August 20, 2010
What's New
Webinar: Helping Young Adults Navigate the Mental Health System
NAMI and This Emotional Life are hosting a webinar titled “Helping Young Adults Navigate the Mental Health System” on Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 1-2 p.m. ET. The webinar will focus on the following topics:
- Where young adults living with mental health conditions can turn to for resources, services and support;
- Firsthand accounts of young adults and their experiences in the treatment system; and
- What you can do to ensure that your young adult is receiving the help that's needed.
The webinar will be moderated by Maryann Davis, Ph.D.,research associate professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mental Health Services Research. Dr. Davis is a nationally recognized expert on services and supports for young adults with significant mental health needs during the transition to adulthood. Panelists include:
- Dana Markey, program coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Child and Adolescent Action Center and StrengthofUs.org, NAMI's social networking website and online resource center for young adults living with mental health conditions;
- Wesley Kittel, young adult and StrengthofUs.org Expert Advisory Group member; and
- Elyse Hunt, young adult and facilitator for NAMI Peer-to-Peer Mentor Connections education programs.
Sign up for the webinar online.
Webinar: Mental Illness Awareness Week 2010
Thursday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. ET
NAMI Communications will hold a webinar to discuss MIAW planning opportunities.
We will use NAMI’s Live Meeting system for the webinar; please follow the instructions below to join us. RSVP to Christine Armstrong at christinea@nami.org if you would like to participate or if you have any questions about the webinar forum.
TO JOIN THE WEBINAR:
Step 1: Click here to join the web portion
Step 2: Join the audio portion
If you are using the web portion, dial the toll-free number below and enter the pass code when prompted to connect to audio:
Toll-free: 1 (888) 858-6021
Participant code: MIAW2010
If you are unable to connect to the web portion:
You can still join the audio portion only.
Toll-free: 1 (888) 858-6021.
Participant Code: 2653283109.
We will send the PowerPoint presentation to you following the call.
NAMIWalks: Changing Minds…One Step at a Time
NAMIWalks is pleased to announce a new addition to our signature awareness-raising and fundraising program. PeaceLove Studios have designed a series of art tees that promote positive stories and creative expression and, most importantly, create conversations that build awareness and acceptance for mental illness. Each t-shirt is an original piece of artwork created by PeaceLove artists, some of whom live with mental illness.
Purchase one of these art tees by clicking the link on the NAMIWalks page. Ten percent of every sale goes to support NAMIWalks.
PeaceLove is a growing community of mental health advocates and artists creating conversations of acceptance, understanding and hope.
If you are reading this and are near one of the nearly 80 NAMIWalks being organized for 2010, get connected and join the fun!
In the eight years since its inception, NAMIWalks has become the largest national mental health awareness event and one of the fastest growing programs of it kind. More than 500,000 walkers have participated, raising more than $40 million to fund state and local NAMI advocacy, education and support programs. To find the NAMIWalk nearest you, visit www.nami.org/walks.
Media Opportunity: Health Website Seeks Stories Related to Stigma
A writer with a major health website would like to speak with people who have had experiences with stigma related to mental illness, specifically those who live in rural areas where stigma is pervasive or those who have faced stigma in the workplace.
If you would like to be considered, please send a short description of your experiences (250 words or less) to christinea@nami.org and include your name, location and phone number. Ultimately, the writer will decide who may be a best fit for this opportunity.
Announcements
MIAW Planning Updates
Additional resources for Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 3-9) have been added to the NAMI website at www.nami.org/miaw.
These additions include a FaithNet toolkit for the National Day of Prayer for Mental Health Recovery and Understanding, observed on Oct. 5, along with a model press release, op-ed article and letter to editors. MIAW comes a month before Election Day, offering an opportunity to incorporate “Mental Health Gets My Vote” as a theme into broader MIAW activities. As part of your planning, please make sure to check out NAMI’s non-partisan Vote Mental Health website at www.nami.org/election.
Beginning in September, PBS stations in some communities will begin airing the documentary Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia, which was screened at the NAMI national convention in July. The film is another tool that can be used in MIAW promotions or later public education efforts. Visit www.unlistedfilm.com for more information.
August Adult Issues “Ask the Doctor” Call with Guest Nancy Rappaport
When: Friday, August 27, 2010, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Please join us for our monthly adult issues conference call with Dr. Ken Duckworth, NAMI’s medical director, and guest Dr. Nancy Rappaport for this month’s topic, “Children of Suicide.” Dr. Rappaport is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, attending child and adolescent psychiatrist in the Cambridge Public School System and director of school based programs at the Cambridge Health Alliance. To explore the impact of her mother’s death by suicide in 1963, Dr. Rappaport wrote the memoir In Her Wake, a powerful testament to a woman’s search for answers about loss and healing.
To access the call, please dial 1 (888) 858-6021; participant code is 309918#.
If you have any questions, please contact Bianca Ruffin at biancar@nami.org.
"What a Difference a Friend Makes" Video and Essay Contest
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Ad Council are sponsoring the What a Difference a Friend Makes Contest. Submit a short video or an essay that tells in a creative and meaningful way how you've supported a friend during a tough time in his/her life or how a friend supported you. Read the complete rules and guidelines. Entries must be received by August 31.
NAMI Blog: Local Mental Health Services and Supports are Key to Gulf Coast Recovery
The official NAMI Blog is now up and running. NAMI Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick has penned nine thoughtful posts so far. Read this week’s article, “Local Mental Health Services and Supports are Key to Gulf Coast Recovery,” and add your comments at blog.nami.org.
June 25,2010
New Announcements- NAMIWalks: Changing Minds...One Step at a Time
Repeated Announcements
- Media Opportunity: Glamour Magazine Feature on Women Living with Mental Illness
- Media Opportunity: Speak with a Reporter from News 21 about Depression in Older Adults
- NAMI.org Connects, Mike Fitzpatrick Blogs
- Diversity in Action Workshop for State Conferences
- Help Save Medicaid Match Rate Extension from Defeat—Grassroots Advocacy is Crucial!
- Protect the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
- What's Happening at the NAMI Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.?
- House Strikes Extended Medicaid Match Rate from Jobs and Tax Extenders Package
- New Issue of ¡Avanzamos!, NAMI's Bilingual Magazine
- Celebrating Mental Health in Diverse Communities Webinar Series
- MIAW 2010 Resources Are Up at Nami.org
- Important Information for NAMI State Leaders: How to Schedule Advocacy Visits to Capitol Hill During the NAMI National Convention, (June 30–July 3 in Washington, D.C.)
- NAMI's 2010 Board Candidates and Bylaws Amendments
- NAMI Convention Program Now Available Online!
- HUD Announces Availability of Housing Assistance for People Living with Mental Illness: NAMI Organizations Need to Urge Local Housing Agencies to Apply
- Leadership Institute to Target Diversity, Advocacy and Standards
- 2011 NAMIWalks Application Process Now Open
- New National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
- The Implementation of Mental Health Parity: Has It Made a Difference?
NAMI Education and Program Information
New Announcements
Repeated Announcements
- NAMI Connection Train the Trainers
- Peer-to-Peer Education Program Train the Trainers
- NAMI Conexión Pilot Project: Call for Applications
- De Familia a Familia Teacher Training
- Publicizing Family-to-Family Classes in 2010
Deadlines and Dates to Remember
New Announcements
NAMIWalks: Changing Minds...One Step at a Time
The 2010 Spring NAMIWalk season was one for the record books! The 41 NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates that hosted the NAMIWalks and the hundreds of other local NAMI Affiliates that participated raised nearly $4.7 million and involved more than 100,000 supporters.
We look forward to celebrating new successes in the fall NAMIWalk season . NAMI Vermont will kick off the new season with their Walk on September 11 at the Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain.
If you are reading this and are near one of the nearly 80 NAMIWalks being organized for 2010, get connected and join the fun!
In the seven years since its inception, NAMIWalks has become the largest national mental health awareness event and one of the fastest growing programs of it kind. More than 500,000 walkers have participated, raising over $40 million to fund state and local NAMI advocacy, education and support programs. To find the NAMIWalk nearest you, visit www.nami.org/walks.
Repeated Announcements
Media Opportunity: Glamour Magazine Feature on Women Living with Mental Illness
Megan Baker of Glamour magazine is working on an article about women living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder and also women who have a sister living with any of those illnesses. She's looking to speak with women in their 20s or early 30s who fit these profiles. For this story she is focusing on these specific illnesses only.
If you are interested in sharing your story of living with mental illness for consideration, please send your name, phone number and a short description (250 words or less) to Megan at Megan_Baker@condenast.com.
Media Opportunity: Speak with a Reporter from News 21 about Depression in Older Adults
Scott Sell, a reporter with News 21 at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, is working on a story about depression among older adults, as well as the rising rates of suicide among the elderly in the wake of the aging Baby Boomer population.
Scott would like to speak with adults 65 and older who have been diagnosed with clinical depression and are managing their illness successfully.
If you would like to share your story for consideration, please send Scott a short summary (250 words or less) of your experiences and include your contact information. He can be reached at scott.a.sell@gmail.com.
NAMI.org Connects, Mike Fitzpatrick Blogs
By now you've no doubt heard the term "social networking." In today's fast-paced, media-driven world it is essential that NAMI builds strong connections on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.
In an effort to keep you connected with us when you're on the NAMI.org site, our web team added a comments feature on the top stories on NAMI.org. Comments will not only appear on NAMI.org, but may also be fed through the user's Facebook page if they choose.
The official NAMI Blog is now up and running as well. NAMI Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick has penned three thoughtful posts so far. Read his posts and add your comments at blog.nami.org.
Diversity in Action Workshop for State Conferences
Are you working to implement the Standards of Excellence and looking for some practical tools to help? The Let's Talk: Diversity in Action workshop will give your state's leaders a preview of the toolkit of the same name that was developed to help NAMI leaders take steps toward meeting organizational goals of diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the workshop and toolkit.
Help Save Medicaid Match Rate Extension from Defeat—Grassroots Advocacy is Crucial!
On Wednesday, June 16, the U.S. Senate voted against extending higher federal Medicaid match rates (known as FMAP) through June 2011.
Another effort to pass the Jobs Extension Package, which includes the FMAP extension, is expected at any time . The outcome of this vote is crucial to protecting Medicaid services for children and adults with mental illnesses.
NAMI urges you to call your Senators now to support the restoration of Medicaid FMAP funds into the Jobs and Tax Extenders Package. All Senate offices can be reached toll-free by calling (877) 210-5351 or (877) 442-6801 or through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. You can also send a message to your Senators and House member via NAMI's Legislative Action Center.
Protect the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Congressman Paul Tonko (D– N.Y.) has circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter in the House of Representatives, which he will be sending to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury, urging the agencies to reject the health insurance industry's argument that mental illnesses cannot be treated like physical ailments. The letter also calls for preserving the strong interim final rules (IFR) for insurance companies implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) regulations.
NAMI urges you to contact your Representative and ask him or her to protect the MHPAEA and sign on to this letter and preserve the IFR. Advocates can reach their Representative by calling (800) 828-0498.
Read more about parity and view Rep. Tonko's letter.
What's Happening at the NAMI Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.?
You can now view the entire program schedule at www.nami.org/convention. We have a great program planned with an outstanding group of speakers.
Did you forget to register in advance? No problem—you can register on-site at the Hilton Hotel beginning Wednesday, June 30.
Don't miss this opportunity to join 2,000 of your fellow NAMI members in Washington, D.C.!
House Strikes Extended Medicaid Match Rate from Jobs and Tax Extenders Package
On May 28, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Jobs and Tax Extenders legislative package by a vote of 215-204, but not before eliminating a provision that would have extended each state's federal Medicaid match rate (known as FMAP) through June 2011. The bill, known as the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act (HR 4213), now moves to the Senate where efforts will be made to get the extended Medicaid FMAP funds for the states back into the bill. Extended Medicaid FMAP is critical in fighting additional cuts to publicly funded mental health services at the state and local level.
Learn more and take action.
New Issue of ¡Avanzamos!, NAMI's Bilingual Magazine
A new issue of ¡Avanzamos! is in the mail. If you haven't signed to receive this popular magazine, you can do so on the NAMI website, where you can choose to receive the print or e-mail copy. This new issue focuses on concepts of recovery, peer-networking and culture-based recovery supports for Latino communities. Contributors represent the Tenemos Voz National Latino Consumer Network, the National Latino/a Psychological Association and the NAMI STAR Center. Articles are provided in both Spanish and English.
Visit the NAMI website to access previous issues of ¡Avanzamos! in the online archive. This publication is not only a great tool for outreach to Latinos and Spanish speakers, but also an interesting and uplifting read for all.
Celebrating Mental Health in Diverse Communities Webinar Series
Being held in honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this two-part Webinar series will highlight the ways communities across the country are celebrating minority mental health. Part I of this webinar series will focus on Latino and American Indian communities and will take place on July 7. Part II, focusing on Asian American and African American communities will take place on July 28. NAMI will co-host this webinar series with the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED). Register for these Webinars through the NNED website.
Visit the NAMI website for more information on National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month including helpful resources and suggestions for planning local activities throughout the month of July.
MIAW 2010: New Theme
Mental Illness Awareness Week runs Oct. 3-9 this year. This year's theme is "Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives." Start planning your MIAW activities now! Updated materials—including an Idea Book, stickers, posters and web banners—are available for download now. Visit www.nami.org/miaw. Or purchase stickers and posters at the NAMI store.
Important Information for NAMI State Leaders: How to Schedule Advocacy Visits to Capitol Hill During the NAMI National Convention, (June 30–July 3 in Washington, D.C.)
As the 2010 NAMI convention approaches, the NAMI policy staff would like to provide state leaders with important information needed to plan meetings with each state's congressional delegation on Thursday, July 1— the "Advocacy Day" of this year's convention. Holding the convention in Washington, D.C., affords both statewide NAMI affiliates and NAMI an important opportunity to educate members of Congress about severe mental illnesses. We plan to advance a legislative policy agenda that improves the lives of children and adults with severe mental illnesses and their families. No one is more effective in delivering this message to the U.S. Congress than NAMI advocates who live every day with serious mental illnesses.
State Leaders: get details on how to schedule Hill visits for your state delegation.
NAMI's 2010 National Board Candidates and Bylaws Amendments
NAMI is pleased to introduce the candidates for NAMI's Board of Directors. Elections will be held in conjunction with the NAMI National Convention, June 30-July 3 in Washington, D.C. For more information about NAMI elections visit www.nami.org/voting. Voting packets will be mailed in late May to all Affiliates and State Organizations that completed the certification process by April 3.
This year, six board members will be elected. Five candidates will be elected to serve for the standard three-year term and one candidate will be elected to fill the balance of a vacated term for one year.
Ten candidates have been nominated for the six board seats that are open in this election year. Voting delegates must cast votes for five candidates seeking a three-year term (eight candidates) and one candidate seeking a one-year term (two candidates). The candidates with the highest numbers of votes in each category will become the new NAMI board members. Candidates are listed in the order in which their nominations were received at the NAMI office.
Seeking one of five three-year seats:
- Moe Armstrong, nominated by NAMI Tri-County Family Support, Virginia
- David Anderson Brown, nominated by NAMI PA, Cumberland and Perry Counties, Penn.
- Clarence Jordan, nominated by NAMI Tennessee
- Kevin B. Sullivan, nominated by NAMI Connecticut
- Clarice Raichel, nominated by NAMI Southwest Louisiana, La.
- Joe Tyler, nominated by NAMI Nevada
- Linda Jensen, nominated by NAMI Nebraska
- John Dornheim, nominated by NAMI Texas
Seeking the one one-year seat:
- Ron Morton, nominated by NAMI Knoxville, Tenn.
This year, two amendments to NAMI's bylaws have been proposed. Bylaws amendments may be proposed by NAMI affiliates, state organizations or by a member of the NAMI Board of Directors. Bylaws changes require a two-thirds majority of those voting to pass. To review the proposed bylaw changes, please visit www.nami.org/voting.
NAMI Convention Program is Now Available Online!
See the program details for the 2010 NAMI National Convention in Washington, D.C.
HUD Announces Availability of Housing Assistance for People Living with Mental Illness: NAMI Organizations Need to Urge Local Housing Agencies to Apply
On April 7, 2010, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $30 million in funding for approximately 4,000 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) for non-elderly disabled households. Funds unobligated under previous HUD NOFAs will also be made available as part of this NOFA, bringing the total funds available to $40 million for approximately 5,300 vouchers. Get a complete copy of the NOFA. Applications are due to HUD by July 7, 2010.
Visit www.tacinc.org for more information.
Leadership Institute to Target Diversity, Advocacy and Standards
The Center for Leadership Development has announced a series of sessions for this year's Leadership Institute, scheduled for the morning of June 30 during the NAMI National Convention. Sessions will focus sharply on three NAMI priorities: inclusion and diversity, advocacy and the NAMI Standards of Excellence. All participants will take part in all three workshops. The Leadership Institute offers education, technical assistance and tools to experienced and emerging volunteer and staff leaders in NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates. It is held in conjunction with NAMI's National Convention, and there is no additional fee to attend. This year's Convention is scheduled for June 30—July 3 at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C. For more information on the Leadership Institute, contact Annie Suliga at annies@nami.org.
For more information on NAMI's National Convention, go to www.nami.org/convention.
2011 NAMIWalks Application Process Now Open
Applications are now being taken for the 2011 NAMIWalks season. If your affiliate is interested in participating in 2011, please go to www.nami.org/namiwalksapp for detailed information about how to apply and exactly what involved in becoming a NAMIWalks franchise holder.
Raise the visibility of our cause, build new partners in your business community, raise new, unrestricted funds to help accomplish your mission and have some fun at the same time.
In the seven years since its inception, NAMIWalks has become the largest national mental health awareness event and one of the fastest growing programs of it kind. More than 500,000 walkers have participated, raising more than $40 million to fund state and local NAMI advocacy, education and support programs. To find the NAMIWalk nearest you, visit www.nami.org/walks.
New National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
Promotional posters have been added to the available resources to help you start planning for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, July 2010. Like the other available resources, these posters are available in both English and Spanish and can be utilized to promote local activities and partnership efforts in July. Start planning now and utilize the resources available on the NAMI website.
Among those resources is the recording of the first National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2010 planning Webinar. This Webinar featured information on social marketing and media outreach strategies as well as provided an example of an event held in 2009. The planning Webinar series will continue to be offered leading up to July to help NAMI states and affiliates plan activities and partner outreach strategies for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2010. Stay tuned!
Visit the NAMI website for more information on National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
The Implementation of Mental Health Parity: Has It Made a Difference?
There is no single date for implementation of the new federal mental health parity law. Beginning Oct. 3, 2009, as health care insurance plans are renewed, they are required to include the provisions outlined in the law.
Learn more about the new law and share your experience.
We want to hear from you! Share your experience as mental health parity is included in your health care plan. Join the discussion and share the good news and the bad:
- Is my plan imposing separate deductibles for mental health and general health...or what is the difference for me now that these are equal?
- Are there higher co-pays imposed when I visit my mental health care providers...or are these now equal to other health care provider co-pays?
- More...
Join the discussion at www.nami.org/discussion/parity.
NAMI Education and Program Information
New Announcements
Repeated Announcements
NAMI Connection Train the Trainers
The NAMI Education, Training and Peer Support Center is pleased to announce its fifth Training for NAMI Connection State Trainers. This event will be held at the St. Louis Airport Hilton Hotel from Thursday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, Sept. 26 at 12 p.m.
Individuals attending this training will be certified as state NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group State Trainers. Participants selected by the state to attend this training need to be certified NAMI Connection facilitators who have been facilitating a Connection group for a minimum of five months by Sept. 23, 2010.
Costs for transportation, training materials, meals and lodging (shared rooms) are covered by the Connection Program for the initial three state trainers selected by each state. Once a state has three trainers' expenses covered by NAMI, the state is responsible for covering the cost of additional trainers. The training fee for Connection state trainers is $350, which does not cover transportation.
Train the Trainer registrations are only accepted from NAMI state offices and are due by August 16, 2010 . For more information contact Anna Goodwin, Connection Training Manager agoodwin@nami.org.
Peer-to-Peer Train the Trainers
We are pleased to announce that registration is now underway for the Peer-to-Peer Train the Trainers event in St. Louis, Sept. 23–26, 2010.
August 16 is the absolute deadline for registration. After that date, we cannot accept any late registrations. A letter of support by your state program director, executive director or board president is required with the application.
Send an e-mail to trainthetrainers2010@nami.org to receive the application.
NAMI Conexión Pilot Project Call for Applications
Many of you have expressed an interest in the NAMI Connection Spanish pilot project, NAMI Conexión. NAMI is now accepting applications to participate in this exciting endeavor. We are able to provide a $2,000 grant to states selected to take part in the pilot. With our translated materials nearly complete, we are very eager to start working with states on this project. Please note the deadline for application is July 1, 2010. For the application overview and guidelines, please contact Veronica Guerrero (veronicag@nami.org) or (703) 516-7980.
De Familia a Familia Teacher Training
NAMI would like to help you implement or expand the De Familia a Familia program. Depending on the level of interest, we will hold a teacher training on Friday, August 27through Sunday, August 29 in St. Louis. If you have Spanish-speaking family members interested in teaching De Familia a Familia, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
We must hear from you before June 28 in order to proceed with arrangements at the hotel. Cost: $350 registration plus round trip airfare to St. Louis. NAMI covers lodging in a shared room, meals and materials.
Please contact Lynne Saunders at Lynne@nami.org to request an application and/or if you have any questions.
Publicizing Family-to-Family Classes in 2010
NAMI wants to publicize your Winter/Spring 2010 F2F classes. You may post your class information by accessing the Family-to-Family Intranet and clicking on the link Add/Edit a Class. Please make sure your state Family-to-Family program director knows about your classes. You may also contact Marshall Epstein at marshall@nami.org or (703) 516-7975 to have him enter your class information. He will also provide advice about the intranet.
Deadlines and Dates to Remember
June 28: Deadline to Submit Interest on Attending De Familia a Familia Teacher Training
June 30–July 3: NAMI 2010 National Convention in Washington, D.C.
July 1: Application deadline for NAMI Conexión Pilot Project
July 7: HUD Applications Due
July 7: Part I of Celebrating Mental Health in Diverse Communities Webinar Series
July 28: Part II of Celebrating Mental Health in Diverse Communities Webinar Series
August 16: Deadline to Register for Peer-to-Peer Education Program Train the Trainers
August 27-29: De Familia a Familia Teacher Training in St. Louis
September 23-26: Training for NAMI Connection State Trainers and Peer-to-Peer Trainers in St. Louis