NAMI-CO News | October/November 2020
2020 Elections: Deschutes County Sheriff Candidates
We have two candidates running for the Deschutes County Sheriff seat. NAMI Central Oregon wanted to hear their plans to sustain and grow mental health support within law enforcement. We asked both of them three questions:

  • Two million Americans with mental health conditions end up in jail each year, often as a result of their illness. Jails aren’t designed to provide mental health care or help people recover. If elected, what will you do to reduce the jailing of people with mental illness?

  • While there has been an increase in the number of officers trained with Crisis Intervention, there are still a large amount of officers who work with mentally ill citizens that are not fully trained to do so. If elected, how do you propose getting your law enforcement offers the proper crisis intervention training so we have more resources within Deschutes County?

  • What are your plans to ensure there are crisis-trained staff stationed in Sisters and La Pine?
Sheriff Shane Nelson
Deschutes County Sheriff
Officer Scott Schaier
Bend Police Department
Join Our #Vote4MentalHealth Social Media Campaign!
NAMI members from around Oregon are snapping selfies, letting us know why they will #vote4mentalhealth this election. We're mailing "Mental Health Gets My Vote" stickers to anyone who wants to participate and help us spread the word. Join our social media campaign: email michelle@namior.org to get your sticker for your selfie!


NAMI-CO Affiliate Director Stephanie Sahleen rocks the vote!
NAMI Endorses Measure 108
NAMI Oregon announces that it endorses Measure 108, which would increase taxes on tobacco and introduce a tax on vape products. Proceeds will fund continued Medicaid expansion in Oregon, which is among NAMI’s top policy priorities.

We urge members and allies to vote yes on Measure 108.

We’ve been asked by a number of people and organizations where we stand on three ballot measures this election that impact our population. Because of this, we’re providing a following summary on all three measures.

NAMI Oregon is neutral on Measures 109 and 110, in part because there are logical arguments in favor and in opposition. A debate within NAMI on these two measures would not produce a clear direction for support or opposition. Read more about our decision here.

Sign up now for NAMI Oregon's Online Annual Conference

Save the date! NAMI Oregon will hold its annual conference online from 12 to 3 pm on Saturday, November 14.

This free event will feature:

  • Annual meeting and public policy update
  • Presentation from Robin Henderson, PsyD, Chief Executive, Behavioral Health, Providence Oregon, on Maintaining Wellness in a Time of Chaos
  • Presentation from Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Director Steve Allen on Oregon's response to the pandemic and planning in a time of uncertainty
Learning Opportunities
NAMI Peer-to-Peer Classes for Rural Communities

NAMI Oregon will be offering two 8-week Peer-to-Peer courses via Zoom starting in January for residents who live outside of the state’s major urban areas. The intent is to bring this course to communities where it has generally not been available in recent years.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a FREE 8-session recovery-focused course for adults with mental health conditions. More about the class:

  • Free and confidential
  • Held weekly for two hours
  • Led by peers with mental health conditions
  • A great resource for information on mental health and recovery
  • Offer respect, understanding, encouragement and hope
  • Builds on the strength and resilience of participants

See the attached flyer for more details, including a link to the online registration form.
NAMI Basics

Have you been interested in taking the NAMI Basics class but haven’t been able to find a time that works for you? Now's your chance! NAMI has released the NAMI Basics OnDemand course, which you can take whenever your schedule permits.

NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is free to participants, 99% of whom say they would recommend the program to others.

The OnDemand program is guided by parents and family members with lived experience, and is self-paced and available 24/7. OnDemand offers the flexibility of participating in the course on your schedule. The program provides information, strategies, and the opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers.
Central Oregon Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative

The Central Oregon Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative presents its Fall 2020 Virtual Training Series, which provide free 1-2 hour training sessions (CME provided) via Zoom. Please see the attached flyer and mark your calendars.

Don’t forget to sign up for a free EEDS account at least 24 hours in advance.
Local Support and Resources
LGBTQ+ Youth Online Meeting: Understanding and Caring for You
October 27, 6:00-7:30 PM

Under the age of 26 and live in rural Oregon? Interested in connecting with other young people who feel like they don’t fit society’s norms on gender or sexuality? Perhaps you are questioning what your identity is? Or maybe you already identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer LGBTQ+?

Join a virtual meeting and:
  • Connect with others
  • Gain deeper understanding of the neuroscience of why react the way we do
  • Learn simple ways to immediately help how you feel

In collaboration with and funded by the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs and the Oregon Health Authority.
Need a Dentist? Advantage Dental Free Community Care Days:
October and November in Bend and Prineville

Did you know that cavities are contagious and can affect your overall health?
Here is your chance to meet with a dental professional in Bend or Prineville to get a free dental screening and preventative services if needed. Reservations are required. Click for details:
Oregon Health Authority Expands COVID-19 Testing

Starting in October, Oregon will receive between 60,000 and 80,000 rapid point-of-care antigen tests per week through the end of the year. This will nearly double Oregon’s testing capacity, which will help identify more people who are infected with COVID-19.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) also now recommends testing for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of severity, and all close contacts of those individuals, even if they have no symptoms.

The first 15,000 tests were distributed to counties and long-term care facilities affected by recent wildfires. The communities slated to receive the next allotment of tests are those hardest hit by COVID-19:
  • Migrant and seasonal farmworkers
  • Communities of color and tribal communities 
  • Residents of congregate care settings

For more information, please visit OHA's testing page. NAMI Oregon also has comprehensive COVID-19 resources from the OHA, Centers for Disease Control, and World Health Organization on our website.

Oregon Health Authority Revises Face Covering Guidance

The Oregon Health Authority announced revisions to the statewide guidance on face coverings this week. This includes new provisions about workplaces, markets and events, some educational facilities, as well as information about face shields.
In particular, the guidance now requires that people wear face coverings in all private and public workplaces including classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and workspaces, unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace.
Wildfire Resources

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by wildfires this year. A new website has many resources available, including:

  • How to apply for federal disaster relief assistance, even if you sustained uninsured losses
  • How to receive your ballot to vote if you have been displaced by wildfires
  • If you need to replace prescriptions and medical equipment lost due to fire damage and have the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), you can contact your coordinated care organization at 800-273-0557 for assistance
  • What to do when returning to a home that survived the fires
  • How to file a claim as a homeowner or small business owner
  • Finding food and other supplies
  • Replacing vital records lost due to fire damage

See NAMI Oregon's wildfire resources page for more information on these and other resources. You can also call 211 Info for help locating resources in Oregon and Washington. Questions? Feel free to email us at namioregon@namior.org, or call us between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at (503) 230-8009.
We're Growing

NAMI-CO is committed to providing hope and support to all who need it, and to keeping our programs free.

Help us make a bigger impact in Central Oregon by supporting our work today.
Join NAMI

Become a member of NAMI today and show that mental health is something we all need to care about.

Subscribe to the latest mental health updates, participate in an online discussion group, learn how to advocate in your community, and add your voice to the mental health movement.
Volunteer

Looking for a way to help your local community?

Become a volunteer!

NAMI-CO relies on volunteers to help run our programs, and we're looking for a few more helping hands. All volunteer positions are currently virtual.
NAMI Central Oregon Support Groups
Most meetings, classes, and support groups have moved online. NAMI-CO virtual support groups are open to anyone.

Please download the free Zoom app on your phone, tablet or laptop. Once you have the app, at the meeting start time, click on the event link and your app will open, then click on "join the conversation."
 

Family Support Groups

Bend Family Support Group: 3rd Tuesday of Every Month. 5:15PM - 6:45PM. Contact Bud Manley manleypenman@aol.com
           
Bend Family Support group: Every last Thursday. 5:15-6:45.
Contact: Catherine: catherine@steffano.org        
Zoom Meeting Registration:

Redmond Family Support Group: First Saturdays. 10:00-11:30AM.
Contact: Linda longjourneyhome40@gmail.com        
La Pine Family Support Group: 1st Wednesday. 4:30-6PM.
Contact: KarenLynn at karless2003@yahoo.com.  standby

Connections and Peer Support Groups

Bend Connections Peer Support Groups: Every Monday. 7:00 - 9:00PM.
Contact Marcia at (541) 480-8269

Connections: Thursdays. 10:30AM.
Contact: Janet Marie- 541-408-8675 or Joe at (541) 640-9069 - standby

NAMI Oregon

NAMI Oregon Helpline remains operational. Call 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264. Or email at namioregon@namior.org. Callers receive live assistance from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays.

NAMIOR Covid-19 Resource and Information Guide in PDF format.
Download the guide at: https://namior.org/covidguide/
 
Talk it Over (parent support group online meetings) is for all family members of a child, teen, or young adult with a behavioral disorder which meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. This is a free public service provided by NAMI Oregon, with support from the Providence Foundation. Click here to sign up.          
 
NAMI Oregon support groups are available online. For complete list:
Other Resources
NAMI National Website: Navigating a Mental Health Crisis 

NAMI National has a helpful new tool, a guide to navigating a mental health crisis. Please take the time to visit www.nami.org to explore the resources they have available for access. Some topics to explore could include their information on medications and their NAMI Blogs. The NAMI Blog is our way of getting tips, research, information and messages of hope to you.
 
Crisis Help
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
    
If you are 55 or older and feeling isolated or just want to have a friendly conversation, call the Senior Loneliness Line at 503-200-1633.

If you are 21 or younger and want support for any problem, big or small:

  • call YouthLine at 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863.

 
Other Helpful Supports

Parent Warmline: 833-732-2467
Parent Warmline is a program from Reach Out Oregon. If you or a family you are working with are feeling the pangs of isolation and is dealing with a child with heightened behavior needs this may help. The service is not dependent on insurance and is not payor specific; meaning that they can have OHP, Commercial or no insurance and still be able to use the number.
Here is the link to their website https://www.reachoutoregon.org/
 
The David Romprey Oregon Warmline: 800-698-2392
Who should call the Warmline? Anyone needing support may call our Warmline to speak to a trained peer.
 
Friendship Line/Warm/Hotline: Call (800) 971-0016
For 60 yrs+ or living with a disability, call IOA Connect at (415) 750-4111 or fill out an intake form online at www.ioaging.org/friendshipline.
 
Hearing Voices: Online Support group: Providing a space for families and friends to discuss navigating the experience of supporting loved ones who may hear voices, have visions or a variety of other non-consensus experiences and beliefs. Mondays 5PM. Email facilitators: Cindy Marty Hadge & David Adams at families@westernmassrlc.org
 
FirstStep app – www.firststeporegon.org     

Suicide Bereavement Support: Contact Alison Sorenson (alison@alisonsorensoncounseling.com) at (541) 610-9500 or Herb Baker (herbandjudy@yahoo.com) at (503) 708-3047 for more information.

Wise Warriors Suicide Prevention: Contact Margaret Kuehn at (503) 402-2857 for more information.
Drug Addiction Family Support Group- Life Raft

Central Oregon Resource Map: Resources on this map include, but are not limited to, handwashing stations, public restrooms, and food resources.