January 2019 Newsletter
NAMI Sussex envisions a community where those impacted by mental illness obtain the help, support and hope they require to achieve resiliency, recovery and wellness.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Photos from our annual New Year's Day party
NAMI Sussex Board of Trustees wishes its members and friends a happy 2019! Thanks to all our volunteers for their dedication and commitment.
SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS
NAMI Sussex has a newly-formed Nominating Committee, consisting of Jeri Doherty, Alicia Murch and Sheila Risley. This committee will be presenting a slate of candidates for the NAMI Sussex Board of Trustees this spring. If you think you might be interested in serving on the Board, please contact the Nominating Committee by emailing  nami.sussex@gmail.com  or calling 973-214-0632 no later than February 28. The committee will be delighted to talk to you about the responsibilities of Board membership.
"When Medicine Got It Wrong" - free film screening on Mon. Jan. 14th
The 53-minute film tells the groundbreaking story of how parents launched one of the nation’s fastest growing grassroots movements, forming Parents of Adult Schizophrenics in 1974, and eventually leading to the establishment of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Medicine now knows that recovery is achievable for the vast majority who receive treatment for mental illness.

The film will be shown at Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Rd., Newton, beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by discussion until 8:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. Pre-registration is not required.

Click here for flyer.
Free 12 week Family-to-Family Course
Starts Thurs. Feb. 21 in Franklin
The Spring 2019 NAMI Sussex Family-to-Family course will be held on Thursdays, 7:00-9:30 p.m., at Westy's Gymnastics, 18 Park Dr., Franklin beginning Thurs. Feb. 21 and ending Thurs. May 9.  This free evidence-based course can be a great help to anyone who has an older teen or adult loved one with mental illness.  

Course participants learn effective communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and how to manage their own stress in the caregiving role.  They learn the scientific facts about brain-based mental health conditions.  They find relief in knowing that they are not alone.  The teachers (family caregivers themselves) can connect class members with local treatment resources for the ill loved one, as well as ongoing family support services.  

Registration for the course is now open—call Michelle at  973-417-1783  or email  nami.sussex@gmail.com .  Class size is limited to 20.

Click  here  for flyer.
Free 12 week course for family & close friends of those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) starts Sun. Feb. 24 in Newton
THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER invites you to attend Family Connections, a 12 week research based course sponsored by NAMI Sussex at Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1 West Nelson Street, Newton, NJ 07860 beginning Sun. Feb. 24 and ending Sun. May 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

COURSE CONTENT includes: Education & Research on BPD, Skills training for families based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Relationship Mindfulness, Effective Communication, Validation and Development of a support network.

Register at:

Note: Space is limited and registration is first come, first serve.  This workshop is NOT open to people who suffer from BPD, only to family members and close friends.  The class is free. A voluntary $50 donation is requested.  No one will be turned away for financial reasons. For questions, contact Marcy at 845-258-8240.

Thanks to course teachers Marcy & Joe for bringing the course to Sussex County!

Click here for flyer.
LORD & TAYLOR CHARITY DAYS (JAN. 18 - 21) SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH
Shop at Lord & Taylor, Rockaway Townsquare Mall, Mt. Hope Rd. & Rte. 80, Rockaway, NJ from January 18-21, 2019 to support NAMI Sussex.

Shoppers will be able to support mental health with a donation of $5 for the purchase of a  Charity Days shopping pass , online or in-store. Using the pass, shoppers will receive 30% off most items, plus 15% off almost all beauty products. The full $5 donation will go to NAMI, with a portion to NAMI Sussex!

Click here for information. Thanks for your support!
FREE SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS - JUST SHOW UP!
NAMI Family Support and Information Meeting   (1st Tuesday of every month)
Support, information and referral for family members/friends who have a loved one with mental illness.
NO MEETING THIS MONTH. RESUMES IN FEBRUARY.
Newton Medical Center, 175 High St., Newton, NJ
(Enter through the main entrance and ask at the Reception Desk to be directed to the Emergency Department Conference Room .)

NAMI Connection Support Group  ( 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, excluding legal holidays)
For adults who have experienced mental health challenges.
Monday, January 14, 2019, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 28, 2019, 6:00-7:30 p.m. .
(followed by informal conversation from 7:30-8 p.m)
A Way to Freedom Wellness Center, 29 Trinity St, Newton, NJ 07860  
(Parking lot and entrance at rear of Mitchell Agency Building on the corner of Trinity and Moran Streets.)  

Parent/Guardian Support Group  (4th Tuesday of every month)
For parents/guardians of children and teens with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges, in collaboration with Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties.  
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Family Partners Community Center, 67 Spring Street, Newton, NJ
(Use Spring Street entrance)

For veterans, police and first responders recovering from post-traumatic stress as a result of their service.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Road, Newton, NJ 

Family-to-Family Alumni Support Group (3rd Tuesday of every month)
For those who have completed our Family-to-Family course.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 7-9 p.m.
Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Road, Newton, NJ  
(For more information, call Toni at  973-786-5507 )
Congrats to the latest Family-to-Family course graduates!
Congrats to all the participants who completed the course last month. Many thanks to teachers Paige and Michelle for teaching the course, and to Jeri for coordinating it. See above for details of the spring course starting on Thurs. Feb. 21.
FREE ONLINE EVENTS

Healing Autoimmune Disease - Jan. 7 - 28. Click here to register.

Fasting Transformation Summit - Jan. 14 - 20. Click here to register.

Winter of Wellness Summit - Jan. 14 - 18. Click here to register.

Mindful World Parenting Summit - Jan. 21 - 27. Click here to register.
2019 NAMI NATIONAL CONVENTION -
SEATTLE, WA FROM JUNE 19 - 22

Click here for information and registration.
NAMI Sussex
P.O. Box 652, Sparta, NJ 07871
Tel no. 973-214-0632
NAMI Sussex is an all-volunteer 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides support, education, and advocacy throughout the Sussex County, New Jersey area on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness.