African American Community Together NOW |
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Are You Feeling Stressed Today?
Stress isn’t technically a disease, although it can have lasting effects on an individual’s mental health. Rather, it’s a response. Specifically, it’s one of the body’s natural physical, mental, and emotional reactions to an external stressor. Frequently the source of stress is rooted in change—a big move, a new project, a wedding, etc. But it can also stem from a person’s surroundings, like an aggressive boss or a tense conversation.
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About National Minority Health Month |
April is National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about health disparities that continue to affect people from racial and ethnic minority groups and encourage action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications.
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AACT-NOW Support Groups Online! |
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For Family Members With A Loved One With Mental Illness
African American support group for family members with loved ones affected by mental illness. Facilitators will provide an understanding and caring environment. Family members will help one another learn to cope with the effects of mental illness. They will find understanding, acceptance, and mutual support and hope. If you are a family member of a person affected by mental illness (schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, panic/anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder), please join us.
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Southern Jersey & Central Jersey
Support Groups!
"Stress Management and Your Mental Health"
Your Speaker: Melanece Walker, MSW, LSW
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To attend either meeting you "Must" complete the Google form by clicking on the "Register"
button below to receive Zoom link
For Questions Contact:
Donna - dwilliams@naminj.org
Melanece - mwalker@naminj.org
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AACT-NOW!
BE THE CHANGE!!
"PTSD - Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome"
"It's Impact on The Black Community"
Guest Speaker: Dr. De Lacy Davis
IMPACT • PROBLEMS • SOLUTIONS
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To attend meeting, you "Must" complete the Google form by clicking on the "Register"
button below to receive Zoom link
For Questions Contact:
Donna - dwilliams@naminj.org
Tiffany - tmayers@naminj.org
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To Register:
Email John Yacoub
John.yacoub@cvshealth.com
Include: Name, Location Preference, and Job Fair Activity of Interest
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Mental Health Matters!
Support Mental Health
AACT-NOW!
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~ Who's Who Breaking Stigma ~
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AACT-NOW
Recognizes Black Celebrities
Helping To Erase Mental Health Stigmas With Their Testimonies
There is no shame in seeking help to get back to being happy.
Monthly AACT-NOW will feature a celebrity with living proof.
Read all about them here!
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Simone Biles
7- time Olympic Medalist and Mental Health Advocate
"We Still Have Work To Do"
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Simone Biles, the seven-time Olympic medalist, opens up about the global mental health discussion that she started at Tokyo 2020; advice for young athletes, reveals future plans and being a mental health advocate. Speaking Out!
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~ NAMI NJ's Poetry Corner ~ |
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Expressive Arts Café
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Poetry Contest 2022!
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The Expressive Arts Café is a charming bistro nestled in the heart of NAMI NJ in the Dara Axelrod Expressive Arts Network cul-de-sac. You’ll find our dining experience second to none.
Do you seek to maintain a relaxed and friendly environment in the middle of the day? Seek no more, start your afternoon monthly with NAMI NJ's EAN Café. We encourage mental wellness through artistic workshops, a space for all.
Liquid Art-Journaling Cafe!
When: Monday, April 25, 2022
Time: 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. ET
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2022 NAMI NJ Poetry Contest!
Deadline Extended, April 11, 2022
Do you know someone who could enter their poem in the 2022 NAMI NJ Poetry Contest?
Theme: Aspects of mental health stigma and how we think and feel about them.
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Your Host! Jacquese Armstrong
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Contact Jacquese
For Registration & Information
jarmstrong@naminj.org
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Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress. Here are some healthy ways you can deal with stress: |
Feeling overwhelmed?
Read these fact sheets to learn whether you are stressed or anxious and what you can do to cope. Do you need help?
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Stress Management:
Personal Stress:
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What is Self-Awareness and Why is it Important for Mental Wellness?
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The theme for this year’s National Minority Health Month is Give Your Community a Boost! The theme focuses on the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as one of the strongest tools we can use to protect communities from COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected communities of color.
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One in five of us suffers from stress, so what’s wrong with our lives and what can we do about it?
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Active Minds introduces their Stress Less Week tool kit that is designed to provide education about stress and anxiety and build communities that are supportive of mental health. A guide for programming to reduce stress, promote self-care, and build supportive communities. Stress Less Week Tool Kit
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~ NAMI NJ's Multicultural Conversations ~ |
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NAMI New Jersey is committed to serving NJ’s diverse communities and is hosting its last webinar of the series sponsored by Amerigroup – NAMI NJ Multicultural Conversations. Our four multicultural programs (serving African American, Hispanic/Latinx, South Asian and Chinese American communities) will help facilitate meaningful, culturally-sensitive dialogues on various mental wellness topics.
The Value of Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Resources
Thursday, April 28, 2022
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET
As we approach Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI NJ will reflect and discuss the impact of the Multicultural Conversations webinar series sponsored by Amerigroup. NAMI NJ is devoted to removing stigma and giving viewers the knowledge and resources necessary to maneuver the topic of mental health. During this webinar there will be opening statements from NAMI NJ Board President, Mark Williams, and Executive Director, Meredith Masin Blount. Our multicultural program leaders will discuss the value of these webinar conversations. We aspire to emphasize key points and discuss how we can continue to outreach and provide mental health education and support to diverse communities throughout New Jersey.
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~ NAMI NJ Online Support Groups ~ |
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A 60-90 minute support group for adult friends and family members (18+) of people with mental health conditions. Participants gain support from peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes.
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET
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A 60-90 minute support group for adults (18+) with a mental health condition. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes.
Every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET
2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 12 p.m. ET
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET
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~ Specialty Support Groups ~ |
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LGBTQ+NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Last Sundays of the month*
April 24, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET
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Asylees/Refugees NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
3rd Fridays of the month
April 15, 2022 at 4 p.m. ET
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Spouse/Partner Support Group
April 14, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET
Gain support and share with others who can relate to your personal experiences. The group will follow the NAMI Signature Family Support Group Model and will be run by two trained facilitators. Participants must pre-register and be 18 years or older. Attendance will be limited to 15 people.
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Sibling Support Group
4th Thursdays of the month
April 28, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET
Join us for this special online support group for individuals with a sibling who lives with mental illness. Gain support and share with others who can relate to your personal experiences. The group will follow the NAMI Signature Family Support Group Model and will be run by two trained facilitators. Participants must pre-register and be 18 years or older. Attendance will be limited. Register Here!
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NAMI New Jersey (NAMI NJ) is committed to improving the lives of people impacted by mental health conditions through effective treatments, equitable public policies, and greater knowledge and understanding in society. Research is essential to advance each of these goals.
NAMI NJ does not accept financial compensation for recruiting research participants. NAMI NJ also does not endorse any products or treatments. We share these research opportunity notices with you, our field leaders, to distribute at your discretion if you believe that members of your community may be interested in participating in these studies. If you have questions about research at NAMI NJ, please email research@naminj.org.
CBT for PTSD in SEd Rutgers Study:
Researchers at Rutgers University and at John Jay College are conducting a clinical trial funded by the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) investigating the effectiveness of a telehealth intervention for PTSD that combines cognitive-behavioral therapy and supported education. The goal is to improve educational outcomes in college students with PTSD and other mental health conditions. If you would like to participate or if you have questions, please mail cbtforptsd@gmail.com, or call or text (805)-403-7329. You could also visit their website at https://sites.rutgers.edu/cbt-ptsd-sed/.
Rutgers Acupuncture Study:
Would you like FREE acupuncture & FREE telehealth brief counseling for trauma? Researchers at Rutgers University are offering FREE acupuncture ($640 value) and FREE telehealth brief counseling ($250 value) for trauma and PTSD. All participation will be confidential. All interviews and counseling sessions will be conducted via Telehealth. Acupuncture sessions will be conducted by a licensed Acupuncturist, Dr. Yubi Chen at Oriental Acupuncture Health. The study is funded by New Jersey Health Foundation. If you would like to know more about their study or participate, please contact Ke Wang at kw692@shp.rutgers.edu, or call or text Ke Wang at (805)-403-7329.
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Who Are We?
AACT-NOW (African American Community Together NOW) is an exciting initiative of NAMI NJ. Our aim is to connect with NJ's African American families affected by mental illness, the faith community and mental health professionals to provide education, support, advocacy and culturally competent programs.
We are taking a stand to promote awareness, provide resources, and act as a support system.
*Disclaimer: the information contained in this e-newsletter is provided strictly for information purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement or referral of services.
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Program Coordinator
Lisa Powell - aactnow@naminj.org
Program Assistant
Melanece Walker - mwalker@naminj.org
Northern Regional Coordinator
Shanee Frazier Eweka - sfrazier@naminj.org
Central Regional Coordinator
Tiffany L. Mayers - tmayers@naminj.org
Southern Regional Coordinator
Donna Williams - dwilliams@naminj.org
e-mail aactnow@naminj.org or aactnow_support@naminj.org
Visit our website at https://www.naminj.org/programs/multicultural/aactnow
We welcome donations to support our work in the community!
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