Research Study on Complicated Grief




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  Are you grieving the death of a loved one?

Have you lost a loved one to illness, accident or suicide? Does the pain feel almost as strong today as it did in the beginning? Do you feel a strong yearning for the person who died? Does your grief interfere with your life and functioning?

If you answered yes to any of these questions and it has been more than six months since the loss, you may be eligible for a research study at the University of Pittsburgh examining the effectiveness of a medication, either alone or combined with talk therapy, for the treatment of Complicated Grief.There is no cost to you to participate in the study. All inquiries are confidential. For further information or to see if you might be eligible, call 412-246-6006 or email houleja@upmc.edu. Please visit the HEAL Study website for more information.

For more information about mental health in southwestern Pa. be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Depression Research Study for Adults Age 60 and Older

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Are you 60 and older and experiencing symptoms of depression including sadness, loss of pleasure in activities, sleeping difficulties, poor concentration, guilt or feelings of worthlessness?


If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that will test whether adding a second medication will help treat depression better in older people who do not achieve a full recovery with antidepressant medication alone.

Participation in the study lasts between three and 10 months.  No fees are charged to participants for taking part in this study.  For more information, please contact Jill Houle at 412-246-6006.  Visit the Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Center website for more information.

For more information about mental health and wellness,  be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

New NAMI Family Support Group

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NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is proud to announce a new support group for family members of children and transition-age youth forming in East Liberty.  Details are as follows:

NAMI Youth and Transition-Age Support Group

Meetings Begin:  Monday, Feb. 7

Location:  East Liberty Carnegie Library, 130 S. Whitfield St., Pittsburgh PA, 15206

Time:  5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Contact:  Linda Thornhill 412-403-9539

For more information about mental health, visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Go Pittsburgh Steelers!

The staff at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is nothing if not community spirited. Today, everyone wore black and gold in support of the Steelers playoff game tomorrow against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Here are some of the staff saying "Go Steelers!"

The NAMI staff is eager to cheer on the Steelers this weekend.

Urgent Media Request!

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URGENT MEDIA REQUEST!

NAMI is in search of a woman, age 30-60, working every-day-professional living with mental illness, who can talk to a national media publication about her experience with stigma. If you are interested and fit this profile, please e-mail your story to yourstory@nami.org.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Introducing...NAMI Basics!

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We are pleased to announce the addition of NAMI Basics to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania’s signature education programs. NAMI Basics is designed for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parents of children that developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13.

The course consists of six classes, lasting two and a half hours each. All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

The goals of NAMI Basics are:

* To give the parent/caregiver the basic information necessary to take the best care possible of their child, their family and themselves.

* To help the parent/caregiver cope with the impact that mental illness has on the child and the entire family.

* To provide tools for the parent/caregiver to use after completing the course that will assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.

The course includes current information about mental illnesses; insights into understanding the lived experience of the child diagnosed with the mental illness; current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available; specific skill building classes to learn problem-solving, listening and communication skills; and dealing with the school system, among other topics.

The first class will be held at Monroeville United Methodist Church each Thursday evening beginning March 3 to April 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Associate Director Debbie Ference and NAMI Volunteer Denise Michaels will be teaching the class.

SPACE IS LIMITED. If you are interested in signing up for the class, please call the NAMI office at 412-366-3788 or email dference@namiswpa.org.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Dispelling ADHD Myths

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In a fast-paced world filled with electronic distractions, social networking and multitasking, it’s easy to feel pulled away from the present moment.  Modern life is filled with a multitude of diversions, leading some to feel that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a symptom of our culture, a sign that the nature of concentration and focus may be shifting entirely.

The interesting New York Times article “Untangling the Myths About Attention Disorder” by Perri Klass, M.D., quickly dispels these myths about ADHD while discussing new ADHD research and findings, highlighting environmental and genetic factors that come together to impact focus, impulsivity and attentiveness.

For more information about mental health, visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

A Healthy Start to 2011: Nutrition Tips from Helpguide

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It's the start of a brand new year! Many will make resolutions to incorporate healthier habits into their lives to impact their overall well-being, and changing diet and nutrition routines are common New Year's resolutions.

Are you interested in beginning 2011 with healthier eating habits? Visit Helpguide's Diet and Nutrition page for articles on sensible dietary changes that can increase your energy, boost your mood and help you get 2011 off to a great start.

For more information about mental health and wellness,  be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary