June 19, 2017

 
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First, we hope that all the fathers reading this had a happy Father's Day yesterday. Traditionally, in the family movement there was an emphasis on the "NAMI Mommy," but as we know fathers play a crucial role in the recovery team. So it's important that we celebrate all the dads out there who help drive recovery and provide support. This edition tells the story of one such father, a NAMI-NYS boardmember who started a running event named after his son. 

This edition also comes on the heels of our kick-off party for our upcoming NAMIWalks. If you enjoy reading our E-News and appreciate all the education, support and advocacy NAMI-NYS delivers, then please click here to support our NAMIWalks NYS. 

Speaking of education, we are excited to announce the latest featured speaker at this year's NAMI-NYS Education Conference, Dr. Paul Margolies. Details about Dr. Margolies and his session on Self Care can be found below. On the topic of advocacy, this edition explains how NAMI-NYS recently took our advocacy message to New York State's Lieutenant Governor and you will find the latest federal 
Action Alert in the NAMI News section
 
As always, we want to know about the work you are doing. Please email  Matthew@NAMINYS.org 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. 


Hope Starts With You!
NAMI-NYS News

NAMI-NYS is thrilled to announce that Paul Margolies, PhD, Associate Director of the Center for Practice Innovation has been added as a featured presenter at our  2017 Education Conference - Engagement, Implementation, Intervention: Three Pronged Approach to Sustainable Mental Health Recovery. Dr. Margolies will be leading a session on Self-Care and Wellness Strategies for Individuals Living with a Mental Health Issue, Their Families and Caregivers on Saturday morning.  Dr. Margolies developed  Wellness Self-Management, a research informed approach that assists seriously mentally ill adults to manage symptoms and accomplish personally meaningful recovery goals.

Click here to view an updated overview of the conference agenda.
Click here to register. 

NAMI-NYS Exhibits at Early Care and Learning Council Event
and Meets With Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul with NAMI-NYS's Matthew Shapiro

On June 14th, NAMI-NYS participated in the Early Care and Learning Council's annual meeting. NAMI-NYS exhibited at the event which was comprised of leaders in the child care resource and referral network and after school programs from throughout the state. This was an opportunity to demonstrate how NAMI-NYS and affiliates can serve as a resource and build community partnerships with children's leaders. 

New York's Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was the event's keynote speaker. Following her presentation, NAMI-NYS Associate Director for Public Affairs Matthew Shapiro had the opportunity to talk with Lieutenant Governor Hochul. Matthew thanked her for the state's investment in the mental health workforce and explained the need for additional funding for housing with wrap around services. 

NAMI-NYS Holds NAMIWalks Kick-Off Party
Help Bail Staff and Supporters Out of Jail by
Supporting NAMIWalks NYS


On Saturday, June 17th NAMI-NYS held the kickoff party for team captains of our 2017 NAMIWalks NYS. The event was held at the Albany Barn and the party had a country/western theme. As part of the festivities walkers were put in "jail" where they could pose with pictures to be shared on social media to encourage friends and family to "bail them out" by donating to the walk. You can help "bail out" out walkers by clicking here to donate to the walk, start a team (we promise not to put you in jail if you do) or become a virtual walker. 

A great time was had by all attendees. Thank you to Walks Manager Heide Garner, staff and our volunteers Mary Beth Honsinger and Rick Garner for all the hard work to make the event a success. 

 NAMI Mid Hudson Participates in CIT Training
PEOPLE Inc's Steve Miccio, Don Kamin and NAMI MH's Pat Shaw and Faridah Nsubuga
 
Mid-Hudson continues to be instrumental in increasing mental health literacy in Dutchess County. NAMI Mid-Hudson, a partner in the Dutchess County Crisis intervention Committee, recently completed another CIT training with 25 graduates including State Troopers, Correction officers and School Resource Officers in Dutchess County. This training was offered by the Office of Mental Health under the direction of Don Kamin, Director of the Institute for Police, Mental Health and Community Collaboration. Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro's goal is to train all of Dutchess County law enforcement with CIT and or Mental Health First Aid within the next 18 months.

Tina Lee, Executive Director NAMI Mid-Hudson, Patricia Shaw, Director NAMI Mid-Hudson, and Faridah Nsubuga, Young Adult Advocate NAMI Mid-Hudson participated in this training.

  NAMI-NYS Hosts Family-to-Family Training 

NAMI-NYS congratulates all those who attended and completed the 3-day F2F teachers training last weekend. This training was held at the NAMI-NYS office in Albany, NY, with participants from NAMI-NYC Metro, NAMI Queens/Nassau, NAMI Orange County & NAMI Columbia County. We would also like to thank the state trainers, Patti Sacher & Bonnie Goldburg for their dedication and willingness to train such a wonderful group of volunteers. We at NAMI-NYS are looking forward to the future classes all our graduates will lead in the months and years to come,

NAMI-NYS Board Member Rob Laitman Holds Team Daniel's Third Annual Run for Hope

On June 11th, NAMI-NYS Board Member Rob Laitman, MD and his family held the Third Annual Team Daniel Run for Hope at   Byram Hills High School in Armonk. More than 100 people participated in the run named after Rob's son Daniel, who demonstrates that you can live a fulfilling life with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Speaking at the event was marathon great Dick Beardsley, who lost a son to suicide. All the proceeds go to NAMI, NAMI-NYS, NAMI Westchester and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. We thank Rob, the Laitman family and all who participated in the event for raising awareness and support for NAMI and brain research.

Click here  to read an article on the run from the Westchester Examiner.
Click here  to learn more about Team Daniel.

  
NAMI Queens/Nassau Holds Faithnet Event


NAMI Queens/Nassau recently held their third annual FaithNet event "Conversations with Clergy and Community on Exploring Faith, Religion and Spirituality as Resources for Individuals and Families Struggling with Mental Illness." Clergy from all faiths throughout Long Island and Queens came together to learn and explore ways to help and support congregants, families and their loved ones impacted by mental health issues.The event held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset had more than 100 faith leaders and community members attend.

Click here to read a full article by Linda Baron-Katz, Co-Chair of NAMI Queens/Nassau Faithnet Committee.

NAMI-NYS to Hold Second Bowling Fundraising Event


Following the success of May's Bowling for Hope event, NAMI-NYS will be holding Bowling for Hope Second Strike on July 21st from 6-8pm.

Come join us for another night of fun and friendship while supporting a great cause, the 2017 NAMIWalks NYS. The event will be taking place at the East Greenbush Bowling Center, 570 Columbia Turnpike East Greenbush, NY 12061.

Ticket prices are: $12.00 without shoe rental; $15.00 with shoe rental. For any questions or to purchase tickets in advance, please contact Heide Garner at (518) 462-2000 or heide@naminys.org.
NAMI News
Action Alert

NAMI Details the Importance of Advocacy: Staying United in the Face of Challenging Times
and the Need to Make Our Voices Heard in the Senate

Last week, NAMI CEO Mary Giliberti wrote a blog on the importance on staying united in our advocacy message. She states, "Advocacy has never been more important than it is today, as Congress considers an unprecedented assault on Medicaid, the backbone of services for people with the most serious mental illnesses. "

Click here to read Mary's full blog. 

This morning NAMI put out an Advocacy Alert stating:

The Senate is discussing a version of the American Health Care Act and may take action soon. They have a decision to make: protect mental health care or make devastating cuts to Medicaid.
 
Medicaid is the foundation of our community mental health system. It is the main provider of mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
 
Many in the Senate want to cap Medicaid (a fixed amount of federal funding per person). If Medicaid is capped, it will be harder for people to get psychiatric medications, case management and mental health services. And some people will lose their eligibility for Medicaid. 
 
Simply put, Medicaid caps would DEVASTATE mental health services.
  
Capping Medicaid would be a move in the wrong direction and push people with mental illness into costly emergency rooms, hospitals and jails.
  
We need more coverage for mental health care, not less.

Act today. Tell your Senators to take Medicaid caps off the table and protect mental health care. Click here to participate in NAMI's Advocacy campaign

NAMI and Mental Health Channel 
Detail Being Prepared for a Crisis

As part of NAMI's online resources for families and caregivers, Medical Director Ken Duckworth recently released a video about how to be prepared if a loved one with mental illness should be in crisis. First and foremost, Duckworth encourages being informed about your loved one's condition. Research the condition, and ask "what would I do?" for any issues that may come up. From there, develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan with your loved one, or for them if they are reluctant to work with you. Have the numbers for your loved one's therapist, your local crisis hotline, and coordinate with other family members who may be able to help. What medication is your loved one taking? What are his or her triggers? Does he or she have any allergies? In an emergency, this is information your loved one's providers will need. Of course, you can contact your local NAMI affiliate for support, information, and resources in your area. 

Click here  to watch Dr. Duckworth's presentation, and to read the article in full.


 

New York State News
New York Times Reports Social Interaction Is Critical for Mental and Physical Health
A recent New York Times article discussed some businesses' decision to place restrictions on the use of electronics such as smartphones. One such business is Café Grumpy in New York City, which does not offer free Wi-Fi. YMCA locations go so far as to ban personal electronics entirely. The reason behind these measures? These businesses want to encourage their patrons to interact with one another. Studies show that social isolation is a key contributor to physical illness. Indeed, a study of heart attack survivors by the New England Journal of Medicine found that those patients with strong support networks were only a quarter as likely to die in the three years after their heart attack as those without. In a world where the norm is to don headphones and listen to your favorite song on the bus to work, social isolation is far easier to accomplish. "Unplugging" their businesses allows the consumer to build traditional friendships, and to reap the health benefits of real-life social connections. You can read the entire New York Times article by clicking here.

Ellis Medicine Expands Capacity to Service Mental Health Needs in Capital Region
In a June 14 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ellis Medicine opened a new mental health center in Schenectady. Owing much to local philanthropic contributions, the facility on 1023 State St. uses an open floor plan to create an inviting environment. In addition to aesthetic improvements over Ellis's old facility, the State St. clinic boasts close to double its floor space. As a result, Ellis expects to reduce waiting periods, and the ability to hire and house more providers for services. Those looking to establish new care at Ellis can call (518) 243-3300 to learn more. Click here to read the full article from the Capital Chamber of Commerce.


National News
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Discusses Why Talking about Mental Health Is So Important 

 
According to NAMI, one in four Americans suffers from mental illness. This is a statistic that spans across genders and equally encompasses all racial and ethnic groups. In a recent article, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), co-sponsor of the landmark legislation
Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act,  speaks out regarding a disturbing ethnic divide in the treatment of mental illness. 

Even given the same incidence of mental illnesses, b lack men and women, respectively, are half as likely to seek treatment as their white counterparts. Johnson attributes this disparity to greater stigma in the Black community, less access to healthcare resources, and to distrust in the healthcare establishment. This is only compounded by the fact that individuals with mental illness, on average, die 25 years sooner than those without. As a nurse, and as a ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Johnson encourages Black communities to stand up against stigma.

Click here to read Rep. Johnson's full article. 

Billie Lourd Says Carrie Fisher Died of Drugs & Mental Illness

Billie Lourd, daughter of Star Wars actress and mental health advocate Carrie Fisher, released a statement to  People magazine stating that her mom died of drugs and mental illness. A coroner's report released Monday morning indicated that Ms. Fisher had cocaine in her system when she died.

Ms. Lourd said, "My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it. She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases. She talked about the shame that torments people and their families confronted by these diseases. I know my Mom, she'd want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles. Seek help, fight for government funding for mental health programs. Shame and those social stigmas are the enemies of progress to solutions and ultimately a cure. Love you Momby."

Click here to read more.

Addiction Doc Says: It's Not the Drugs. It's the ACEs - 
Adverse Childhood Experiences
In 28 years of treating patients suffering from addiction, Texas physician Daniel Sumrok made a profound realization: substance use is overwhelmingly linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Dr. Sumrok goes so far as to say that addiction may be a "normal" response to traumatic experiences in childhood. These experiences include physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, and even divorce.
As part of the intake process for his family practice, Dr. Sumrok gives a survey to his patients to determine their "ACE score." This series of ten "yes or no" questions, research has determined, greatly determines an individual's risk for addiction and other chronic diseases. Individuals with an ACE score of 4, roughly 12% of the general population, are 7 times as likely to develop alcoholism and 12 times as likely to attempt suicide. As a result, Dr. Sumrok treats patients suffering from addiction with dignity and respect. He uses individual and group therapy to address their experiences as a step in treatment. He works on the understanding that all of his patients have the potential to heal, and supports their efforts to do so.
Click here to read more.

NIMH News



NIMH Update

Click here to read the latest Update from NIMH.

Neuroimaging Technique May Help Predict Autism Among 
High-Risk Infants 

Functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) may predict which high-risk, 6-month old infants will develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age 2 years, according to a study funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), two components of the National Institutes of Health. The study is published in the June 7, 2017, issue of Science Translational Medicine.

Click here to read more. 


Watch Mental Health Now Featuring
NIMH's Dr. Robert Heinssen

Click here to watch the episode of the NAMI-NYS produced television program Mental Health Now featuring Dr. Robert Heinssen, , Director, Division of Services and Intervention Research, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The episode was recorded when Dr. Heinssen was one of the featured speakers at our 2016 Education Conference. In the episode, Dr. Heinssen discusses several NIMH initiatives, the road ahead with new director Dr. Joshua Gordon and how New York State took findings from the NIMH Recovery After Initial Schizophrenic Episode (RAISE) study to introduce the progressive early intervention program OnTrackNY.

Several NIMH Studies on Irritability in Children 
Looking for Recruits


Why study irritability? During the 1990s, there was a significant increase in the number of children being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After years of studies, NIMH researchers concluded that, although children with severe irritability were being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, severe irritability and bipolar disorder are not the same. However, irritability, like bipolar disorder, can be very impairing for children, and little is known about what causes it or how to treat it. Therefore, today, NIMH clinicians continue to investigate severe irritability and the related diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).

Children pass through many phases of development as they grow up. It can be hard to know if a child is going through normal development or showing signs of something more serious. Occasional outbursts are a normal outcome of being tired, uncomfortable, or frustrated. In some children, it can be chronic and explosive.

Children who enroll in NIMH studies have irritability that significantly impacts their functioning at home, in school and with other children.

Click here to learn more about the current studies and how to participate. 


NAMIWalks

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.  For more information you can email  heide@naminys.org.



Save the Dates

Click here to learn more and register for the 2017 NAMI-NYS Education Conference- Engagement, Implementation, Internvention: Three Pronged Approach to Sustainable Mental Health Recovery, taking place November 10-12 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.

JUNE 29- Capital District Psychiatric Center Family Services Presents:
An Overview of R.S.S. Crisis Diversion
& Stabilization Services
presented by
Jennifer Doret, LMHC
Thursday,  June 29, 2017 from  5:00 pm - 7:30 pm  in the CDPC Family Resource Center. For more information or to register contact:Frank Greco, Director of Family Services (518) 549-6816.
Click here for flyer



JULY 13- Capital District Psychiatric Center Family Services Presents:
"An Overview of Mental Health Services
in Albany County"
presented by
Tyleia Harrell, Behavioral Health Systems Manager
Thursday, July 13, 2017 from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm in the CDPC Family Resource Center. For more information or to register contact:Frank Greco, Director of Family Services (518) 549-6816.

 
July 21-NAMIWalks NYS Bowling for Hope Second Strike.Friday July 21st, 6p.m.-8 pm at the  East Greenbush Bowling Center,  570 Columbia Turnpike,  East Greenbush, NY 12061.Tickets are $12.00 without shoe rental and $15.00 with shoe rental. Please contact Heide Garner at (518) 462-2000/ heide@naminys.org to sign up.

JULY 27 Capital District Psychiatric Center Family Services Presents:
"An Overview of the
N.Y.S. Justice Center
for the Protection of
People with Special Needs"
Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm in the CDPC Family Resource Center. For more information or to register contact:Frank Greco, Director of Family Services (518) 549-6816.

Signature Programs

JULY 12 - NAMI Rochester Basics. Wednesdays, July 12th - August 16th 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at 320 N Goodman St., suite 102 Rochester NY. To register please contact NAMI Rochester at (585) 423-1593.

JULY 12-NAMI-NYC Metro Basics PROFESSIONAL CLASS (for professionals only). Wednesdays, July 12th - August 16th at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi at    (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org.

JULY12-NAMI Central Suffolk Basics. Wednesday evenings July 12th- August 23rd from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm at the Farmingville Mental Health Clinic, 15 Horseblock Place, Farmingville, NY 11738. Registration is required. Contact: Andrea Stolz, astolz@fsl-li.org (631) 223-5030. 

SEPTEMBER 6-NAMI Rochester Family-to-Family. Wednesdays, September 6th -November 29th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm. NAMI Rochester Office, 320 N. Goodman Street, Suite 103, Rochester, NY 14607. Contact Beth Winslow-D'Amico at (585) 423-1593 or beth@namirochester.org.

SEPTEMBER 12-NAMI-NYC Metro Basics. Tuesdays, September 12 - October 17, 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm at    505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.   To register contact Deniece Chi at (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org.

SEPTEMBER 13- NAMI-NYC Metro Basics (SPANISH SPEAKING). Wednesdays, September 13th-October 18th, 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org. 

SEPTEMBER 14-NAMI-NYC Metro Basics. Thursdays, September 14th- October 19th 10:00 am-12:30 pm at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi at (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org.

NOVEMBER 1-NAMI-NYC Metro Basics. Wednesdays, November 1st-December 6, 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi (212)684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org.

NOVEMBER 2-NAMI NYC Metro Basics. Thursdays, November 2nd - December 7th, 10:00 am-12:30 pm at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi at (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org. 

NOVEMBER 3-NAMI-NYC Metro Basics (SPANISH SPEAKING) Fridays, November 3rd - December 8th, 10:00 am-12:30 pm at 505 8th Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018.  To register contact Deniece Chi at (212) 684-3365 x 203 / parent@naminyc.org. 


 
2017 NAMI-NYS TRAINING SCHEDULE
Please contact your local affiliate program leaders for more information and how to enroll.
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
June 24th-25th, 2017
Trainers: Cynthia Scott & Lady Charmaine Day
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
July 14th-16th, 2017
Trainers: Ann Canastra & Cheri Caiella
Location: Comfort Suite Cicero-Syracuse
NAMI Homefront Teacher Training
September 16th-17th 2017
Trainers: Pam Solomon & Jerry Burton
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



To have your events and Signature Programs listed in the E-Newsletter contact Christine Rickeman at christine@naminys.org.   

NAMI-NYS | 99 Pine Street Suite 105| Albany, New York 12207 | (518) 462-2000