NAMI NH ENews | June 30, 2020
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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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NAMI NH Annual Conference Moves Online
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Registration is FREE for this event - more information coming soon!
Join us starting
Thursday, July 23rd at 6 PM
as Ken Norton, NAMI NH Executive Director, kicks off the Annual Conference Learning Series. Opening remarks will be followed by the keynote presentation delivered by Lynda Michaud Cutrell. Lynda, a Boston area artist, will share more about
The 99 Faces Project: Portraits Without Labels
. Hear about the 99 striking photographs of individuals with serious mental illnesses and those who love them and the artist’s goal to normalize mental health through a series of powerful images.
Each year at the NAMI NH annual conference we come together to learn, network, refresh and honor champions of mental health in communities around New Hampshire. We invite community partners to help sponsor this year’s conference
Faces of Hope
. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact
Kristen Welch
or read more about
virtual sponsorship Opportunities
.
Thank you to the following organizations for their generous support:
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Workshop Sponsor
Supporter
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Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the NH Department of Health & Human Services, and Governor Sununu, NAMI NH is extending the suspension of all in-person support group meetings, classes, presentations, and trainings through July 31, 2020.
During this period of physical distancing, the NAMI NH team is working hard to stay socially connected to Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
To connect with resources & support, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at
[email protected]
or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
Current and upcoming virtual offerings include a Family-to-Family course, webinar series on First Episode Psychosis/Early Serious Mental Illness, additional offerings in the Side-by-Side Lunch & Learn series, twice weekly Yoga & Meditation, a roundtable discussion on older adult mental health, and much more.
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NAMI New Hampshire Executive Director Ken Norton has been named to the
Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community, and Transparency
.
Learn more.
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The NH Senate and NH House have taken up legislation this week that's critical to mental health and suicide prevention in the Granite State.
Learn more
.
Click here
to see NAMI NH's 2020 legislative priorities, read our testimony, track bills, and sign up for public policy alerts, and more. For more info, message:
[email protected]
.
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Today in NH Emergency Departments...
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7 children and 19 adults
(18 in EDs, 1 in a correctional facilitiy)
are waiting for psychiatric hospital care.
NAMI NH
can connect those impacted by long ED waits with information, resources and support.
Learn more.
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 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 year, clubs around the state will work with NAMI NH to raise awareness and funds.
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(Laconia Daily Sun)
(WMUR-TV)
(Washington Post)
(Huffington Post)
(Washington Post)
(National Public Radio)
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18th Annual NAMIWalks NH
Make plans to take part in New Hampshire's largest mental health awareness and suicide prevention event!
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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We were truly humbled by the response to the Annual Meeting (especially since wespend much of our days online lately!). While there is no replacement for seeing you all in person and enjoying each other's company, the true spirit of NAMI New Hampshire was evident in the hopeful messages offered by our staff and volunteers, and the exceptional and inspiring accomplishments of our phenomenal Annual Award and NAMI National Award recipients (you can read more about them below!). We werepleased to welcome Ward Bennett, Healthcare Policy and Advocacy Director at
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
, for opening remarks from the evening's sponsor.
Thank you to Peter Janelle, who is ending his two-year term as President of the Board of Directors. Peter's leadership and wisdom have been invaluable to our success, and we are thrilled he will continue to serve on the board. Major (Ret.) Russell Conte will serve as President for 2020 to 2021, and we are excited to have his energy and expertise as we face new and unique challenges. We are sorry to say goodbye to board members Karen Trudel and Andrew Hosmer, both of whom served with purpose and passion. They will be missed!
If you registered but were unable to attend, please click
here
for the recording.
Our FY19 Annual Report is available
here
. We are grateful to our teachers, leaders, volunteers, affiliates, board members, staff, donors, and partners (all of YOU!) for making the work we do possible and collectively improving the lives of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
Registration for the 18th Annual NAMIWalks NH is OPEN! Click
here
to register for NH's largest mental health awareness and suicide prevention event.
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Top Row (left to right):
Educators of the Year - The Keene Paraprofessionals Association
For their work to support students and families, reduce stigma, and raise awareness of mental health.
Law Enforcement - Chief David Goldstein, Franklin Police Department
For his passionate leadership, expertise, and advocacy for improved access to mental health services and training for first responders.
Volunteers of the Year - The Eastman Family (April, Kelsey, and Chuck)
For their passion and dedication as champions for mental health and suicide prevention.
Middle Row (left to right):
Mental Health Professional - Dr. Linda Call, Concord Behavioral Health
For her skill, compassion, and commitment to providing evidence-based treatment.
Unsung Hero - Kelsey Eastman
For supporting those who are struggling and lifting others through her actions.
NAMI National Exemplary Psychiatrist - Dr. Ram Yadati
For his leadership, advocacy, compassion, expertise, and commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide.
Bottom Row (left to right):
Media - Adam Furious, Rock 101
For sharing his story and the stories of others to reduce stigma and raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
Peer Support - Melissa Danen
For her dedication, passion, and empathy.
NAMI National Young Leader Award - Patrick Dowling
For his courage and tenacity in advocating for new options to minimize the use of restraints during transport to New Hampshire Hospital.
Not Pictured
Legislator of the Year - Representative Mark Proulx
For his advocacy and leadership in promoting mental health, peer support, and training for first responders.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:
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We are so proud to be part of a movement that raised over $3 MILLION for nearly 500 nonprofits throughout the Granite State overnight!
Thank you to the 50+ caring and compassionate donors who raised over $7,000 to support the programs and services provided by NAMI New Hampshire. We are honored and grateful for your 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.
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
[email protected]
or 603.235.5359 x350.
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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 July 31st. 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.
NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line continues to operate!
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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
[email protected]
or call 1-800-242-6264 with any questions.
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Suicide Prevention Resources
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Veteran & Military Families
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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.
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Webinar Series from American Public Health Association
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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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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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