National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus-Southeastern has launched two online support groups called Lions Helping Lions. NAMI on Campus is the university’s student organization dedicated to raising awareness of mental illness and helping individuals experiencing mental health problems. With the two online groups found on Facebook and Tumblr, members of the organization are focused on educating any wondering minds regarding Lions Helping Lions.

As stated by the NAMI Louisiana webpage, Louisiana Alliance for the Mentally Ill was formed Sept. 18, 1984. In 1998, the name L’AMI changed to NAMI Louisiana. Since then NAMI  Campus chapters have formed all over Louisiana.

Lions Helping Lions was formed in order for students and any individual in the Hammond area wanting to be informed on any type of mental disorder.  

According to the Lions Helping Lions Tumblr site, the purpose of their webpages is to provide a safe, judgment-free place for Southeastern students and Hammond residents whom are open to expressing their feelings, concerns and experiences.

Dr. Lolita Boykin, NAMI faculty advisor, is part of the social work department spoke on how both social media pages were created. She went into detail about how various meetings took place with NAMI On Campus officers and representatives from NAMI–St. Tammany and NAMI–Louisiana.

“The online support group was created after a discussion from NAMI On Campus Officers representatives about ways the organization could reach out effectively to students,” said Boykin. “Social media is so prevalent today among college students and developing online support groups on Facebook and Tumblr were logical tools to connect students together.”

With having two social sites on Facebook and Tumblr, NAMI On Campus plans to expand their horizons and extend a helping hand to all students and Hammond residents experiencing depression or any other mental disorder. Their Facebook page focuses on depression and their Tumblr on any mental illness. 

Student officer Ciara Richardson gave insight on why Lions Helping Lions was created.

“NAMI On Campus saw a need to create support groups so that we can help someone or save a life,” said Richardson. “Lions Helping Lions was created for anyone who is experiencing depression and who will be able to have a safe, judgment free outlet to express himself or herself.”

Lions Helping Lions is open to all individuals who can benefit from a support group. Students and residents are coming together as one regarding this matter. All representatives and officers of NAMI-On Campus are encouraging all who wish to be informed or learn more about  mental illnesses to join Lions Helping Lions.

Boykin also added how the groups were specifically created for peers to share their feelings, support and how students would become interested.

“Students would be interested in joining an online support group because they can feel that they can share experiences and struggles with other students without having the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Boykin. “They will be able to develop a community with other college students along with having the opportunity to log on and get information, support and feedback anytime.”