NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Lands in Chicago for National Convention

Five staff members from NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and a handful of regional affiliate volunteers made the 500-mile journey to Chicago for the annual NAMI National Convention from July 6 - 9.

The convention titled "Better Together" kicked off yesterday, and we've covered a lot of ground so far. In addition to networking with peers from NAMIs across the country and touring NAMI-Land, an exhibit area with a wealth of information, we have attended a variety of workshops, plenary sessions and meetings, including:

--Special Seminar on Borderline Personality Disorder led by phenomenal presenter Dr. Alan Fruzzetti from Reno, NV

--Leadership  Institute - Better Together: Building Partners in Excellence and Better Together: NAMI's Grassroots Advocacy

--Special Session with Dr. Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), who spent two hours sharing fascinating, exciting and up-to-date research in the field of mental illness

--Workshop on The Four Pillars of a Solid In Our Own Voice Program, one of the signature events at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania

--Workshop on Getting Parents and Teachers as Allies Program into your Schools

--Estate Planning General Session

--The PA State Caucus, where we had the chance to share our accomplishments from the past year and hear what programs and initiatives are effective across the state

--Federal Legislation Briefing

This evening we will attend a homecoming party, allowing us the chance to interact with NAMI leaders and peers from across the country. This is always a great opportunity for the staff to build relationships that we can call upon as we continue to grow our programs in our region. Stay tuned for more tomorrow!