Meet our Keynote

We are pleased to announce the keynote speaker of our 14th Annual Education Conference Young Adults and Mental Illness: Voices for Hope on Saturday, April 14 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Registration info will be available next week.  
 
KEVIN HINES
The instant that 19-year-old Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, he regretted his decision.

Recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Kevin had begun to hear voices telling him he had to die; and, days before his attempt, he began to believe them. Yet, as soon as Kevin jumped into the empty air, he turned, wanting to grab the rail. It wasn’t there. He thought to himself, "What have I done? I don't want to die!'

Kevin miraculously survived and, in the years since then, has spoken to more than a quarter million people about his firsthand experience with suicidal thoughts and living well with mental illness.

A powerful, honest, and intimate presenter, he has been featured in the critically acclaimed film The Bridge, on Larry King Live, 20/20, Anderson Cooper 360, Good Morning America, and Ireland’s famed Tonight with Vincent Browne. In 2012, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work as a suicide prevention advocate and speaker.

Kevin Hines speaks with gripping candor about his journey from the edge of despair back to recovery. It is an unforgettable and remarkable story of faith, courage and hope.

His memoir, Cracked…Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, was released in July 2013. We are pleased to bring Kevin to Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Surviving Holiday Stress

Tips from BP Magazine:

Even positive life events, like a new job or the holiday season, can bring unsettling stress. Here are some survival tips for the next few weeks from Prakash Masand, MD, president of Global Medical Education and a former consulting professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center:

Spread out the workload. Make a list of everything you’re trying to get done between now and New Year’s, then divide items into a day-by-day schedule so you don’t get overwhelmed by last-minute tasks. Figure out what you can simplify, what you can offload, and who you can recruit to help out.

Expect things to go wrong. The turkey may get overcooked, your kid may hate the gifts you picked, a family member (or you) might get sick. Something is bound to be less than picture-perfect. Accept the reality and try to focus on positives.

Sidestep family drama. Holidays are not the time to resolve family conflicts. Create a game plan to get through the few days you’re together—from practicing deep breathing to setting an early departure time in advance—and plan to address issues at another time.

Keep up your self-care. When things get rush-rush, it’s tempting to skip meals and skimp on sleep. Make an effort to eat a good diet, drink lots of water, stick to your exercise and medication routines, and attend scheduled appointments with your psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

 

Click here for more “Helpful Holiday Hints”—including why it feels like your moods fluctuate more this time of year—from the "Ask the Doctor" column (Fall 2012).

National NAMI Organization Names New Executive Director

NAMI Southwestern Pennsyvlania is pleased to share the news that its national NAMI organization, located in Arlington, Va., announced the appointment of Mary Giliberti as the new Executive Director.

Giliberti has served as a Section Chief in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 2008. She previously served for three years as NAMI’s Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for federal and state issues.

She also has served as Disability Counsel for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and senior attorney at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. After graduation from law school, she clerked for Judge Phyllis Kravitch on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

“Mary has had a long and distinguished career advocating for individuals and families living with mental illness," said NAMI National Board President Keris Jän Myrick.

“She was selected after an extensive search informed by many NAMI grassroots leaders and others.

“We are excited by the vision, energy and collaborative style she will bring to NAMI’s mission as we begin a new chapter in its 35-year history.”
While at NAMI previously, Giliberti was a co-author of NAMI’s Grading the States reports in 2006 and 2009.

“NAMI is a powerful agent for change in the mental health care system. Our greatest resource is our people,” Giliberti said.

“I am honored to become executive director at a time when new opportunities are arising for our movement to make a difference. NAMI will be at the forefront of education, support and advocacy  to improve treatment and life outcomes for people living with mental illness.”

Giliberti will assume her duties on Jan. 2. She succeeds Michael Fitzpatrick, who a year ago announced his intention to step down as executive director at the end of 2013.

“NAMI is grateful to Mike for his leadership over the past 10 years, a time of major progress and challenges,” said Myrick. “He has provided a steady hand and is leaving NAMI well-positioned to continue the fight.”

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education and advocacy.

A Note from our Executive Director

Seasons Greetings,

During this season of giving, please consider a donation to the Dick Jevon Education and Advocacy Fund to support the education and advocacy activities of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Dick Jevon, a longtime and highly regarded mental health advocacy leader, retired in 2013. The Dick Jevon Education and Advocacy Fund was established in Dick's honor to create a legacy that continues the family advocacy movement that Dick and NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania have led for so many years.

With continued funding cuts, historical healthcare reform and great uncertainty in the mental health system, the voice of family advocates must be heard. We must be at the table, speaking loudly and clearly!

"Now is the time for a new generation of family advocates to step up and continue meaningful participation in the process. We need others with deep conviction who are willing to participate on behalf of their loved ones to continue this great work begun by parents like Dick." (The Voice newsletter, April 2013)

Please help us continue the Dick Jevon legacy of championing system-wide improvements that promote acceptance and understanding, recovery and a better life for those affected by mental illness. Dick's final words of advice before retiring were, "Always have hope!" 

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's education and advocacy activities give the gift of hope to consumers and families. Click here to make a holiday gift to the Dick Jevon Education and Advocacy Fund, which will help give the gift of hope to many in need.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is the leading advocacy organization in the region, and we need your help. Please, before the new year begins, help us raise $15,000 for the Dick Jevon Education and Advocacy Fund.

Thank you for remembering us in your holiday charitable giving. Best wishes and the happiest of New Year's to you!

Warmest regards,

Chris

Christine Michaels, MSHSA

Executive Director, NAMI Southwestern PA

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by the law. The official registration and financial information on NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania: 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

A Special Report from John Lovelace, President of UPMC for You

Hello,
I am pleased to share with you an engaging, interactive report that chronicles the evolution of the Allegheny County Maternal Child Health Care Collaborative — a community-based collaboration designed to improve health care service delivery and outcomes for Medicaid-eligible parents and their young children in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. UPMC Health Plan, UPMC for You, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (Community Care), RAND Corporation, The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers, and more than 30 other organizations played pivotal roles in the planning and execution of the Collaborative's four phases of work. The effects of parental depression and childhood developmental delay are closely intertwined, and these issues are more prevalent among low-income and minority families than the general population. This disparity is as real in Allegheny County as it is nationally. The Collaborative successfully addressed this concern, culminating in a groundbreaking effort to connect the childhood early intervention and social service systems with physical and behavioral health systems, and to identify and assist Medicaid-eligible families at dual risk for parental depression and childhood developmental delays. This report, entitled Perspectives on the Allegheny County Maternal Child Health Care Collaborative, highlights the involvement of the key partners and the personal stories of those who were central to operation and success of the Collaborative. I encourage you to share this report with your staff members, colleagues, and friends, and post a link to the report on your organization's website and social media channels. Please take a few minutes to learn about how the Collaborative is transforming the way care is delivered to the Medicaid population in Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania. Warm regards, John Lovelace President, UPMC for You TO VIEW THE REPORT, CLICK HERE.

 

30th Annual Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference

The 30^th Annual Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference is scheduled to take place Friday, November 15 at the Sheraton Station Square and is the nation’s longest running scientific meeting devoted to exploring the latest research findings related to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. 

 

Each year, internationally recognized experts provide comprehensive reviews of advances in their areas and emphasize the clinical relevance of the research.  This year’s meeting will cover a range of topics, including studies of children and adolescents who may turn out to have psychotic disorders in later life, problems with cognitive impairments and how these can impact day to day functioning in schizophrenia, and the role that viruses and infections may play in schizophrenia. 

 

A presentation by the faculty awardee of the 2013 Gerard Hogarty Research Excellence Prize focusing on the treatment of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia will also take place during the meeting. 

 

In addition, there will be a panel of persons with schizophrenia, their family members and others addressing the issues of symptom management, staying the course, hope, resilience and recovery.

 

Details and registration information can be found on the website or this registration form. If you have questions, contact Nancy Mundy at mundynl@upmc.edu or (412) 802-9090.

NAMI Walk on TV

Our 7th Annual NAMI Walk attracted more participants than ever to the SouthSide Works on Sunday. Take a look at the Walk featured on Channel 4 Action News.