MAY 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.
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
On Wed., May 15, the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will read a proclamation designating May as Mental Health Month. The proclamation will be read and presented at 7PM at their open public meeting in the Sussex County Administration Building, 1 Spring St., Newton, first floor. County Mental Health Administrator Cindy Armstrong encourages NAMI Sussex members and other mental health advocates in the county to attend in order to impress upon the Freeholders how much their support for mental health awareness programs and treatment services matters to the residents of Sussex County.
The WhyCare? campaign is an opportunity to share the importance of mental health treatment, support and services to the millions of people, families, caregivers and loved ones affected by mental illness and a challenge to address broken systems and attitudes that present barriers to treatment and recovery.

Care has the power to make a life-changing impact on those affected by mental health conditions.
Through our own words and actions, we can shift the social and systemic barriers that prevent people from building better lives.

WhyCare?
Care is a simple 4-letter word, but a powerful way to change lives for people affected by mental illness. It’s an action. It’s a feeling. It’s a gift we give to ourselves and to each other. People feel loved when someone cares. People feel heard when someone cares. People recover when someone cares. Society changes when people care. Entire systems change when people care. 

  • 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition.
  • 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in the U.S. lives with a serious mental illness.
  • 43.8 million adults in the U.S. face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness.
  • Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.

“NAMI believes that providing education and support—and advocating for better care and treatment—is critical to getting people on a path of recovery ,” said Angela Kimball, Acting CEO of NAMI. “This year, during Mental Health Month in May, we’re asking you to tell us why you care using the hashtags #WhyCare and #NAMIcares to join the conversation with examples of what you are doing personally or in your community.”

For additional information about Mental Health Month and to access  WhyCare?  resources, please visit   nami.org/WhyCare .

Click here for mental health screening tools.
Two sport events benefiting NAMI NJ & NAMI Sussex
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.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 7-9 p.m.
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   *** ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ***
For adults who have experienced mental health challenges.

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, May 28, 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, May 28, 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, May 21, 2019 from 7-9 p.m.
Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Road, Newton, NJ  
(For more information, call Toni at  973-786-5507 )
NAMI SUSSEX MEETINGS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES  -  Mon. May 6th  , 6:30-9:00 p.m., at Family Partners of Morris and Sussex, 67 Spring St., Newton. Any member may request to attend by contacting President Annie Glynn by email (nami.sussex@gmail.com) or phone (973-214-0632) by Fri. May 3rd.

GENERAL   -  Mon. May 13th , 7 - 9 p.m. at Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Rd., Newton. Open to all. Meeting will include a free screening of the documentary film Depression: Out of the Shadows (see Free Community Events below).

Any member who would like to request copies of minutes from any previous General or Board meeting may do so by emailing nami.sussex@gmail.com.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NAMI Sussex held its annual meeting on Mon. April 8th. Door prizes were awarded, the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget was adopted, and President Annie Glynn thanked the volunteers who have donated their time and talent in helping NAMI Sussex accomplish its mission.

In addition, the following nominees were elected to the Board of Trustees for two year terms - Annette Hoffman, Robert Cubby and Charles Cantelmo.  The officers who will serve until the next annual meeting in April 2020 are: President - Annie Glynn, Vice President - Mary Anne McInerney, Secretary - Annette Hoffman and Treasurer - Jeri Doherty.

Photo (left to right): Mary Anne McInerney, Annie Glynn, Jeri Doherty, Annette Hoffman, Robert Cubby, Charles Cantelmo
FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS
DEPRESSION: OUT OF THE SHADOWS - Free documentary film screening sponsored by NAMI Sussex. Monday May 13, 2019 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Rd, Newton, NJ . Personal narratives dominate this beautifully photographed PBS documentary, allowing those who suffer from depression to tell us their stories with intense emotional honesty, conveying how devastating and disabling the symptoms can be.  Doctors, therapists and researchers discuss the various forms of depression with clarity, compassion and scientific rigor.  

By weaving together the science and treatment of depression with intimate portrayals of families and individuals coping with its wide-ranging effects, the film raises awareness, eliminates stigma, and ultimately provides hope that professional treatment works and people do recover. A brief guided discussion will follow the showing of the film. Click here for flyer.

INTO THE LIGHT - Free documentary film screening co-sponsored by Sussex County Division of Community & Youth Services and NAMI Sussex. Thursday May 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.. at Hopatcong Community Resource & Wellness Center, 47 Hopatchung Road, Hopatcong, NJ 07843. The film focuses on Brendan O’Toole, a  Marine veteran, and his struggle to assimilate back into society after returning from war, and Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour, as she comes to the realization that she needs to share her own story.
Ultimately this is a film about trust...the trust we put in one another so we can feel safe to tell our stories. The film’s purpose is simple and direct: to serve as a conversation starter for people to change the culture around mental health, mental illness and emotional well-being. The screening will be followed by a guided discussion with the audience to explore and share thoughts, feelings and experiences as they relate to the stories presented in the film.

One or two members of our community living with mental health conditions will also share their personal stories of recovery and hope.   Community resources will be provided, with an emphasis on resources for veterans coping with Post-traumatic Stress.
Click here for flyer.

For other events in NJ, click here.
NAMI BASICS TEACHERS BECOME STATE TRAINERS
Congratulations and thanks to NAMI Sussex members and Basics teachers, Lauren Capaci and Kelly Brooks, for becoming state trainers for NAMI Basics, a free 6-session course for parents/family caregivers of children (2-18) with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.

Lauren and Kelly are both dedicated to bringing NAMI Basics to other affiliates, and helping other families.
SENIOR REACH - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Senior Reach is designed to reach socially isolated seniors in need of services to combat declining mental health. 

You can train to become a community partner (a trained volunteer who outreaches vulnerable older adults in the community) or call center volunteer. Contact NORWESCAP Skylands RSVP at 973-784-4900 ext. 3503 . Click here for flyer.
FREE ONLINE EVENTS
SAMHSA's Awareness Day 2019: Suicide Prevention: Strategies That Work , will serve as a launch for activities being held across the country on National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, which will be observed nationwide on Thursday, May 9.  Click here on May 9 for livestream from 3 - 5 p.m. ET.

The Food Revolution Summit - Through May 5. Click here to register.

The Power of Meditation Summit - May 1- 10. Click here to register.

You Can Heal Your Life Summit - May 4 - 20. Click here to register.

Reclaim Your Body Summit - May 6 - 12. Click here to register.

Happily Family Online Conference - May 16 - 20. Click here to register.

Digital Dementia Summit - May 20 -26 - Click here to register.
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.