NAMI NH ENews | August 17, 2020 |
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Listen Up to Win!
Contest time! Register for NAMIWalks NH Your Way by 8/28 at midnight and be entered to win this pair of AirPods. Participants who have raised $25+ will have an additional entry. All previous registrants are eligible for this contest.
Register now at www.NAMIWalksNH.org. We know the collective mental health needs of individuals, families, and our communities are great and will continue to grow in the coming months. Our programs and advocacy are needed now more than ever. In the wake of the pandemic, the support services, education programs, suicide prevention trainings, and advocacy provided by NAMI NH will be essential for Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. You can help by joining us as a virtual walker, fundraising for NAMI NH, and raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.
Thank you to our generous NAMIWalks NH Your Way sponsors!
Click here for our Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities and click here for our 2020 Sponsorship Benefits.
GOLD SPONSORS
Alkermes
General Federation of Women's Clubs - NH (FACE MASK SPONSOR)
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (FACE MASK SPONSOR)
Palmer Gas & Oil/Lamprey Energy
SILVER SPONSORS
Cross Insurance
St. Mary's Bank (DOG COSTUME CONTEST SPONSOR)
NH Community Behavioral Health Association
START/FINISH LINE SPONSOR
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
BRONZE SPONSORS
Sam's Club #6386 (Concord)
WestBridge
Seacoast Mental Health Center (DAY OF HOPE AUCTION SPONSOR)
New Hampshire Hospital Association/Foundation for Healthy Communities
NH Healthy Families
Well Sense Health Plan
SUPPORTER SPONSORS
AmeriHealth Caritas
Walmart #1753 (Derry)
Walmart #6352 (Hudson)
Walmart #2130 (Portsmouth)
Walmart #2057 (Rindge)
Riverbend Community Mental Health
KILOMETER SPONSORS
Edward Jones - Goffstown
In Honor of the NH State Police - Major (Ret.) Russell Conte
Manchester Comprehensive Treatment Center
NFI North
MEDIA SPONSORS
iHeart Media NH
CG Studios
OUTFRONT Media
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Listening Session: August 25th
Are you passionate about strengthening and supporting the children's behavioral health system in NH? We want to hear from you! Join us on August 25th at 6 pm and let us know what policies you would like us to address in the coming year.
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NH Hospital Update on Philbrook Adult Transitional Housing (PATH)
The Philbrook Adult Transitional Housing (PATH) unit is slated to open in September with 16 beds:
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Ballot by Mail
Want to #Vote4MentalHealth this fall but have health conditions or concerns about in-person voting? This easy-to-follow, nonpartisan video takes NH residents through the steps to request a ballot by mail for both primary (9/8) & general (11/3) elections.
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HB 687 Vetoed
NAMI NH was disappointed by the veto of HB 687, a bill we strongly supported as a mechanism to help prevent suicide.
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Help us make sure mental health counts!
Participate in the 2020 census so our community gets the resources it needs to support people with mental illness. Visit www.nami.org/census to learn more.
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Click here to see NAMI NH's 2020 legislative priorities, read our testimony, track bills, sign up for public policy alerts, and more.
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NH Medicaid Care Management Program
Annual Open Enrollment: Aug. 1st - 31st
For Medicaid Managed Care plan members:
- Open enrollment is August 1 through August 31, 2020.
- If a member chooses to change Health Plans during open enrollment, coverage by the new Plan is effective September 1, 2020.
- If a member chooses to stay with current Health Plan, no action is needed during open enrollment and coverage will continue with the current Plan.
- There are three Health Plans to choose from - AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, NH Healthy Families, and Well Sense Health Plan.
If Medicaid Managed Care plan members have questions or would like more information, contact the Medicaid Service Center (NH Only) at 1-888-901-4999 (TDD Access: 1-800-735-2964), Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET.
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Today in NH Emergency Departments... |
23 children and 46 adults (42 in EDs, 4 in correctional facilities) are waiting for psychiatric hospital care.
NAMI NH can connect those impacted by long ED waits with information, resources and support. Learn more. |
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NAMI NH is very concerned by the rising number of individuals in mental health crisis being boarded in Emergency Departments while waiting for inpatient beds. We have been working with hospitals, mental health centers/providers, and state leaders to better understand the situation and to identify short- and long-term solutions.
COVID-19 has dramatically slowed the ability of hospitals to discharge individuals needing residential placements – especially youth. Locating appropriate housing for adults has also been challenging.
The NH Department of Health and Human Services is on track to open the Philbrook Adult Transitional Housing (PATH) program with 16 beds in September 2020, with an additional 25 beds added by June 2021.
If folks are experiencing anxiety, depression, or signs of other mental health conditions, it’s important to seek help now – from a primary care provider, local mental health center, or other provider. Please don’t wait until the situation escalates into a crisis.
NAMI NH will continue to post ED boarding data via social media on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will share additional information about this situation as it becomes available.
Find your local community mental health center:
To connect with (non-crisis) resources & support in the Granite State, contact NAMI New Hampshire's Info & Resource Line at info@NAMINH.org or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
NAMI NH shares ED boarding posts to our social media on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the most recently available data.
NAMI NH continues to make ED boarding a top priority of advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide.
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NAMI NH Advocacy Sponsor:
General Federation of Women's Clubs
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The General Federation of Women's Clubs made a $10,000 donation to support NAMI NH's advocacy efforts. This donation is part of the President's Project to Nurture Good Mental Health Through Awareness, and made possible through the Candia Community Woman's Club and their "In the Bag" fundraising. Throughout the year, clubs around the state will work with NAMI NH to raise awareness and funds.
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(Associated Press)
(Politico)
(InDepth NH)
(Time)
(Roll Call)
(USA Today)
(The Hill)
(National Public Radio)
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Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the NH Department of Health & Human Services, and Governor Sununu, NAMI NH is extending the suspension of all in-person support group meetings, classes, presentations, and trainings through August 31, 2020.
During this period of physical distancing, the NAMI NH team is working hard to stay socially connected to Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
To connect with resources & support, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at info@NAMINH.org or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
Current and upcoming virtual offerings include a Family-to-Family course (starting in September), monthly webinar series on First Episode Psychosis/Early Serious Mental Illness, additional offerings in the Side-by-Side Lunch & Learn series, twice weekly Yoga & Meditation, a roundtable discussion on older adult mental health, and much more.
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Suicide Prevention Resources |
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Thank You, July Facebook Fundraisers!
Thank you to the many generous folks who hosted Facebook Fundraisers for NAMI New Hampshire in July. You raised an astounding $3,169! Because of you, and the kindness of those who gave in your honor, Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide will continue to receive help and hope.
It’s easy to get in on the Facebook fundraising fun – and, as an added bonus, there are no fees from Facebook to either the donor or to NAMI NH from these fundraisers! If you have questions or need guidance, please contact us at development@NAMINH.org.
Thank you for sharing your Facebook fundraiser contributions with NAMI NH and those we serve. We are honored to do this work alongside you and are grateful for your steadfast support.
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Despite the current situation, we want to share some key changes for the 2020 tax filing year that may be beneficial to you and your family during these difficult times.
The U.S. Congress has passed the CARES Act to provide economic assistance and there are some important changes that may make a difference for you this year.
Additional Income Tax Charitable Deduction: You can deduct up to $300 above the standard deduction for individuals in charitable contributions. This is for everyone, even if you have no other itemizations.
No "RMDs" from your IRA, but Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are still a smarter way to give: For individuals with IRA accounts, there are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) this year. However, giving pre-tax funds out of your IRA will still lower your future tax burden compared to giving cash. If you are interested in this method of giving, please contact your IRA custodian for more information.
We hope you find this information useful as you make important decisions about how to best support NAMI NH and other charities this year. If you have any further questions about the CARES Act or just want to reach out, please contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development or call 603-225-5359 ext. 350.
We are grateful for your steadfast and generous support of NAMI NH.
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NAMI NH Corporate Sponsor Partners
NAMI New Hampshire is grateful to our Corporate Sponsors and Members for their steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. #hopestartswithyou
For information on Corporate Sponsorship, or to discuss additional partnership opportunities, contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development, at kwelch@NAMINH.org or 603.235.5359 x350.
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NAMI NH's Online Groups
NAMI New Hampshire offers four unique online groups - they're places to find peer support, share experiences, offer encouragement, and pass along resources. Click each link below to learn more and request membership.
Don't hesitate to contact info@NAMINH.org or call 1-800-242-6264 with any questions.
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Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire
Storytime with NAMI NH is back from vacation! Be sure to tune in weekly for new episodes.
August stories are focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) Mental Health.
NAMI NH's BIPOC Mental Health Resources webpage is curated in support of community members who are Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color – and to forward the cause of anti-racism.
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OnwardNH.org is home to a wealth of information, videos, resources, and personal stories about first episode psychosis (FEP) and early serious mental illness (ESMI) in the Granite State - from the perspectives of individuals, family members, educators, and practitioners. The website now also features an Education page, where you can access videos from the FEP webinar series, including those highlighted below.
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Understanding and Supporting Individuals Experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis and Their Loved Ones — Ideas for Clinicians and Researchers
Dr. Shirley Glynn, PhD, UCLA
NH FEP Series #2 – July 16, 2020
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Identifying First Episode Psychosis: A Critical Moment
Douglas N. Noordsy, MD, Stanford University
NH FEP Series #1 – June 18, 2020
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Online Support & Resources
The NAMI NH office is closed to the public and in-person support group meetings and trainings are suspended through August 31st. However, staff members continue their work remotely, and with the exceptional assistance of NAMI NH volunteers, most support groups and other activities have moved online. Please reach out, and take good care.
Crisis Support - if you, or someone you know, is struggling emotionally - you are not alone.
NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line continues to operate!
To connect with support, message info@NAMINH.org or call 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
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Webinar Series from American Public Health Association |
APHA is hosting a webinar series to give an in-depth look at racism as a driving force of the social determinants of health and equity. The series will explore efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. Presenters will highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice.
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The preparation of this newsletter was financed under an agreement with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, with funds provided in part or in whole by the State of New Hampshire and/or the United States Department of Health and Human Services. |
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