NAMI Marion County E-Newsletter
V olume 2 Issue 5 ------- May 2019
NAMI Marion County, P.O. Box 5753, Ocala, Florida 34478-5753
(352) 368-2405 www.namiocala.org
NAMI Advocacy - Speaking for you!
I'm not on Medicaid so why should I care
about pending Medicaid legislation?

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides coverage for over 72 million Americans and is a shared program between states and the federal government. Federal law requires state Medicaid programs to provide services like hospital stays, doctor visits, and laboratory services, but states have the option to provide additional benefits like prescription drugs or screening and diagnostic services.
 
Medicaid is the single most important source of funding for mental health services in the U.S., covering nearly 27% of all mental health care in the U.S. and nearly half of all public mental health spending. It delivers effective mental health treatment that allows people with mental illness to be successful at work, at school and at home.
 
Medicaid is also an important tool to promote early identification and intervention in the treatment of mental health conditions. State Medicaid programs typically cover a wide variety of mental health services such as case management, peer support services and psychiatric rehabilitation that are often not covered by private health insurance. While many of these services are optional for states, offering these services can often cut down on the need for more costly long-term hospital care.
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 want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." (Dalai Lama)
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 May 16th Lunch & Learn Workshop as Tom Walsh - Director, Campus Suicide Prevention provides an overview of suicide throughout history and a focus on today’s college students. 

Mr. Walsh will also provide the QPR (Question Persuade and Refer) training that CF has been providing to all students and faculty/staff.
FaithNet
Church of the Month!
First United Methodist Church has been a valuable partner with NAMI Marion County for years by providing a location for our NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group & NAMI Family Support Group meetings.
We appreciate their support. Thank you!
Happiness Assessments!
How Happy Are You?
Join us on May 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church as we offer Happiness Assessments. Meredian Behavioral Health Services will be there with us to provide additional counseling via telehealth, if needed. To date more than 90% of those screened benefited 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 at your event or group.
Look for more screenings to be scheduled in May & June at Forest United Methodist Church (outlined below).
  • 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.

Upcoming Happiness Assessments at Forest United Methodist Church.

Thursday, May 23 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 27 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Free! Confidential!

Thank you for your support Forest United Methodist Church.

We have a secret - maybe not-so-secret anymore!
NAMI Marion County's goal has been to set up a Clubhouse for people with mental illness. A Clubhouse is a psychosocial wraparound program. The strengths of the clubhouse model include its ability to provide a safe environment, supportive relationships and supported employment activities. 

We're getting closer to our dream. We are working on obtaining start-up funding and we are looking for a location. If you know of a site on a bus route, please let us know. We will also need a kitchen for cooking classes. We're researching whether to rent or purchase. (We would dearly love to have a building donated but one dream at a time!) If we can put the contracts, location and pieces together, you will see a notice of a grand opening this summer! Click here for a video explaining more about the Clubhouse concept.
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 graduations in June!
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

Lutheran Services Florida

This community partner helps communities build healthier, happier, and hope-filled tomorrows by impacting the lives of 1 in 50 Floridians through various services offered across the state. We are pleased to share two upcoming events. For more information, please contact Lesley Hersey, Community Engagement Specialist at [email protected] or (904) 624-2804
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