Mental Health First Aid Training Offered In Partnership with Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.

Depression? Anxiety? Substance abuse? Psychosis?

Mental illnesses are very common – more common than you might think.  But help is available.  If you’d like to learn how to help reach out to someone, attend the

Mental Health First Aid Training

Similar to First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid is provided to a person developing a mental health problem or having a mental health crisis.

Class Dates:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

  Tuesday, January 24, 2012

      All classes run from 5:30 – 9:00pm

    **A light dinner will be provided**

Class location:  Crossroads Church, 325 N. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206

This training is FREE, but limited to the first 25 registrants. Attendees MUST attend all 3 days in order to receive certification. 

             

To RSVP, call Jessica Strong at

412-325-1100 x7773 or email jstrong@ahci.org

           

Depression Support Groups

Some say this is the most wonderful time of the year. But for many, the holiday season causes stress, memories and other feelings that can trigger or contribute to depression. For our friends in southwestern Pennsylvania who could use extra support this time of year, take a look at the following support groups for individuals with depression and bipolar disorder. Thank you to the Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance for providing us with the updated list below.

Depression and Bipolar Support Groups

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Pittsburgh (DBSA-Pittsburgh)
The Big D: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Oakland: Western Psychiatric Hospital, 4th Floor, Room 413
Contact: Ray Millsap 412-379-3902

Mood Support for Manic Depressive and Bipolar Disorder
2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Mt. Lebanon: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rt.19
(Washington Rd. & Mayflower Rd.)
Contact: Tony (cell) 412-779-5834

Bipolar and Manic Depression Support Group
Every Tuesday 7-8 p.m.
Butler: Grapevine Drop-In Center, 221 West Brady St.
Contact: Bette Peoples
724-283-1704

Westmoreland County
Depression & Bipolar Support Group
1st Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1p.m. & 3rd Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Greensburg: 409 Coulter Ave., Suite 409
Contact: Julie Kostenbader 724-858-7533

Depression Support Group
1st Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Bethel Park: Christ United Methodist Church Youth Center
44 Highland Rd., Rte 19 (across from Village Square)
Contact: Duba Weinstein 412-344-6600 Ext.2320

For more information on depression or bipolar disorder, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

The Win-Win Workplace Workshop a Success

Yesterday morning marked our first-ever employment workshop for both mental health consumers and employers. Titled "The Win-Win Workplace: Creating Opportunities for Meaningful Employment," the event attracted nearly 100 attendees to the Dept. of Human Services building in downtown Pittsburgh. Hosted by NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in partnership with the Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services' Employment Transformation Committee, the workshop was supported by funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA #93.786).  Special thanks to our esteemed and well-informed panelists and speakers for helping to make the day a success!

NAMI's Lora Dziemiela and Susan Harrington greet guests at the registration table.

Mercy Behavioral Health exhibited at the event, along with Goodwill, ACHIEVA, the Dept. of Human Services and of course NAMI.

NAMI Executive Director Chris Michaels and Mary Jo Dickson, administrator of the Bureau of Adult Mental Health Services at the Office of Behavioral Health, welcomed guests and kicked off the event.

NAMI's Sara Levine was instrumental in the workshop's success and handled the audio visual equipment at the event.

NAMI's Paul Freund gave an overview of the workshop.

Our first panelist was Joy Smith of AHEDD. She discussed working and SSI/SSDI benefits.

Janice Meinert of Pennsylvania Health Law Project gave an information overview of Medical Assistance health insurance and full-time work.

ACHIEVA's Lynda Marnoni talked to the audience about community supports for employment.

Samson Murage (left) of the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board offered information about job opportunities in the Pittsburgh region; Carol Horowitz of Disability Rights Network of PA covered the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and NAMI's Alan Corn gave a talk titled "Best Practices for Employee Supports and Success."

Mike Gruber, the systems transformation coordinator at the Office of Behavioral Health, wrapped up the program and asked the audience for input.

After the event, attendees spent some time with the exhibitors, collecting information on employment and related topics.