News You Can Use
from NAMI Massachusetts
May 12, 2021
NAMI Massachusetts is hosting a series of panels focused on how diverse communities think about and address mental health, experience specific barriers, contemplate changes needed, promote recovery and healing, and build resilience. We have invited a panel of speakers to discuss mental health issues in their communities and what type of changes need to happen in order to achieve “Mental Health for All.”

Register for each panel by clicking on the links below. We hope to see you there!

Let's Talk About Mental Health for All: Communities in Conversation — BIPOC Panel
Tuesday, May 18 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM




Let's Talk About Mental Health for All: Communities in Conversation — LGBTQ+ Panel
Thursday, May 20 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
This Week's Walk Wisdom
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
NAMI Mass celebrates the history, culture, achievements, and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

  • You can view our list of mental health resources and supports for people in the AAPI community here.
  • Check out the history of AAPI heritage month along with some online events here.
Governor Baker Proclaims May Mental Health Awareness Month
See a summary of the proclamations below!

  • Mental health includes out emotional, psychological, and social well-being
  •  Mental health allows us to maintain relationships
  •  1 in 5 adolescents have had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life
  • 50% of all mental health disorders being by age 14 and 75% of all mental health disorder being by the mid- 20s
  • Suicide is the seconding leading cause of death amongst people aged 10-34 and the 10th leading cause of death in the United States
  • A lack of mental health awareness leads to devastating impacts on the wellbeing of individuals and society.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to declining levels of mental health in children, teens, and adults in the state of Massachusetts
  • Evidence based mental behavioral health training teaches adults how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use problems in youth and provides adults with skill to use a 5- step action plan to help a youth who may be facing a mental health problem or crisis
  • Teen mental health First Aid Trainings are proven to reduce stigma and trach students to help their friends who may be facing a mental health problem
Finding Home: A Guide to Help You Find Housing (and keep it too!)
Finding rental housing is a big task.The Finding Home guide was created by NAMI Mass to help you through your housing search! In this guide you’ll find information about your housing options and where to look, handouts to help you keep track of your search, and tips from people who have experience with a housing search. Check out the Finding Home guide!
COVID-19 Vaccine in Massachusetts
As of April 19, all people age 16 and up are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
 
How to Get the Vaccine
 
People can get vaccinated in their care setting or place of employment, by their primary care physician, at a pharmacy, or at a public clinic.

 
Need help? Call 211 for help scheduling your appointment.
 
 
Need Transportation? MassHealth will provide free transportation to people with any type of MassHealth coverage. Read more about MassHealth transportation for vaccines here.
 
 
After the Vaccine
 
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention has issued Interim Public Health Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People – read them here. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their final shot.
University of Massachusetts Medical School: Supporting Siblings During COVID-19
Meets the first Thursday night of the Month
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Why is it important? This is a stressful time for families. Siblings might be subjected to physical and verbal aggression from brothers/sisters with mental health or behavioral needs. Siblings can be deeply affected and may be at risk for developing depression and anxiety.

What’s it like? Over Zoom, siblings meet other children and teens who know what it’s like to have a brother or sister with mental health issues. Siblings have a chance to talk and feel better. The Zoom session is facilitated by doctors in the psychiatry department at UMass Medical School.

What about parents? First time participants join a Zoom session led by our trained parent mentor. They learn about the sibling experience, the importance of supporting siblings, and strategies to support siblings. Returning participants join a different Zoom session led by the program social worker, to address ongoing family challenges that impact siblings.

For more information and to reserve a spot, call (857) 523-1145 or email [email protected].
Mental Health Council: "You've Got a Friend In Me" Mental Health Youth Expression Contest
Submission period: Thursday, April 15th -Monday, May 14, 2021

The Massachusetts Health Council (MHC) and Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) want to give young people the opportunity to express themselves creatively while raising awareness about the importance of mental health. 

The contest is open to all middle school and high school students grades 6-12. The theme is “You’ve got a friend in me!” Some of the topics you can address in your submission include:
• What advice would you give a friend struggling with their mental health?
• How can you let a friend know they can reach out to you for support?
• How would you want a friend to help you?
• What do you do to take care of your own mental health? Do you have strategies or tips to share with other students? 

Students can submit in one of the three categories below following the guidelines listed here:
  • Audio Visual: Informational video, rap, song (between 20- 60 seconds)
  • Written: Poem, short story (maximum 1,200 words)
  • Artistic Still: Painting, drawing, infographic, collage, photography (can include a title and description) 

The Grand Prize for each category is $200, 2nd place is $100 and 3rd place is $50!

Please send all submissions and questions to Y’aneris Olivencia at y’[email protected] using the subject line: You’ve got a friend in me!
NAMI Mass In Our Own Voice Presentations
NAMI Mass is excited to offer monthly virtual In Our Own Voice (IOOV) presentations that are open to the general public.

IOOV is a powerful presentation that aims to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters with lived experience of a mental health condition will talk openly about their experiences and how they have found pathways to hope and healing. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about mental health, and challenge misconceptions.

Advance registration is required. We hope you’ll join us! 

Thursday, May 13th
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Registration here

Thursday, June 10th
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Registration here

Tuesday, July 13th
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Registration here

Tuesday, August 10th
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Registration here

Boston Center for Independent Living: Virtual Marie Felton Award Ceremony
Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM

This event honors individuals and institutions who exemplify the pioneering spirit of the late Dr. Marie Feltin, a tireless advocate for disabled and chronically ill patients. Marie was a founder of Boston’s Community Medical Group, East Boston Health Center’s Home Care Program and the Urban Medical Group, all of which focus on patients becoming actively involved in their care as a critical means to bettering their health. Marie was always available for her patients and was a modern-day pioneer in providing medical care to neglected and vulnerable populations.

This year’s honorees are: 
 
Dr. Thea James – Unwavering interrogator of the status quo
 
Howard Trachtman – Champion for peer services, self-determination, and independence for persons with mental illness
 
Jim Wice – Lifelong disability advocate for adaptive sports and access to higher education and jobs

For more information, click here. To register for this event, click here.
NAMI PSAN & Metro Boston RLC: Zoom Speaker Series
Sponsored by the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community and National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Boston Peer Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN)

NAMI PSAN and the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community are hosting a virtual speaker series, taking place on the third Thursday of each month via Zoom. Each event involves a short presentation and plenty of time for questions.
​
Thursday May 20, 6:30pm

Sandi Whitney-Sarles will be facilitating a listening group for up to 10 peer participants. The listening group will focus on taking time to hear the ways an RLC currently meets the needs of peers and how it may improve in the future. We are hoping to hear how to develop a more vibrant and diverse community. We would also like to hear how creativity can foster hope, health, and expression. In order to register for this group, please call Sandi at 774-212-4519 or send an email to [email protected]. The first 10 peers who sign up and attend will receive a $35 gift card for their participation.

Find additional details and Zoom information here.
Kiva Centers: Certified Peer Specialist Training Program
Kiva Centers are offering a training program for Certified Peer Specialists!

Phone interview required, the deadline to schedule a phone interview is:

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 5:00 PM
Save the date! 2021 Annual DMH Research Centers of Excellence Conference
Monday, June 14, 2021 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

DMH invites persons with lived mental health experience, family members, DMH staff & providers to attend the 2021 Annual DMH Research Centers of Excellence Conference

An Inside Look at the Centers of Excellence:
How Stakeholder-Engaged Research Can Change Care Provision and Policy
 
Registration and Zoom invitation to follow!

Please contact Dee Logan at [email protected] with any questions.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups
Are you concerned about your mental health? Do you feel alone and hopeless? Are you wondering how to cope? Reconnect, rebuild, and find support with NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups. We are currently offering more than 15 groups. Find more information about how to access these groups on our website.
NAMI Massachusetts