Watauga County Support Groups
NAMi SUpport Groups
NAMI Support Groups
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. All programs are free of cost.
For state-wide online programs visit: NAMI North Carolina Calendar: https://naminc.org/venue/online/
There are currently two active groups in the High Country chapter.
Family Support Group: NAMI Family Support Groups are free, confidential, and safe groups of families helping other families who live with mental health challenges. In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved ones living with mental health challenges. This group meets online.
2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for 90 minutes
For Zoom link, contact Mike Tanner, [email protected].
Connection Recovery Support Group: NAMI Connection is a recovery support group program that offers respect, understanding, encouragement and hope. This group meets online.
NAMI Connection groups are:
- Designed for adults (18+) with mental health conditions
- No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed
- Confidential
- Held once a month on the first Thursday for 90 minutes
- Designed to connect, encourage, and support participants using a structured support group model
- Led by trained facilitators living in recovery themselves
4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
For Zoom link, contact Pam Thomas [email protected].
Participant Perspectives
“NAMI Connections has made me realize that I can truly feel comfortable around my peers and I really needed that feeling!”
“NAMI Connection is the promise of what is and what can be in our lives.”
Contact information for NAMI - High Country
Phone: (828) 278-9293
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://namihighcountry.org/
Parenting Support
The Children's Council Circle Support Groups
Circle of Parents Postpartum Distress Support: CThe Circle of Parents: Postpartum Distress Support group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 11:30 am-12:30 pm and alternates between Zoom meetings and in-person meetings at the Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The group is free, but we do request that you register in advance. For more information and/or to register, please contact Sophie Rudisill at [email protected].
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: Simple and practical parenting solutions that parents & caregivers can adapt to fit the needs of their own families. For more information, contact [email protected]. Parents can choose from the following options:
- Receive individualized, 1-on-1 support with a trained Triple P Practitioner.
- Attend a Triple P Seminar series with other parents to learn effective parenting tools.
- Check out Triple P Online (https://www.triplep-parenting.com/nc-en/triple-p/) for courses at your own pace.
Circle of Parents: Elevated Dads: This weekly dad meet-up is an opportunity for fathers to gather and connect with other male caregivers. The purpose of the group is to share thoughts, questions, and concerns while building community. This group will meet weekly and offer free childcare and a meal! The group meets on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:00PM at the Children's Council. Contact Matt Powell for information at [email protected].
Circle of Parents: Babes on Blankets: This is a weekly support group for parents of children ages 0-3 years. At Babes on Blankets, you can connect with other parents who are experiencing similar challenges, concerns and questions about their little one. Each week, parents will be able to share and discuss their current concerns and joys, and also learn about one of many parenting topics focused on the first year of life and beyond. Bring a friend and meet some new ones, too - you can never be late! Meets weekly on Mondays from 10:30 am - 12 pm at the Children's Playhouse. For more information and/or to register, please contact Allison Rollans at [email protected] or call The Children's Council at (828) 262-5424.
Contact information for The Children's Council
Phone: 828-262-5424
Website: www.thechildrenscouncil.org
La Leche League of North Carolina
Meetings are informal and are open to pregnant women, mothers, babies and children. If you have questions about breastfeeding or just would like to meet other breastfeeding mothers, this is the place for you. La Leche League Leaders are experienced mothers who have breastfed their own babies and who have been trained and accredited by La Leche League International to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding. They are available by phone whenever you have breastfeeding questions or concerns.
Phone: 704-340-3975 - Shannon Cline, Local LLL Leader
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lllofnc.org/groups/boone/
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program is designed to offer support to grandparents and other older adult relatives who are raising children or adults with disabilities. This specific group of the caregiving population sometimes has needs that differ from caregivers of older adults.
Eligibility:
- Caregiver is a resident of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, or Yancey County
- Caregiver is 55 years of age or older and providing unpaid care for a relative child 18 or younger or an adult aged 18-59 with a developmental disability
- The care recipient lives in your home with you and you are the primary provider of care
- Legal custody or guardianship of minor children is preferred but not required to receive services
- No income information is required for services
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.highcountryaging.org/services/grandparents-raising-grandchildren
Parent to Parent Family Support
Parent to Parent Family Support Network offers support to families of children with all disabilities
including mental health
Website: https://parent2parent.appstate.edu/
Support Groups
Alzheimer's Association of Western North Carolina
Serving 49 central and western counties in North Carolina, the Alzheimer’s Association - Western Carolina Chapter is here to help. We provide education and support to all those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias throughout our community, including those living with the disease, caregivers, health care professionals and families. We are also committed to advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Phone: (828) 254-7363 - Local
(800) 272-3900 - National Helpline
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.alz.org/northcarolina/
Boone Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem with alcohol, and help others to recover from the effects of alcohol. Family groups are also offered for friends and families of alcoholics.
*Currently holding in-person and virtual meetings. Check website for updates and daily meeting locations.*
Phone: (828) 264-1212
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.booneaa.org/
GriefShare at Mount Vernon Baptist Church
*We currently meet online only using the Zoom platform*
We welcome you to connect with us online for our GriefShare support group. We do hope you will find our online support group helpful as you deal with your grief, and we welcome you to reach out to us for support along this difficult journey. We know it is not easy, and we're honored to walk alongside you. GriefShare offers real hope with very practical insights all the while approaching grief from a Christian perspective.
Phone: 828-266-9700
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.griefshare.org/groups/138468
OASIS - Domestic Violence Support Group
OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter) holds a support group for survivors of domestic violence. The group is free and confidential, and emphasizes the use of expressive arts. You must call OASIS prior to attending to begin the screening process for this specific group, due to safety and confidentiality concerns.
Phone: (828) 264-1532
(828) 262-5035 - Crisis Line
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.oasisinc.org
Support for Cancer Survivors
The Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center offers FREE classes for cancer survivors currently undergoing treatment or post-treatment, as well as family and community members. We are thankful for our teachers who donate their time to serve! Facilitated by Cancer Center staff, these support groups provide a safe and comfortable space for all patients, survivors and caregivers to meet regularly and share honestly about their cancer experience with others who “know what it’s like.”
Phone: (828) 262-9170
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://apprhs.org/cancerclasses/
Serving 49 central and western counties in North Carolina, the Alzheimer’s Association - Western Carolina Chapter is here to help. We provide education and support to all those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias throughout our community, including those living with the disease, caregivers, health care professionals and families. We are also committed to advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Phone: (828) 254-7363 - Local
(800) 272-3900 - National Helpline
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.alz.org/northcarolina/
Boone Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem with alcohol, and help others to recover from the effects of alcohol. Family groups are also offered for friends and families of alcoholics.
*Currently holding in-person and virtual meetings. Check website for updates and daily meeting locations.*
Phone: (828) 264-1212
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.booneaa.org/
GriefShare at Mount Vernon Baptist Church
*We currently meet online only using the Zoom platform*
We welcome you to connect with us online for our GriefShare support group. We do hope you will find our online support group helpful as you deal with your grief, and we welcome you to reach out to us for support along this difficult journey. We know it is not easy, and we're honored to walk alongside you. GriefShare offers real hope with very practical insights all the while approaching grief from a Christian perspective.
Phone: 828-266-9700
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.griefshare.org/groups/138468
OASIS - Domestic Violence Support Group
OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter) holds a support group for survivors of domestic violence. The group is free and confidential, and emphasizes the use of expressive arts. You must call OASIS prior to attending to begin the screening process for this specific group, due to safety and confidentiality concerns.
Phone: (828) 264-1532
(828) 262-5035 - Crisis Line
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.oasisinc.org
Support for Cancer Survivors
The Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center offers FREE classes for cancer survivors currently undergoing treatment or post-treatment, as well as family and community members. We are thankful for our teachers who donate their time to serve! Facilitated by Cancer Center staff, these support groups provide a safe and comfortable space for all patients, survivors and caregivers to meet regularly and share honestly about their cancer experience with others who “know what it’s like.”
Phone: (828) 262-9170
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://apprhs.org/cancerclasses/