National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Johnson County
February 12, 2019
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Johnson County Newsletter
In This Issue


Once again our offices are closed today due to winter weather and our NAMI Connection is canceled. Make sure to read below for all the upcoming activities! 


Mary Issah
Web: www.namijc.org  
Email: mary.issah@namijc.org
phone: 319-337-5400
 --NAMI Support Groups--
 
   
 
Every Tuesday - 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.   (Tuesday, Feb 19th)  Connection Support Group meets at R Place (10 E. Benton Street). 
The Connection support group is facilitated by individuals living with a mental illness who are trained in facilitating support meetings, but are NOT professional counselors.  The meetings are open to all individuals who have a mental illness.
 
Second Thursday each month - 9:00 a.m.   (February 14th)  - NAMI Family Breakfast for breakfast and conversation.  
Meets at Midtown Family Restaurant II (1069 Highway 1 West).
 
Every Thursday - 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  (Thursday, Feb 14th)  Family Support Group meets at NAMIJC office (1105 Gilbert Ct. Suite 200).
The family support group is facilitated by family members, who are trained in facilitating support meetings, but are NOT professional counselors. The meetings are open to all families who are concerned about a family member who is experiencing mental illness. 

______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
You're always WELCOME at R PLACE!

10 E. Benton Street 
 
Our Vision
To provide opportunities for adults who experience the effects of mental illness and dual diagnosis to rejoin the worlds of friendship, family, meaningful work, and education.

What We Offer
A peer-led meeting place where peers support peers. A restorative environment of hope, support, and encouragement for recovery. A safe, nurturing, non-judgmental community for those affected by mental illness.
  
 


NAMIJC Membership February Meeting and Educational Program 

Join us at the Englert for the NAMI Walks Rally 








 

UPCOMING MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID CLASSES 

Two upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid Classes in February and March in  Iowa City/Coralville. The February Class will be Tuesday, February 12th and Friday, February 15th from 12:30 - 5:30 pm at the Coralville Public Library (1401 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241). The March class will be Tuesday, March 19th and Thursday, March 21st from 12:30 - 5:30 pm at the Johnson County Services Building (855 Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240). Please sign up in advance if you plan to attend by emailing Peggy at <mhedspecialists@gmail.com>, who will send you a google form, once that is completed you will be registered for the class. Classes are offered at no cost thanks to support from the from the Mental Health & Disability Services of the East Center Region. Classes are 2-days in the afternoon, lunch is NOT provided. Please see attached flyer and help us by share this information/flyer with others who may be interested.
 
8 continuing education credits or CEUs are available upon request for a small fee, please contact Peggy in advance if you would like to receive CEUs for taking the course.
 
February Class
What: Mental Health First Aid
When: Tuesday, February 12th and Friday, February 15th
Time: 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm.
Where: Coralville Public Library
1401 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241
 
March Class
What: Mental Health First Aid
When: Tuesday, March 19th and Thursday, March 21st
Time: 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Where: Johnson County Services Building
          855 Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
 
 
 
Thank you,
Peggy Loveless, Ph.D.
Mental Health Education Specialists
Mental Health First Aid Trainer
Show your support by liking our facebook page

What is Mental Health First Aid?
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program is an interactive 8-hour certification class that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. 
 
Specifically, participants learn:
  • The potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury,
  • An understanding of the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced stigma in their communities,
  • A 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, to select and implement appropriate interventions, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care, 
  • The appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem.
Similar to CPR, you will become certified as a Mental Health First Aider.
 
Who should become a Mental Health First Aider?  All of the following will probably be in church congregations - so all apply!  Rather than list all below, I would say - everyone from your church/synagogue/temple/etc. because they include (use following list)
 
Participants for each training vary, but include hospitals and federally qualified health centers, state policymakers, employers and chambers of commerce, faith communities, school personnel, state police and corrections staff, nursing home staff, mental health authorized support staff, young people, families, and the general public. 
 

 


 

Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute

Attached please find a flyer and informational sheet (FAQs) about the  Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute, a project of the Division of Child and Community Health, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa.  Since 2016, the training has sought to equip parents or primary caregivers of children or youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) to partner with professionals at all levels, that is, at the individual, community and policy levels.  Projected outcomes of the training are that trainees will
  • Understand how to work with partners
  • Become aware of one's own path to leadership
  • Discover strategies for advocacy
  • Take action with peer and mentor support
As candidates we are seeking parents or primary caregivers of CYSHCN between the ages of 3 and 19 in Iowa.  The training will be offered between April and June 2019. 
Applications will be accepted until February 15th.
 
Please circulate the attached flyers in English and Spanish (
application link at bottom) to families you believe may be interested and eligible.  Also, please feel free to visit our Facebook page at Iowa Family Leadership Training institute to like and share with families. 
 
We are looking for candidates who exhibit these qualities:
             
Advocacy
-Strong desire to develop skills in advocacy, shows potential to articulate or develop an advocacy message
             
Coach-ability-Open to learning, receiving feedback, applying new learning
             
Follow through-Finishes what they start, keeps commitment, shows up, is reliable and responsible
             
Inclusive-Able to work in an inclusive manner with families and people of diverse cultures
             
Negotiation-Demonstrates having handled conflict in positive way
             
Passion-Desire to help the greater good/population, desire to learn
             
Respects others- Can listen well and respect the perspectives of others, eager to learn from others, gives space to others to share their opinion/ideas, shows discretion and confidentiality
             
Strategic thinking-is able to show concern for more than one issue or agenda item, is able to think beyond their situation and keep in mind the broader community
             
Team player-reliable, works well with others, genuine commitment to the group, able to share opinions
 
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at this link: https://chsciowa.org/programs/iowa-family-leadership-training-institute

Click here for FAQ (English)

Click here for FAQ (Spanish)

 

 
 
  Upcoming Events and Activities for 2019


Saturday, February 16 from 10:30 to 12:30 Provider Training Legislative Talk at Iowa City Public library  

Saturday, February 16th at 6:30 pm Sound of Friendship Concert,  St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

Sunday, February 17th at 6:30 pm Orchestra Iowa Pre-Concert Resource Fair at West High  

Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 pm NAMIWalks Rally  

Thursday, March 7 at 11:30 am NAMIWalks Kick Off Luncheon, Radisson Hotel Coralville

Tuesday, March 12 in Des Moines, NAMI DAY ON THE HILL in Des Moines 

Saturday, April 27th 8:30 am check in and 10:00 am NAMIWalks starts at Terry Trueblood Rec Area

Friday, June 7th 10:30 am to 5:30 pm NAMIJC Children's Mental Health Summit - Coralville Public Library 


 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Johnson County  

1105 Gilbert Court, Suite 200 

Iowa City, IA 52240

319-337-5400

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Additional Resources

Click the below links for additional resources, support groups and educational materials :

 Click the below links for Crisis Intervention:

  

       Iowa Help Line
       (24 Hours/Day)

  • Talk: 855-800-1239
  • Text: 855-800-1239

      Iowa Warm Line 

      (7 Days a Week/5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.)

  • Talk: 844-775-9276
  • Click here to learn more about the warm line
Click the below link to become a NAMI member: