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June 10, 2020
NAMI NH ENews
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We hope you can join us virtually for our 2020 Annual Meeting!
NAMI NH members are eligible to vote on the slate of Board members. Not sure if your membership is current? Email us and we will check for you! Not yet a member? Becoming a member is easy and affordable! A household membership is $60 annually, and an individual membership is $40 each year. We thank you for your support!
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NAMI New Hampshire stands with the LGBTQ+ community year-round and will continue to examine how we can best offer support and advocacy within families, schools, government, workplaces, and larger communities.
Our community members who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a higher risk for mental health issues. Support from family members, friends, colleagues, and community members is critical.
NAMI New Hampshire support groups are open to all - learn more.
For information on mental health conditions and the LGBTQ+ community, along with local and national resources, click here.
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Pride Month Zoom for Youth & Young Adults
Tuesday, June 30th, 5:30 pm
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Pride Month Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire
The NAMI NH family is having a blast sharing a weekly storytime video for kids of all ages. Click below to watch the latest episodes of Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire, and hop over to our Facebook page each Friday for a new story.
In honor of Pride Month, all of our June books feature a wonderful cast of LGBTQ+ characters.
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How You Can Help LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
Thursday, June 18, 2020; 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Revolution and protest are daily parts of our lives. Fifty years ago, at Stonewall Inn, a revolution and protest would change the course of history when young LGBTQ people spoke up about their oppression. Twenty years ago,
The Trevor Project would take the first frightened calls from LGBTQ youth who were no longer going to accept being silent. In this webinar, presenter Sam Brinton will discuss the latest data and research on the mental health of LGBTQ youth as well the ways both big and small that each and every one of us can save the lives of LGBTQ young people.
NAMI's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ken Duckworth, will moderate a Q&A session at the end of the webinar. This webinar will be recorded.
Sam Brinton is the Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. Sam is one of the world's leading advocates for LGBTQ youth. They are the founder of the 50 Bill 50 States campaign at The Trevor Project to end the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, first in the United States and then around the globe.
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On May 29, 2020, both NAMI National and NAMI New Hampshire released statements addressing systemic racism and its impact upon mental health.
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NH Legislative Update
The NH Legislature is scheduled to meet this week to address a few priority bills and bills related to COVID response. In order to maintain social distancing, the Senate will meet in Representatives Hall and the House will meet at UNH in the Whitemore Center. There are procedural/political issues that are still to be resolved that may actually prevent the House from meeting. In preparation for this, several virtual hearings were held during the past week which NAMI NH participated in. These included:
- SB 295 (support) Which would broaden the oversight of the Office of Child Advocate to include among other areas mental health related issues.
- HB 1280 (support) This now consolidated bill will include almost a half dozen different bills related to addressing the high cost of pharmaceuticals including possible importation from Canada.
- SB 555 (support) a bill which would provide parity between payment for telehealth services and office-based services and make permanent some of the easements to telehealth regulations which occurred during COVID emergency.
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.
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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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Yesterday in NH Emergency Departments...
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4 kids and 20
adults
(18 in EDs, 2 in correctional facilities)
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were waiting for psychiatric hospital care.
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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NAMI In Our Own Voice Zoom Speaker Series
NAMI In Our Own Voice presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with
mental health
conditions. Presentations provide a personal perspective, as speakers talk openly about their lived experiences.
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NAMI NH on NHPR's The Exchange
Brian Huckins, Director of Children & Youth Programs at NAMI New Hampshire, was recently featured on
New Hampshire Public Radio's The Exchange. The conversation focused on children's mental health, addressing kids' concerns, and exploring potential long-term impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Suicide Prevention & Survivors of Suicide Loss
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Suicide
Prevention and Postvention Training Goes Virtual with NAMI New Hampshire's Connect Program
The Connect Program is now working virtually in states around the country, providing prevention and postvention programs through Zoom and with online training programs. This month, the Connect team is conducting virtual and online trainings with Ohio and Oregon, and next month with Colorado and Connecticut. Last month,
the Alaska Air National Guard had their medical and mental health providers complete the Connect Suicide Prevention training online during drill weekend as part of the ongoing initiatives that Alaska is implementing with NAMI New Hampshire and the Connect Program.
NAMI NH's Ann Duckless and Kelley Caravona are conducting virtual trainings in New Hampshire for school personnel and social service providers around the state.
Through the Garrett Lee Smith grant, training and planning sessions are also being scheduled for the fall.
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Suicide Prevention Resources
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Free Webinar on First Episode Psychosis
Thursday, June 18, 2:00 PM
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The NAMI NH Annual Conference is Going Virtual!
Free learning series begins on July 23rd...
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ONLINE Weekly Family Support Group
tel. # | zip code | relationship/age of your family member/friend of primary concern
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ONLINE Live
Parent & Caregiver Group Monthly on 2nd Wed.
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Veteran & Military Families
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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.
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Online Support & Resources
The NAMI NH office is closed to the public and in-person support group meetings and trainings are suspended through June 30th. However, staff members continue their work remotely, and with the exceptional assistance of NAMI NH volunteers, most 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.
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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. Click each link below to learn more and request membership.
Don't hesitate to contact info@NAMINH.org or call 1-800-242-6264 with any questions.
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Party with a Purpose: A Day of Hope!
"At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
(Albert Schweitzer)
Thank you for joining us for our virtual Party with a Purpose: A Day of Hope on May 30th. While we missed seeing you, hearing from you, and listening to you in person this year, we are grateful for the many ways in which you continue to support the mission of NAMI New Hampshire.
Together with other compassionate and committed donors, you raised over $14,000 to help provide support, education, and advocacy to Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. Thank you to those who contributed to our Challenge Pledge (which we exceeded, thanks to you!), bid on or donated an item in the Day of Hope Online Auction sponsored by
AmeriHealth Caritas, and shared our posts far and wide on social media. Your gifts will impact many lives in the months to come, and we are grateful.
Click
here to watch the inspirational videos from NAMI NH Executive Director Ken Norton and Deputy Director Susan Stearns.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor,
Janssen, for making this event possible.
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18th Annual NAMIWalks NH
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Concord, NH
Make plans to join us at New Hampshire's largest mental health awareness 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 event, please
contact Brittany Porter.
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Thank You!
May 2020 Facebook Fundraisers
Thank you to the many generous folks who hosted Facebook Fundraisers for NAMI NH in May. You raised an astounding $4,888! Because of you, and the kindness of those who gave in your honor, Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide will continue to receive help and hope.
It's easy to get in on the Facebook fundraising fun - and, as an added bonus, there are no fees from Facebook to either the donor or to NAMI NH from these fundraisers! If you have questions or need guidance, please contact us at
development@naminh.org.
Thank you to the kind and generous folks who chose to share their Facebook fundraiser contributions with NAMI NH. We are honored to do this work alongside you and are grateful for your steadfast support.
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Despite the current situation, we want to share some key changes for the 2020 tax filing year that may be beneficial to you and your family during these difficult times.
The U.S. Congress has passed the CARES Act to provide economic assistance and there are some important changes that may make a difference for you this year.
Checks for individuals: If you had an income of less than $75K last year, you will receive a check of $1,200. Individuals who earned between $75K and $100K will also receive a check on a sliding scale based on their incomes. If you have a bank account on file with the IRS, you likely received a direct deposit in mid-April. Otherwise, the IRS will begin mailing checks in early May.
Additional Income Tax Charitable Deduction: You can deduct up to $300 above the standard deduction for individuals in charitable contributions. This is for everyone, even if you have no other itemizations.
No "RMDs" from your IRA, but Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are still a smarter way to give: For individuals with IRA accounts, there are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) this year. However, giving pre-tax funds out of your IRA will still lower your future tax burden compared to giving cash. If you are interested in this method of giving, please contact your IRA custodian for more information.
We hope you find this information useful as you make important decisions about how to best support NAMI NH and other charities this year. If you have any further questions about the CARES Act or just want to reach out, please
contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development or call 603-225-5359 ext. 350.
We are grateful for your steadfast and generous support of NAMI NH.
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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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Webinar Series from American Public Health Association
APHA is hosting a webinar series to give an in-depth look at racism as a driving force of the social determinants of health and equity. The series will explore efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. Presenters will highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice.
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NAMICon Goes Virtual for 2020
After thoughtful deliberation, NAMI National has made the difficult decision to transition NAMICon 2020 from an in-person meeting to a virtual experience. As you are aware, risks associated with large-scale live events this year remain unknown, and we are committed to the health and safety of all our attendees, staff, presenters, sponsors and exhibitors. We also recognize that many people and organizations now face tough budget decisions, especially related to travel and professional development opportunities, that may make the trip to Atlanta less feasible.
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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.
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