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.
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NAMI Sussex has a new phone number |
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The phone number for NAMI Sussex is 862-299-9250 so please update your contact information.
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NAMI Sussex Annual Meeting to be held on May 15th |
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Information about the annual meeting will be mailed out shortly to all current NAMI Sussex members. |
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NAMI Sussex Support Groups |
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Tuesday, May 16 - ONLINE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP for family members (or close friends with a caregiving role) - meets via Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Everyone on our email list will receive a reminder and instructions how to register for the group the Wednesday or Thursday before. The co-facilitators of the group are Annette Hoffman and Charles Cantelmo. Please note that registration is required using a link to a Google Form that will be provided in our email invitation.
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You are invited to attend NAMI NJ's Annual Meeting on June 24th from 11:30 - 3:00pm |
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The event will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton, 390 Forsgate Dr. Monroe Township, NJ 08831. Join us to find a community, celebration, information and inspiration. All are welcome!
NAMI NJ presents awards at the Annual Meeting to recognize the efforts of mental health advocates to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. Organizational updates will be provided at this event.
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NAMI Con takes place in person in Minneapplis, MN on May 24-27 and Online from June 6-8, |
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NAMI Con is offered both in person (for the first time since 2019!) and online this year!
This year NAMI offers content in six major areas: culture and identity in mental health, crisis response and intervention, workplace mental health, young and young adult mental health, innovations in research and treatment and best practices for state organizations and affiliates.
For more information and to register, click here. |
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IFSS Sussex is hosting a presentation on how to get SSI and SSDI benefits for yourself of a loved one
Thursday,May 25th from 1:00 - 3:00pm, in person and virtual
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Intensive Family Support Services in Sussex County is hosting a presentation on SSI/SSDI benefits. The presenter is Maryjean Ellis, Esq., who represents Social Security disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants in the community. She will provide information on SSI and SSDI programs, how to apply for these programs as well as how to navigate the appeals process, if necessary.
This event can be viewed in-person ( limited seating and registration is required) at the MHA Wellness Hub, 83 Spring Street, Suite 303, (Conference Room) in Newton. To attend in person, please contact Carrie Parmelee at 973-579-4399, ext. 402 or email at cparmelee@mhainspire.org.
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MHA launches TeenConnect, a new resource to support teens and young adults |
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The Mental Health Association has launched a new teen support line for teens and young adults, ages 13-24. Teens and young adults can call the toll-free number, 1-888-866-6054 or text 1-973-791-5700 to speak/text with a trained young adult for non-crisis support and understanding. Both lines are supervised by mental health professionals. The line is open from 5-10p.m., Monday - Friday. This is not a crisis line.
To download the flyer, click here.
MHA also runs a peer support line for adults. This line is staffed by adults who have lived experience with mental health struggles and offer non-crisis support. The peerline hours are 11am-2 pm , Mon-Fri (1-877-760-4987) and 5pm-10pm, daily (1-877-760-4987, 1-866-445-3902, 1-800-381-2059).
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The Wellness Hub (a new psychiatric emergency care facility) is now open in Newton! |
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A new facility, operated by the Mental Health Association, which offers emergency psychiatric services to local residents is now open in Newton. The Wellness Hub (Early Intervention Support Services - EISS) is located at 83 Spring Street, Suite 303 in Newton NJ (just across the hall from the Intensive Support Family Services office in the Cochran Building). Public street parking is available and parking is free in Lot #3 accessible via Trinity Street. At this time, the center is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. These hours will expand as the program develops to evening and weekends.
The Wellness Hub is essentially a psychiatric urgent care center and offers the following services:
Crisis Prevention
Psychiatric Assessment and Evaluation
Medication Evaluation and Management
Therapy/Counseling
Linkage and Referral to Community Resources
Nursing Assessment
Co-Occurring Substance Use Counseling
Support and Therapeutic Groups
Recovery Planning
Family Counseling
Peer Support
Transportation to treatment provided, as needed
To see the flyer for the Wellness Hub, click here.
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A New Resource for Families: NAMI Helpline Available Now |
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During this difficult time, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you. HelpLine volunteers are working to answer questions, offer support and provide practical next steps. The resources on this page provide information to address many needs and concerns.
Let’s stay connected, text, chat, call or email the NAMI HelpLine today.
The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET.
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The Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now called the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Changes to 988 |
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On July 16th the Suicide Prevention Lifeline switched to a 988 number to provide easier access for individuals needing assistance with mental health related distress. The 988 number can be reached by phone or text and a chat feature is available at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website which is:988lifeline.org.
This contact number can be used for mental health emergencies involving suicide, but also for assistance for individuals who are experiencing emotional distress, whether or not suicidal thoughts or intentions are present. This number can be used by individuals who are experiencing distress or by concerned loved ones who need support and resources.
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NAMI NJ ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS
NAMI Family Support Group
Every other Wednesday at 7 pm ET
Next group is May 17th
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET
NAMI Family Support Group is a 60-90 minute support group for adult friends and family members (18+) of people with mental health conditions. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is 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.
Attendance is limited. For information and registration, click here. Please register by 11am or 4 pm on the day of the support group. You will receive a link via email on the day of the scheduled group.
Specialty Statewide Support Groups
LGBTQ+ NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Last Sunday of the month at 7pm EST
May 28th, 7-8:30pm
For more information, click here
Spouse/Partner Support Group*
2nd Thursday and 4th Thursday of the month at 7 pm EST
(May 11th, May 25th ET)
4th Thursday of the month at 7 pm EST
May 25th
Asylees/Refugees NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Weekly on Fridays at 4 pm EST
Family With a Loved One Who Is In/ Has Been in a State Hospital
Thursday, June 15th, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET
Connect with other family members who have or had a loved one in a NJ State Hospital. NAMI Family Support Groups are free, confidential and safe groups of families helping other families who live with mental health challenges. In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one living with mental illness. Contact vdelosangeles@naminj.org for more information. Register here
*Attendance is limited. For information and registration, click here.
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Other Free Online Support Groups |
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IFSS Family Support Groups - Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and 1st and 3rd Mondays at 11:00 a.m.. Call Carrie Parmelee at 973-579-4399 x. 402 to request an email with links to the meetings or a number to join by telephone. You can also check the website for the Mental Health Association, mhainspire.org.
Intensive Family Support Services (run by the Mental Health Association) in Sussex County also offers free counseling, referral and support services to individual Sussex County families who support an adult loved one who is coping with a serious mental illness. There are IFSS services offered in every county in NJ. For more information please call Carrie Parmelee at 973-579-4399, ext. 402 or send her an email at cparmelee@mhainspire.org.
To see all the programs and services offered by the Mental Health Association, check their website at mhainspire.org.
Family Partners of Morris/Sussex Counties - Various groups for youth (ages 13 - 21) and parents. Click here for information.
MHA NJ Hope & Healing Counseling Resources - For free emotional support and counseling from NJ Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program (CCP), click here.
The Mental Health Association in NJ has a peer-run Virtual Wellness Center. To find out more information click here.
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Project ASPEN
a partnership between NAMI NJ and Rutger's University on adolescent depression
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Project ASPEN is a collaboration between a team of researchers from Rutgers University and NAMI NJ to provide credible and timely research evidence that can inform evidence-based policy response to the crisis of adolescent depression. The goal of Project ASPEN is to connect policymakers, advocates, mental health professionals, parents, and members of the public with the latest research and briefs pertaining to the issue of adolescent depression. This resource was created with grant support from the William T. Grant Foundation, and in partnership with experts from the Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.
To read more about Project ASPEN and access Project ASPEN resources, click here.
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Announcements From the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) |
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During this difficult time there has been difficulty accessing counseling services. Rutgers is contracted with DMHAS to offers counseling through tele psych with experienced mental health counselors. Please call 1-833-223-0011 to access this valuable service.
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DMHAS funded Collaborative Support Program continues to advertise their program as a resource to individuals in need of respite services. CSP offers Peer run respite programs to individual adults as an alternative to visiting the emergency room or a traditional inpatient setting. They can help by turning a crisis into an opportunity for Wellness and Recovery. They can be reached by calling 1-862-229-1401 or visiting www.cspnj.org.
Explanation added by NAMI Sussex editors: There are three CSPNJ Peer Respite Houses in NJ that can provide up to ten days in a house with 5 private bedrooms and shared kitchen, bath and living room, with trained peers available onsite 24/7 to work with individuals on Wellness and Recovery from mental health conditions. This program is provided free of charge. Transportation can be provided upon request. All admissions must be voluntary and self-referral is required. Participants are allowed to come and go from the house during the day if they have their own or public transportation. Thirty days of follow up support is provided after a Wellness Respite House stay. For those who would prefer to remain at home during a mental health crisis, CSPNJ can provide up to ten days of wellness planning and intensive phone contact with trained peers who also live with mental health conditions.
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Shatterproof is set to come to NJ in 2022. The website is free to use and will be providing information on addiction treatment facilities in the state. They will have a needs assessment for a loved one to execute on their own to determine the level of care possibly needed. Providers will have their information on the website and it is completely free to them. This means free advertising and marketing for them. To learn more go to www.treatmentatlas.org.
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FREE ONLINE/IN-PERSON EVENTS |
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Tuesday, May 9 – Brain & Behavior Research Foundation presents: Meet The Scientist Webinar on “How the Brain’s Dopamine Circuitry Helps Regulate Cognitive Flexibility and Reward-Seeking” which will be held at 2 p.m. Dr. Urs will discuss his efforts to discover new ways of treating multiple psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Register Here
Tuesday May 9 – Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care is hosting a free virtual meeting, “Dismantling Mental Health Stereotypes & Disrupting Stigma – Supporting our Struggling Youth,” from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Keynote speaker, Pooja Mehta, MPH, is a Mental Health Policy Advocate, Speaker, Author, and Mental Health and Wellness System Reform Champion. Her advocacy work has been featured in a variety of podcasts and articles, including NPR, ABC, WebMD, and TEDx. Register Here
Thursday, May 11 – The National Council on Aging, in collaboration with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will host the 6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This all-day, virtual event is free and will feature several sessions on how to best meet the mental health needs of older adults. Register Here
Saturday, May 13 – South Jersey Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Mental Health Fair. More information to follow!
Saturday, May 13 – Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) of Middlesex County supported by NAMI Middlesex County present: Wellness Painting in the Park. Please join this relaxing wellness program which will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at Johnson Park, Grove #4, in Piscataway. Registration is required: Please call IFSS at 732-235-5000 to register no later than Tuesday, May 9. Download Flyer
Monday, May 15 – Lion’s Club Mental Health Fair, located at Sayreville War Memorial High School, 820 Washington Road, in Parlin, from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Look for mental health related resources at the NAMI table!
Friday, May 19 – Somerset County is hosting a stigma free mental health conference that will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Raritan Valley Community College. This is a free community event to raise awareness on mental health and substance use disorders and end stigma through workshops and networking with local providers. For any questions, contact; stigmafree@co.somerset.nj.us or call 908.704.6300. Register Here | Download Flyer
Saturday, May 20 – Your voice — your presence — your generosity will make a difference! Join NAMIWalks Mercer County at West Lake Park in Robbinsville, NJ from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. The 2023 Walk Team, supported by the NAMI Mercer staff, board, volunteers, and members have been working hard to spread the message of Mental Health for All. Questions about the walk? Contact Walk Manager Elizabeth Kepniss at walk@namimercer.org. Register Here
Wednesday, May 24 – Saturday, May 27 – NAMI Convention 2023, located at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Attend 50+ sessions, meet others who are passionate about mental health, and make meaningful, lasting connections. Register here
Wednesday, May 24 – NAMI Middlesex County & Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) present, “May Meet & Greet Picnic,” for all current and past NAMI and IFSS individuals and families! The event will have fun activities, pizza, refreshments, and good company, held from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Park, Grove #1AB, 151 Parsonage Road, in Edison. Registration is required: Call NAMI Middlesex at (732) 745-0709, or email namiofmiddlesex@gmail.com. Download Flyer
Wednesday, May 31 – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Morristown Area Education Lecture Series: Randy Bressler PsyD, will present on “Digital Tools during a Pandemic.” Randy’s clinical interests include the treatment and evaluation of children, adolescents and adults who experience challenges relating to depression, anxiety, ASD, ADHD and traumatic brain injuries. Learn more
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Recorded Video and Webinar Resources |
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Please see the link below to access a series about mental illness recently appearing on PBS. There are 4 episodes on demand. The series covers the trials and errors of treatment over history, how definitions of mental illnesses have shifted, how jails have become the de-facto mental health facilities and what treatment looks like today with our continued challenges.
To watch the first video presentation in a series developed by the DMHAS Adult Suicide Prevention Committee click here. Their goal is to share tips, ideas, and ways to manage during this life-changing pandemic. Watch here.
For replays of webinars offered by Family Partners of Morris and Sussex Counties offered in May, 2021 as part of their Lunch and Learn series, click here. The topics discussed during this series included: Organizations Collaborating To Help, Involvement Opportunities, Mobile Response & Stabilization Services Available 24/7, Overview of Care Managers & In-Home Assistance, Meet the Family Partners Team and Hear Highlights of Services.
For past NAMI NJ webinars, click here.
For replays of NAMI's Ask the Expert webinars, click here.
For NAMI Covid-19 Support and resources, click here.
For replays of Team Up for Hope's webinar series, click here.
For the TIME100 Video series on mental health presenting conversations with advocates and thought leaders in the mental health field including Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI; Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jenkins of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation; and Matthew McConaughey, click here.
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Helpful Website Resources |
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Website for NAMI Sussex ( namisussex.org) - Our website offers information about upcoming presentations, support groups and NAMI courses, numerous educational and informational resources and local community resources for Sussex County families.
Websites for NAMI National (nami.org) and NAMI New Jersey (naminj.org) – The national and state-based websites for NAMI have a great deal of information that is useful to both consumers and caregivers. These websites provide educational information about different diagnoses, types of treatment and resources for support for both consumers and families. You can also find information about NAMI signature programs and opportunities for advocacy.
Website Resource for the Latest in Research Findings about Mental Health -This website from NAMI provides summaries and links to some of the latest research findings in the area of mental health. To view, click here.
Website for the National Institute for Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) – a division of the National Institutes of Health which has educational information about mental illness, treatment, recent research findings and clinical trials.
Website for Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov) – a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides information about mental illness and substance use.
Websites for local organizations who help those who struggle with addiction - The Center for Prevention and Counseling offers many programs for those in addiction recovery and family members who seek to support them. Their website is: https://centerforprevention.org/. The Hope and Serenity Recovery Community Center recently opened in Sparta and also offers many services for those in addiction recovery and those seeking help to improve mental health wellness. Their website is hasrcc.org.
Website for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsalliance.org) – a national organization dedicated to helping individuals living with mood disorders. This website offers information about diagnoses, treatment options, peer support, support for friends and family and a tool to help find local support groups
Website for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (bbrfoundation.org) – The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation is a global nonprofit organization that aims to improve the understanding, prevention and treatment of psychiatric and mental illnesses. This foundation awards grants for important research. They have a monthly series called “Meet the Scientist” webinars that are often featured in this newsletter. They also provide a venue for recent research findings and you can find links to videos about various topics, called the Healthy Minds series.
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NAMI Sussex
P.O. Box 652, Sparta, NJ 07871
admin@namisussex.org
1-862-299-9250
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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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