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Click here to watch the latest episode discussing PTSD and featuring author Diane Cameron
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This edition of the NAMI-NYS E-News provides further details about the upcoming What's Great in Our State event, as well as a unique advocacy event being held by NAMI Queens/Nassau. You will also find information on the importance of early intervention programs to treat first episode psychosis.
We want to wish all who celebrate the spring religious holidays a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover.
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.
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NAMI-NYS NAMI Basics Leader Beth Ramme to be Honored as Part of
What's Great in Our State
Last week, we informed you how NAMI-NYS Young Adult Leader Joseph Fusaro will be representing the Young Adult Voice of Recovery at this year's What's Great in Our State-A Celebration of Children's Mental Health Awareness event. This week are proud to share with you that Beth Ramme, a NAMI-NYS state trainer for the NAMI Basics program and one of the course's most prolific teachers, will be one of this year's five honorees. Beth has adapted the program to bring to audiences beyond traditional family members. She offered the program in the woman's prison at the Riverhead Correctional Facility and this spring she will be offering the course to professionals for CEU accreditation.
This year's other honorees are:
- Foundations in Feelings "CAP" Program
- Regina Barros-Rivera
- Sheila Shea
- Voices United 4 Change
We are also pleased to announce that the event will also be recognizing the commitment of New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton to advancing children's mental health awareness in schools. The event will also feature a keynote address by Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director of Adult Services for the New York State Office of Mental Health and co-editor of the recently released book, The Social Determinants of Mental Health.
You can
click here to learn more about this year's honorees and register for the free event taking place on Tuesday, May 2
nd
, at the New York State Museum's Huxley Auditorium.
NAMI-NYS Encourages You to Attend Queens Nassau Advocacy Event
On Wednesday, April 19
th
, NAMI Queens/Nassau will be holding a special advocacy event, "Working to Pass the NAMI-NYS Legislative Action Agenda." This will be a townhall style evening featuring several New York State Legislators.
It's crucial that the legislators see a large and passionate crowd to discuss the issues NAMI-NYS deems necessary to create a more mentally healthy New York State. This is why we encourage readers from the greater New York City metro area to attend the event and make your voice heard.
Along with the legislators, the event will also feature NAMI-NYS Associate Director for Public Affairs, Matthew Shapiro, who will be highlighting our Action Agenda and moderating the discussion with legislators. Also appearing will be Lorenzo Steele, a visual artist and former correction officer, who will be presenting on the need to reform the use of solitary confinement.
The event will be taking place at the Sloman Auditorium of Zucker Hillside Hospital, 266th St. & 76th Ave in Glen Oaks and will begin at 7:30.
Keith O'Neil Speaks at the NAMI Buffalo Dinner Celebration and Marcy Rose Receives Mental Health Association of Erie County
Roger Stone Advocate of the Year Award
On Thursday, April 6, NAMI Buffalo & Erie County celebrated its 33rd Annual Awards & Dinner Celebration. The evening's keynote speaker Keith O'Neil was inspiring and heartwarming in addressing the many turns his life has taken, from an idyllic childhood, through an adolescence many of our families would recognize, into young adulthood, an NFL pro-ball career, and later challenges that included ultimately being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. His message was one of hope for individuals and families trying to figure out "life after diagnosis."
You can click here to watch the Mental Health Now episode featuring Keith.
This past week, the Mental Health Association of Erie County presented NAMI Buffalo President and NAMI-NYS board member, Marcy Rose, with their Roger Stone Advocate of the Year Award. The award named after a former MHA Buffalo director, recognized Marcy's "tireless work for many years of advocating for mental health, and helping countless families and individuals."
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The Manhattan Institute Holds Event Celebrating the Release of New Book
By Former NAMI-NYS Board Member DJ Jaffe
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Fox News Reporter John Stossel, DJ Jaffe and Matthew Shapiro
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On April 13th, The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank in New York City held an event highlighting the release of former NAMI-NYS board member DJ Jaffe's new book "
Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill." NAMI-NYS's Associate Director for Public Affairs, Matthew Shapiro attended the event. Following DJ's presentation on how not enough is being done to treat those with serious mental illness (SMI), Matthew took part in a discussion on the importance of housing with wrap around services for people with SMI. The housing issue is one the Manhattan Institute has focused on. A few weeks ago we featured their report on the need for housing for those with SMI, which you can
click here to read.
DISCLAIMER: All the views contained in the book are those of Mr. Jaffee and do not reflect those of NAMI-NYS. While NAMI-NYS agrees with Mr. Jaffee that more investments must be made to expand services for individuals and families impacted by SMI and the need for Kendra's Law and housing is central to both the book and the
NAMI-NYS Action Agenda, however, NAMI-NYS feels that investments must be made to treat psychiatric disorders on all points of the spectrum. NAMI-NYS also does not share Mr. Jaffee's view of some of the other advocacy organizations mentioned in the book.
Just A Week Away from 2017 A Brighter Day Event
On Friday, April 21
st
, NAMI-NYS will be holding our 5th annual
A Brighter Day
event at Glennpeter Jewelers. This free event will feature complimentary food and a presentation by Dr. John Forsyth, a highly sought after teacher and trainer in the practical use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness practices to alleviate human suffering, awaken the heart and spirit, and to cultivate living well. He is also a professor of psychology and director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany. The event also raises funds for NAMI-NYS by having raffles (featuring gift certificates from some of the Capital Region's best restaurants among the prizes) and all the proceeds from the cash bar will be donated to NAMI-NYS as well.
Click here to learn more and click here to register.
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Infinity Mirrors, Blockbuster Beauty
NAMI CEO Mary Giliberti recently detailed the work of Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist, who voluntarily lives at a psychiatric hospital with her studio nearby. She experiences hallucinations that help to develop her artwork. One of her most popular exhibits called "Infinity Mirrors" has been on display at the Hirshhorn Museum. Mary suggests that Kusama has gained popularity because she "promotes a special kind of awareness - by getting a chance to see how someone with a mental illness views the world."
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Fears of Trump Reaction Waning as State Considers Medicaid Redesign
The Cuomo administration has decided to delay its plans to redesign the Medicaid program for children because of the possibility that the Trump administration could take this opportunity to overturn the entire Medicaid program. The state has been working on a Medicaid waiver for about six years that would produce new benefits and programs made for children.
When President Trump was elected, Jason Helgerson, state Medicaid director, pulled New York's pending waiver requests related to criminal justice and HIV and refused to submit the children's waiver. He believed that the Trump administration would try to use those requests as leverage so that they can impose ideas such as work requirements or mandatory drug testing.
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A Sound Mind Is a Sound Investment: Rosalynn Carter and Chirlane McCray
In a recent editorial, Former United States First Lady Rosalynn Carter and current New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray argue that early diagnosis and proper treatment are key factors in an individual's ability to recover from a mental illness and ease the financial burden of untreated mental illness. NAMI estimates that untreated mental illness in the U.S. costs more than $100 billion a year in lost productivity. This is why NAMI-NYS joins the first ladies in calling for more investments to provide swift recognition and treatment. More about first episode psychosis treatment can be found in the NIMH section.
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New Documentary Details First Episode Psychosis Treatment
A new documentary, Before Stage Four: Confronting Early Psychosis, produced by a PBS affiliate in Pittsburgh focuses on first episode psychosis (FEP) and the importance of early treatment. The film references the NIMH's Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) Early Treatment Program study (and its outcomes at minute 13:58). The documentary also mentions the impact of the Mental Health Block Grant set-aside funding for FEP. A large portion of the documentary tells the story of Paul Gionfriddo, the president and CEO of Mental Health America, and the issues his family has faced with schizophrenia. Click here to watch.
Join an NIMH Depression Study
Inpatient & Outpatient Studies investigating the brain and experimental medications (such as ketamine and diazoxide) to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms. Participation may include outpatient visits or inpatient stays of up to 12 weeks at the NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD. Procedures may include: tapering off current psychiatric medications, a medication-free period, oral or intravenous medication versus placebo, and brain scans. Participants must be ages 18 to 70 and free of serious medical conditions. There is no cost to participate. These studies may enroll eligible participants from across the USA. Travel arrangements and compensation are provided. Call about eligibility: 1-877-MIND-NIH and
click here for more information.
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2017 NAMIWalksNYS September 23rd
NAMI-NYS looks forward to building on the success of our inaugural NAMIWalks NYS. The 2017 NAMIWalks NYS will be taking place on Saturday, September 23rd, at Jennings Landing in Albany. You can
click here to start your team and/or donate to the walk.
Information on Other NAMIWalks in New York
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| 2017 NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign |
As May (which is Mental Health Awareness Month) is fast approaching, it is time to begin preparing for this year's NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign. The statewide campaign allows NAMI-NYS and our local affiliates to partner with businesses, local governments, police and fire departments and schools in spreading mental health awareness and letting people know that NAMI is a place to find help and find hope.
Click here to view a two-page brochure that details the campaign, which can be printed as a double-sided sheet to give to prospective ribbon campaign partners.
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The 2017 A Brighter Day event will be taking place on Friday, April 21st.
April 19- NAMI Rockland's April Education Meeting.
CREATING CARING CONGREGATIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
We will discuss with a panel of faith leaders in Rockland how faith communities can offer acceptance and support to families affected by mental health concerns.
DATE: April 19, 2017 (Rescheduled from March)
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Dr. Robert Yeager Health Center
50 Sanatorium Road, Bldg. F, Room 119, Pomona, NY 10970
Click Here for more information
.
April 24- NAMI Sullivan County Model Seder will be held Monday, April 24th at
5:00pm
at Stepping Stones, 20 Crystal Street, Monticello, NY. RSVP on or before Thursday, April 20
th
(845)794-1029
May 17th-NAMI Queens/Nassau will be holding their annual Faithnet event "Conversations with Clergy & Community" On EXPLORING FAITH, RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY as Resources for Individuals & Families Struggling with Mental Illness. The event begins 6:30 and will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock 48 Shelter Rock Rd., Manhasset, NY 11030.
All are welcome Please email Ellen Ritz at [email protected] by May 8 to register. Complimentary Lite Supper will be provided. Click here for more info.
May 18 - Annual Mental Health Conference Living With Stability and Dignity at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. The conference focuses on the challenges and need for housing with featured speakers Toni Lasicki, Executive Director, Association for Community Living, Ralph Fasano, Executive Director, Concern for Independent Living and Denise Bauer, Director, Beacon of Hope, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Program starts at 6 pm. Light dinner served. Building 4, 2nd Floor,1400 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY. RSVP 718-918-3906.
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2017 NAMI-NYS TRAINING SCHEDULE
Please contact your local affiliate program leaders for more information and how to enroll.
NAMI Homefront Teacher Training
May 20th-21st, 2017
Trainers: Pam Solomon & Jerry Burton
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
June 9th-11th, 2017
Trainers: Patti Sacher & Bonnie Goldberg
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
July 14th-16th, 2017
Trainers: Ann Canastra & Cheri Caiella
Location: Comfort Suite Cicero-Syracuse
NAMI Support Group Facilitator Training
June 3rd-4th, 2017
Trainers: Deniece Chi & Nancy Parker
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
June 3rd-4th, 2017
Trainers: Bill Perun & Chris Wasilenko
Location: NAMI Rochester Office
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
June 24th-25th, 2017
Trainers: Cynthia Scott & Lady Charmaine Day
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
October 20th-22nd, 2017
Trainers: Patti Sacher & Bonnie Goldberg
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
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