Support Groups
Support groups provide strategies and education to families affected by the mental health problems of a loved one or to families who grieve a suicide loss.
SUPPORT GROUPS
MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATIONS
click on the location for details
O’Fallon Mental Illness Family Support Group
When:
1st & 3rd Thursdays of every month
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Karla Smith Behavioral Health
200 North Lincoln | O’Fallon, IL | 62269
Who:
Families and loved ones of anyone with a mental illness
Contact:
Tom and Fran Smith: 618-628-3129
Holland, MI Mental Illness Family Support Group
When:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Where:
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, St Jane Room of Parish
Ministry Center
195 W. 13th St
Holland, MI 49423
Who:
Families and loved ones of anyone with a mental illness
Contact:
Sheila Klemm: 616-481-3959 or sheilaklemm@hotmail.com
St. Louis Mental Illness Family Support Group
When:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Clayton Behavioral
9890 Clayton Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63124
Who:
Families and loved ones of anyone with a mental illness
Contact:
Jim and Linda Murphey: 314-481-0008
SUPPORT GROUPS
SUICIDE SURVIVORS
LOCATIONS
click on the location for details
O’Fallon Suicide Survivor Family Support Group
When:
2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Karla Smith Behavioral Health
200 North Lincoln | O’Fallon, IL | 62269
Who:
Families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Contact:
Tom & Fran Smith: 618-628-3129
SIU-E Suicide Survivor Support Group
PRESENTED BY MISSA – MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE SUPPORT ALLIANCE AT SIUE
When:
4th Tuesday of every month
6 – 7 p.m.
Where:
MUC International Room
on the campus of SIUE
Edwardsville, IL
Who:
Students, faculty, and staff of anyone who has lost a friend or loved one to suicide are welcome
Contact:
Devin at SIUEMISSA@gmail.com
This support group is not intended to counsel individuals who are thinking about attempting suicide or are in need of mental health care. If you are having suicidal thoughts and need immediate assistance, please call SIUE counseling services at 618-650-2842 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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WHAT IS MISSA?
MISSA is a formal student organization at SIUE to help provide support to family members and friends of those affected by mental illness and suicide in the campus community through support groups lead by peer to peer coaching.
MISSA is partnered with Karla Smith Foundation, SIUE School of Nursing, and SIUE Counseling Services.
WHY JOIN MISSA?
Participating in support groups will help you meet other individuals who share similar experiences and together we help discover strategies for a more peaceful life.
St. Louis Suicide Survivor Family Support Group
When:
4th Tuesday of every month
7:15 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Clayton Behavioral
9890 Clayton Road, Suite 100
St. Louis, Missouri 63124
Who:
Families and loved ones of anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide
Contact:
Tom Smith: 618-628-3129
“After joining the family support group, I was overwhelmed that so many in our area are struggling to cope with mental illness. I don’t know what we would have done without your objective advice and the blessing of being able to hear the experiences of others in similar situations.”
-Kay Zollner, O’Fallon, IL.
The Karla Smith Behavioral Health (KSBH) support groups offer the opportunity to share openly and learn from other family members and friends who experience similar situations.
A commitment to attend a certain number of meetings is not required. Attend once, twice, every meeting – as you are comfortable. We are here to help. Whether you attend one or multiple meetings, we have accomplished our mission if you have learned, felt supported, and you know that you are not alone. Through our experiences, we have seen how a network of supportive group members can be a helpful aide when coping with suicide grief or mental health problems of your loved one.
Our Mental Health Support Groups focus on KSBH’s nine strategies for coping with the mental health problems of your loved one. Each meeting begins with introductions and short “check-in,” then we focus on one of the strategies. Cross-talking, sharing, and responding are welcomed and helpful throughout the meeting.
Our Suicide Survivor Meetings refer to common Grief Emotions to help identify your current feelings about the loss of your loved one. KSBH believes that sharing, discussing, listening, and talking about your loved one helps in coping with your loss.
KSBH knows that attending a support group for the first time might seem intimidating. No one is forced to speak or share – often people come to listen and understand. We welcome this. Through experience, we have learned that often a collective head-nod from the group members goes a long way towards easing anxiety and knowing you are not alone. We always welcome new members to join our support groups.
KSBH is a non-denominational organization and welcomes any person regardless of religious or non-religious preference. We do however close each KSBH support group meeting with Karla’s version of the Serenity Prayer. A year before she died, Karla added the second verse to the widely-known prayer and prayed it daily. KSBH believes strongly in Karla’s message for hope and peace through this prayer.
We kindly request the consumer (the individual with the mental health problem) does not attend our family support groups. Please contact KSBH and we will help you find a support group for the consumer.