Join us for the first event in the 2020 NAMIWalks NH season!
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**All attendees will be entered to win a $50 Visa g/c.**
(RSVP to Walks@NAMINH.org for the Zoom meeting link)
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2020 Incentives Unveiled.   |   Tips from Rock Star Team Captains.
Ken Norton Shares His Reasons to Walk.   |   Learn to Navigate the Walk Website.
April 14, 2020
NAMI NH ENews
A COVID-19 Update from Executive Director Ken Norton

 

Online Support & Resources

The NAMI NH office is closed to the public and in-person support group meetings and trainings are suspended through May 4th. However, staff members continue their work remotely, and with the exceptional assistance of NAMI NH volunteers, many 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).



The new ONLINE Family Support Group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 6 pm. To register, email Deb at NAMINHVirtual@gmail.com. 

NAMI NH's online Parent Support Group meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 am - 11:00 am. To learn more, contact Carol Lemelin at 603-664-2116.
Public Policy Update

The COVID-19 crisis is affecting everyone, causing more demand for mental health services. The NAMI community knows, even in the best of times, how hard it is to get mental health care.
 
Unfortunately, Congress' response to this crisis hasn't focused enough on mental health, leaving mental health providers struggling to offer services and keep their doors open.
 
In the coming weeks and months, we're going to need more mental health care than ever. This is why Congress needs to act quickly to not only preserve our existing mental health system but to also increase our system's capacity.
 
Members of Congress need to hear your voice now.  As a constituent, you have power to ensure people with mental health conditions aren't left behind in our nation's response to this crisis.
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Activity at NH Legislature Suspended

The NH Legislature has currently suspended activity due to COVID-19.

Click here to see NAMI NH's 2020 legislative priorities, read our testimony, track all of  the mental health and suicide prevention bills we're following this session, sign up for public policy alerts, and more.  Questions?  Don't hesitate to contact us: advocacy@NAMINH.org.
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 next year, clubs around the state will work with NAMI NH to raise awareness and funds. 
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VIRTUAL Evening of Unity to Benefit NAMI NH
Friday, April 24th
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Folks who purchase tickets will have live access to exclusive material via Zoom, including remarks from Ken Norton, Executive Director of NAMI NH, a powerful In Our Own Voice speaker, and the presentation of the first GFWC-NH Unity Award.

In the News
Today in NH Emergency Departments...
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 10 adults and
0 children
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are waiting for psychiatric hospital care.

NAMI New Hampshire  can connect those impacted by long ED waits with information, resources and support.  Click here to learn more. 

NAMI NH continues to make the ED boarding crisis a top priority of advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide.  

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Are You a Parent or Caregiver of a School-Aged Child?

The Bureau of Student Wellness at the New Hampshire Department of Education has tapped NAMI NH to connect with parents and caregivers to find out about the current engagement opportunities within your child's school, challenges to engaging with the school, and suggestions for improvement.

The information gathered will be reviewed by a team of family representatives and professionals to develop a plan which schools/parent & youth organizations will utilize to help them increase meaningful family & youth engagement opportunities and allow diverse leadership roles (co-creators, supporters, advocates, models) for family members to engage.

How can you help?

Complete this electronic survey which contains two demographic questions and five main questions about school engagement. Estimated time to complete the survey is under 10 minutes.

Your answers will be held in strict confidence and will be used only for the purposes of this study. The results will be reported in aggregate form only and cannot be identified individually.

Questions? Please contact Sandy Alonzo at 603-545-2014 or salonzo@NAMINH.org.
Suicide Prevention & Survivors of Suicide Loss

NAMI NH's Connect Program to Present on The Afternoon Bell 
Thursday, April 16, 3 pm

The team from the Bureau of Student Wellness is presenting Facebook live sessions, dubbed The Afternoon Bell, most weekdays at 3 pm. The Afternoon Bell presents an opportunity to discuss issues with, and provide supports to,  #NHEducators  and  #NHFamilies  as  #NHLearnsRemotely .

On Thursday, April 16th at 3 pm, "The Connect Program - Suicide Risk Response" will focus on risk and protective factors, warning signs for suicide and national, state and local resources.

The session is presented in partnership with NAMI New Hampshire's Connect Suicide Prevention Program . Ann Duckless, MA is NAMI NH's Community Educator and Prevention Specialist, and Kelley Caravona, MS, CPS is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the New Hampshire Nexus Project 2.0 GLS Program. Both Ann and Kelley have extensive experience in suicide prevention and postvention response.

Visit the Bureau of Student Wellness Facebook page on Thursday,  April  16th at 3 pm to catch the presentation.
Upcoming with NAMI NH
. Save the Dates for NAMI NH Speakers!
In Our Own Voice (4/23) & Life Interrupted (4/30)

Tues. 4/23, 7 pm - In Our Own Voice (Kim LaMontagne)
Tues. 4/30, 7 pm - Life Interrupted (Shelly Lathrop)

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For more information, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at 1-800-242-6264 (press 4) or info@NAMINH.org.



New ONLINE Weekly Family Support Group

To register, email Deb at NAMINHVirtual@gmail.com and include: 
tel. # | zip code | relationship/age of your family member/friend of primary concern 

. Parents Meeting the Challenge:  ONLINE Live!

New session of this FREE 8-week educational program starts 4/21!
PMC Online Live! meets Tues. evenings:
4/28 - 6/16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Virtual Meet & Greet: 4/21, 6:00 - 6:30 pm


Contact: Michele Watson 603-545-9569 or mwatson@NAMINH.org
. First Episode Psychosis (FEP)/Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI)
ONLINE Stakeholder Work Group Meeting
Tuesday, April 21st, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
You are invited to bring your FEP/ESMI experiences to the (virtual) table at any, or all, of the Stakeholder Work Group meetings.

Please RSVP to mwagner@NAMINH.org in order to receive the remote access link.

Learn more about the FEP/ESMI initiative.
Virtual Meeting for Support Group Leaders & Teachers
Saturday, April 18, 10 am - 12 pm

Many NAMI NH support group leaders and teachers are continuing to offer phone or technology based support.  This virtual meeting will provide a check-in to see how these offerings are going, and to learn how NAMI NH can best support leaders and teachers amidst all the changes. 

The agenda starts with a report from Ken Norton, Executive Director of NAMI NH, followed by check-ins and updates. 

If you would like join the discussion, please reach out to Liz Hodgkins at lhodgkins@naminh.org for the Zoom link.
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18th Annual NAMIWalks NH
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Concord, NH

** All Walkers registered by end of day on April 15th will receive a super cool NAMIWalks NH holographic decal. **

Make plans to join us at New Hampshire's largest mental health and suicide prevention event!

Family-friendly, dog-friendly, free, and FUN - we look forward to seeing you at the 18th Annual NAMIWalks NH!


Walk Committee meetings are underway!  If you're interested in volunteering to help plan another record-breaking NAMIWalks NH, please contact Brittany Porter.
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Color This Cute Pug by 4/15 & Get a Cool NAMI NH Supporter Decal!

Break out the crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints, or pastels and color this pug by 4/15!

NAMIWalks NH is super dog-friendly, and NAMI NH's Lyne Lillis is super artistic, so here's a fun coloring contest. Email a photo of your colored pug to Walks@NAMINH.org by 4/15, 11:59 pm and we'll send you a NAMI NH supporter decal sticker (dog sled ride not included).


Did you know registration is OPEN for New Hampshire's largest mental health awareness and suicide prevention event? 

NAMIWalks NH 2020 returns on Sun. 10/4 - family-friendly, dog-friendly, free & fun - join us: 
. Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire

The NAMI NH family and their furry friends are so happy to share a weekly storytime video for kids of all ages.  Click below to watch the first episodes of Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire, and hop over to our Facebook page each Friday for a new story.


ONLINE Live 
Parent & Caregiver Group Monthly on 2nd Wed.

Veteran & Military Families

Registration OPEN for NAMI Homefront Online!

NAMI Homefront is a free class designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country.

NAMI Homefront Online classes meet weekly in a virtual classroom, so participants experience the same level of interaction and learning as traditional in-person classes.


Resources

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.  These closed Facebook groups require an add from admins - click each link below to learn more and request membership.  

Don't hesitate to contact info@NAMINH.org with any questions. 





. Coronavirus & Mental Health
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It's little surprise these days and weeks under the shadow of  #COVID19  are negatively impacting the  mental health  of so many. NAMI NH is here to help connect Granite Staters with local resources & support - please reach out: info@NAMINH.org or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4). 



#WearBlueDay Flashback

On #WearBlueDay this year, we fondly remembered when the  NAMI New Hampshire family was together in real life (pictured above). #WearBlueDay helps to spread awareness for the prevention of child abuse and neglect during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

Everyone plays a role in making  #greatchildhoods happen - thank you to  NH Children's Trust for leading the way.

According to  Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, "Experts predict that child abuse cases in the U.S. will rise due to COVID-19, social isolation, and financial and other stressors, making awareness that much more crucial."   Find out how you can help make #greatchildhoods happen.

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NAMI NH Marks #WorldAutismAwarenessDay

On  #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, NAMI NH wore blue for awareness and to honor our family and friends who do life with autism.
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Kids with ASD may be at higher risk for developing mental health conditions. NAMI NH is here to support NH families: 1-800-242-6264 (press 4) or info@NAMINH.org.  
Development News
18th Annual NAMIWalks NH
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Concord, NH

Make plans to join us at New Hampshire's largest mental health and suicide prevention event!

Family-friendly, dog-friendly, free, and FUN - we look forward to seeing you at the 18th Annual NAMIWalks NH!

Walk Committee meetings are underway!  If you're interested in volunteering to help plan another record-breaking NAMIWalks NH, please contact Brittany Porter.


Make an Impact
 
Did you know there are a variety of ways you can make a transformational gift to NAMI New Hampshire?
  • Join the NAMI New Hampshire Legacy Circle by including us in your estate planning, giving a lasting gift to help us continue providing support, education, and advocacy well into the future.
  • Consider giving a gift of stock and potentially avoid paying capital gains tax.  Click here to learn more about the tax benefits of donating stock to a charity.  Instructions for transferring a gift of stock to NAMI NH are available here.
  • If you are age 72 or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts.  This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket, and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions.  Making a pre-tax charitable donation directly to NAMI NH can eliminate or reduce the impact of this income.
  • Stacking your gift may help you exceed the new standard deduction.  This method of giving allows you to combine several years of charitable contributions in a single year, maximizing your potential tax benefit. 
NAMI New Hampshire was recently honored with a Nonprofit Impact Award from the NH Center for Nonprofits. As the former Executive Director of NAMI NH and a father of a daughter with mental illness, one might think I'm biased when I say that the award was definitely well deserved.  However, it only confirmed our belief that regularly giving to NAMI NH through our retirement program and adding NAMI NH as a beneficiary into our will is the right thing to do.  With our gifts, and those of others, NAMI NH can continue to be good stewards of its resources, putting them to work for individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide. Giving is an honor, especially when we see that what NAMI NH does works. Yet, they have more to do. Together, our collective resources ensure NH has an accessible, quality mental health and suicide prevention delivery system for Granite Staters.  
 
~ Michael and Saundy Cohen

For more information, or to discuss additional opportunities, please contact Kristen  or call 603-225-5359 x350.  Sample bequest language is available on our  website .

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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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.
NAMI NH | 85 N. State St. | 603.225.5359 | info@NAMINH.org | www.NAMINH.org