Your Monthly News & Updates
 
March 2016 Bulletin

Shamrocks
 
From the President's Desk:

Stigmatization and misunderstanding of mental illness has created so much havoc and ripped apart families, and until it's eradicated, the long slow mountainous climb will never end.
Mental illness is not a "rare disease"; studies show that about 1 in 5 people in the U. S. population live with a mental health challenge. There are so many people living with mental illness who don't realize that it has led them to self-medication, homelessness and feeling hopeless.
Personal stories are powerful, whether from a person living with mental illness or a family member. Our stories can help others who feel lost and alone. Today, we have so many ways-- with social media as well as person-to-person--to tell our stories. Learning how to tell our stories succinctly can have a tremendous impact, whether it be online, email, letter or face-to-face. With our legislators, telling our stories well can have a tremendous impact.
"NAMI Smarts for Advocacy," a free program, can be brought to Asheville if we have enough people to attend. Or we could have it here in Hendersonville, but we need at least 15 people who are willing to make the effort. NAMI membership is not required. "NAMI Smarts" is designed as a series of three modules, although a fourth on speaking about prescription medication is being developed. The training teaches the following skills:
  • How to tell a compelling 90-second story that ends with an "ask"
  • How to write an effective email, make an "elevator speech" and an impactful phone call
  • How to orchestrate a successful meeting with an elected official
The unique, systematic skill-building design of NAMI Smarts is effective with a wide range of participants, from those who are new to advocacy to individuals with years of experience. This is an election year and what we have to say needs to be heard!

If you are a member and not receiving newsletters from NAMI North Carolina or NAMI National, please let us know.

NAMI Four Seasons is always looking for more facilitators for the Family Support groups and Connection Support group for consumers.
 
Adrienne Brady
NAMI Four Seasons President 
 
Click the box below to visit our website:

APRIL INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM

 
"The Role of the Social Worker
 for Acutely Ill Mental Health Patients"

Speaker: Zach White, LCSW, LCAS
Tuesday, April 19, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Pardee Signature Care Center
Blue Ridge Mall, Hendersonville, NC
 
Zach White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) on the PATHS inpatient psychiatric unit at Margaret Pardee Memorial Hospital in Hendersonville.  He currently serves as the hospital's lead social worker, providing clinical supervision to Pardee's social work staff. 
Zach is a graduate of Muskingum University in Ohio and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. He has over ten years of experience working in mental health, in a variety of settings and populations. 
Please join us for an informative talk and learn more about the PATHS facility.


Also in April: 
 
Screening of HEALINGVOICES
 Friday, April 29, 6:30 pm
Opportunity House
1411 Asheville Hwy
Hendersonville, NC
 
"HEALINGVOICES is a new feature--length documentary which explores the experiences commonly labeled as "psychosis" or "mental Illness" through the real-life stories of individuals working to overcome extreme mental states and integrate these experiences into their lives in meaningful ways."
The film follows three subjects--Oryx, Jen and Dan--over a period of nearly five years and features interviews with many notable personalities, including: Robert Whitaker, Dr. Bruce Levine, Will Hall, Dr. Marius Romme...[speaking] on the history of psychiatry and the rise of the "medical model" of mental health treatment.
By way of the harrowing and inspiring stories of individuals learning to negotiate and grow through their madness, HEALINGVOICES challenges us to rethink our cultural understanding of "mental illness" by bringing a message of recovery, and charting a course for effective alternative treatments that enable people to live productive and meaningful lives."
http://healingvoicesmovie.com/the-story/

NAMI Four Seasons in collaboration with THRIVE and Full Circle Counseling & Wellness have acquired the license for this award winning documentary. Find more information in our April bulletin.

 
Let's Have Some Fun!

It's a POTLUCK!

   
Monday, March 21, 6pm
CLUBHOUSE
at
PLANTATION WALK on Blythe Street 
   
NAMI Four Seasons and St. James' Mental Health Companioning will be gathering over some of the most excellent lasagna, garlic bread and salad. Please come and bring dessert. Refreshments will be provided. We'll be in the Clubhouse at Plantation Walk on Blythe St. The Clubhouse is a lovely old farmhouse on top of the hill at Plantation Walk. Just drive up the hill straight in front of you when you turn into the neighborhood.
Also...New! 

CONSUMER SOCIAL HOUR 
The coffee's on us at Jongo Java Friday, March 25, 5pm
We'll be at the large table in the back on the right. Games and gossip! Woo hoo!


EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY 
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS
A free class for families and friends of individuals living with a severe mental illness
 
Classes begin April 7th and end May 19, 2016
No class Monday May 2
Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm to 8:30pm, Henderson County
Advanced registration required:
Call Charlie Moreland: (828)-768-4895
 
The 12-session Family-to-Family Course provides participants with vital Information, insight and understanding of their mentally ill loved one(s) that many describe as life changing.
The classes are extremely informative and can help a person understand and empathize with their loved one. Provides information on medications, new treatment modalities, handling crises, communication techniques, self-care and more.
Class size is limited so don't delay!
 
"Bridges of Hope" is scheduled for St. James Episcopal Church Adult Christian Formation on May 15 at 10:15 in the Trinity classroom. Presenters are Valerie Holcombe and Gary Cyphers.
The invitation is open to all. For more information about this program or to schedule one in your faith community, please call Valerie Holcombe (828)-290-6716.
 

Fundraising!
BELK Spring Charity Sale, April 30, 6am-10am, is just around the corner!
A great way to fundraise, and, more importantly, a way to spread the word about NAMI Four Seasons and what we do. Please help us: you can sell tickets to friends and co-workers or simply buy one or more for yourself. Tickets will be available at our Informational Meetings or call (888)-955-6264.
You can use our tickets at any Belk store. Tickets are $5; this amount is taken off your transaction. Each separate transaction requires a ticket. Buy as many tickets as you need.
This is BELK'S busiest sale day for the season; you may prefer pre-reservation for anything in the store. Pre-reservation begins Tuesday April 19. Visit your local BELK or go online by clicking here.
Another way to help: volunteer and take a two-hour shift at the Belk store. Bring a friend and see how good a salesperson you are! Hand out our new brochures. Any questions you can't answer? Just refer them to our phone number on the front of the brochure!
We have many shifts to fill see below! Call, email or text Richard Adelmann:
(845) 742-2751
richardrichf1@earthlink.net

Tuesday--- 4/19/16 10am-noon and 4pm-6pm
 
Wednesday---4/20/16 10am-noon and 6pm-8pm
 
Thursday---4/21/16 10am-noon and 4pm-6pm
 
Friday---4/22/16 10am-noon and 4pm-6pm
 
Saturday---4/23/16 noon-2pm and 2pm-4pm
 
Sunday---4/24/16 noon-2pm and 2pm-4pm
 
Monday---4/25/16 2pm-4pm and 4pm-6pm
 
Tuesday---4/26/16 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm
 
Wednesday---4/27/16 noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm
 
Thursday---4/28/16 2pm-4pm and 4pm-6pm
 
Friday---4/29/16 10am-noon and noon-2pm
 
Saturday--- Charity Sale Day 4/30/16 6am-noon or 9am-noon
 

NAMI Four Seasons Support Groups

Henderson County:
 
Grace Lutheran Church
1245 Sixth Avenue West
Hendersonville, NC 28791
 
Fourth Saturday of every month at 10:00am
 
Polk County:
Polk County Health Department (enter by rear door)
161 Walker Street
Columbus, NC 28722
 
First Thursday of every month at 5:30pm
Call: Annie Ewing 864-457-7278 
 
For more information on support groups in our local area call: 1-888-955-6264.
Or visit our website: www.namifourseasons.org
 
Membership Renewal! NAMI North Carolina sends email membership renewal reminders. The initial posting is 2 months prior to expiration of your membership. Renewing online is quick and easy and decreases our costs. You can renew via our website. We understand that some of you may not have access to a computer or smartphone or would rather renew or join our membership via standard mail. For any questions, please call (888)-955-6264 or email Tish Blair: tblair66@hotmail.com   

NAMI Four Seasons is a grassroots affiliate of NAMI National and NAMI North Carolina serving
Henderson and Polk Counties. Our mission is to provide support, education and advocacy for families affected by mental illness in our local communities, and to advocate for quality of life without stigma or discrimination. For more information visit our website:
www.namifourseasons.org

Nami Four Seasons | PO Box 2108 | Hendersonville | NC | 28793-2108