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Click here to watch the latest episode discussing PTSD and featuring author Diane Cameron
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This edition of the NAMI E-News comes to you as negotiations on the state budget begin to intensify which is why you will find information on many of the key issues NAMI-NYS is advocating for and how we and our affiliates are making our voices heard. Along with state advocacy information, this edition also looks at federal issues with the inclusion of the Kennedy Forum's guide to Congress. We encourage our readers to use the information on advocacy to make their voices heard on actions needed to create a mentally healthier New York State.
Speaking of making voices heard, this edition also details how the discussion of mental health issues is broadening in the media by including information on a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy which demonstrates how schizophrenia impacts individuals and families and a new documentary produced by singer Demi Lovato.
You will also notice a new section in this week's edition on the NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign, which is another opportunity for our members and readers to raise awareness of mental health in your community.
As always, we want to know about the work you are doing. Please email
Matthew@NAMINYS.org with details and pictures about your work. This way we can feature it in the E-News and print Newsletter. Showcasing your work will allow others to learn from you and that's the best way we can grow together as an organization.
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NAMI-NYS Participates in NYAPRS Legislative Day and
Press Conference for Housing with Wrap-Around Services
As State Budget Negotiations Intensify
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Top: NAMI-NYS Associate Director of Public Affairs, Matthew Shapiro addressing the NYAPRS event, NAMI-NYS Government Affairs Chair, Irene Turski, speaking at housing press conference. Middle: Jack Beck of the Correctional Association of New York with NAMI-NYS Criminal Justice Chair, Jayette Lansbury. Bottom: Jayette Lansbury, Matthew Shapiro, NAMI-NYS Executive Director, Wendy Burch, Sylvia Lask and Irene Turski following the press conference. |
On Tuesday, February 28th, NAMI-NYS participated in the New York State Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitative Services (NYAPRS) Legislative Day and in a press conference detailing the need for the state to expand their investment in housing with wrap-around services for people with mental illness. At the NYAPRS event, Associate Director for Public Affairs Matthew Shapiro spoke about the need for the Legislature to increase the amount of funding for Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), which is one of the key components of NAMI-NYS's criminal justice reform priorities. The Executive Proposal includes $500,000 for CIT; we are urging the Legislature to increase this amount in their one-house budget bills.
Later that day, NAMI-NYS joined NYAPRS, the Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS) and the Association for Community Living-New York State (ACLNYS) for a press conference on our top legislative priority issues, housing with wrap-around services. At the press conference, Government Affairs Chair Irene Turski spoke as a family member to explain how this type of housing has played an important role in her sister's recovery. Irene also detailed how continuity of care is crucial in this type of housing and how that is only achievable by hiring and sustaining qualified and caring staff. As we have detailed, housing providers have received flat-funding for more than two decades, leading them to operate at 43% of where they should be due to inflation over that time. It will take $38 million a year for the next three years to simply return the providers to the appropriate operating levels. The Executive Budget included $10 million for housing and NAMI-NYS and our advocacy partners are advocating vehemently to have the Legislature add the additional $28 million needed.
Click here to watch the press conference in its entirety on the NAMI-NYS Facebook page. While there, be sure to like the page if you have not already.
Click here to view the 2017 NAMI-NYS Action Agenda.
UPDATE:
As the negotiations on the state budget intensify,
we are making progress on these issues as Assembly Mental Health Chair Aileen Gunther has requested the additional $28 million for housing to be included in the Assembly one-house bill. Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Chair Robert Ortt has requested another $750,000 for CIT to be included in the Senate one-house bill. It is also important to note that the Senate has identified an additional $503 million from that detailed in the Executive Budget and the Assembly has identified the additional revenue to be $1.3 billion. This additional revenue makes the investments NAMI-NYS and our advocacy partners are calling for more plausible. Below you will find how to make your voices heard during the critical month of March as the budget is decided.
Watch the Latest Episode of Mental Health Now
and View the Action Alert on Housing and Veterans' Mental Health
Earlier this week, NAMI-NYS sent out an Action Alert featuring the latest episode of Mental Health Now and talking points for calling legislators. The episode features Diane Cameron, author of
Never Leave Your Dead: A True Story of War Trauma, Murder and Madness. Along with being an award winning author and journalist, Diane also works for Unity House, which provides the type of housing services NAMI-NYS is advocating for. During the episode, Diane discusses both of these issues.
Click here to view the Action Alert and make your voice heard.
NAMI-NYS Young Adult Leader Allie Hill and NAMI-Mid-Hudson Member
Tina Lee Participate in Dutchess County CIT Training
Earlier this week, as NAMI-NYS was advocating for additional funding for Crisis Intervention Team trainings, Allie Hill, one of our Young Adult leaders, and her mom Tina Lee, the Resource Development, Outreach and Program Coordinator for NAMI Mid-Hudson affiliate, participated in a CIT training for police and first responders in Dutchess County. Allie offered her perspective as someone living with a mental illness and detailed her previous interactions with police, and Tina provided the perspective of family members and the importance of talking to families while intervening with people in mental health crises.
As NAMI-NYS advocates for increased funding for CIT trainings, it is equally important that our affiliates make their voices heard on the local level, encouraging their counties and police departments to hold such trainings. It is also important that NAMI-NYS members participate in these trainings to put a face on the experiences lived by individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
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ABC TV's Grey's Anatomy Details the Impact of Schizophrenia on Individuals and Families and Runs PSA on NAMI
The February 23rd episode of Grey's Anatomy features a story line involving a patient with schizophrenia. The episode demonstrated the impact the disease has on both the individual and their families in a realistic way as the story mirrors the experiences of many NAMI families. During commercials the network aired a public service announcement featuring actress Kelly McCreary, stating how one in five Americans will experience a mental illness and that help is available, The announcement also states that people should contact NAMI.
Click here to see the PSA on NAMI's Facebook page.
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Senate President Flanagan Says 'Raise The Age' Will Be Part of Budget Talks
This issue of the NAMI-NYS E-News detailed CIT as one of the planks of the
criminal justice reform platform of our 2017 Action Agenda. One of the other planks is the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility, as New York is one of two states that can still charge a 16 year old as an adult. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have made addressing this issue a priority for several years, yet the reform has faced serious opposition in the Senate.
Last week, Senate President John Flanagan stated "Sometimes these issues, they percolate in one year and don't seem to get to the forefront. This is clearly going to be a very significant component of the budget." Flanagan conceded that the issue is "an extremely complicated area" for his members and said they are internally hashing out a plan they would bless.
Click here to read more about this from an article in Politico.
The Manhattan Institute Holds Panel on ThriveNYC Where City Mental Health Commissioner Defends the Program Against Criticisms from DJ Jaffe
On February 28th, the Manhattan Institute held a forum on treating serious mental illness and examining the city's lauded ThriveNYC. Among the panelists were Dr. Gary Belkin, executive deputy commissioner for mental health at the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and DJ Jaffe, executive director of Mental Illness Policy Org, who has been vocal in his criticism of the program's failure to address serious mental illness. At the forum, Jaffe stated that ThriveNYC is "not focused on the seriously ill. It wraps worthy social services in a mental health narrative."
Dr. Belkin responded by arguing that the notion of a seriously mentally ill population is a "fake category." Because that term refers to the current severity of the illness, not the initial diagnosis, people are constantly moving in and out of such a category. He also said about $165 million is dedicated to treating the seriously mentally ill--which Belkin said represents "one of the largest, if not the largest, chunks" of spending. "There's a perception that we're not [spending money on the seriously mentally ill], but in fact there's a huge investment there."
Click here to read an article on the forum from Crain's New York,
Click here to watch a video of the forum from the Manhattan Institute's website.
Still Time to Register for
Mental Health Therapy Aide Trainee
Civil Service Exam
On May 13, New York State will be holding civil service exams for Mental Health Therapy Aide Trainee positions. These positions provide direct services, treatment, rehabilitation, and support to individuals diagnosed with mental illness that receive services in an institutional or community-based setting. Aides would help individuals to participate in games and recreational programs; coach and encourage individuals to develop daily living skills; and provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. They would work with other staff to develop, carry out, and record care plans, and, in accordance with special instructions, they may administer medication.
Click here to learn more and to sign-up for the exam, the deadline to register is March 29.
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New Documentary "Beyond Silence"
Encourages People to Speak Up for Mental Health
"Beyond Silence" is a new documentary produced by singer Demi Lovato that features three different people who share one common experience-their lives have been transformed by speaking up for mental health. The film provides a glimpse into their lives and their diagnoses-which include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety-ultimately weaving together a story about how speaking up is key to living well. Beyond Silence, directed by acclaimed photejournalist Shaul Schwarz, celebrates the strength, perseverance and dedication of these courageous individuals determined to break through the silence often associated with mental illness and help others along the way.
One of the people featured is Jeff Fink of Go Fetch Wellness, who has previously presented at the NAMI-NYS Education Conference.
The Kennedy Forum Release "Navigating The New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction: A Guide for the 115th Congress
Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and his Kennedy Forum have released Navigating The New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction: A Guide for the 115th Congress. Many of the recommendations revolve around treating psychiatric disorders as physical ailments by further use of insurance parity and service integration. It also recommends
removing barriers to inpatient treatment in Medicaid and Medicare, which NAMI has advocated in favor of for decades. The guide also discusses criminal justice reforms and incorporating mental health education in schools.
In his letter to Congress, Kennedy states, "It is time to end the needless suffering across America, as well as in your home districts. The stakes couldn't be clearer: The opioid epidemic continues to rage, and more than 55,000 Americans died of accidental drug overdose in 2015 alone. Over 27 million Americans reported using illicit or prescription drugs, and another 66 million reported binge drinking. One in four Americans are impacted by a mental health condition. Furthermore, there exists a strong co-morbidity between these illnesses themselves and a host of other physical health conditions. This crisis is mostly the result of a systemic lack of care and coverage, despite the fact that everybody knows somebody affected by these illnesses."
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NIMH UPDATE
NIMH Resources on Eating Disorders Available in English and Spanish
This past week was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. NIMH has resources available on eating disorders in both English and Spanish.
Teenage Depression Study
This research study seeks to understand the causes of depression in teenagers. It is part of a larger study looking at irritability and mood dysregulation. This part of the study's goals are to improve our knowledge of which treatments work best in depression, and will compare teenagers with depression to those with severe irritability. The research will also study teenagers with depression as they grow up.
This study is currently recruiting participants who:
* are ages 12 to 17, and medically healthy
* meet the criteria for major depressive disorder
* are currently in treatment with a physician and not currently hospitalized, psychotic, or suicidal
* are able to perform research tasks that include brain imaging, computer tasks and behavioral & psychological testing
Click here for more information or call 301-496-8381
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2017 NAMIWalksNYS September 23rd
NAMI-NYS looks forward to building on the success of our inaugural NAMIWalks NYS. The 2017 NAMIWalks NYS will be taking place on Saturday September 23rd at Jennings Landing in Albany. You can
click here to start your team and/or donate to the walk.
NAMI-NYS will be holding our first information meeting on March 7th at 6:30pm. Click here to register for the information meeting which will feature refreshments and fantastic door prizes. For more information you can email Heide@naminys.org
Information on Other NAMIWalks in New York
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2017 NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign |
As May (which is Mental Health Awareness Month) is fast approaching it is time to begin preparing for this year's NAMI-NYS Ribbon Campaign. The statewide campaign allows NAMI-NYS and our local affiliates to partner with businesses, local governments, police and fire departments and schools in spreading mental health awareness and letting people know that NAMI is a place to find help and find hope.
Click here to view a two-page brochure which details the campaign, which can be printed as a double-sided sheet to give to perspective ribbon campaign partners.
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March 7-
The Panera on New Scotland Ave. in Albany will be having a fundraising night to benefit NAMI-NYS.
Click here
to obtain a flyer to present at the restaurant.
March 7-
Information meeting for 2017 NAMIWallks NYS. Click here for more information..
March 9th-The Capital District Psychiatric Center Family Services presents an Overview of Personality Disorder featuring Dr. Arif Shahabuddin. The meeting begins at 5pm on the third floor of CDPC located 75 New Scotland Avenue in Albany.
March 16 - MHANYS Mental Health Education in School Summit taking place on March 16
th
at Albany Law School. This summit brings together experts in mental health and education to discuss the impact of the recent passage of the Mental Health in Education Schools Bill. Among the speakers in the summit include State Education Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia and State Mental Health Commissioner, Dr. Ann Sullivan. The cost of the event is
twenty dollars
to cover the cost of lunch. You can register at
www.mhanys.org
March 16th-The Capital District Psychiatric Center Family Services presents an Overview of CDPC Peer Services presented by Mary Caggiano, Peer Specialist and Michael Ammendola, Peer Specialist. The meeting begins at 5pm at the CDPC Family Resource Center located 75 New Scotland Avenue in Albany.
March 21-
NAMI
-NYC Metro presents a workshop and discussion about WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), which is a personalized coping strategy designed by the client, for the client. Gina Calhoun, the National Director for Wellness and Recovery Education at the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, will run an afternoon workshop about what a WRAP is, as well as how to create and use your very own WRAP. In the evening, Gina, her mother, and her sister, will share their stories. Go to www.naminycmetro.org/wrap/ for more info and to RSVP.
APRIL 5- NAMI of Central Suffolk's
Educational/Informational Speaker Series offers:
SAVE A LIFE WITH NARCAN TRAINING
! The free training, is given by Suffolk Co DOH and will enable participants to recognize an opioid overdose, administer intranasal Narcan and take additional steps until EMS arrives. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and an emergency resuscitation kit that includes nasal
Narcan
. Hope you can join us at Mather Hospital Port Jefferson Conference Rooms One and Two at 7:30 pm.
April 21-2017 "A Brighter Day" event at Glennpeter Jewelers. Click here for more information.
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NAMI Ending the Silence
March 4th, 2017
Trainer: Jodie Terhune
Location: NAMI Rochester Office
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
July 14th-16th, 2017
Trainers: Ann Canastra & Cheri Caiella
Location: Comfort Suite Cicero-Syracuse
NAMI Basics Teacher Training
April 1st-2nd, 2017
Trainers Almarie Tulloch & Karen Alvarez
Location: NAMI Rockland Office
NAMI Peer-to-Peer Mentor Training
April 21st-23rd, 2017
Trainers: Cynthia Scott & Donna Israel
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
May 19th-21st, 2017
Trainers: Patti Sacher & Bonnie Goldberg
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Homefront Teacher Training
May 20th-21st, 2017
Trainers: Pam Solomon & Jerry Burton
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Support Group Facilitator Training
March 25th-26th, 2017
Trainers: Pat Sine & Jack Goldstein
Location: NAMI Rochester Office
NAMI Support Group Facilitator Training
June 3rd-4th, 2017
Trainers: Deniece Chi & Nancy Parker
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
June 3rd-4th, 2017
Trainers: Bill Perun & Chris Wasilenko
Location: NAMI Rochester Office
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
June 24th-25th, 2017
Trainers: Cynthia Scott & Lady Charmaine Day
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
October 20th-22nd, 2017
Trainers: Patti Sacher & Bonnie Goldberg
Location: NAMI-NYS Office Albany
NAMI Homefront Teacher Training
October 21st-22nd, 2017
Trainers: Pam Solomon & Jerry Burton
Location; NAMI-NYS Office Albany
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