Friends for Mental Health Awareness and Support: Houston

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This group is designed to be a safe space for those currently struggling or have struggled with mental health issues in the past, and friends/family members/colleagues/acquaintances of those who struggle or have struggled, irrespective of the type of mental health issue being dealt with or the background/walk of life of those dealing with it, whether directly or in the capacity of those in the sufferer's support network.

This group is also open to those with personality/behavioral disorders such as Autism Spectrum, Attention Deficit, Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant Personality, and even those with "stigmatized" character traits like shyness, introversion and the like. We welcome mental health professionals in every field and scope of practice, mental health advocates, representatives from government and non-profit mental health awareness and advocacy entities, faith leaders, education and criminal justice professionals, public servants, creative types, and most of all, laypeople like myself who simply have a curiosity and desire to learn about other people's experiences dealing with mental health conditions, and about mental health issues in general. What I hope unites us all is a willingness to listen, understand, educate and support one another along our respective journeys and to the best of our respective capacities.

This group promotes a respectful, accepting and inclusive environment for every gathering, free of judgment or any inkling of strife or prejudice. We are all here to learn from one another and support each other in our respective journeys toward lasting wellness, sustained by a constant hope bolstered by an ever-increasing ability to cope with life's difficulties and challenges effectively. Please note that I am not a mental health professional and this is not a professionally-facilitated group therapy setting. Nor is this an official peer-to-peer support network. If you are seeking professional care for a possible mental health-related condition in yourself or someone you know, please go through the proper health care channels in order to get the help you need. I will be more than happy to refer you to any number of mental health organizations that can set you in the right direction.

We will organize a mixture of informal gatherings, activities in the arts, advocacy walks, and workshops and events related to mental health awareness and recovery. Of course, members are highly-encouraged to share their own interests with the group, and especially how those interests have served them in their recovery or in the recovery of someone they know. Hopefully this sharing will lead to even more ideas for meetup events.

Hope to meet everyone soon! Be well.
-Marcel