Dear NAMI members and friends,

We've had a busy summer!

At the end of 2016 Adrienne Brady, our Board President, finished serving the second of her two, three year terms as president. Lisa Wilt stepped into the President's position but unfortunately resigned from her post six months later. The Board rallied and at the August Board meeting I was nominated for president and unanimously approved. Valerie Holcombe was nominated and approved for the position of vice-president and Nancy Keswani was nominated and approved for the position of secretary/treasurer.

This year we had our first parking lot fund raiser/outreach at the Garden Jubilee with First Citizens Bank. On that weekend we parked more than 300 cars! Thanks again, First Citizens Bank and everyone who helped make it a success!

We missed out this year at the Apple Festival after having our NAMI booth there in 2015 and 2016. We compete with other non-profits, in a lottery, for the limited number of allocated non-profit spaces. We hope to have better luck in 2018 as it is an excellent opportunity to let people know we are here and what we do.

Belk called last week and we are already preparing for the Fall Belk Charity Sale which starts two weeks before the sale day of Saturday, November 4th. This event is perhaps our best opportunity for outreach: letting the community know what we do. We are looking for more volunteers for 2 hour seatings starting at 10:00 AM each day.      
This is easy volunteer work which anyone can do. I can walk you through it, so don't be shy. Give me a call 845-742-2751, thanks.

Today, thanks to better early detection, there are 63% fewer deaths from heart disease than there were just a few decades ago. Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, wonders:

Could we do the same for depression and schizophrenia? The first step in this new avenue of research, he says, is a crucial reframing: for us to stop thinking about "mental disorders" and start understanding them as "brain disorders."

Bob Andersen, founder of NAMI Four Seasons and Family Support Group Facilitator, is on the membership page of NAMI North Carolina, NAMI North Carolina Membership

Bob's quote and photo will also be featured at the NAMI North Carolina Annual Conference which begins Friday, October 13, 2017.

NAMI North Carolina Annual Conference

We at NAMI Four Seasons are grateful to Bob for not only forming NAMI Four Seasons to help families with loved ones affected by mental illness, but for being a concerned and avid supporter for the mentally ill and their families. Thank you, Bob!

Representatives from agencies will be on hand to discuss physical, mental and behavioral health care needs and concerns.

Information topics will include healthy aging, exercise, nutrition and mental health.

At 3 p.m., Amy McCall from the Department of Public Health will present a Kid Fit program of fun, nutritional exercises for children.

For more information contact Marcie Dowling, marketing and digital strategy librarian:
 
828-697-4725 ext. 2320 or mdowling@henderson.lib.nc.us

Please join us and your fellow Polk County community members on Tuesday, October 24th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm to hear fromguest speakers and experts in the field of substance misuse, addiction, treatment, and recovery.  Lunch will be provided as you and your fellow participants help to develop community strategies to address the growing epidemic.

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners has issued a statewide request that all 100 counties organize and host community-wide forums concerning the epidemic of substance misuse and addiction facing our neighborhoods, schools, and families.  We have assembled a panel of expert speakers to cover the various topics (see agenda below) that will help participants create several solutions for the county.

Without your assistance we may miss valuable input into this process.  Be a voice for change that helps our neighbors overcome this crisis.

Agenda

Our Shared Interests in Solutions

CALL TO ACTION: COMMUNITY STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE

Presentation Partners

Polk County Commissioners, Polk County Human Services Agency, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Rutherford Polk McDowell Health Department, Polk County Schools, RHA Health Services, Vaya Health Services, Polk County Government, Columbus Police Department.

HIPAA and the Family Crisis:

Teamwork within the Mental Health Care System

Tuesday, October 24th 2017 

6 to 8 p.m. 

 

 

Transylvania Regional Hospital 

Carlson Conference Room   

260 Hospital Dr, Brevard, NC 28712

One particular issue facing those with a mental illness and their families is communication between the family and the provider. The person with mental illness is sometimes reluctant to talk to anyone other than the provider. The family wants to be included, as it is with any other Illness, but often feels restricted by the HIPAA laws.

There are ways for a families to be part of the solution, and these will be addressed in the panel presentation on October 24th. Co-sponsored by Nami-TA and Fresh Start Behavioral Health Department of Transylvania Regional Hospital, the program will offer opportunities for the audience to ask pertinent questions regarding these issues.

 

Panel members will be:

• James Wright and MD, Emergency Department, Transylvania Regional Hospital
• Britt Peterson MD, Psychiatry Transylvania Regional Hospital
• Judith West ACSW, LCSW, Sylvan Valley Counseling
• Emily Townes, MS, LPC, Brevard Health Center

 

Please join us Tuesday October 24th 2017 6 to 8 p.m. in the Carlson Conference Room of the Transylvania Regional hospital.

 

Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.

Support Groups in Henderson & Polk Counties