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Annual Lobby Day a Success!
By: Madison Tallant, Boston College School of Social Work Policy Intern
Over 200 NAMI Mass members and friends came to the State House April 3, 2017 to make their voices heard about important mental health legislation. Before beginning the event a moment of silence was held in memory of our longtime friend and supporter, Senator Ken Donnelly, to honor his many years of public service.
The highlight of the day was the speaking presentation, moderated by
June Binney, Director of our Criminal Justice and Diversion Project, about the importance and impact of mental health training for police officers.
Sergeant Fred Cabral of Cambridge Police and
Sergeant Chris Malinn of Brookline Police testified to the importance of this training for police officers and demonstrated the variety of ways that CIT skills has been incorporated into their daily work.
Patrick Lareau and
Nancy Parker offered their personal stories about their interactions with the police as a peer and a family member. Their moving testimony illustrated the power of a positive police response and the critical role those interactions can play in someone's mental health journey.
Many thanks to all who were able to join us! Your voice is critical in our fight to improve the lives of individuals with mental health conditions and their loved ones.
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Dept. of Public Health Hearing in Worcester about UMass Memorial's Proposal to Cut 13 Psych Beds Draws Large Crowd
Laurie Martinelli testified on behalf of NAMI Mass at the Thursday March 30, 2017 hearing in Worcester.
Click here for a copy of her testimony. The local NAMI affiliate in Worcester was there also. President John Casey who is a therapist and retired judge Mel Greenberg, both spoke against the plan, asking that no cuts be made "until and unless" replacement beds are available.
There were over 200 people in attendance and the hearing lasted for more than three hours. Over 25 people testified about the dire need for psychiatric beds, emergency room boarding which is a documented problem for people with behavioral health issues and how moving beds outside of Worcester will hinder family and friends ability to visit patients in psych units, impeding the recovery process.
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Work on Your Recovery at a NAMI Peer-to-Peer Program!
NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free11-week recovery-focused educational program for adults who wish to establish and maintain their wellness. Great value is placed on the individual experiences of each person in the class and participants are empowered and invited to share their own stories and the coping tools that have worked for them. For more information about the programs and where they are located, visit our website here
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NAMI Basics Course in Acton!
NAMI Basics is a free, 6-session education program for parents and family caregivers of children and youth who are experiencing an emotional or behavioral challenge or who have already been diagnosed. The program provides critical strategies for taking care of your child and learning the essentials of resiliency and recovery.
Classed start in Acton on Tuesday, April 11,2017, 7:00-9:30 PM.
Pre-registration is required. For more information and to enroll, please contact Dee Febba at 978-697-3442 or deefebba@comcast.net, or Judy Melillo at 978-264-4291.
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Spring and Fall NAMI Family-to-Family Courses Offered in Multiple Locations
The NAMI Family-to-Family program is free 12-session education program for family and other caregivers of adults over 18 with severe mental health conditions. Courses are being offered in
Dorchester, Hingham, Wakefield, and Worcester.
The following Fall courses are also enrolling in Brookline, Brockton, Concord, Dartmouth, Greenfield, and Northampton.
Pre-registration is required. Find out more and sign up
here
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Attention Boston Globe Print & Digital Subscribers!
Support NAMI Massachusetts with your GRANT voucher. It takes one minute and costs you nothing.
Enter your information online here. Or you can mail in your voucher provided by The Boston Globe. The more vouchers NAMI Mass receives, the larger the ad space we get. Don't delay,
the
deadline is April 30, 2017.
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Mental Health Stability In College
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
7:00 pm
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
775 Bay Road, South Hamilton, MA
Focus Questions:
- What are some mental-health friendly signs to look for in a college?
- How are teachers and students educated about identifying and helping individuals who may be in distress?
- What can a parent do if they know their student is having mental health issues on campus?
- When a student begins to experiences mental health difficulties, what does the college have in place to help the student stay in school?
- When a student needs to take a mental health leave, are there supports on campus to help with the transition back?
Panel Members:
- Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, NITEO Manager, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University
- Mary Barrows, Senior Director, Learning Strategies & Student Success, Northeastern University
- Elisa Castillo, Assistant Dean for Student Wellness, Salem State University
- Brianne Duff, MSN, RNC, HN-BC, Adjunct Faculty, Director of Student Health Services, North Shore Community College
- Nicole McMahon, Certified Peer Specialist, Waverly Place, McLean Hospital
Q & A session will follow the presentations
Open to the Public. No admission charge.
Questions? Call Julie at 978-468-0431.
Co-sponsored by NAMI Greater North Shore and Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District
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Together Empowering Asian Minds (TEAM) Spring Screening
Together Empowering Asian Minds (TEAM) is a national media campaign to raise awareness of mental health among Asian American women and their love ones.
Performance by Syncopasian, MIT's East-Asian a cappella group
Videos: Out of the Blues (Personal Story); Mental Wellness (PSA); Reflections of A Tired Dragon Lady (Video Essay)
Speakers and Panel Presentation
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Please Send Us Your Event Information to be Added to the Calendar.
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NAMI Massachusetts | 617-580-8541 or 800-370-9085|
info@namimass.org |
namimass.org
About NAMI Massachusetts: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI Mass) is a nonprofit grassroots education, support and advocacy organization. Founded in 1982 and obtaining 501 (c)(3) status in 1999, NAMI Mass, is the state's voice on mental illness with 20 local chapters and more than 2,500 members. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for people with mental illnesses and their families by educating the public; fighting stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes; and promoting recovery.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Massachusetts.
Your privacy is important to us; therefore, NAMI Mass will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link below of any email to unsubscribe, or to receive less or more information
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