Throughout this issue of the E-News you will find examples of how NAMI-NYS is working to improve the lives of those impacted by mental health challenges and their families through education, advocacy, support and raising awareness. Please support our work by making a Giving Tuesday contribution.

Click here to read a message from Executive Director Wendy Burch which details the how NAMI-NYS has met the many challenges posed by the events of the past year and how with your support we have helped a record number of people.

On Tuesday, NAMI-NYS's Associate Director, Public Affairs Matthew Shapiro testified before a joint hearing on Mental Health Crisis Response held by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator Samra Brouk.

Matthew testified how New York needs to ensure that a mental health crisis is met with a mental health response and how "providing an appropriate mental health response will benefit both law enforcement officers and those in need of help amid a crisis. A mental health response can get people on the road to recovery—and free up law enforcement to do the job they signed up to do."

Matthew detailed the three elements needed for mental health crisis response: crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization options. He also explained the need to continue to fund CIT programs and work to prevent mental health crisis situations by increasing access to mental health services. NAMI-NYS also states our support for Daniel's Law.

Click here to read the testimony.

Click here to watch the hearing, NAMI-NYS's testimony starts at the 54:16 mark and Matthew also participates in the question and answer period for the panel.

Click here to read an article from the Albany Times Union which details the hearing and the testimony of Joe Prude, brother of Daniel Prude.

On Wednesday, NAMI-NYS continued the conversion around the need for mental health crisis reform. Executive Director Wendy Burch participated alongside Assemblywoman Gunther and our advocacy colleagues at a press conference to demonstrate support for the 9-8-8 legislation currently in committee in both the Senate and Assembly. The groups also used the occasion to mark Mental Health Month, and demonstrate the importance of awareness of mental health advocacy programs.

Click here to read the press release.

The session featured a distinguished panel including NYS Senate Mental Health Chair Samra Brouk, NAMI Ambassador Frank "the Legend" Shamrock, Lt. Willie Flack, Albany Police Department, Katie Flanagan. Clinical Director of Emergency/Crisis Services and Training Albany

County Department of Mental Hygiene, Stephen J. Giordano, Ph.D. Albany County Director of Community Services (DCS) and Albany County Mental Health Commissioner,  The Hon. Judge Seth Peacock, Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten and Kenny Hogan, "Chief Resilience Officer” for the Union County, NJ Prosecutor's Office. 

NAMI-NYS is so grateful to all our leaders for sharing their expertise and for their commitment to spreading mental wellness throughout New York State. We would also like to thank Angela Krieg, a graphic recorder, who generously volunteered to use her skills to create graphics that highlight each of our session. You can learn more about Angela's work at www.akriegstudio.com.

On Wednesday, May 26th, at 4 pm on Zoom, we are excited to present Part 4: Multicultural Mental Health. In this session, NAMI-NYS will be joined with experts from across the state who will discuss their work in expanding cultural mental health.

Panel includes:

Register here!

The purpose of the NAMI-NYS Youth Advisory Council is to connect youth and young adults to NAMI-NYS support, education, advocacy and public awareness efforts so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The YAC also provides a space for youth and young adults to voice their interests, concerns, and ideas for how we can continue to develop and expand mental health and mental illness resources in NYS.

We welcome all those who are passionate about mental health to participate. Please complete this form to join the council and help shape our future.

NAMI Buffalo continues bringing NAMI visibility to the western New York community during Mental Health Awareness month.

The NAMI ribbon appeared at Zion Lutheran Church for May, where our board members Jackie Thompson and Patsy Foster presented last week to the church's Nurturing Committee and are planning with them a faith-based community presentation about NAMI for June 30.

NAMI Buffalo hosted an online Family Education meeting this week on Emergency Mental Health Response and CIT, with presenter and trainers Jessica Stuewe of Crisis Services Erie County and Capt. Amber Beyer of the Buffalo Police Department.

On Friday, May 21st at 6 pm on zoom, NAMI Capital Region will be offering an In Our Own Voice presentation.

Join NAMI-NYS and NAMI Capital Region in Albany on Saturday, May 22nd @ 10:15 am for our Mental Health Awareness Car Parade!

NAMI Walks Your Way is a United Day of Hope with the destination as always being Mental Health for All. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 22nd and hosted by three affiliates: NAMI Rochester, NAMI NYC-Metro, and NAMI Westchester.

NAMI Affiliates Hold NAMI Family & Friends Presentations

NAMI Family & Friends is a free 2-hour presentation that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.

NAMI NYC-Metro will be holding a NAMI Family & Friends presentation on Friday, May 21, 6 to 7:30pm.

NAMI Finger Lakes will be holding a NAMI Family and Friends presentation on Saturday, May 22, at 11 am - 1 pm. Register here.

NAMI Orange County will be holding a NAMI Family & Friends presentation on Saturday, May 22nd 4 - 6 pm. Learn more here. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] and/or call 845-344-7681.

NAMI NYC-Metro Holds Decriminalizing Mental Illness

JUNE 4-Peer-to-Peer. NAMI Syracuse, Fridays June 4th thru July 30th from 1:00pm to 3:30 pm. To register contact Gerry Simmons at 315-425-4400 / [email protected].

JUNE 7-Family-to-Family. NAMI Mid-Hudson Family-to-Family, Mondays June 7^th thru July 26^th from 6:30pm-9:00pm. To register contact Joann Brown at 845-832-6368 / [email protected]

JUNE 25 -Peer to Peer. NAMI Mid-Hudson Peer to Peer, Fridays June 25^th through August 13^th  from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. To register contact Joann Brown at 845-832-6368 / [email protected]

SEPTEMBER 13-Family-to-Family. NAMI Mid-Hudson Family-to-Family, Mondays September 13^th thru November 8^th from 6:30pm-9:00pm. To register contact Joann Brown at 845-832-6368 / [email protected]

OCTOBER 1 -Peer to Peer. NAMI Mid-Hudson Peer to Peer, Fridays October 1^st through November 19^th  from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. To register contact Joann Brown at 845-832-6368 / [email protected]

Online Family-to-Family trainings will be held on May 15th and May 16th.

Please contact your local affiliate program leaders for more information and how to enroll.

Part 4: Implementing a New System

Part 4 of the series is being held today, Thursday, May 20th at 4pm est. and will provide an overview of the crisis model being developed and implemented in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, and will offer background on how to get started locally on implementation of a new crisis system. Following the presentations, NAMI’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Duckworth will lead a guided discussion and Q&A with our panel of experts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a world that is markedly different than a year ago. The NAMI HelpLine experienced more than a 90% increase in calls and emails over the past year — each representing an individual, a friend, a neighbor or a family member searching for help. And while 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. have a mental health condition, in February 2021 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that 2 in 5 people in the U.S. are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety.

NAMI’s full written testimony is available here. Watch the recording of this hearing here.

Advocates can contact their members of Congress here to voice support for crisis response funding.

Today at 6pm, at Columbus Park, Social Work Diva in partnership with the Office of Brooklyn Borough President is hosting a wellness event including yoga and mediation.

Mental Health Awareness Month and the Power of ABLE Accounts

On Wednesday, May 26th, at 2 - 3pm, join our ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC) Ambassadors as they discuss ABLE accounts as a wellness tool for people who have a mental health diagnosis (psychiatric disabilities). The panelists will share how ABLE accounts empower them to build economic resilience while promoting better mental health outcomes.

Please note: Real time captioning will be provided for this webinar. For other accommodation requests, questions about the webinar, or the registration process, please contact us at [email protected].

The team at New York State Psychiatric Institute is conducting a research study to test a new financial wellness program for people experiencing financial difficulties and recent thoughts of ending their lives. This program seeks to help people improve their financial situation and feel more hopeful about their future.

New York State Psychiatric Institute would like to get input from peer providers to help them develop an effective program. We are looking for peer providers aged 18-64 who are certified in their state OR have 5+ years of experience as peer providers.

If you are interested in offering your input, the New York State Psychiatric Institute would like to invite you to participate in a 90-min focus group via HIPAA-compliant Zoom. During the focus group, they will ask your opinion about the types of supports that could be most helpful. The New York State Psychiatric Institute would also like your feedback on our program activities and resources.

Compensation will be $50 via PayPal.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form here. A member of the New York State Psychiatric Institute team will contact you to provide more information about the focus group.

If you have any questions about this research study, please e-mail the New York State Psychiatric Institute at: [email protected].

This study is a series of online surveys to understand the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of daily reflection on social and emotional well-being.

Participants may be eligible for this study if they are:

Participants will complete an initial online survey lasting 20-30 minutes. Participants will then complete brief daily surveys lasting 10-15 minutes each for the following two weeks. Each daily survey completed will enter the participant into a raffle to receive one of four $25 gift cards. Participants must provide an email address to access daily surveys and receive raffle entries.

To view the consent form and participate in the study, click here: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dJzlvoA0wsR7Eh 

Click here to view documents with additional information about the study. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the researchers at [email protected] or [email protected].

Our partners at Manhattan Psychiatric Center are conducting a clinical research study and are looking for people who are living with schizophrenia to get involved.

While there are several treatment options available to help manage schizophrenia, for many people these treatments do not fully control their symptoms. Researchers are working hard to expand their knowledge of schizophrenia and improve available treatments.

Studies like this one are important for medical advances. Current treatments are only available because of past research study volunteers.

To pre-qualify for the ALIGHT schizophrenia study, a person must:

This is not a complete list of study requirements. The study doctor will review all requirements with potential study participants and their caregivers. There is no cost to study participants for the study treatment or any study-related procedures or exams. In addition, reimbursement for study-related travel costs and meals may be available dependent on your country's regulations.

To learn more about the ALIGHT schizophrenia study or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call 212-961-8992.

Northwestern University is holding a study about how technology can be used in the future to help people manage self-injury and mental health being conducted at

If you choose to participate, you will complete a short survey and a 60-minute remote interview. You will be compensated with $25.00 for your time.

Learn more on the NAMI-NYS COVID-19 Resource page.

NAMI-NYS Communication Specialist, Cassandra at [email protected].