NAMI of Marion and Crawford Counties looks to expand programs under its new leadership

NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) of Marion and Crawford Counties has a new director.

Alena Fox became program and volunteer director in April. For more than eight years, she served as a NAMI volunteer and previously was secretary for the NAMI-MCC Board of Directors. She has facilitated NAMI support groups and educational classes on mental health.

“I have a passion for ‘paying it forward’, to make my community a better place," she said. "From lived experience, I know the need for mental health support is great and that people near and dear to me could have lived better lives if they had gotten the kind of support and education that NAMI has to offer. It is my goal to spread the word and help as many people as possible.”

NAMI-MCC offers a variety of signature programs, including:

• CONNECTION, a support group for anyone with mental illness
• Family Support Group for family members, caregivers, friends and loved ones of those living with mental illness
• Family-to-Family, an educational class held in eight weekly sessions for family, caregivers and friends of those living with mental illness to learn how to help their loved ones have better mental health outcomes
• Ending the Silence (ETS), an educational program for students, parents and school staff that addresses stigma about mental health issues, awareness of the signs/symptoms of mental illness, how to have conversations and how to get help.

Fox wants to expand the number of programs and support groups available to meet the growing need in Marion and Crawford counties.

“We are beginning some great collaborations with other local non-profits to help our community in exciting ways," Fox noted. "NAMI-MCC is working with the Crawford County Art Center to offer Art CONNECTION, a support group that also does art activities during the session. We are also at Crawford County Public Health doing a Caring CONNECTION group for moms, dads and grands that want support with issues like post-partum depression. Upcoming collaborations with the Marion LGBTQ+ Coalition for Rainbow CONNECTION, a monthly mental health support group for those in the LGBTQ+ population, and Pet CONNECTION support group at the Marion Area Humane Society are scheduled.”

Fox said volunteers are the core to the organization and are always welcome to help with office tasks, information tables at community events and making packets for high school programs. Training is free to learn how to help facilitate NAMI Signature Programs or possibly join the NAMI-MCC Board of Directors.

NAMI is a volunteer organization providing mental health programs, resources, referrals, and education to individuals and their families at no cost. It's also a leading advocate for mental health legislation and funding for treatment of mental illnesses.

For more information, call the local NAMI-MCC office at 740-375-0796 or go to namimcc.org or Facebook .

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: NAMI of Marion and Crawford Counties looks to expand programs under its new leadership