The National Alliance on mental Illness has announced a new mental health support group in Lehigh Acres. The nationally acclaimed program “NAMI Connections” comes to lehigh Acres today through the Lehigh United Way house.

Meetings are from 1 to 2:30 p.m.on each Wednesday and Friday at the United Way House at 1303 Homestead Rd.

A person interested can participate in either one meeting or come to both as all groups are different every week, officials said. Sessions are free and open to all adults. Advance signup is not necessary; participants are encouraged to attend whenever they want.

A support group is a safe environment that offers a place for persons experiencing mental health symptoms to share openly about themselves and the difficulties they are experiencing, health officials said.

Those who participate will learn from others’ experiences, share coping strategies and offer encouragement and support. Any person suffering from anxiety and anxiety attacks, depression or bipolar disorder, for example, would benefit greatly, health officials said. No person needs to have mental health diagnosis to attend.

Nationally trained in facilitating the NAMI Connections support group is Sherri Trahin. In addition to being certified by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in hosting these groups, Trahin is a certified recovery peer specialist as well.

The first Wednesday group begins today, June 3. For more information, contact the Lehigh United Way House at 369-0177.