newsletter” in subject line) or contact the NAMI Eastside office at 425-885-NAMI (6264).

FROM THE EDITOR: SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2003

Thank you to the new members of the Kirkland Family Support Group who reminded me this past month how informative, supportive, and helpful NAMI Principles of Support really are – especially the first time they are encountered. It is comforting to know that these same principles are spoken or read at literally thousands of NAMI Family Support Groups being facilitated across the nation daily. It helps greatly to know that we are not alone on this journey. Shared, also, are the support group rules of association or general guidelines:

Support groups begin with acknowledgement of basic guidelines expressed as STABLE.

  •   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.
The group then either reads together or takes a turn reading one of the following principles of support:

PRINCIPLES OF SUPPORT

  • 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 JUDGE 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.

Till next time. Take good care.  Susan



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This page was last updated on December 19, 2004.