NOVEMBER 2018 E-NEWSLETTER

November 2018 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.

MAKE A PLAN TO #VOTE4MENTALHEALTH

Click here for NAMI NJ's article which is included in their latest newsletter.

HealthCare.gov is OPEN: How to buy safely

On Nov. 1, HealthCare.gov started its annual enrollment period for health insurance . If you don’t have health care coverage or you just need to renew your plan, make time to review your health plan options before open enrollment ends on December 15.

Some health plans may deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or don’t cover mental health care, but there is a way to play it safe and make sure you have mental health coverage in 2019.

Start at HealthCare.gov . All health plans on HealthCare.gov must cover mental health and substance use services at the same level as other health conditions.

Some plans on HealthCare.gov offer better options than others, so review the plans carefully. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people who sign up on HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help, which can lower your monthly premiums by about $50 to $100.

How should you choose your health plan?

Whether choosing insurance for the first time or reevaluating your current plan, keep these factors in mind:

Affordability. Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and/or co-insurance to make sure you have selected the best option for your health insurance needs. Consider not only how much you will pay each month in premiums but also how much you will pay in co-pays and co-insurance when you use services.
Availability of mental health professionals. Check to see if your mental health professional(s) and other health care providers are in a health plan’s network. If they are not, find out if the insurance plan will pay for out-of-network providers—and how much they will cover.
Coverage of prescription medications. Find a plan that covers any medication(s) you need to maintain your wellness.
Limits on mental health office visits. Check to see if a plan will cover the number of therapy visits you may need. You may also need to consider differences in inpatient and outpatient coverage.

Take action by December 15. Don’t risk not having health and mental health coverage in 2019.

Signing up for new coverage or renewing your plan takes as little as 10 minutes. Buy safely and get started now by going to HealthCare.gov .

CIRCLE OF CARE GUIDEBOOK

New Circle of Care Guidebook Assists Caregivers

Recently, NAMI partnered with the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) to create the Circle of Care guidebook , a new toolkit to provide resources and information to help friends, family and neighbors who care for an adult with a mental health condition. The guidebook is made up of fact sheets to assist caregivers with finding help for the specific challenges that were identified by mental health caregivers from across the US who participated in the first national study on mental health caregiving, the On Pins and Needles study.

"TEAM UP FOR HOPE" FUNDRAISER

Thanks to the Green Team's Vernon, NJ office and all those who donated to the annual charitable fundraiser. Donations are still being accepted. Click here to make a donation on Facebook.

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, November 6, 2018, 7:00-8:30 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 ( 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, excluding legal holidays)

For adults who have experienced mental health challenges.

Monday, November 12, 2018, 6:00-7:30 p.m.; and

Monday, November 26, 2018, 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, November 27, 2018, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Family Partners Community Center, 67 Spring Street, Newton, NJ

(Use Spring Street entrance)

PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress) Connection Support Group (4th Tuesday of every month)

For veterans, police and first responders recovering from post-traumatic stress as a result of their service.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 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, November 20, 2018, 7:00-9:00 p.m

Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Road, Newton, NJ

(For more information, call Toni at 973-786-5507 )

3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY COLLECTION FOR GREYSTONE PATIENTS

The board of NAMI Sussex invites you to contribute to a collection to bring holiday cheer to patients at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital. The following items below are requested for patients:

· Socks (all kinds) for men and women

· Underwear (with tags on) for men and women

· Bras (no wires), such as sports bras

· Women’s leggings

· Men’s sweatpants (no cords or strings)

ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE NEW & UNWRAPPED. ALL SIZES WELCOME – LARGE THROUGH 1X ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED.

Deliver to: Jeri Doherty at 32 Maple Tree Ln., Sparta, NJ, by Sunday 12/2 .

Please deliver between 7AM and 9PM any day of the week.

Items can be placed in a black bin located in or near the garage.

Monetary donations are also accepted for receipt by Thursday November 29 . We will purchase items from the list. Please mail your check payable to NAMI Sussex, P.O. Box 652, Sparta, NJ 07871 and write “Greystone collection” in the memo line.

For more info: Call 973-214-0632 or email nami.sussex@gmail.com .

"ENDING THE SILENCE" PROGRAM SEEKING PRESENTERS

The program has rolled out, with two presentations completed in October, and two more scheduled this month. Thanks to the presenters for their courage and vulnerability in sharing their stories, and impacting young lives.

We are still seeking both young adult and adult presenters. Young adult presenters are between the ages of 18-35 who are living well with a mental health condition. Click here for information about the program. Interested presenters can call 973-214-0632 or email nami.sussex@gmail.com.

Far left: Asst. Prosecutor Maggie Czykier; Far right: NJ Crisis Intervention Director Ed Dobleman

Sussex County CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Training

Eight law enforcement officers and six mental health agency representatives attended the week long CIT training held in October. One attendee is not pictured.

NAMI Sussex attendees included Jeri Doherty, Annette Hoffman (who also represented IFSS), and Bob Cubby.

FREE WEBINARS

Fri. 11/2 – NIMH Webinar: Coping Strategies for Anxious Kids, What Parents Need to Know , 12 – 1 pm, Dr. Erin Berman will discuss: how to identify an anxious child, how to change anxious thinking, the science and biological roots of anxiety in children, how computer technology is transforming the understanding of anxiety, and current treatment options. Register here.

Wed. 11/7 – NIMH Webinar: Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Irritability? 3 – 4 pm. 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. The webinar will cover common signs of severe irritability; how parents can help a child with severe irritability; what treatment options exist; and ongoing irritability research conducted at NIMH. Register here .

Thurs. 11/8 – NAMI’s Ask the Expert Webinar: Caregiving for People with Mental Illness, 4 – 5:30 pm. Register here .

NAMI Sussex

P.O. Box 652, Sparta, NJ 07871

Tel no. 973-214-0632

nami.sussex@gmail.com

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.

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