Just Friends Social Support Group
NAMI Mercer’s peer-led social support group is for adults (18+) who are coping with mental health challenges. Just Friends offers participants opportunities to engage in fun activities that reduce social isolation and enhance interpersonal skills. This furthers their ability to contribute to and enjoy a sense of community, promoting recovery and well-being.
Just Friends is a program unique to NAMI Mercer. It was started in 1990 by parents concerned about the loneliness experienced by 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 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, looking to connect with others and have a good time.”
Just Friends Activities
Just Friends has appromimately 75 members overall but not everyone participates in every activity. Some activiies attract a smaller group (10 - 20) and others such as holiday parties, a larger crowd (30-40). Activities are selected by the group in concert with NAMI Mercer staff and include:
- Bowling & Pizza
- Walks/Hikes
- Dinners at local restaurants
- Hiking and canoeing
- Game nights
- Movies
- Museum trips
- Trenton Thunder baseball games
- Holiday parties ...and more.
If you are interested in joining Just Friends, contact NAMI Mercer to attend the next “Meet and Greet” event. This, along with a NAMI Mercer membership are prerequisites to becoming part of Just Friends.