What’s “new at NAMI NH” Newsletter
May 2007
News to distribute and share with your groups and classes
Please share these updates with your support group and classes.
Upcoming Events-
**May 19- Affiliate Leader/Teacher Semi-Annual Meeting
9-1:30. Note: New Location- Dartmouth Hitchcock 253 Pleasant St., Concord, NH
Please RSVP by May 15 for Lunch Count
NAMI NH teachers, Affiliate Leaders and interested Affiliate members are invited.
“Show and Tell” will be the main feature of this meeting. Teachers and Leaders are encouraged to bring their ideas and questions to share with the group.
Invitations have been sent; if you have not received one please contact me.
May Is Mental Health Month
Mental Health Month Observances- click on the link to learn more
National Parity Day(May 2)- Call your representative! National Parity needs all the support we can give, click on this link to learn more, share the information with your class or group, ask them to encourage our national representatives to approve this important change!
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day (May 2)
Children’s Mental Health Week (May 6-12)
Childhood Depression Awareness Day (May 8)
National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week (May 6-12)
National Mental Health Counseling Week (May 6-12)
Older Americans’ Mental Health Week (May 20-26)
Schizophrenia Awareness Week (May 20-26)
**June 14- Annual Awards Dinner- Bedford Village Inn, Bedford NH
This year the Annual Meeting will be held prior to the Dinner. All NAMI NH Members are invited to attend the annual meeting to hear details on the new strategic plan, even if they are not planning on attending the dinner. The annual meeting will be from 5-6:00. Reception for the dinner will begin at 6:00, dinner will be served at 6:30 followed by the award presentations.
** NH’s Children’s Mental Health Focus Groups.
Please share this information with families of youth.
NAMI NH in partnership with the Endowment for Health will host these focus groups for parents/caregivers of children or adolescents (up to 21yrs) who are currently receiving mental health services. Participants will be asked to provide feedback on their experiences. The Endowment has identified Children’s Mental Health as a priority, and are seeking family input to determine how to leverage for the greatest change.
Pre-registration is required. $25.00 stipend will be given to each family. Contact Claudia at cferber@naminh.org or 225-5359.
The scheduled meetings are:
Rochester Tuesday, May 22 Frisbee Memorial Hospital, Route 108, South Main Street
Concord Thursday May 24 Center for Health Promotion, Pleasant St.
Keene Tuesday, May 29 Cheshire Medical Center, 580 Court Street, Rm #1
Affiliate News
Concord Adult Group- In March the group had a presentation by Ritza Ramirez on Riverbend’s Residential Services, In April a group member participated in the first walk informational meeting.
Rochester Parent Group- Dr. Eric Vance presented “building resiliency in our children”
Littleton Adult Group- Dennis Mackay and Dr. Van Leuvan came to address the group’s concerns about the closing of the psychiatric unit in Berlin and the future plans to provide these needed services in the north country.
Piermont Parents Group- A new parent group has started in Piermont, Rebecca and Lisa are kicking off the group with a community IOOV presentation in May.
Whats New?
New F2F State Teacher Trainers-
Scott and Norma Smith have just returned from St.Louis after attending the teacher training weekend. Norma and Scott are looking forward to conducting a F2F teacher training this fall. Anyone interested in becoming a F2F teacher should contact Annette.
Help Wanted
Walk Coordinator- We have a part time position available from June until mid-October to work on the 2007 NAMI NH walk. This position will work closely with the Walk Manager and needs to be available to work in the NAMI NH office in Concord.
The position involves administrative and clerical tasks, community outreach and the need to be very organized and attentive to detail. For more information please contact Annette.
Grant Awarded
Opportunity for Legislative and Advocacy - NAMI NH has received a grant to develop and provide advocacy training to NAM I NH members. Those trained will participate in regional forums with legislators, community mental health representatives and consumers to focus on the mental health issues in their communities.
Stay tuned for more information.
Again…
Support groups now have their own pages on the NAMI NH website.
If you are creating a page or updating a page please email to mdenham@naminh.org or contact Annette.
If you would like help in creating your group’s page just contact me!
Thanks, Annette
Please contact me with questions, needs, and news of your groups and classes at acarbonneau@naminh.org or 1-800-242-6264 ext 25.
