Supporters of the Breakfast of Champions

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania would like to thank its supporters of the 2nd Annual Breakfast of Champions. On behalf of our volunteers, we appreciate your support!

Community Care

Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc

Charma D. Dudley, Ph.D FPPR

Family Resources Of Pennsylvania

Human Services Administration Organization (HSAO)

Mental Health America of Westmoreland County

NAMI Pittsburgh South - Family Support Group

S'eclairer

Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP

Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania

2nd Annual Breakfast of Champions

On Saturday, Jan. 30, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania honored its wonderful and dedicated volunteers with the 2nd Annual Breakfast of Champions at The Chadwick in Wexford, Pa.


NAMI volunteers are a diverse and passionate group that help fulfill our mission of support, education and advocacy. The Breakfast of Champions allows NAMI to gather with volunteers to thank them for the time and energy it takes to:

• Direct our organization through strong board involvement
• Offer high quality educational programming
• Facilitate meaningful support group activity
• And help ensure the success of major events like the NAMI Walk

According to Executive Director Chris Michaels (pictured below), "Volunteers are the heart of our regional grassroots effort to help families and individuals affected by mental illness."




Below, one of our founding members Anne Handler, also a volunteer Affiliate Leader, is the winner of a door prize.


Volunteer Leslie Gill, a Family-to-Family teacher in Washington County, receives another door prize.


NAMI Connections and Walk volunteer Carol Kirk is the third door prize winner.

Our enthusiastic NAMI Walk volunteers -- the Girl Scouts -- pose with NAMI's Darcey Garda and Chris Michaels.

NAMI's 10th Annual Education Conference

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is thrilled to announce the theme for its 10th Annual Regional Education Conference at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.

The Power To Ignite Change: A Personal Call To Action

This year will mark our first-ever two-day conference on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24. Attendees can join us for one or both days.

Day 1: Growing the Grassroots: The Crucial Need for Advocacy

Day 2: Confronting the Challenges in the Mental Health System

Keep an eye on our website and this blog for more information.

Vote For Suicide Prevention

The American Federation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has a chance to be awarded one million dollars in the "Chase Community Giving" program being conducted on Facebook.

This week only (through Friday, Jan. 22), Facebook users can vote for up to five non-profit organizations among 100 that were nominated in an earlier round. If AFSP receives the top award, it will expand a pilot depression awareness and suicide prevention program to college campuses nationwide.

You must be a Facebook user to participate.

-Click here to go to its website and follow instructions on how to vote.

-Tell as many family and friends as possible through "social networking" means suck as Facebook and Twitter or by simply forwarding this notice to them by e-mail

-Ask them to vote and also help spread the word to as many people as possible by Friday, Jan 22

-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among college age youth.

For more information on Suicide and other mental illness, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The offices of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania are closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Step #6 Of Living A Balanced Life

According to NAMI's Family-to-Family program, there are seven principles for caregivers to live a balanced life. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth principles were highlighted in previous blog posts.

Principle #6 is : Continue pursuing your own interests.

Caring for a loved one with mental illness is an incredibly important role in the life of a family member. The caregiver is an integral part of their loved one's well being and recovery, and it is important to keep emotional reserves full to handle the inevitable challenges.

One key way to do this is to pursue your own interests. Often, caregivers feel guilty taking time for themselves to do something they enjoy. However, filling up one's own reserves by engaging in rewarding activities is a vital part of a well-balanced life.

What is it that you enjoy doing outside of home and work? What activity engages you? Is there something you've been meaning to learn about? Is there a hobby or activity you used to enjoy but stopped doing?

In pursuing something for oneself, a caregiver is taking essential steps in offering the loved one a well-rounded, whole person.

For information on mental illness and support for family members, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

What is mental illness?

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.

Mental illnesses can affect a person of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.

For more information on mental illness, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.