NAMI Marion County E-Newsletter
V olume 2 Issue 4 ------- April 2019
NAMI Marion County, P.O. Box 5753, Ocala, Florida 34478-5753
(352) 368-2405 www.namiocala.org
NAMI Advocacy - Speaking for you!
Medicaid Work Requirements

A U.S. District Court Judge ruled for the second time against taking Medicaid coverage away from people who do not meet work requirements. Judge James Boasberg ruled that employment conditions do not advance Medicaid's basic purpose of providing health coverage.  

“Cutting off Medicaid for people with mental illness won’t improve their mental health—or help them get or keep a job,” said Angela Kimball, NAMI National Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. “We applaud the Court's decision." Read more here.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders

NAMI testified in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) which provide legal mechanisms for the removal of firearms from people who are potentially at risk of harming themselves or others.

In his testimony, Ron Honberg, NAMI’s senior policy advisor, emphasized that criteria for ERPOs should be based on specific, real-time behaviors and evidence-based risk factors for violence rather than targeting or singling out people with mental illness. 
Read more here. 
What is USDA proposing to change?

For nearly 20 years, SNAP law has allowed states to suspend the three-month limit in areas with high and sustained unemployment. The USDA is now proposing to eliminate the most commonly used ways in which a state can demonstrate a lack of sufficient jobs for low income adults without disabilities, and as a result, states would not be able to request waivers for some areas where unemployed adults cannot find work. NAMI is concerned that this change will negatively affect low-income, non-disabled people with mental health conditions.
NAMI needs members to support its advocacy initiatives. The more members we represent, the stronger our voice. Join NAMI today.
NAMI MARION COUNTY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF:
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If you rearrange the letters in "depression," you get "I pressed on."
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE THIRD THURSDAY
OF EVERY MONTH!

Time: 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Place: St. Leo's University
1930 SW 38th Ave., Ocala
Registration is free and required at www.eventbrite.com.
A light lunch will be provided.
Monthly Lunch & Learn Series!




Join us for the April 18th Lunch & Learn Workshop as CareerSource CLM addresses: "Ticket to Work Program" Learn how disability beneficiaries can return to work and enjoy the economic and emotional benefits realized through employment without the loss of their disability benefits.
Happiness Assessments!
How Happy Are You?
We spent the afternoon on March 28th at Forest United Methodist Church doing Happiness Assessments. Meredian Behavioral Health Services was there with us to provide additional counseling via telehealth if needed. 60% of those screened benefitted from additional counseling. We are so grateful to be able to make this service available. Contact us if you would like to host these assessments.
Look for more screenings to be scheduled later in April as well as in May & June.
  • Donate money
  • Donate a brick
  • Donate a slab
  • Donate a bench
  • Donate a car
  • Donate a building
Here are some innovative ways to donate to NAMI Marion County!
Donate in memory of or as a tribute to someone dear to you. * A brick embossed with the wording of your choice and placed at The Centers. * A Granite Recognition slab can include a logo or artwork making this a special way to show your support. * Memorial benches are available with a brass plaque for your special engraving requests. Click here for more details!

Mother's Day is coming. What a wonderful way to memorialize your mom with a dedicated brick.

Click on the button to donate here!
We need volunteers to help us present this new program!

NAMI Family & Friends is a 4-hour seminar that informs and supports people who have loved ones with a mental health condition.  We will provide training and line up appointments for our presenters.

Requirements to be a presenter:

* Be a current member of NAMI.
* Have (or had) a family member/loved one affected by mental illness.
* Feel comfortable speaking to large groups.
* Have a flexible schedule.

If you're interested in helping families cope with the challenges associated with mental illness, please visit our website here and apply.

We have many other volunteer opportunities available! Visit our website for a complete list. Help us help people affected by mental illness.
Volunteers sought to visit schools to do ETS presentations!

We all recognize that that there are safety challenges in today's schools and that help is needed. NAMI Ending The Silence (ETS) offers t hree separate presentations at public or private schools to (1) students; (2) school staff; (3) parents and caregivers. The focus is to help audience members learn about the early signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Requirements to be a presenter:

* Peers with a mental illness under the age of 35 years.
* Peers with a mental illness over the age of 36 years.
* Must be a current NAMI member
* Must be comfortable presenting to diverse groups and ages.
* Flexible schedule.

Be part of the safety solution in our schools! If you meet the qualifications to be a presenter, please visit our website here and apply.
NAMI FaithNet is appearing at more places of worship in Marion County.

As religious leaders come to realize that NAMI can help their congregations with mental health challenges, we are establishing more relationships with the faith community.

Featured NAMI FaithNet
Church of the Month:
Forest United Methodist Church, 17635 SR 40, Silver Springs.

* FUMC is currently hosting our NAMI Family Support Group,

* They hosted the March Happiness Assessments and are willing to provide them monthly until June, and

* They have a whole section of their community room (bulletin board and literature table) dedicated to NAMI.

Thank you for your support Forest United Methodist Church.

To learn more about NAMI FaithNet, visit the website here .
Treatment Courts: An example of alliances working!
NAMI Marion County Board Member Luis C. Isaza, Sr., wrote a compelling article in the March 24, 2019 Star-Banner "Other Voices." It gives an explanation of the NAMI/Diversion Courts Alliance . The Alliance ensures a speedy attainment of common goals, and extends a hand up to participants when other support is not readily available. It does not replace existing assistance from other organizations and/or individuals. The oversight committee insures implementation of their objectives. Created in April, 2018, The Alliance was recognized in September by the City of Ocala with a Community Cash Sponsorship grant for the City’s Fiscal year 2018-19.
Click here to read the full article.
Anyone interested in donating, please contact:  [email protected]
Easy ways to donate!

All NAMI programs are offered free. You can help us continue to provide the help needed for people affected by mental illness.
When you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

Choose NAMI Marion County as your designated charity and donate every time you buy from Amazon! Just go to smile.amazon.com - it's easy!

NAMI Marion County also participates in Network for Good.

Just go to their website at http://www.networkforgood.org/donate/
choose your charity using the search function and follow the instructions.

Another way to donate - visit our website at www.namiocala.org and click on Donate or click here.
NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model to ensure you and others in the group have an opportunity to be heard and to get the help you need. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Family Support Groups:
*First and third Tuesday of every month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala in Room 17, Building D.

*Second Monday of every month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., St. Timothy’s RC Church on 441, Lady Lake.

* Third Monday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Forest United Methodist Church, 17065 SR 40, Silver Springs.
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Connection Recovery Support Group on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, in the Old Fellowship Hall.

* Participation in all support groups is free. * No registration is required.
* Complete confidentiality is assured.
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Class and Peer-to-Peer Education Class both currently in progress!
Our classes are filled close to capacity with people who want a more in-depth understanding of mental illness and the ways to prevent relapse and stay on the road to recovery. Contact us if you would like to be on the waiting list for future classes. Click here for more information about these programs.
NAMI Homefront is a free, online six-session class for NAMI members who are family, friends and significant others of Military Service Members and Veterans. Learn how to help your loved one.

Click here to register

  *All participants must be NAMI members and are screened to ensure this class is appropriate for their needs.

J OIN NAMI!
Membership fees are $40 individual, $60 household, or open door membership is $5. Click here to join, update or renew your membership.
Volunteers needed and appreciated!

Mental health issues are a serious problem in our community and the world. Be part of the solution. You will receive the intrinsic value of knowing you're helping your community while also receiving a very attractive t-shirt! Sign up here