The Bell Newsletter

November/December 2023 Holiday Issue: Evening of Excellence, National Family Caregivers Month, Managing Stress During the Holidays

Our 23rd Annual Evening of Excellence

A Smashing Success!

Mental Health Association in New Jersey's 23rd Annual Evening of Excellence

THANK YOU!

Our sponsors make this event possible.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) recently hosted their 23rd Annual Evening of Excellence at the Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, NJ. More than 280 people gathered to honor four outstanding individuals and one organization as behavioral health pioneers. We are deeply appreciative to everyone who made this event a success, especially our sponsors, partners, attendees, donors, ad journal advertisers, Board members, staff and volunteers. Thank you for your support! Click here to read more.

Click here to flip through the

23rd Annual Evening of Excellence Ad Journal.

Emily Grossman, Evening of Excellence Keynote Speaker, Launches New Book

MHANJ is excited to share the news that Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, NYCPS-P, Peer Life Coach, and author has just published her first book, Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self. Ms. Grossman captivated our Evening of Excellence audience with her keynote address. Her inspiring journey to wellness and recovery is detailed in her new book which is available now, just in time for the holidays.

Click here for the link to purchase Emily's book.

National Family Caregivers Month

What is a Caregiver?

According to estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, during the past year, 65.7 million Americans... served as family caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. And with a rapidly aging population in the US, these numbers are expected to rise.(apa.org)

Many of us know a caregiver who has touched our life or the life of someone close to us.Caregivers can be parents, relatives, friends, partners, adult children, neighbors, or have some other kind of relationship to the person living with a physical or mental health condition.

When many people hear the word caregiver, they tend to think of someone who takes care of a disabled relative and acts almost like a home

nurse, while also taking care of finances, cooking and cleaning. That's not wrong, but not all caregivers play such an involved role. Being a caregiver can mean a lot of things.

Click here to read more.

MHANJ Offers Many Resources for Caregivers- Please visit the links below:

Cape Atlantic Caregiver Coalition

MHANJ's Family Support

IFSS- Intensive Family Support Services

Coping with Holiday Stress

When does holiday hustle and bustle amount to too much stress?

Yes- the holidays are meant to be a time of joy and togetherness but for some, they can be a trigger of mental health challenges. Mental health and substance use conditions may be exacerbated during the busy holiday season. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or (NAMI) 64% of people with an existing mental illness say the holidays will make their conditions worse.

Preparing meals, gift shopping, decorating and hosting family and friends, in addition to our normal responsibilities, can be over-whelming.

Click here to read more.

Certain groups may need additional support during the holidays.

Click the following links for helpful suggestions.

Holiday Tips for Caregivers

Some caregivers already feeling

overwhelmed with tasks, may view traditional holiday preparations as more of a drain of precious energy than a joy. (Family Caregiver Alliance)

Dealing with Grief During the Holidays

The holidays can be stressful for lots of reasons, but when grief is one of them, it can make the season even more challenging.

(American Psychological Association)

MHANJ's Mental Health players will offer several workshops on coping with Holiday Blues and Grief-

Scroll below for dates.

In the Spotlight

Congratulations To Parantap Pandya

2023 "Outstanding Provider Award"

Congratulations to MHANJ's Parantap Pandya, MA, Family Support Specialist, on recieving the 2023 "Outstanding Provider Award" given by SAMHAJ (South Asian Mental Health Awareness in New Jersey), a program of NAMI New Jersey. Parantap was presented with the award Sunday, November 5th at the SAMHAJ Diwali celebration.

BULLETIN BOARD

RESOURCES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Uncomfortable Change Series offered by the

NJ Mental Health Players

Lynette Sheard, Director of NJ Mental Health Players and Community Education Coordinator for MHANJ and the nationally recognized award winning Mental Health Players will be offering workshops on having uncomfortable conversations dealing with the Holiday Blues.

Dates are as follows: 12/6- Seton Hall University; 12/7- West Orange Dept. of Senior Services; 12/14- New Brunswick Public Schools; 12/14- Program for Parents; 12/20- National Council Jewish Women

For more information contact Lynette Sheard at: lsheard@mhanj.org

United By Wellness Classes & Support Groups

Scan the QR Code to Join UBW

or call

609 652-3800

Out and About

MHANJ and The New Jersey Hospital Association

Partner to Support Veterans

The MHANJ is pleased to partner with the New Jersey Hospital Association to provide Mental Health First Aid training for Military Veterans across the state. MHANJ's Ruth Kaluski and her team most recently offered this training at the Kean University Center for Veteran Student Success.

673 Morris Ave. Suite 100

Springfield, NJ 07081

Phone: (800) 367-8850

Emily Grossman, Evening of Excellence Keynote Speaker, Launches New Book

What is a Caregiver?

Coping with Holiday Stress

Congratulations To Parantap Pandya

2023 ﻿"Outstanding Provider Award"

2023 "Outstanding Provider Award"