September 11th, 2015
 
In This Issue
1-NAMI-NYS News
2-NAMI News
3-New York State News
4-National News
5-NIMH News
6-Signature Programs
7-Save the Dates
 

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NAMI-NYS News
Person Centered Treatment to be Featured at
2015 NAMI-NYS Education Conference
Dr. Wesley Sowers, 
University of Pittsburgh

Person Centered Treatment will be one of the featured elements at the  2015 NAMI-NYS  Education Conference -Redefining Recovery: New Challenges, New Opportunities, New Hopes, taking place Nov.13-15 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. This novel approach focuses on the individual and not a predetermined categorized mental illness. This treatment philosophy is based on a strong working relationship and communication between a person living with a mental illness and his/her doctor. Family members also play a crucial role in this model.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Wes Sowers from the University of Pittsburgh who will be presenting on this as part of Saturday morning's plenary sessions Maximizing Recovery-Refining the Treatment and Research of Mental Illness and Improving Outreach. Along with Dr. Sowers' presentation, many of Saturday's workshops will feature both providers along with people in recovery from mental illness detailing their stories.

Click here to REGISTER TODAY! 

Many people have asked about scholarships for the conference. The applications are now available and you can click here to obtain one. Please note: Only NAMI-NYS members can apply for a scholarship and an application does not guarantee a registration. 

NAMI-NYS Participates in Council for State Governments Justice Center Summit
(Top) NAMI-NYS Criminal Justice Chair Jayette Lansbury and Matthew Shapiro presenting (Bottom) Matthew and Jayette with Julie Solomon, Chief Strategic Officer, Wyandotte County Kansas, Phoebe Potter, Council for State Governments and Mayor Mark Holland, Kansas City

On September 17th, NAMI-NYS participated at the Council for State Governments Justice Center  Justice and Mental Health Collaborative Partnership Summit. NAMI-NYS Criminal Justice Chair Jayette Lansburry delivered the keynote address detailing how the criminal justice system failed her son who has a dual mental illness-autism diagnosis and explaining both the struggles families like hers experience as well as the need for collaboration with the criminal justice system. She was followed by NAMI-NYS's Matthew Shapiro who detailed our initiatives on criminal justice issues and our goal to incorporate law enforcement leaders at our Education Conference.

The summit was comprised of judges, DA's, defense attorneys, police chiefs and court administrators from throughout the country who are committed to improving the mental health-criminal justice interface and have received grants from the Justice Center. Among other notable speakers was Mark Holland, Mayor of Kansas City.

NAMI-NYS was honored to present our mission to such a dedicated group of public servants.

You can click here to watch a stream of the afternoon's session on building partnerships, featuring Mayor Holland. Matthew asked two questions during the session: the first on the role of churches in supporting families impacted by mental illness and the second on discharge planning, presumptive eligibility for medicaid for people being released and how to prevent  recidivism .

NAMI-NYS Delivers Testimony at NYS-DOH
Drug Utilization  Review Meeting

On September 17th, NAMI-NYS's Executive Director Wendy Burch delivered testimony before the New York State Department of Health's Drug Utilization Review Meeting. Wendy advocated for open access and presciber prevails for all anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medication.

Click here to read Wendy's Testimony.

NAMI Cayuga's Teri and Bart Wasilenko Featured in the Latest Issue of CIT Happenings 

NAMI Cayuga co-presidents Bart and Teri Wasilenko are featured in the latest edition of CIT Happenings published by Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration. The Wasilenko's work to help facilitate a CIT training of the Auburn Police Department is detailed in the issue. Click here to read CIT Happenings.

Don Kamin, PhD, Director of the Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration will be presenting at the 2015 NAMI-NYS Education Conference. 


NAMI News

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, click here to read more. 

NAMI Personal Stories

This article, written by a woman named Michelle who expresses her frustrations with having a mental illness that no one understands, Michelle's message is that people should not  hide their depression, or suicidal thoughts as they are not something to be ashamed of. She wants the stigma to be taken away from depression and suicide and to do that she feels people need to be able to speak freely and openly about it. Click  here to read Michelle's story. 
New York State News
Dr. Lloyd Sederer Asks "Where Have All the Psychiatrists Gone?"

In a recent article in US News, Dr. Lloyd Sederer, Medical Director of the New York State Office of Mental Health, discusses how the field of psychiatry is suffering from a shortage of doctors. Dr. Sederer details how it is a positive that mental health is now becoming more accepted resulting in more people seeking treatment for their mental illnesses, however the negative aspect of this development is there are not enough doctors to help get these people the treatment they are seeking. Click here to read Dr. Sederer's article.

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in a Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Sederer at the 2015 NAMI-NYS Education Conference. REGISTER TODAY!

New York Jet Brandon Marshall Dedicated 
To Raising Awareness of Mental Illness


Brandon Marshall, wide receiver for the New York Jets, has finally found a home after being traded three times due to fear of what he may do off the field due to his previous run-ins with the law. These run-ins were due to his borderline personality disorder, which he used to know nothing about and hadn't treated. Since coming to understand his mental illness, he has gotten help  and he truly believes he is on this earth to help end the stigma and get people the help they need with their mental illness. Read more about his efforts here. 

Click here to watch one of Brandon's PSAs.

 Clinical Trial in NYC Seeking Participants
Have you been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective or Delusional Disorder?
 
A Schizophrenia lab in New York City headed by Nathan Kline Institute director Dr. Donald Goff, is conducting a new study and is  looking for volunteers between the ages of 18-68 years old interested in participating in a weekly research study.*

This study is a placebo-controlled 12 week trial of D-Cycloserine (DCS) augmentation of once-weekly CBT sessions in 60 schizophrenia subjects with antipsychotic-resistant delusions. In addition to testing efficacy, this trial will characterize DCS effects in terms of time course and persistence of response and will examine DCS effects on memory consolidation and cognitive flexibility as possible mediators of DCS enhancement of CBT for delusions.

*up to $400.00 in compensation for participation.

Click here for more info.
National News
Inmate Who Died after Encounter with Fairfax Deputies: 'You Promised You Wouldn't Kill Me'

After the controversial death of Natasha McKenna, questions are being raised as to how police officers treat mentally ill inmates. McKenna was in jail for assaulting a police officer and was being transported to a new prison when she got distressed, officers attempts to calm her down included tazing her four times. A few days later McKenna was dead and no officers were charged. The county recently released a video of the whole incident and it is raising questions about how officers treat mentally ill inmates. Watch video here. 

Needham Sculpture aims to Foster Mental Health

Eight years ago at Needham high school, in Needham MA, Four students were lost to suicide and it was those tragic deaths that lead to The Own Your Peace initiative where students in the school hope to show other students that living with a mental illness isn't a bad thing and whatever you're going through you're not going through it alone. A seven foot tall stainless steel structure was erected with quotes from people all around the community. Read  more here. 

Debbie Reynolds to Receive Honorary Oscar for her Work in Mental Health

"Singin' in The Rain" actress Debbie Reynolds will be honored at the 7th annual Governor's Awards on November 14th, for her work in advocating for mental health. Reynolds is a founding member of The Thalians founded in 1955 by people in the entertainment industry to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. This iconic actress has been the president of the group from 1957-2011 and served as a chair of the board for her additional years there. Read more here. 

These Photos Capture The Anguish of Living with Depression

21 year old Edward Honaker was diagnosed with depression only two years ago, and since then has channeled his emotions into his photography in a series of self portraits that illustrate what living with depression is like. Honaker hopes to one day understand his mental illness enough to be able to help others live with theirs. See the photos here. 

Her Brain Tormented Her, and Doctors Could Not Understand Why

Pam Tusiani was only 23 when she died due to a serious side effect of a depressant medication she was taking as part of treatment for her borderline personality disorder. The medication that Pam was taking was just one on a long list of unsuccessful anti-depressants, along with other medications; she had taken her whole life in an effort to control her illness. When Pam Tusiani passed away her parents dedicated themselves towards finding a treatment for others who suffer from borderline personality disorder. Read more about their efforts here. 
NIMH News

Dr. Tom Insel to Step Down as 
NIMH Director


NAMI-NYS is sad to report Dr. Tom Insel will be leaving his post as NIMH Director in November. Dr. Insel will be moving on to work with Google Health, ensuring that mental health is incorporated in their initiative. Dr. Insel has demonstrated visionary leadership of the Institute and we will miss working with him. 

Click here to read Dr. Insel's statement.

Click here to read an article on his departure from the NY Times.

NIMH Update

Click here to read the latest Update from NIMH

Clinical Trial Recruitment
Join NIH Depression Research Studies

Does depression impede your daily life? Are you currently feeling sad and hopeless, experiencing worthlessness and guilt, and have a lack of interest in everyday activities you once enjoyed? NIH studies are investigating the brain and experimental medications (such as ketamine and diazoxide) to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms.  Research includes: depressed adults ages 18 to 70, outpatient visits or inpatient stays of up to 12 weeks at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.  Call 1-877-MIND-NIH, TTY: 1-866-411-1010, Email:   [email protected],  or click here to learn more. 

Signature Programs

 

September 8 - Join NAMI Putnam for a NAMI Family-to-Family course being held at the Mahopac Library.  Classes will be on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.  For more information contact Wanda Crowley at (914)522-3812.

September 9 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for another NAMI Family-to-Family course at the VA Medical Center.  Classes will be from 7:00-9:30 PM on Wednesday evenings.  For more information and to register please contact Nancy (631)987-3063  or e-mail [email protected]. Priority seating goes to NAMI members and Veteran families.  
 
September 10 - Join NAMI Westchester as they begin a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.  For more information or to register contact Sharon at (914)591-5458.
 
September 12 - Join NAMI Westchester as they begin a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held Saturday mornings from 9:00 - 11:30 AM.  For more information or to register contact Sharon at (914)591-5458.

September 14 - Join NAMI Rensselaer as they begin a NAMI Homefront course at the Stratton VA Medical Center. Classes will be Monday's from 10:30 AM- 1:00 PM. For more information contact Mary Beth at (518)491-3743.

September 15 - Join NAMI Rochester for a new NAMI Peer-to-Peer course being held at their office in Rochester, NY.  Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.  Click here for more information.

September 16 - Join NAMI Rochester for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held at their office in Rochester, NY.  Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.  Click here for more information.  

September 16 - Join NAMI Buffalo & Erie for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course at Elma United Methodist Church in Elma.  Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 8 pm.  Pre-registration is required.  Contact (716) 226-6264 or [email protected].
  
September 17 - Join NAMI Rensselaer as they begin a NAMI Peer-to-Peer course at the SUNY School of Public Health. Classes will be Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM- 8:30 PM. For more information contact Christine at (518)462-2000.
  
September 17 - Join NAMI Rochester for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held at their office in Rochester, NY.  Classes will be on Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.  Click here for more information. 

September 17 - Join NAMI Huntington for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held at Pederson-Krag Center.  Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. For more information contact Jayette Lansbury at (631)385-0754.
   
September 21 - Join NAMI Mid-Hudson for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course.  Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at Dover High School.  For more information or to RSVP contact Bob or Jo Ann Brown at 
(845)832-6368 or by e-mail. 
 
September 21 - Join NAMI Rockland for a new NAMI Basics course.  From 6:30 to 9 pm.  Place to be announced.  Call NAMI Rockland for more information or to register (845)359-8787.
 
September 22 - Join NAMI Mid-Hudson for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course.  Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Dutchess Community College.  For more information or to RSVP contact Bob or Jo Ann Brown at (845)832-6368 or e-mail.

September 26 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for a new NAMI Basics course at St. Mary's in East Islip.  Classes will be from  10:00 am - 12:30 pm on Saturday mornings.  For more information and to register please contact Beth at (631)673-6097 or e-mail.

September 26 - Join NAMI Rockland for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12 noon.  At the Rockland Psychiatric Center, Bldg 57, first floor conference room.

September 28 - Join NAMI Queens/Nassau for a new Family-to-Family course being held at the North Shore Zucker Hillside Hospital. Classes will be held Monday nights from 7:00 - 9:30 pm.  For more information contact NAMI Queens/Nassau at (516)326-0797 or (718)347-7284 or by e-mail.

September 28 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for a new NAMI Basics course at the Farmingville Mental Health Clinic.  Classes will be from 10:00 am -12:30 pm on Monday mornings.  For more information and to register please contact Beth at (631)673-6097 or e-mail.

September 28 - Join NAMI Queens/Nassau as they offer Family-to-Family at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center.  Classes will be held from 6:00 - 8:30 pm on Monday evenings. For more information or to register e-mail [email protected] or call (516)326-0697 or (718)347-7284.

September 30 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for a new NAMI Basics course at the Dolan Family Health Center in Huntington.  Classes will be from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm on Wednesday mornings.  For more information and to register please contact Beth at (631)673-6097 or e-mail.
  
October 3 - Join NAMI Queens/Nassau for a new NAMI Family-to-Family course being held at the Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral of New York. Classes will be held Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:30 pm.  For more information contact NAMI Queens/Nassau at (516)326-0797 or (718)347-7284 or by e-mail. 

October 3 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for a new 10 week NAMI Peer to Peer course at the Federation of Organizations in Patchogue.  Classes will be held on Saturday afternoons from 12 noon to 2 pm.  For more information or to register contact Sandy at (631)793-4712 or [email protected].

October 6-Join NAMI Schenectady for their " first of many" Family-to-Family classes.  The 12-week course will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8:30 pm at Temple Gates of Heaven, at Ashmore and Eastern Parkway, just off of Union Street in the Upper Union Street area of Schenectady.   The first class will be held on Tuesday, October 6th promptly at 6:00 pm.  For more information and to sign up for the course (it's free), please contact either Davin at [email protected] or Cindy at [email protected]  or 374-8071 (leave a message and we'll call you back.)  
 

October 17 - Join NAMI Mid-Hudson as they host a new NAMI Basics course.  Classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for three weeks. For more information or to register contact Jo Ann Brown at (845)832-6368 or by e-mail. 

October 20- Join NAMI Rochester as they host the 14th Annual Jessica Henderson Memorial Event at the School of the Arts from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. This year's speaker will be Kevin Hines, an award wining speaker, author and mental health advocate who reaches audiences with this story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. His book, " Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt" shares the message of learning to live mentally well in the face of mental illness. For more information or to register, go to www.namiroc.org , or call 585 423 1593. Registration is $ 15 and includes a light reception and book signing. 

October 25 - NAMI Rockland will present a special NAMI In Our Own Voice program co-sponsored by The Friends of the Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley.  Contact (845)359-8785 for more information. 
Save the Dates
September 23- The Clinton Coalition to Prevent Suicide & The Suicide Prevention Center of NYS, SUNY at Plattsburgh, 10:00 am to 11:30 am or 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.  For more information or to register contact Amanda Bulris (518)561-2685 x17.

September 24- Black Minds Matter 2! Identifying Community Based Strategies By African Americans For African Americans
10:00 am - 12:00 noon.  Free webinar!  Click here to register.
 
September 25 - Join NAMI Huntington as they participate in the Northport VA Medical Center "Stand Down For Homeless Veterans." Any donations of personal care items and softly used clean, warm clothing to distribute to homeless veterans is appreciated. For more information contact Jayette Lansbury at (631)385-0754.
 
September 25 - "Ask the Doctor," Dr. Mark Ragins, The Village and Recovery.  11 am to 12 noon.  (888)858-6021, Participant Code 309918#.
  
October 6- Join OASAS and OMH when they conduct a joint hearing on their statewide comprehensive plans from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  Both agencies will receive input for consideration in the development of their respective statewide comprehensive plans and ongoing initiatives.  The hearing will be held via videoconference (VTC) among nine locations; Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Ogdensburg, Manhattan, Staten Island, and West Brentwood.  You must attend at one of the VTC sites to see and participate.

October 7 - Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for their monthly speaker series: Trauma Release Exercises workshop given by Patricia DeCarmine LMT at Mather Hospital, Port Jefferson, Conference Room One/Two at 7:30 pm.  For more information contact (631)675-6831.

October 8 - Join NAMI Columbia County as they welcome Claudia Coenen, CT, MTP, Counselor in Hudson, NY.  Coenen will speak on the 'Loss and Grieving'.  To learn more contact NAMI Columbia County by phone (518)336-0246 or e-mail.

October 8 - Join NAMI Syracuse for their annual Educational Conference from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the New York State Fairgrounds.  For more information on this event call (315)487-2085.

October 13 - Join the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation as they welcome Carrie E. Bearden, Ph.D., for their monthly webinar.  Dr. Bearden's topic will be Mood Disorders.  The webinar will be from 2:00-3:00 pm, click here to register.

October 14 -  Join NAMI of Central Suffolk for their annual exhibit table st Suffolk County Community College's, Mental Health Awareness Day, at the Ammerman campus in Sheldon from 9:30-1:30pm.  For more information contact (631)675-6831.

October 16- "Ask the Doctor," Dr. Ellen Leibenluft, Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder.  11 am to 12 noon.  (888)858-6021, Participant Code 309918#.
 
October 18 - Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Capital Region chapter for their Walk for R.I.T.A.  The walk will be held at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds.  To learn more about click here. 

October 20-Join NAMI Rochester as they host the 14th Annual Jessica Henderson Memorial Event at the School of the Arts from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.   This year's speaker will be Kevin Hines, an award winning speaker, author and mental health advocate who reaches audiences with this story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live.  His book, " Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt" shares the message of learning to live mentally well in the face of mental illness. For more information or to register, go to www.namiroc.org , or call 585 423 1593. Registration is $ 15 and includes a light reception and book signing. 


October 21 - Join NAMI Westchester for their first Educational Event with Dr. Xavier Amador.  This event will be Wednesday from 1:00 - 4:30 pm at St. Vincent's Hospital.  For more information click here. 
 
October 21 - Join NAMI Rockland for their annual Breaking the Silence.  Topics addressed will be ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder): Triumphs and Challenges.  Will take place at Cultural Arts Center of Rockland Community College in Sufferen.  Suggested donation $15, students admitted for free.  For tickets and information call NAMI Rockland at (845)359-8787 or www.namirockland.org .
 
October 22- Join NAMI April of Brooklyn for a free showing of No Kidding! Me 2! by Joe Pantoliano at 7:00, located at South Beach Psychiatric Clinic, Brooklyn.  For more information contact (718)375-0600.
 
October 23- "Ask the Doctor," Dr. Jackie Feldman, Jail Diversion.  11 am to 12 noon.  (888)858-6021, Participant Code 309918#.
 
November 4-6 - Join the Association for Community Living for their 36th annual conference. The conference will be held at The Sagamore Resort, for more information click here.

 November 7 - Join NAMI Columbia County and the Apogee Center, with the cooperation of Parsons Child and Family Center for an all day workshop with Dr. Daniel Fisher on Emotional CPR.  Pre-registration will be needed for this event and the cost is $10 per person.  To learn more contact NAMI Columbia County by phone (518)336-0246 or e-mail.

November 10 - Join the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation as they welcome Carol A. Tamminga, M.D., for their monthly webinar.  Dr. Tamminga's topic will be Schizophrenia.  The webinar will be from 2:00-3:00 pm, click here to register.

November 13-15 - Join us for the 2015 NAMI-NYS Education Conference.  Click here to learn more.       
TO HAVE YOUR EVENTS FEATURED IN THE NAMI-NYS NEWS RELEASE PLEASE EMAIL EVENT DETAILS TO MATTHEW SHAPIRO.  

NAMI-NYS | 99 Pine Street Suite 302| Albany, New York 12207 | (518) 462-2000