Quick Links
Click here to watch the latest episode discussing PTSD and featuring author Diane Cameron
|
|
|
|
It's been really busy here at NAMI-NYS as we gear up for Mental Health Awareness Month, our Ribbon Campaign and the final third of the le
gislative session. This is why this
edition of the NAMI-NYS E-News is coming to you a little late. This issue contains information about the controversy surrounding the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why, along with information on how to discuss the show and suicide. We also have more
details about the upcoming What's Great in Our State event, and a summary of the advocacy event being held by NAMI Queens/Nassau.
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.
|
NAMI Queens Nassau Holds Successful Advocacy Event
|
|
|
Top (L to R) NAMI-NYS Board Members Jayette Lansbury and Ariel Coffman, Lorenzo Steele, NAMI Queen/Nassau President Janet Susin, NAMI-NYS Board Member Ellen Ritz, NAMI Queens/Nassau Advocacy Chair David Sills, Matthew Shapiro, representatives from Assemblywoman Sollages and Senator Kaminsky.
|
On Wednesday, April 19
th
, NAMI Queens/Nassau held a town hall style advocacy event-
Working to Pass the NAMI-NYS Legislative Action Agenda
. The well-attended event as Zucker Hillside Hospital featured NAMI-NYS Associate Director for Public Affairs Matthew Shapiro, who explained the outcomes from the state budget agreement, lessons learned from the past few months which have seen NAMI-NYS addressing issues on both the state and federal level and detailed the issues comprising our Legislative Action Agenda along with specific legislation we are supporting.
The second part of the event featured Lorenzo Steele, a visual artist and retired Rikers Island Corrections Officer, who spoke of his experience working in the prison and explaining the reforms he feels are necessary to improve mental health conditions in the correctional system.
The final part of the evening involved a town hall discussion and question and answer period with six legislative staff members including Rebecca Sheehan, Chief of Staff to Senator Tony Avella and Lead Counsel to the Children and Families Committee. Staffers offered very good suggestions on how to effectively advocate. Matthew also discussed other ways to increase government's familiarity with NAMI affiliates including inviting them to events and asking them to participate in the NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign.
|
|
Watch Mental Health Now and Register for
What's Great in Our State:
A Celebration of Mental Health Awareness
Click here to watch the latest episode of the NAMI-NYS produced television show Mental Health Now. This episode focuses on children's mental health issues and the upcoming What's Great in Our State event. Guests on the show are:
- 2016 honoree, Katherine Wallace, President, NAMI at Emma Willard
- Susan E. Perkins, Senior Associate for Early Childhood Initiatives, The NYS Council on Children and Families
- Jessica Klos, Director of Policy & Community Education, Early Care and Learning Council
- Brad Hansen, Public Policy Coordinator, Families Together in New York State.
There is still time to register for What's Great in Our State-A Celebration of Children's Mental Health Awareness, taking place Tuesday, May 2nd, at the New York State Museum's Huxley Auditorium from 2-5pm. This free event will feature two NAMI-NYS members. Beth Ramme is one of this year's honorees for adapting the NAMI Basics program to have it offered to professionals and Joseph Fusaro, one of our most prolific young adult presenters, will be giving the young adult voice of recovery address at the event.
NAMI-NYS Continues to Educate on Paid Family Leave
As New York is Nine Months Away from Implementation
New York is nine months away from implementing Paid Family Leave. This was one of NAMI-NYS's priority issues during the 2016 legislative session. The initiative will benefit many NAMI-NYS families, as caregivers will no longer have to sacrifice employment and salary to care for a loved one during critical periods in their recovery from a mental illness. NAMI-NYS recently submitted comments on how the program will be regulated, which you can click here to read.
We also want to make sure everyone knows how the law will work. The state has created a number to get information:
844-337-6303. The information line is operated from 8:30am - 4:30pm ET, Monday - Friday. You can also visit
www. ny.gov/paidfamilyleave
.
Help us spread the word about Paid Family Leave, click here to view a social media guide to getting the message out.
NAMI Rochester Participates in the Discussion on 13 Reasons Why
NAMI Rochester special event coordinator Kristina Mossgraber participated in an interview on local NPR radio show Connections this week, discussing the new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. The wildly popular and highly controversial show about a girl who takes her own life, based on a book of the same title, has sparked discussion in youth and adults alike. The radio segment includes quotes from supporters and critics, addresses the tough topics around the show and topic and details how NAMI can help.
You can read more about the controversy surrounding 13 Reasons Why as well as a guide on how to discuss the issue of the show and suicide in the National News section. .
NAMI Rensselaer Completes Basics Class
NAMI Rensselaer is happy to announce the completion of the NAMI Basics class which was taught at the NAMI-NYS office. The class was led by Mary Crowley and Paul Klein. Attendees say the course was a great experience for all and many new friendships were made.
|
Don't Get Crushed by Anxiety
NAMI recently took a look at dating when you have an anxiety disorder. When it comes to dating, anxiety can play a big part in the situation. It can enhance some of our fears like rejection, being judged and getting emotionally wounded. Online dating has its own set of issues. You can screen people before you meet them but, there is a chance that the person isn't even real. Also, there are a set of unspoken rules that many individuals don't know about that can be intimidating. With all of these difficulties you need to make sure that your mental health is maintained when attempting to form intimate relationships with others. Even if you suffer from a mental illness, dating isn't hopeless.
Click here to read more.
|
Governor Cuomo Announces $6.5 Million
to Expand Mental Health Services
Governor Cuomo this week announced a $6.5 million investment to pediatric and family medical practices across New York to improve the mental health services for children. The funding will allow 17 health centers to integrate the HealthySteps program. Healthy Steps incorporates a child and family developmental professional into pediatric and family medicine offices to aid in identifying, monitoring, and addressing behavioral or developmental health concerns in young children.
On this investment New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan stated, "This early access to behavioral health support provides opportunities to address social-emotional well-being for the youngest of our children and at a most critical time in brain development. This program can provide guidance and support, but it goes beyond that to really educate parents on how to support their child's development and build secure attachments. It really incorporates the entire family into the healthcare conversation."
Civil Service jobs available with the NYS Office of Mental Health
Over the next few years, the Office of Mental Health expects to hire SEVERAL HUNDRED Mental Health Therapy Aides across the state. Even if you missed the deadline to file for the Civil Service exam, you may still qualify through the 55-b and 55-c programs. 55-b and 55-c provide opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability, or a veteran, you may want to consider applying for the 55-b/55-c programs. Click here for a resource packet on these programs.
If you are approved for 55-b/55-c status, there is no civil service exam to take, but you must meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Click here to visit the website.
New Dutchess Center Offers 24/7, Walk-In Mental Health and Drug Abuse Services
Dutchess County has opened up a "stabilization center" that gives 24/7 help to anyone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance abuse issue. The center is staffed by trained professionals who help youths, adults and families dealing with addictions, intoxication, family issues, and emotional distress like anxiety and depression. The center is completely voluntary, allowing anyone to come in at any time without having an appointment. They are able to stay up to 23 hours at a time and then will receive a follow-up care and monitoring from the staff.
|
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding 13 Reasons Why and to Properly Respond When Asked
As we detailed in the NAMI-NYS News section,
13 Reasons Why
is the newest and most popular show on Netflix. While some praise the show as a way to start a conversation on mental health and suicide awareness, many experts are concerned that it may be introducing the subject in an inappropriate manner that would give viewers the wrong impression.
Suicide is the 10
th
leading cause of death in the U.S. Many advocates are concerned that 13 Reasons Why romanticizes suicide and criticize the show as one extended suicide note demonstrating that all your problems could go away by killing yourself and that suicide can be a way to take revenge on people.
We also want to make sure that our readers have information and talking points about the show and the issue of how to responsibly discuss suicide.
Click here to view the resource created by Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) and the Jed Foundation to address the show and suicide-related content.
|
Estrogen Alters Memory Circuit Function in Women with Gene Variant. Hormone-Gene Interaction may Underlie Sex/Individual Differences in Mental Disorders
Fluctuations in estrogen can trigger atypical functioning in a key brain memory circuit in women with a common version of a gene, NIMH scientists have discovered. Brain scans revealed altered circuit activity linked to changes in the sex hormone in women with the gene variant while they performed a working memory task.
The findings may help to explain individual differences in menstrual cycle and reproductive-related mental disorders linked to fluctuations in the hormone. They may also shed light on mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in onset, severity, and course of mood and anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.
Click here to read more.
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.
|
|
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
|
| 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.
|
Click here to register for What's Great in Our State-A Celebration of Children's Mental Health Awareness. May 2nd, 2-5pm New York State Museum, Huxley Auditorium.
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.
|
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
|
|
|
