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April 29, 2020
NAMI NH ENews
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Thank You, NAMI NH Volunteers!
Throughout National Volunteer Week (April 19th - 25th), NAMI NH took the opportunity to share how much we appreciate all of our volunteers. These generous folks give NAMI NH statewide reach - bringing messages of hope and reassurance that people aren't alone to every corner of the Granite State.
From teachers, support group facilitators, board members, NAMIWalks NH volunteers, and speakers, to folks who testify at legislative hearings, participate in committees, and cover resource tables at events around the state -
THANK YOU!
All NAMI NH volunteers are valued and serve integral roles in the NAMI NH family. Thank you to each and every volunteer for joining us in our mission to improve the lives of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
Kenneth Norton, LICSW
Executive Director
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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 May 4th. 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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Congress' missing COVID-19 response: Mental health
COVID-19 isn't just affecting our physical health and daily life - it's affecting our mental health. Whether it's lack of access to mental health treatment, loneliness and depression from isolation, stress and anxiety from the danger of contagion, grief from losses, or despair from losing employment and trying to make ends meet, our country is in pain.
Nearly half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health.
Yet, despite trillions of dollars being spent to respond to this pandemic, little has gone to address the mental health emergency arising from this crisis.
This is unacceptable.
Our Congressional leaders need to step up and act to help people with mental health conditions and every single person trying to cope with uncertainty, isolation and grief.
Demand for mental health services has never been higher, but most mental health providers say they have been forced to cut back on their operations. Meanwhile, there has been an 891% jump in calls to the federal government's crisis hotline.
We need Congress to provide funds to keep mental health providers afloat. Congress also needs to invest in crisis services, peer supports and other services to meet growing community mental health needs. And we need Congress to respond to the spread of this virus in our criminal justice system, which houses far too many people with mental illness.
We need Congress to act, and act quickly. Reach out to your members of Congress and tell them that mental health is still missing from our nation's response to COVID-19.
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Activity at NH Legislature Suspended
The NH Legislature has currently suspended activity due to COVID-19.
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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Today in NH Emergency Departments...
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12 adults
(11 in EDs, 1 in a correctional facility)
and
0 children
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are 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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Suicide Prevention & Survivors of Suicide Loss
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Welcome Kelley Caravona!
NAMI NH welcomes Kelley Caravona (formerly Kelley Gaspa) as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator overseeing the five-year, SAMHSA-funded (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide grant. In this role, Kelley is responsible for working with project partners to implement the grant activities, including building statewide and regional capacity through evidence-based strategies to reduce risk of suicide in youth up to the age of 24.
Kelley comes to NAMI NH with great passion and extensive experience in prevention and public health, having recently been the Assistant Director at Partnership for Public Health in the Winnipesaukee Public Health Region. During her time there, she was responsible for implementing a prior GLS grant in the region as part of broader prevention activities.
"I'm very excited join the team at NAMI NH as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the GLS NH Nexus Project 2.0.," says Kelley. "Having been part of a GLS grant in the Winnipesaukee Public Health Region, I was able to see the positive impact of these interventions in action. I look forward to being part of educating and empowering communities in New Hampshire to recognize and respond to suicide risk competently and confidently."
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NAMI NH's Ken Norton and Elaine de Mello Present at AAS20
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the American Association of Suicidology moved their annual international conference online this month. Featured virtual presenters included NAMI NH Executive Director Ken Norton and Director of Suicide Prevention Services Elaine de Mello. AAS20 brought a lens of health equity to the issues around suicide prevention.
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Thank You & Best Wishes to Debbie Baird
NAMI NH wishes to thank Debbie Baird for her many years as an employee of NAMI NH. Debbie recently left her position as a Community Support and Education Specialist. During her time here, Deb worked to improve suicide prevention efforts in the state by provide training in suicide prevention and postvention and working with Regional Public Health Networks and others around the state. She also played a lead role in strengthening the loss survivor network including an expansion of suicide loss survivor support groups in NH. Many people benefited from her dedication to suicide prevention and those affected by suicide loss. We are grateful for her commitment to this field and wish her the best for the future.
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Suicide Prevention Resources
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NAMI NH April ONLINE Speaker Series
Life Interrupted with Shelley Lathrop (4/30)
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For more information, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at 1-800-242-6264 (press 4) or info@NAMINH.org.
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New ONLINE Weekly Family Support Group
tel. # | zip code | relationship/age of your family member/friend of primary concern
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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. You can watch all episodes anytime on our YouTube playlist.
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Are You a Parent or Caregiver of a School-Aged Child?
The Bureau of Student Wellness at the New Hampshire Department of Education has tapped NAMI NH to connect with parents and caregivers to find out about the current engagement opportunities within your child's school, challenges to engaging with the school, and suggestions for improvement.
The information gathered will be reviewed by a team of family representatives and professionals to develop a plan which schools/parent & youth organizations will utilize to help them increase meaningful family & youth engagement opportunities and allow diverse leadership roles (co-creators, supporters, advocates, models) for family members to engage.
How can you help?
Complete this electronic survey which contains two demographic questions and five main questions about school engagement. Estimated time to complete the survey is under 10 minutes.
Your answers will be held in strict confidence and will be used only for the purposes of this study. The results will be reported in aggregate form only and cannot be identified individually.
Questions? Please contact Sandy Alonzo at 603-545-2014 or
salonzo@NAMINH.org.
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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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4-Week Tele-Yoga from IAGB, NIMHANS, and NICY
IAGB
and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and its Integrated Centre for Yoga (NICY) located in Bangalore, India are collaborating to bring you a 4-week online yoga course (tele-yoga). This program is based on the initiative of NH State Representative Mrs. Latha Mangipudi and Mr. Krishna Mangipudi.
The Yoga sessions are specifically designed to help the feeling of well-being during this stressful time. This free online live yoga course will start from Monday, April 27th and it is planned for 5 days a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7.30 AM. The course will be presented by trained professionals who have had an extensive experience in the practice of Yoga. Please visit the website for more information
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NAMI NH Webinar Highlight:
Effective Crisis Planning: What Families Need to Know
A step-by-step guide for people with loved ones with mental illness to create a crisis plan. With details of what to include in the plan and which actions to take, this webinar offers a template for those in need.
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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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| GFWC NH Evening of Unity to Benefit NAMI New Hampshire |
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Thank you, GFWC-NH!
Evening of Unity
Thank you to the
GFWC New Hampshire
for hosting a wonderful virtual Evening of Unity on April 24, 2020 to benefit NAMI NH. We are so grateful for this simply amazing group of women. Their first Evening of Unity had to go virtual, but still raised over $3,700 for programs and services to benefit Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. In addition to being fabulous fundraisers, they are passionate advocates and have gone above and beyond to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide. As President Anne Engelhardt said during the event, "We care and we do something about it." It is this spirit upon which NAMI NH was founded, by Peggy Straw and other hurting families who were determined to raise awareness and bring hope to others. It has been a joy working with the GFWC-NH over the past two years, and we are grateful for their generous and steadfast support.
The evening featured In Our Own Voice speaker Cara Carter, who shared her moving and inspiring journey to recovery and hope. Chief Justice John Broderick received the first Unity Award, presented to an individual who advocates, educates, volunteers, and makes an impact in their community. Congratulations to Judge Broderick on this honor, and for his tireless efforts to change the perception of mental illness and inspire so many in New Hampshire and beyond with his family's story of hope.
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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 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 NAMIWalks NH, please
contact Brittany Porter.
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Happy Birthday Facebook Fundraisers & Thank You!
NAMI NH likes to recognize our supporters who have hosted Facebook fundraisers for NAMI New Hampshire's programs and services. In Q1 of 2020, twenty people set up birthday fundraisers on Facebook. Because of you, and the many generous donors who gave in your honor, Granite Staters 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!
Thank you and happy birthday 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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Did you know there are a variety of ways you can make a transformational gift to NAMI New Hampshire?
- Join the NAMI New Hampshire Legacy Circle by including us in your estate planning, giving a lasting gift to help us continue providing support, education, and advocacy well into the future.
- Consider giving a gift of stock and potentially avoid paying capital gains tax. Click here to learn more about the tax benefits of donating stock to a charity. Instructions for transferring a gift of stock to NAMI NH are available here.
- If you are age 72 or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts. This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket, and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. Making a pre-tax charitable donation directly to NAMI NH can eliminate or reduce the impact of this income.
- Stacking your gift may help you exceed the new standard deduction. This method of giving allows you to combine several years of charitable contributions in a single year, maximizing your potential tax benefit.
NAMI New Hampshire was recently honored with a Nonprofit Impact Award from the NH Center for Nonprofits. As the former Executive Director of NAMI NH and a father of a daughter with mental illness, one might think I'm biased when I say that the award was definitely well deserved. However, it only confirmed our belief that regularly giving to NAMI NH through our retirement program and adding NAMI NH as a beneficiary into our will is the right thing to do. With our gifts, and those of others, NAMI NH can continue to be good stewards of its resources, putting them to work for individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide. Giving is an honor, especially when we see that what NAMI NH does works. Yet, they have more to do. Together, our collective resources ensure NH has an accessible, quality mental health and suicide prevention delivery system for Granite Staters.
~ Michael and Saundy Cohen
For more information, or to discuss additional opportunities, please contact Kristen
or call 603-225-5359 x350. Sample bequest language is available on our
website
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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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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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