This edition of the NAMI E-News comes as we ramp up our advocacy efforts to create a more mentally healthy New York State. You will find links to the testimony NAMI-NYS presented earlier this week, information about our 2017 Legislative Advocacy Day which will be taking place this Tuesday and resources to familiarize yourself with the issues NAMI-NYS is focusing on. You will also find information on the developments on the national level in the NAMI section. 

This issue makes it clear that your advocacy voice is needed more than ever, both here in New York and on the federal level. Together, we have made tremendous strides in improving the delivery of mental health services, but the progress we have made can easily be undone. We hope you can join us this Tuesday as we take the next steps in advocacy.

As always, we want to know about the work you are doing. Please email  [email protected] with details and pictures about your work. This way we can feature it in the E-News and print Newsletter. Showcasing your work will allow others to learn from you and that's the best way we can grow together as an organization. 

This past Monday, NAMI-NYS gave testimony before the Joint Legislative Hearing on the Executive Budget Proposal-Mental Hygiene. Executive Director Wendy Burch detailed the gaps in funding recognized by NAMI-NYS and Government Affairs Chair Irene Turski detailed how housing issues impacted her family. Click here to read the testimony. 

In reading the testimony, you will see that we have a lot of work ahead of us to create a more mentally healthy New York State and we need as many of our readers to lend their voices to our advocacy efforts. There is still time to register for our Legislative Advocacy Day taking place this Tuesday, February 14th. Click here to register. 

As we prepare for Legislative Action Day here are a few resources to help you project your advocacy voice:

Click here to view our 2017 Action Agenda.

Click here to view a list of supported legislation.

Click here to view our talking points for legislative meetings.

Click here for our tips on how to make the most effective legislative meetings.

NAMI-NYS Young Adult Leader Marissa Pane

Featured in Worth Living and Proceeds from Sales from her Website to be Donated to  NAMI-NYS in February

 

Marissa Pane, one of NAMI-NYS's Young Adult leaders (and who presented at the 2016 NAMI-NYS Education Conference), recently wrote an article for Worth Living entitled  Recovery through a Course in Miracles. Marissa details how when she was a teenager she was diagnosed with clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder and how her life was almost cut short due to a crippling battle with anorexia nervosa." She states, "Since restoring my mental health, I made it my mission to help anyone and everyone avoid the suffering that accompanies mental illness." Click here to read the article. 

Marissa runs a website SPIES Fit to Fight and during the month of February all sales of the site's merchandise will be donated to NAMI-NYS. Click here to view the site and shop.

NAMI-NYS is thankful to Marissa for her dedication to supporting others impacted by mental illness and her generosity to NAMI-NYS.

NAMI Mid-Hudson Participates in Community Event at

Pawling Methodist Church 

Pastor Joanne Utley from the Pawling Methodist Church reached out to NAMI Mid-Hudson to participate in a community screening of Newton, about the tragedy in Newton CT. Pastor Utley along with Mark and Jackie Barden, who lost their son Daniel in the shooting, and the film's director, Kim Snyder, participated in panel following the screening. 

NAMI Mid-Hudson's Tina Lee said, "It was a privilege to be a part of this event. Pastor Utley told me that she had a lot of push back from fellow clergy about showing this film and even talking about mental health."

 

The affiliate's participation will be leading to other opportunities as Mrs. Barden is a teacher a Pawling Middle School and wants to bring Ending the Silence to the school. Pastor Utley also wants to bring NAMI Faithnet to the church.

NAMI Westchester Participates in Strategic Planning Forum

NAMI Westchester was invited to be part of a strategic planning forum on children and adults, sponsored by Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, Performing Provider System (PPS): Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative and Center for Regional Healthcare Innovation-WMC Health. The objective was "to create a blueprint for a comprehensive, system-wide, person-centered, system of care that reduces the trauma, use of Emergency Rooms and avoidable involuntary hospitalizations and coercive treatment and overall promotes mental well-being of children and adults in Westchester County." 

Sharon McCarthy, NAMI Westchester Executive Director, attended the event and was pleased the importance of family education in helping those living with mental health issues was included in the plan.  The agencies and organizations invited to this "invite only" event were asked because they are seen as stakeholders in Westchester County in terms of mental health services and supports. 

There was representation from many local police departments who detailed the struggle they encounter in trying to assure individuals get the help they need.  Follow-up events will be planned to keep the discussion going and to work towards making changes.

Schizophrenia Research Seeking Participants

CLICK HERE to learn more.