NAMI NH & the NH Family Network
Family, Youth & Children's Newsletter
FALL 2018
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Welcome to the first newsletter of Children & Youth Programs of NAMI New Hampshire. We are excited to begin sharing with you how NAMI NH can assist you and your family through support, education and advocacy. We hope you find this full of useful resources and connections. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel would benefit from it.
NAMI NH's mission is to
to improve the lives of all people affected by mental illness and suicide through support, education and advocacy.
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Who We Are...
Meet Our Children & Youth Programs Department
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The
New Hampshire Family Network (NHFN
) is an integral part of Children & Youth Programs. The NHFN project is grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) and the Endowment for Health and is designed to assist in improving outcomes for children/youth with social-emotional challenges.
In each subsequent newsletter, we will share with you the various project activities supporting our goals which are to:
- Expand and develop family and youth leadership
- Enhance and sustain current peer support mechanisms for parents/caregivers of children/youth/young adults with serious emotional disorder
- Expand education opportunities to increase capacity and access.
Some of our current projects include forming a
Parent & Caregiver Group
in the northern part of New Hampshire, making our signature program
Parents Meeting the Challenge
accessible online, and creating an
Advanced It’s Your Move
advocacy training course.
The Children & Youth Programs Department of NAMI NH employs 14 staff as Family Peer Support Specialists who provide 1:1 support and education to families/primary caregivers of children and adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) statewide. Family Peer Support Specialists provide coaching, education, mentoring, and/or support and encouragement to the family member(s) by:
- Working with a family in the areas the family identifies needs
- Engaging with the family to help them express their views and make informed decisions
- Ensuring the family is an equal partner in their child/youth’s treatment process
- Helping decrease the family’s feeling of isolation by encouraging them to make connections with other NAMI NH programs.
Our staff currently support 140 Granite State families as well as provide support via the Information and Resources Line at 1-800-242-6264.
We hope you find this newsletter informative. Please share this newsletter with others you feel would benefit.
Sincerely,
Brian Huckins
Director of Children & Youth Programs
Michele Watson
NH Family Network Coordinator
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New Hampshire Family Network
Did you know?
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The goal of the NH Family Network (NHFN) is to provide training, resources and support for the families in New Hampshire with children and youth with mental health issues.
Each issue of the Family, Youth & Children's Newsletter will highlight an activity, training or event of the NH Family Network.
This issue we will focus on our
Parent & Caregiver Groups.
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There are 4 Parent & Caregiver Groups in the state held in Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Rochester. Groups are led by a NAMI trained facilitator who is a parent or caregiver with lived experience. Why should you come to one of these groups? Our Parent & Caregiver Groups help you make important connections to others who:
- Understand the challenges you face and the opportunities ahead
- Feel the same way you do
- Have had the same experiences
- Will help you learn new coping skills
- Will share their successes and strategies with you
For more information, check out the
flyer with locations, times and contacts.
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What can NAMI NH do for you?
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NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.
Comprised of a network of affiliate chapters and support groups, staff and volunteers, NAMI NH provides information, education and support to all families and communities affected by mental illness and suicide.
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It's that time of year that so many families and students find exciting. But what if your child has anxiety about heading back to school? Here are some articles on anxiety that you may find helpful:
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NAMI NH Sponsored Events:
Parents Meeting the Challenge
(PMC) is a FREE 8-Session Educational Program for parents and primary caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional disorders . We have 3 classes starting soon.
- Keene Thursday, September 27 9:00-11:30 am
- Nashua Thursday, October 4 6:00-8:30 pm
- PMC Online Live! is a pilot online program of the traditional PMC class. If you are interested in being a part of the pilot program, contact Heidi Mathews-Cantin. Participation is limited.
Events Around the State:
Magnify Voices is a film & writing contest is for middle and high school students. Youth in middle and high school (grades 5 - 12) are invited to submit 2-minute films or creative writing pieces about mental health issues. Magnify your voice, raise awareness, and help other young people across New Hampshire. The winners will receive cash prizes and attend the award ceremony.
Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative (CBHC)
FREE Advocacy Training - Saturday, September 29, 9:00-3:00 pm.
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NAMIWalks NH - Hope Rocks!
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As NAMIWalks NH celebrates its 16th anniversary, we invite you to take part in the Granite State's largest mental health and fundraising event.
When you walk with NAMI NH, you join the movement to raise awareness of mental illness and raise funds that helped over 21,000 individuals last year.
September 30, 2018
Check in time 9:00am Start time 10:30am
Soccer Fields on South Fruit Street
Concord, NH
Registration is FREE for this family-friendly, dog-friendly event! Join us to STOMP OUT STIGMA and have some fun!
#hopestartswithyou #stigmafreeinthe603
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Looking for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Consider joining our closed, private Facebook group for Parents & Caregivers. Members often provide good advice in a caring and non-judgmental way.
Click
here for more information.
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NAMI NH Information & Resource Line
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The Information & Resource Line (1-800-242-6264) is always available for callers to leave a confidential message – a NAMI New Hampshire team member will return your call within 48 business hours Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Callers are connected with, or can leave a message for, one of our trained NAMI NH staff. These individuals can help answer questions and provide specific information on NAMI NH programs and supports. They can also provide contact information for local community and national resources.
Please note: This is not a hotline or a crisis service, but is a phone line for families and individuals affected by mental illness/emotional disorders.
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Life Under Construction
Online Support for Our Youth
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Life Under Construction is a variety of social media platforms including
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram where youth affected by mental illness can go to find information and support. Each is administered by youth for youth with oversight by NAMI NH staff to ensure safe messaging.
Click
here for the Life Under Construction flyer.
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The Importance of Self-Care
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"To be able to care for the people you love, you must first take care of yourself. It’s like the advice we’re given on airplanes: put on your own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else with theirs. Taking care of yourself is a valid goal on its own, and it helps you support the people you love.
Caregivers who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental illness. They adapt to changes, build strong relationships and recover from setbacks. The ups and downs in your family member’s illness can have a huge impact on you. Improving your relationship with yourself by maintaining your physical and mental health makes you more resilient, helping you weather hard times and enjoy good ones."
Click
here to read the full article.
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As a grassroots organization, NAMI NH’s members are the people who facilitate change and make the world a better place for people with mental illness and their families. Volunteering with NAMI NH provides people with opportunities to impact the mental health system, eliminate stigma and a chance to give back and help families, like themselves.
WE NEED YOU!
- The NHFN is looking for members for our Grant Oversight Board. Specifically, we are looking for parents or guardians of children/youth with social-emotional challenges or youth with mental illness ages 18 – 26 who are passionate about providing information and support to families and youth. No other experience is required. Click here for details and to apply.
- We need you to attend the upcoming 10 Year Mental Health Plan public information sessions. For dates and more information, click here.
How else can you get involved?
- Participate in the annual NAMIWalks NH this upcoming Sunday, September 30th in Concord. It's not too late to register. You can even register the day of the walk.
- Attend our Public Policy Committee meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month. Contact Michele Watson for more information.
- See our website for more ideas.
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NAMI New Hampshire| 603-225-5359 | 800-242-6264 InfoLine | info@NAMINH.org | NAMINH.org
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