Just Friends Social Support Group
NAMI Mercer’s peer-led social support group for adults, Just Friends, offers participants opportunities to engage in fun activities that reduce social isolation and enhance interpersonal skills. This furthers people’s ability to contribute to and enjoy a sense of community, promoting recovery and well-being.
Just Friends is a unique NAMI Mercer program. Started in 1990 by parents concerned about the loneliness of their adult children affected by mental illness, Just Friends offers good times, acceptance, camaraderie, and a chance to relearn the joys of living.
The name of the group was selected by the participants, who now range in age from twenty-something to seventy-something. Their choice of Just Friends is intended to proclaim publicly, “We are just people like everyone else, having a good time.”
Just Friends Activities
In 2018, Just Friends held 61 activities for approximately 80 members with total participation of 674. Activities included:
- Bowling & Pizza
- Weekly walks
- Dinners at local restaurants
- Hiking and canoeing
- Game nights
- Movies
- Museum trips
- Trenton Thunder baseball games
- Holiday parties
If you are interested in joining Just Friends, contact NAMI Mercer to attend the next “Meet and Greet” event.