Join NAMI North Support Group for Year End Meeting

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania offers 25 support groups throughout the 10-county region. One of those groups, NAMI Pittsburgh North, meets at our office on McKnight Road in the North Hills. They invite new members to join them for a year-end support group meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

This is a support group for any family member or friend of a loved one living with mental illness. Nothing can replace the support of peers who understand what you are going through. Join the North Hills group for its last meeting of the year, and also a celebration of the holidays. Existing members are encouraged to bring a refreshment.

NAMI Pittsburgh North

December Support Group Meeting

Wednesday, Dec. 5

7 o'clock

105 Braunlich Drive

Pittsburgh 15237

2nd Floor

 

For a full list of support groups in our region, click here.

NAMI on WQED Tonight

Experience Rose's Garden: Surviving My Mother's Mental Illness

Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED's Experience
or www.wqed.org/Experience

Before the Steelers play tonight on Monday Night Football, tune into WQED at 7:30 p.m. to see NAMI Southwestern PA featured on a brand new documentary about mental illness.

Experience Rose's Garden: Surviving My Mother's Mental Illness
Rose Clancy plants gardens in urban areas that could use green space. Her work brings beauty to the neighborhoods, but it also brings healing to Rose. She was raised by a mother who had a severe mental illness, and now Rose's gardens are helping her cope with memories of a troubled childhood, while raising awareness of an issue that impacts millions. This documentary focuses on how mental illness affects not only the person with the illness, but everyone in the family. It includes a visit to NAMI's Family-to-Family class in Pittsburgh. Contributing producer/reporter Beth Dolinar brings viewers a compelling 30 minute documentary as part of WQED's Experience series.

Dirt Monster Trail Race for OCD

6th Annual Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race/1 Mile Walk

Sunday, Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in North Park, Grant Pavilion
Benefits the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western Pennsylvania

This five mile cross country trail race and one mile walk in North Park starts and ends near the Grant Pavilion on Wildwood Rd. near the intersection of Babcock Blvd. The challenging full race course winds its way along dirt roads and unpaved trails. The one mile trail walk follows the rolling first section of the race course. FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY, NO DOGS, STROLLERS OR HEADPHONES ARE ALLOWED ON THE FULL 5 MILE RACECOURSE. 

Awards- Cash Awards will be given to the top three Open Male and Female finishers. Merchandise Awards will be given to the top three Masters Male and Female finishers. Prizes will also be given in age categories: Under 18, 30-39, 40-49, 18-29, 50-59, 60 and up. 

Entry Fees- $20 Day of event, $5 per team (individual entry fees also required).  For more information email inquiries to info@ocfwpa.org. Race Day Registration/Packet Pick Up at the Grant Pavilion Sunday, Nov 4 from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

 

The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation is a not for profit organization dedicated to securing effective treatment for people with OCD. This organization supports research into the causes and treatment of OCD, education about OCD as well as patient support and informational services. The OC Foundation of Western PA is an affiliate of this group which aims to bring these programs and services to our local area.

Five Below Fundraiser for NAMI

Shop at Five Below this weekend and a portion of the proceeds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 26-28) will be donated to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. If you have never gone to Five Below, everything in the store is under $5. They have tons of Halloween candy, great stocking stuffers, beautiful scarves and lots of fun things for your home, office and life. Check it out and let them know we appreciate the support of businesses in our community!

You must print the coupon below and take it with you in order for NAMI to get credit for your purchase. Thank you and happy shopping!

Walk Donors Can Win $500 Shopping Spree!

Any donor who makes a $25 online donation to our NAMI Walk between today, Oct. 11, and Monday, Oct. 15 will go in the drawing to win a fabulous prize package:

$500 Shopping Spree ($100 gift cards to Macy's, Home Depot, Dick's Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble; $50 gift cards to JC Penney and Kohl's)

Dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Pittsburgh ($150 gift certificate)

Front row center seats at the Benedum Center for Sister Act on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Wow, what a great prize package, and ANYONE who donates to the NAMI Walk website can win. Good luck! Thank you to Dr. Curtis Mayernik for generously donating this prize package.

Winner to be drawn on Tuesday, Oct. 16. 

Why Walk with NAMI?

It will be an amazing time this Sunday, Oct. 14 at the SouthSide Works beginning at 9 a.m.



With fun balloon art to entertain the kids... 



And the hilarious Pirate Parrot to keep us laughing. 

Teams will show their true colors: Mental Health Matters!

Caricature artists will capture the moment.



And of course there's an invigorating 5K walk along the river trail.

And complimentary refreshments, delicious hot coffee and hot chocolate.

Don't forget the face painting!

Free flu shots provided by UPMC for everyone. 

And lots of love to go around!

Grab a quick chair massage. Learn about Reiki, too!



While the kids get colorful tattoos. 

Featuring Michelle Wright, our lovely Honorary Chair from WTAE-TV.

Yes, it feels great to celebrate recovery.

There will be music and maybe even some dancing!

And definitely jumping for the kids! 



It's truly a celebration!

Empowering.

Inspiring.

And meaningful: all proceeds benefit the mission of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania to improve the lives of families and individuals affected by mental illness.

On your mark, get set... WALK!
www.namiwalks.org/southwesternpennsylvania

Free Mental Health & Wellness Fair - Saturday!

 

NAMI is pleased to participate in Allegheny HealthChoices' inaugural Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Sheraton Station Square from 9 a.m. until noon.  Please join us for:

Over 25 exhibitors to help you live a better life!
Complimentary refreshments
Free health screenings
Healthy snack demonstrations
Chair massages
Acupuncture
Reiki
Hypnotherapy
Yoga wisdom
Fun giveaways
Validated parking in the Station Square Garage

And more! Join NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and friends this Saturday. For more information, call 412-325-1100.

Win an iPad from NAMI

That's right YOU can win an Apple iPad from NAMI. All you need to do is this:

Register for the NAMI Walk and raise $50 online between Sept. 12 and Sept. 28.

Yep, that's all you need to do to qualify to win. In fact, every $50 donation in that time frame earns you a chance to win. So if you raise $100, you get two chances to win. If you raise $500, your name goes in the drawing 10 times.

The single best way to raise funds online? Write about it! That's right. Click here for tips on writing an email or letter that is sure to qualify you for this iPad promotion while at the same time supporting NAMI's mission of support, education and advocacy for families and individuals affected by mental illness.

For more information about the NAMI Walk, call (412) 366-3788 or email info@namiswpa.org. 

2nd Annual Jim's Jocks Golf Outing

Join NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Board Member Jim Ehrman for his 2nd Annual Jim's Jocks Golf Scramble & Dinner. Not a golfer? Then join us just for dinner at the country club for only $30.

 

What: 2nd Annual Jim's Jocks Golf Scramble & Dinner

Where: Cedarbrook Golf Course, Belle Vernon, Pa.
When: Monday, Sept. 17 - Shotgun start at noon
Cost: $150 includes 18 holes, lunch, contests, dinner and prizes!
Dinner Only: $30 per person

All proceeds benefit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization that helps families affected by mental illness.

Contact Jim today at jehrman@margolisedelstein.com or (412) 491-0954.

 

New Family-to-Family Class Offered this Fall

Due to popular demand, we have added a new location for NAMI's signature Family-to-Family program this fall:

MARS, Pa. (near Cranberry Twp.)
Brickyard Road
Begins Tuesday, Sept. 18
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Our premier education program, Family-to-Family is a nationally renowned 12-week course taught by family members to family members of individuals living with mental illness. Often called "life changing" by class participants, the course is FREE of charge and materials are provided. One family member stated, "Nothing has helped me more over a five year period..."

Seven classes are being offered this fall in three counties, and this new class in Mars, Pa. is being taught by NAMI Southwestern PA Executive Director Chris Michaels and Associate Director Debbie Ference.  For a full list of classes, click here.

Class space is limited, so sign up as soon as possible by calling (412) 366-3788 or email info@namiswpa.org. 

Win a Cruise Vacation from NAMI

 

As announced at the NAMI Walk Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 21, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is giving away not one, not two but THREE cruise vacation packages*. All you need to do to qualify is:

 

1. Register for the NAMI Walk at the new walk website

2. Raise at least $50 in online donations

3. Do this by midnight on Friday, Sept. 7

As a bonus, you can earn more chances to win with each additional $50 online donation. For example, if you raise $100 online by Sept. 7, your name goes into the drawing twice. If you raise $500 by then, you will get 10 chances to win! Three winners will be drawn and announced the week of Sept. 10.

Don't delay: check out our new and improved walk website today and register!

*Cruises donated by National NAMI Walk Sponsor Sunrise Premiums. Fees and restrictions apply. For a detailed cruise flyer and brochure, email info@namiswpa.org.
 

Win a Kindle from NAMI

We are in the heart of our sponsorship campaign for the 6th Annual NAMI Walk on Sunday, Oct. 14 and need your help! Follow these three steps and get your name in the drawing to win a Kindle. So far we only have a few entries, so your odds are great. Here's what you do:

1. Call or email us today to receive NAMI Walk Sponsorship Brochures.

2. Give a brochure to a local business or organization where you have a connection: your place of work, your salon, your doctor's office or any business you frequent. Ask them to support the Walk!

3. Email us their name and contact information by the end of the day on Tuesday, July 31. For each contact you forward to us, your name goes into the drawing once. So if you turn in five names, you get five chances to win the Kindle.

That's all you need to do; we will follow up with them. To reach us, call (412) 366-3788 ext. 23 or email dgarda@namiswpa.org.  Good luck!

Member Highlight: Wesley Spectrum Services

One of our Organizational Members Wesley Spectrum Services has recently opened a new autism program, Autism Mental Health Outpatient Services. 

The possibility of a new diagnosis can be a significant challenge for the entire family. It may take time to process when and where to obtain a thorough diagnosis and discover how to best seek support and services. This new program offers services that can be supportive to any and all family members affected by autism spectrum disorders including:

--Best Practice Psychological Evaluations / Diagnostic Evaluations
--Psychiatric Evaluations / Medication Management
--Individual Therapy for persons affected by autism
--Individual Therapy for parents, siblings or other family members of persons affected by autism
--Group Therapy
--Family Therapy
--Parent Child Interaction Therapy

For more information, contact Michelle Sloane at (412) 342-2258 or msloane@wesleyspectrum.org.

To become an Organizational Member of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, contact Darcey Garda at (412) 366-3788 ext. 23 or email dgarda@namiswpa.org.

Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services Announcement: General Assistance Benefit is Ending Aug. 1

As you may know, General Assistance was eliminated from the recently enacted state budget and is ending in Pa. on Aug. 1. This will affect very low income Pennsylvanians who currently receive $205 monthly assistance allowance. While a very limited benefit, recipients of this program are very low income households (25 percent of poverty) who do not meet the requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other programs.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE:

Beneficiaries who may be affected include many individuals with physical or mental disabilities which prevent them from working, victims of domestic violence, those undergoing active treatment for substance abuse in an approved drug or alcohol program if the treatment program precludes any form of employment, and pregnant women not eligible for TANF. Some beneficiaries may be adults other than a relative caring for a child or for a household member who is disabled or ill.

This small amount of money, typically used to help people take the bus, do laundry, afford co-pays for medicine, rent a room and maintain basic hygiene, will no longer be available.

INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS:

Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia has prepared two community education pieces for its clients facing the possible imminent elimination of General Assistance, their sole source of income. Please feel free to share this information with them and with your colleagues:

One-page hand-out describing what will happen

Accompanying hand-out with more detailed Frequently Asked Questions

Community Legal Services website: http://www.clsphila.org/

Voting Update: Photo ID Required for November 2012 Election

For the 2012 election, new rules are in place that require voters have photo identification on Election Day.

Key Dates for the 2012 Elections

10.9.12 - General Election Registration Deadline

10.30.12 - Last day to apply for Civilian Absentee Ballot

11.2.12 - Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots

11.6.12 - General Election

Voters will be required to show an acceptable photo ID on Election Day. All photo IDs must contain an expiration date that is current, unless noted otherwise. 


Acceptable IDs include:

• Photo IDs issued by the U.S. Federal Government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• PA Driver’s License or Non-driver’s License photo ID (IDs are valid for voting purposes 12 months past expiration date)

• Valid U.S. passport

• U.S. military ID- active duty and retired military (a military or veteran’s ID must designate an expiration date or designate that the expiration date is indefinite). Military dependents’ ID must contain an expiration date

• Employee photo ID issued by Federal, PA, PA County or PA Municipal government

• Photo ID from an accredited PA public or private institution of higher learning, including colleges, universities, seminaries, community colleges and other two-year colleges

• Photo ID issued by a PA care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes

If you do not have one of these IDs, and require one for voting purposes, you may be entitled to get one FREE OF CHARGE at a PennDOT Driver License Center. To find the Driver License Center nearest you, and learn what supporting documentation you will need to get a photo ID visit PennDOT's Voter ID Website or call the Department of State's Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-VotesPA (868-3772).

NO ONE legally entitled to vote will be denied the right to do so. If you do not have a photo ID, or are indigent and unable to obtain one without payment of a fee, you may cast a provisional ballot, and will have six days to provide your photo ID and/or an affirmation to your county elections office to have your ballot count. If you have a religious objection to being photographed you can still vote by presenting a valid without-photo driver’s license or a valid without-photo ID card issued by PennDOT.

If you plan on voting by Absentee Ballot on the November 6, 2012 General Election, you will need to provide proof of identification.

Additional Information

• Simplified method to obtain Photo ID for Pennsylvania-born voters
• Simplified process for PA voters with expired Driver’s Licenses, to obtain a Non-driver’s License Photo ID

House Appropriations to Meet About Budget Today

The House Appropriations Committee will meet this afternoon and vote on June 28 on a budget that fully eliminates MA/cash benefits for 70,000 Pennsylvanians and decreases human services funding by 10%.  The Governor was not able to gain support for the block grant, but the block grant may reappear in a piloted format. We are happy that Rep. DiGirolamo championed our cause in opposition to the block grant.

What can you do? 

- Contact Rep. DiGirolamo’s office and thank him for opposing the block grant.

- Contact your legislator and the House AppropriationsCommittee today and urge them to express their support for funding at the current year’s level for mental health and substance abuse funding.

-Share with them how this would affect you and/or the individuals that matter to you.  

Call Your LOCAL Legislators Today

Contact Your Legislators and ask them to: 

--Express their opposition to the block grant and support for funding at the current year's level for mental health and substance abuse funding to the House and Senate Republican Appropriations Chairs and the House and Senate Majority Leaders.

--Express their opposition to the block grant and support for maintaining the current mental health and substance abuse funding levels in their respective caucus meetings on the budget.

Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Vincent Hughes (pictured right), announced yesterday in his budget overview that the Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) block grant "is still in flux, not a done deal" and there is support for increasing the amount of the 50 percent restoration of human services funding. Sen. Hughes stressed the urgency to contact your local legislators TODAY (and every day until we have a state budget passed).

We are down to the wire with budget negotiations. The republican leadership and the governor have agreed to spend the number of $27.65 billion, and the details are being worked out as you are reading this.

Thanks to the Better Choices for Pa. Coalition for hosting the call with Sen. Hughes and thanks to each of you for your ongoing budget advocacy efforts! 

Organizational Members of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania

Would you like to become part of a natural network of caring peer support, which can be an invaluable community resource? Consider becoming an Organizational Member of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and join the first group of Organizational Members listed below. You will receive membership benefits including five individual professional memberships to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, discounts on events and priority access to NAMI speakers, trainers and materials. For details, contact Darcey Garda at dgarda@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 23.

2012 Organizational Members
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.
The Alliance for Infants & Toddlers
Autism Education and Research Institute
Community Care Behavioral Health
Community Guidance Center
Family Behavioral Resources
Familylinks
Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration
Gateway Rehab
Heritage Valley Health System
Pace School
PMHS Mercy Behavioral Health
SPHS Behavioral Health
Southwest Behavioral Health Management, Inc.
Value Behavioral Health of PA
The Watson Institute Friendship Academy
Wesley Spectrum Services
Westmoreland Casemanagement & Supports, Inc.

Mission in Action!

Our bus trip last week to Harrisburg for Capitol Day perfectly illustrated how NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania lives its mission of support, education and advocacy. On Tuesday, June 5, our mission was ADVOCACY. We coordinated a bus trip for 50 NAMI staff and members to the state capitol to take part in a rally and make personal visits to all of our state legislators. Our goal was to ask our legislators to:

--STOP the 20% funding cuts to community mental health services.

--STOP the block grant that puts community mental health dollars in jeopardy of being spent on other services.

--STOP the elimination of General Assistance cash benefits and cuts to General Assistance health care benefits.

While the day was successful, our work is not done! Now more than ever YOUR voice must be heard. Contact your state representative and reiterate the three points listed above. To find your state rep, click here. Every phone call, every visit and every email truly does make a difference! Call the NAMI office at (412) 366-3788 if you have questions.

The gang's all here! Our group of advocates took on Harrisburg for Capitol Day!

Executive Director Chris Michaels, Associate Director Debbie Ference and
Marketing and Development Manager Darcey Garda pose with Rep. Gene DiGirolamo. 

Sen. Vincent Hughes stirs up the crowd!

Largest turnout we have ever seen for a state budget rally.

Executive Director of NAMI Southwestern PA Chris Michaels and NAMI PA Director Jim Jordan ask the legislature to "Save Our Services!"

NAMI's Sharon Miller, Sara Levine and Alan Corn join the rally.

Alan Corn and Paul Freund want their voices to be heard in Harrisburg!

The PA Independent interviews Chris Michaels

 

NAMI meets with Rep. Dan Deasy.

After lots of other visits to legislators, the NAMI advocates return to the bus
for a late drive home to Pittsburgh and Butler.

Til next time...

June Education Conferences

This photo has Some Rights Reserved

It's not too late to sign up for these upcoming conferences in June. The conferences are coordinated by the Mental Health Conference Planning arm of the Office of Education and Regional Programming (OERP) of Western Pyschiatric and feature top faculty and staff, as well as noted experts from throughout the world. See individual program descriptions for further details.  

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Conference
Thursday, June 14
The Chadwick, Wexford, PA
Click here for program details

Wellness and Prevention: Common Ground for Integrated Care
Monday, June 18
Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA
Click here for program details

19th Annual Pennsylvania Case Management Conference
"Case Management -- The Common Thread"
Monday, June 22
Doubletree Hotel, Monroeville, PA
Click here for program details

For a complete list of OERP trainings, click here.