The phrase “it takes a village” does not just apply to raising a child or caring for a loved one — it extends to mental health, too.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Recorder has put together a list of support groups around Marion County that cater to those experiencing several things that could impact one’s overall mental wellness, including grief, substance abuse, postpartum mood disorders or mental health disorders.
“By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you can gain hope and develop supportive relationships,” according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness. “It encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community. You’ll benefit from other’s experiences, discover your inner strength and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.”
READ MORE: Finding the right therapist
Domestic violence
Open Domestic Violence Support Group (Female-Identifying)
Gene Glick Family Support Center, 1575 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Firefly Children and Family Alliance offers several resources and programming for those facing domestic violence — including survivor counseling, support and advocacy and batter’s interventions. The support group is designed for female-identifying adults who are currently or have previously experienced domestic violence. The group offers several weekly meetings; times and locations are provided after registration.
The Julian Center
2011 N. Meridian St.
The Julian Center is the largest domestic violence shelter in Indiana, offering support and advocacy services to aid survivors with emergency shelter, crisis intervention, legal services, advocacy, self-sufficiency and youth enrichment programming.
Grief
Brooks’ Place
8935 N. Meridian Street, Suite 200
Brook’s Place offers ongoing grief support for children and adolescents experiencing sudden loss of a loved one as well as members of marginalized and underserved communities who have been affected by death of a loved one, including homicide. Groups are $30 per month, and registration is required.
GriefShare
Chapel Rock, 2020 N Girls School Road
GriefShare is a program that offers grief recovery support groups that meet weekly to help cope with the loss of a loved one. Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar, a support group discussion and a personal study and reflection time. Groups are held in different churches — including Chapel Rock, Light of the World and Castleton United Methodist Church — across the city. Days, times and costs vary.
griefshare.org/countries/us/states/in/cities/indianapolis
Mental health
NAMI Family Support Group
The First Congregational United Church, 7171 N. Pennsylvania St.
National Alliance for Mental Illness, or NAMI, hosts recurring virtual and in-personal support groups for individuals and families living with mental illness or in recovery. The Nora Family Support Group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The group is free to attend, and registration is not required.
Brightwood Community Center
2140 N. Arsenal Ave.
The Brightwood Community Center aims to address trauma within the community by welcoming members into healing circles to discuss various topics. Women’s Healing Circles address topics of forgiveness, self-love, intimate partner concerns and codependency, while men’s healing circles address stress coping mechanisms, intimate partner concerns, healthy masculinity and health concerns. The healing circles are free to attend.
brightwoodcc.org/programs-impact
Postpartum
Postpartum Support Group
IU Health Carmel (Online)
IU Health offers a variety of virtual and in-person support groups for new parents, especially expecting mothers or those who have just given birth. This support group focuses on giving pregnant and postpartum moms struggling with emotional changes the space they need to cope. The group meets online from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursdays and is free to attend. Registration is required.
Indianapolis Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group
Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, 8550 Naab Road suite 201
From 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, The Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Office of Marriage and Family Life hosts a support group for parents grieving the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The support group is free to attend, and registration is not required.
marriageandfamily.archindy.org
Substance abuse
CRAFT Family Support Group
Community Fairbanks Recovery
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) offers both online and in-person groups across the state. The group includes a non-confrontational, family- and friends-based intervention to help loved ones struggling with substance abuse. This group takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Castleton. For more information, contact Patrick King at PKing4@ecommunity.com.
overdoselifeline.org/events/craft-family-support-group/2024-05-15/
Moms Heal Together Group
IU Health Community Health, Bloomington, 333 E. Miller Dr.
This in-person group meets from 10 a.m. to noon every other Tuesday to help pregnant and postpartum moms battling present or past substance abuse issues.
reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0026-0021-
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Door 4, RM 125W
National Alliance for Mental Illness, or NAMI, hosts recurring virtual and in-personal support groups for families and those in recovery from substance abuse. This in-person group meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. It is free to attend, and registration is not required. Contact NAMI Greater Indianapolis via email or at (317) 257-7517 for more information.
namiindiana.org/programs/support-groups
Contrast Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
