Mental health group extends support

It's becoming increasingly apparent that mental health services are badly needed in today's society.

A new group in Cape Girardeau has been established to help families deal with mental health issues of a loved one.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Jefferson City, Missouri, is spinning off a new group in Cape Girardeau. Called NAMI for short, the group offers support to the families of people dealing with depression and bi-polar disorder.

Cape Girardeau has for many years had a group called the Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance, but its main focus was on the people dealing with those issues. Now services are being extended to families.

The new group is looking for at least four volunteers to take expense-paid training Aug. 15-17 in Jefferson City.

NAMI Missouri executive director Cindi Keele said the family-to-family training has been shown to reduce the "family's perception of the burden" of dealing with the disorders.

If you are interested in volunteering for the group, you can call Sue Floyd of Cape Girardeau at 332-0724 or visit the NAMI Cape Girardeau Facebook page for an application.

Here's to mental health, and to strength and support to families that are watching loved ones struggle.