Peer Support

NAMI Connection is a free support group for people living with a mental health condition. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators and provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental setting.

• Find a Connection Support Group

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free eight-week program designed to empower participants to take the next steps in their recovery process. Class participants explore coping skills, goal setting, whole health, and establishing relationships.

• Find a Peer-to-Peer class

Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs) are groups of people who have come together to support one another. They are open to anyone who is dealing with experiences that are typically labeled as mental health symptoms. Their Support if free, and insurance is not needed.

RLCs offer peer support groups, one-on- one support, education programs, and more. They also offer “community bridging,” a support for people who are transitioning from the hospital to the community.

• Central Mass Recovery Learning Community at the Kiva Centers
• Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community
• Northeast Recovery Learning Community
• Southeast Recovery Learning Community
• Western Mass Recovery Learning Community at the Wildflower Alliance

Young Adult Access Centers offer peer support, arts, social activities, and connections to housing, employment, and education resources in a space that is welcoming and safe. There are also opportunities to gain leadership skills and learn to advocate for choice and voice in treatment and recovery.

• Find a Young Adult Access Center

The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers information and support for people dealing with mood disorders, and others impacted by them.

• Find a local DBSA support group
• Find a virtual DBSA support group

Hearing Voices support groups are for people who hear voices, see visions, negotiate alternative realities, or experience other non-consensus phenomena or beliefs. They offer people an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support. Groups meet in person and online.

• Hearing Voices Support Groups at the Wildflower Alliance
• Find other Hearing Voices Support Groups

Alternatives to Suicide support groups run by and for people who have had past suicide attempts or have thoughts about suicide. During the groups, people share their successes and their challenges, provide support for one another and strategize and share ideas for coping with difficult life circumstances.

The Alternatives to Suicide model was created by the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community (RLC). Groups are offered by the Western and Central Mass RLCs, and in other community locations.

• Alternatives to Suicide group hosted by NAMI Massachusetts
• Find Alternatives to Suicide groups at the Wildflower Alliance

Warmlines are numbers that people can call to get support when they are feeling lonely, anxious, sad, or simply need someone to talk to. They can also provide resources to callers.

• Boston Peer Support Line
  1-877-733-7563
  available Monday – Sunday, 4 – 8 pm
• Western Mass Peer Support Line
  1-888-407-4515
  available Monday – Thursday, 7 – 9 pm & Friday – Sunday, 7 – 10 pm

Peer-led crisis programs are led by people who have had experiences that are typically labeled as mental health symptoms themselves. They provide support for people dealing with a crisis, or to help prevent times of crisis.

• Afiya in Northampton
• Karaya in Worcester
• Peer to Peer Program in Quincy
• The Living Room in Framingham
• The Living Room in Springfield
• The Living Room in Greenfield