Advocacy Postcard Campaign

Want to be part of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's ongoing budget advocacy campaign? We are providing postcards to be sent to members of General Assembly. The message is simple:

STOP the 20 percent funding cut to community mental health services.

STOP the block grant that puts community mental health dollars in jeopardy of being spent on other services.

STOP the elimination of General Assistance cash benefits and cuts to General Assistance Medicaid health care benefits.

If you would like to assist in this campaign, please email Sharon Miller at smiller@namiswpa.org with the number of postcards you would be able to use. The postcards are partially labeled, requiring only that you write in the name of your specific senator or representative and the address. Sharon can also provide this information for you.

Announcing Our Organizational Members

We are pleased to announce the first group of organizational members at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. When organizations become a member of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, they become part of a natural network of caring peer support, which can be an invaluable community resource. They also receive other benefits, including five individual professional memberships and discounts on events, while they directly support our mission. Thank you to the first group of organizational members listed below!

2012 Organizational Members
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.
The Alliance for Infants & Toddlers
Autism Education and Research Institute
Community Care Behavioral Health
Community Guidance Center
Family Behavioral Resources
Familylinks
Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration
Gateway Rehab
Heritage Valley Health System
Pace School
PMHYS Mercy Behavioral Health
SPHS Behavioral Health
Value Behavioral Health of PA
The Watson Institute Friendship Academy
Wesley Spectrum Services
Westmoreland Casemanagement & Supports, Inc.
 
We are seeking two new members to reach our goal of 20 members in this fiscal year! For information, contact Darcey Garda at dgarda@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 23.

For details about NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and mental illness, please visit our website.

Vote Today... Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Please ensure the voice of the mental health and broader disabilities community is heard by casting your vote in today’s primary election. Polls are open until 8 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Find out by clicking this link.

Workshop #6: Trends, Truths and Treatment about Alcohol and Other Drugs

On the eve of our 12th Annual Education Conference, let's take a look at the final workshop for the afternoon session. Attendees have the tough job of selecting which one of six workshops to choose in final portion of the day. So far, we've highlighted: 1) Understanding Eating Disorders as Serious Mental Illnesses; 2) Ask the Doctor; 3) New Hope for People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; 4) Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents; and 5) Weight Management Through Good Nutrition. Each of the six workshops is presented by an expert in the field, and we are grateful that all presenters donated their time to educate us and our attendees on these important topics. The sixth workshop for tomorrow's conference is:

Workshop #6: Trends, Truths and Treatments about Alcohol and Other Drugs

This workshop will focus on various issues related to drugs and alcohol in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Current trends will be described in terms of nicknames and slang, in addition to the drugs of choice that are currently on the rise. During this workshop, myths and truths will be discussed, the link between mental illness and drug use will be detailed, current and up-to-date statistics will be provided, and the personal perception of drug use will be explored. The presentation will also cover the disease vs. choice argument, and why treatment is essential in any recovery process.

Presenters: Tara Phillips, Outreach Specialist, Gateway Rebab; Minne Benjamin, person in recovery; Darrell Williams, person in recovery.

Workshop #5: Weight Management through Good Nutrition

With only two days left until our 12th Annual Education Conference, today's post highlights the fifth of six afternoon workshops. We are pleased to welcome back the always inspiring and informative Meridith Paterson of Paterson Nutrition Consulting as our workshop presenter.

Workshop #5: Weight Management through Good Nutrition

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can best be accomplished through proper nutrition. This workshop is designed to provide participants with practical tips on how to improve diet to promote weight loss and weight management. Discussion will focus on portion control, meal planning and developing healthy eating and exercise habits--practical ideas that can be applied immediately to make a healthy impact for a lifetime. The presenter will also share the latest information on intuitive eating and its possible role in weight loss. Intuitive eating is an approach that teaches people to respond to their inner body cues to create a healthy relationship with food, mind and body.

Presenter: Meridith M. Paterson, MS, RD, LDN, has more than 11 years of experience practicing, educating and counseling in the field of dietetics. She is an instructor at Penn State University-Greater Allegheny Campus and registered dietitian for Community LIFE.

Workshop #4: Understanding Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents

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Did  you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death of individuals age 10 to 24? This workshop at the NAMI Education Conference on Saturday will explain the most up-to-date research on suicide among this age group. In terms the everyday person can understand, the presentation will include the neurobiology of suicidal behavior and highlight preliminary findings from the brain scans of adolescents with a history of suicide attempts. Basic review of the brain circuitry of depression will be included. A case report reviewing contributing factors for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal behavior will also be presented. The relevance of this information to understanding suicidal behavior in adolescents, and future directions of research, will be discussed.

For more information or to register for the conference, click here. Registration deadline is today!

Presenter: Lisa Pan, MD, is the assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic.

Workshop #3: New Hope For People With OCD

With our 12th Annual Education Conference fast approaching, today we highlight the third of six workshops offered simultaneously on Saturday afternoon. As we always say, the hardest part of the conference is choosing which workshop to attend! For more information about the conference or to register, click here.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that is characterized by recurring, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and the repetitive behaviors (compulsions) used to control the anxiety the thoughts cause. These rituals often become so controlling that they interfere with activities of daily living. Typically, it takes 14 to 17 years from the time OCD symptoms start for people to find the right treatment. Fortunately, new treatments for OCD are being developed, offering new hope for people with OCD. During this workshop, Dr. Hudak will discuss these new treatment options, as well as how they are utilized with standard treatment protocol.

Presenter: Robert Hudak, MD, is the assistant professor of psychiatry and medical director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Institute and Clinic at Western Psychiatric.