NAMI-NYS’s leading advocacy priority is increasing access to mental health services and creating a continuum of care for all New Yorkers impacted by mental illness. 

Ensuring timely access and insurance coverage for needed mental health services is vital and essential to the successful implementation of Governor’s Hochul’s transformative plan to overhaul New York State’s continuum of mental health care. The Governor’s plan closes gaps in insurance coverage for behavioral health services and prohibits insurance carriers from denying access to medically necessary, high-need, acute and crisis mental health services for both adults and children, including medications for substance use disorder.

Additionally, Governor Hochul is proposing to adopt appointment availability and geographic accessibility standards for behavioral health services. This will require payment parity for behavioral health telehealth services and mandate the use of OMH-designated medical necessity criteria and tools and authorize lawsuits by insureds for state law parity violations.

These initiatives are long-overdue and desperately needed, but despite these facts, the Assembly has not included these reforms in their one-house bill. Governor Hochul and the NYS Senate have made insurance reform a priority, now tell the Assembly that they need to increase access by adopting insurance reforms in their one-house bill. Use the link below to send a pre-written email to the Assembly.

Listen to NAMI-NYS Discuss the Need for Hospital and Insurance Reforms as Well an 8.5%COLA for the Behavioral Health Workforce and Expansion of Mental Health Housing With

the Sanctuary for Independent Media

On Wednesday evening NAMI-NYS's Senior Director, Government Affairs, Matthew Shapiro was a guest on the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Matthew discussed NAMI-NYS's advocacy priorities including the need to care for those who care for us by providing the behavioral health workforce with a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), why the hospital and insurance reforms NAMI-NYS is seeking are so important and the crucial role that mental health housing programs play.

Click here to listen to Matthew's segment.

NAMI-NYS Encourages Our Members to Participate in OMH Community Feedback Sessions

The New York State Office of Mental Health has announced the latest round of community feedback sessions. As NAMI-NYS has explained Governor Hochul's budget has prioritized mental health in an unprecedented way, now it is imperative that our members explain why the proposals Governor Hochul has introduced are so important. You can use the NAMI-NYS Advocacy Guide to help communicate your message. Here is the list of upcoming sessions.

Mohawk Valley

Utica – Delta Hotels by Marriot, 200 Genesee Street

6:00PM-8:00PM - Monday, March 20, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM - Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Western

Olean – Jamestown Community College, Cattaraugus Campus, 260 North Union Street

6:00PM-8:00PM - Monday, March 20, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM - Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Buffalo – Hyatt Regency, 2 Fountain Plaza

6:00PM-8:00PM - Tuesday, March 21, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM - Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Finger Lakes

Rochester – Hyatt Regency, 125 East Main Street

6:00PM-8:00PM – Wednesday, March 22, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM – Thursday, March 23, 2023

Southern Tier

Binghamton – Holiday Inn, 2-8 Hawley Street

6:00PM-8:00PM - Wednesday, March 22, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM - Thursday, March 23, 2023

Click here to register.

NAMI-NYS Puts Out 2023 Advocacy Guide

NAMI-NYS has released our 2023 Advocacy Guide. As we have reported over the last couple of weeks, we truly have an historic opportunity this session as Governor Hochul has made an unprecedented commitment to mental health in her State of the State address and budget proposal which includes a billion dollars in mental health investments.

Now it is up to us to help make the promise of the Governor's budget a reality. Our voices are going to be needed to help counteract the myriad of special interests who will seek to block this necessary progress.

The guide details the 2023 NAMI-NYS Action Agenda, provides talking points on the Governor's proposal and our other action items and provides steps to effectively tell our stories. Click here to access the guide.

NAMI NYC Metro Basics Online March 20 2023

MARCH 20- NAMI Basics. NAMI NYC Metro Basics Online Mondays, March 20^th through April 24^th   2023 from 6:00pm-8:30pm. To register contact Frances Green at 212-417-0949 or email fgreen@naminyc.org

NAMI Westchester Family to Family Online March 20 2023

March 20-NAMI Family to Family. NAMI Westchester Family to Family Online Mondays, March 20^th through May 8^th from 6:00pm-8:30pm. To register contact Terry Brennan at 914 592-5458/ Terryb@namiwestchester.org.

NAMI NYC Metro Peer to Peer Online March 24 2023

MARCH 24- NAMI Peer to Peer. NAMI NYC Metro Peer to Peer Online Fridays, March 24^th through May 19^th 2023 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. To register contact Frances Green at 212-417-0949 or email fgreen@naminyc.org

NAMI Westchester Family to Family Online March 25 2023

March 25-NAMI Family to Family. NAMI Westchester Family to Family Online Saturdays, March 25th through May 13th from 9:00am-11:30am. To register contact Terry Brennan at 914 592-5458/ Terryb@namiwestchester.org.

NAMI NYC Metro Family to Family April 6 2023

APRIL 6- NAMI Family to Family. NAMI NYC Metro Family to Family Thursdays, April 6th through May 25th 2023 from 11:00am-1:30pm at 307 W 38^th Street - 8^th floor, New York, NY 10018. To register contact Frances Green at 212-417-0949 or email fgreen@naminyc.org

NAMI Syracuse Family to Family April 12

APRIL 12- NAMI Family to Family. NAMI Syracuse Family to Family Wednesdays, April 12th through May 31st 2023 from 6:00pm-8:30pm at NAMI Syracuse Office, 917 Avery Ave, Syracuse NY. To register contact Sheila LeGacy at 315-447-26497or email sheila.legacy@accesscny.org

NAMI Syracuse Peer to Peer April 19

APRIL 19- NAMI Peer to Peer. NAMI Syracuse Peer to Peer Wednesdays, April 19th through May 31^st 2023 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at ClearPath for Veterans. To register contact Gerry Simmons at 315-412-3019 or email gerald.simmons@va.gov

NAMI Syracuse Homefront April 26

APRIL 26- NAMI Homefront. NAMI Syracuse Homefront Wednesdays, April 26th through May 31st 2023 from 6:00pm-8:30pm at ClearPath for Veterans. To register contact Ann Canastra at 315-412-3019 or email ann.canastra@va.gov

NAMI Rockland Spanish Basics Online April 26

APRIL 26- NAMI Spanish Basics. NAMI Rockland Spanish Basics Online Wednesdays, April 26th through May 31^st 2023 from 6:30pm-9:00pm. To register contact Anne Arias at 845- 480-6572 or email anne@namirockland.org.

NAMI Finger Lakes NY Homefront Hybrid May 1st 2023

MAY 1- NAMI Homefront. NAMI Finger Lakes NY Homefront Hybrid Mondays May 1st through June 12th from 1:00pm-3:00pm, hybrid class with locations in Veterans Administration Centers in Bath NY and Rochester NY. To register contact Elisa Tobia at 607-329-1816 / elisatobia@namifingerlakes.org

NAMI Rockland Family to Family Online May 6

MAY 6- NAMI Family to Family. NAMI Rockland Family to Family Online Saturdays, May 6 through June 24^th 2023 from 10:00am- 12:30pm. To register contact Anne Arias at 845- 480-6572 or email anne@namirockland.org.

NAMI Mid-Hudson Family-to-Family Online June 26 2023

JUNE 26- NAMI Mid-Hudson Family to Family Mondays, June 26 2023 through August 21 from 6:30pm-9:00pm, Online. To register contact JoAnn Brown at contact@namimidhudson.org and 845-206-9892.

NAMI Mid-Hudson Family-to-Family Hybrid Poughkeepise NY or Zoom September 18 2023

SEPTEMBER 18- NAMI Mid-Hudson Family to Family Mondays, September 18 2023 through November 13th from 6:30pm-9:00pm, Hybrid Poughkeepise NY or Zoom. To register contact JoAnn Brown at contact@namimidhudson.org and 845-206-9892.

2023 NAMI-NYS TRAINING SCHEDULE

Family Support Group    April 1st & 2nd   

Family to Family June 10th & 11th

NAMI-NYS Affiliate Support Groups

Click here for full list.

In addition to our NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups, many of our affiliates offer support groups based on community needs. For example, NAMI NYC-Metro offers Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black Minds Matter, Familiares y Amistades, and Pet Therapy support groups. Contact your local affiliate to learn more

On Tuesday, March 9th 2023 Danielle joined NAMI Mid-Hudson’s Program Director, Jo Ann Brown at Saugerties High School to share her story of recovery, crush stigma, and inspire hope with our NAMI Ending the Silence presentation program.

Thank you for having us Health Teacher, Jaimy Johnson,, and Thank you for understanding just how important mental health is! 💚

Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based, presentation designed for middle and high school students. Your students will learn about mental health conditions through a brief presentation, short videos, and personal testimony from a young adult who describes their journey to recovery.

NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult (Danielle) with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.

Some of the comments from post evaluation included: 

“I liked that the speakers shared personal stories. This made it effective and easy to rebate to. This is a wonderful and helpful program.”

“I just want to say Thank you. I feel better about myself and you are making a big difference! I now know I am not alone.”

Movie Night With The Hindu Cultural Center and NAMI Capital Region NY was held March 6th 2023. Dr Rani Gandham from the Hindu Cultural Center and Christine Baxter Board Member NAMI Capital Region NY speaking to the audience. It was a great afternoon.

NAMI Capital Region NY president Mary Beth Honsinger attended the 2023 NYCPG Annual Conference on Problem Gambling on March 8th and 9th at the Albany Marriott.

NAMI Sullivan County had a presence at SUNY Sullivan’s Self Harm Awareness Day on March 1st. In the photo, NAMI Sullivan Board members, Giselle Matthie and Marie Buckstad and Executive Director, Lori Schneider.

Read Press Release

Tuesday, 4/11, 6:30-8:30 pm: Ribbon Campaign Party - learn to tie NAMI ribbons among friends at Holy Rosary Church Parish Center for May, Mental Health Awareness Month. 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

March Monthly Virtual Presentation: Wednesday 3/29 6:30pm   

Dr. Fred Waxenberg is a specialist in Motivational Interviewing. Motivational Interviewing or Motivational Communication is goal oriented, focuses on resolving conflicting feelings and promotes active engagement that empowers people to direct the course of positive change. Everyone Welcome 

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82817409697

Growing Through Discomfort; Developing Strength

NAMI FaithNet’s Clergy Retreat May 11^th 12-3:30pm “Growing Through Discomfort; Developing Strength” .This retreat provides opportunities to experience the power of connection & support by sharing challenges and what we learn from them. Creating conversations in sacred space about how we can thrive through difficult times while maintaining hope. Register at www.namicsliny.org/event/faithnet

Step up for Mental Health

NAMI CSLINY’s “Step up for Mental Health” Walk on Sunday, May 21^st

10-3pm. More information to follow later this month.  

Join the NAMI community for NAMICon! Whether you connect in-person, May 24-27 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, or online, June 6-8, there is so much to learn and experience at NAMICon 2023.

Build connections, be inspired, reenergize and reaffirm your commitment to building better lives for those affected by mental illness.

Register Here

Join NAMI Chief Medical Officer Ken Duckworth and author of NAMI’s first book, “You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health,” for another session and Q&A with interviewees from the book.

In this session, Dr. Duckworth discusses the topic of family communication with guest experts and book contributors George Kaufmann and Dante and Chastity Murry. Join us to hear their personal stories and gain a better understanding of the importance of family communication as it relates to their lived experiences of mental illness within their families.

Register Here

I experienced severe trauma as a child — trauma that I struggle with to this day. I wear the scars of my past; from being sexually abused as a child by two of my male cousins, to growing up with parents who battled drug addiction, to being physically abused for minor infractions. My grandmother eventually became my legal guardian and raised me. Having gone through so much as a child, I started to feel like I had nowhere to turn and no one to share my struggles with. This isolation was compounded by the stigma surrounding mental illness and shame surrounding sexual abuse — particularly within my community.

After I began attending church frequently, I realized I needed to face the manifestations of my trauma head on. I noticed that I had trouble cultivating friendships with — or even being around — other males. Wanting to make positive strides in this area of my life, and help others to do the same, I became involved with NAMI Bucks County at the suggestion of a friend. In January 2022, I started facilitating a group called Black Minds Matter, a group composed of people of color who struggle with mental health issues. Leading a mental health support group was an entirely new experience for me, but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed and cherished.

While leading Black Minds Matter and other support groups through NAMI, I realized I wanted to share my experience and be a voice for other men who are scared to speak up and are suffering in silence. I wanted to let them know that, despite the messages we’d been bombarded with in our communities about masculinity, it is ok to not be ok. I created my own podcast called “Mental Health Check In With Talik,” which is currently in its third season.

The show has had guests from a variety of reality television shows, such as Big Brother, Love Island, The Circle, The Mole, Love is Blind, The Challenge and Survivor, to name a few. I also speak with mental health professionals, spiritual leaders and my friends and family. All guests share vulnerable, real insight into their mental health struggles and provide tips and advice that has worked for them.

As a support group leader and podcast host, I know firsthand that discussing mental health challenges and struggles with friends, family, group members or even a podcast audience is no small task. Here are five tips I have found helpful in engaging my community on mental health.

Read Full Article

NAMI HelpLine volunteers and staff have compiled this directory

of outstanding resources to help you identify possible options to

meet your needs. The resources included in the NAMI National

Resource Directory are not endorsed by NAMI, and NAMI is

not responsible for the content of or service provided by any of

these resources.

Throughout this directory you will find NAMI Knowledge

Articles that provide detailed resources, support options, and

information. They may also be accessed at helplinefaqs.nami.org

for your convenience.

Download the NAMI National Resource Directory as of January 2023 Here

Coordinated Behavioral Care

We are sharing an exciting opportunity to participate in FREE trainings courtesy of CBC Training Institute (TI). Training menu link and background info on CBC TI are below. 

Coordinated Behavioral Care’s Training Institute (CBC TI) is a current recipient of grant funding from SAMHSA and is using these funds to deliver self-care training to mental health professionals across New York State. CBC TI has assembled experts from across the country to help front-line staff heal following a taxing two plus years serving vulnerable communities during a global pandemic. To read about and register for this month’s offerings, please use this link.

Feel free to share with behavioral health providers and staff, as this is a great opportunity.

Suicide & Crisis Lifelines & Mental Health Helplines

Click here to read OMH's latest issue of the 988 newsletter.

If you have questions, concerns, and/or submissions please email Communications@naminys.org.