Family-to-Family Fall Classes

"Nothing has helped me more over a five year period spent searching for information..."

NAMI's nationally renowned Family-to-Family Education Program is a free 12-week course taught by families for families affected by mental illness.

Reported by many family members to be life-changing, Family-to-Family addresses the clinical aspect of mental illness while providing the knowledge and skills needed to cope effectively.

Participants learn about handling crises and relapse; communication techniques; problem solving and limit setting; stress reduction; medications; community services and supports; advocacy and more.

The program is designed for family members rather than the individual diagnosed with the mental illness.

Offered twice a year (Spring and Fall), the program is limited to 30 participants and runs one night per week for 12 weeks. Fall 2009 classes begin soon and are listed below. Advance registration is required. Call Susan at (412) 366-3788 or email sharring@namiswpa.org.

Fall 2009 Family-to-Family Class Schedule & Locations

North Hills: Tuesdays beginning Sept. 1, 7 to 9:30 p.m. at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Aspinwall: Wednesdays beginning Sept. 23, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Heinz Progressive Care Center.

Squirrel Hills: Mondays beginning Sept. 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Pittsburgh Children's Institute.

What's On Your Mind: Humor!

Tune in to PCNC (Pittsburgh Cable News Channel) tonight at 7:30 for an all-new episode of What's On Your Mind. Tonight's topic? Healing with Humor.

If the photo below of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Board Member Dr. Chaudhary, co-host of What's On Your Mind, offers any indication, tonight's show promises quite a few laughs!

Kickoff Luncheon In The News

Nearly 150 team captains, sponsors and walkers joined together today at the Sheraton, Station Square to officially launch the 2009 NAMI Walk season.

Honorary Chair Michelle Wright, News Anchor of WTAE-TV, emceed the Kickoff. Click the arrow below to see NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania on the six o'clock Channel 4 news.

If you cannot run this clip, click here for Apple's Quick Time, which you can install easily in under a minute.

State Budget Rally Raises Awareness

Today the State Budget Rally attracted over 100 protesters and significant media coverage.

A peaceful but passionate crowd gathered in front of the State Office Building to demand a state budget that maintains services and programs essential to individuals with mental illness.

The hourlong rally was covered by all three major television news stations, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and KQV Radio. Here is a story by the Trib: More Than 100 Rally Downtown To Protest State Budget Impasse.

Below Ashley Hardway from WTAE-TV prepares for a pre-rally interview with Sharon Miller, Director of Education & Community Relations at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. View a video clip of Ashley's report here and an online article here
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NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's Executive Director Chris Michaels talks to WPXI Channel 11 News.

Protesters gear up for the rally.

KDKA-TV interviews longtime board member and advocate Dick Jevon of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. Here is a video clip (choose the "mental health advocate" clip in the video library) and an article on KDKA's website
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The crowd of over 100 listens attentively and applauds a great roster of speakers.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and its community partners hope their voices will be heard far and wide to end the state budget impasse and restore much-needed services.

Rally for State Budget

Join us for a rally to encourage the swift passage of a complete state budget!

BUDGET RALLY

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Noon to 1 p.m.

Sidewalks In Front Of

STATE OFFICE BUILDING

300 Liberty Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Community providers may be forced to limited mental health services in September if a budget impasse continues.

Come gather with members of the mental health community as we take our message to the streets and urge our legislative leaders and Gov. Rendell to move swiftly in their efforts to pass a full and complete budget protecting mental health funding.

Lives depend on these essential and crucial mental health services and supports. Everyone is welcome. Please join us downtown on Tuesday!

Announcing Business Team Chair

We are thrilled to announce NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's first ever Business Team Chairperson for the 3rd annual NAMI Walk on Sunday, Oct. 4.

John Lovelace, President of UPMC for You, has enthusiastically agreed to support the NAMI Walk by serving as the Business Team Chair. In this leadership role, John will bring a UPMC Team to the walk, participate in walk activities (such as our Kickoff Luncheon on Aug. 20) and sponsor the walk at a top level.

With John's support, UPMC Insurance Services has become the NAMI Walk's first Presenting Sponsor. UPMC Insurance Services include UPMC for You, Community Care Behavioral Health and UPMC for Life Specialty Plan.

What's On Your Mind - Season 2

The new local talk show What's On Your Mind is already in its second season!

Tonight's episode "Reaching Hopes and Dreams: Treating Teenage Substance Abuse" debuts at 7:30 p.m. on PCNC-TV (Pittsburgh Cable News Channel).

Hosted by Susan Brozeck Scott and NAMI Southwestern Pa. Board Member Dr. Safdar Chaudhary, What's On Your Mind covers topics relating to health and wellness in our daily lives. Past episodes can be viewed online.

Night at the Races

NAMI supporter Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia invites you to a Night at the Races on Saturday, Aug. 22 to benefit a mission trip to Vohkma Orphanage in Russia.

Location for the event is Our Lady of Fatima School near the Pittsburgh International Airport.

This is sure to be a fun night, featuring an 11-horse race with filmed races, a live caller, an Italian food buffet and a DJ. Cost is $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight (table organizer is free).

For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Dr. Suzanne by email at svs2u@hotmail.com.