Announcing Our Organizational Members

We are pleased to announce the first group of organizational members at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. When organizations become a member of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, they become part of a natural network of caring peer support, which can be an invaluable community resource. They also receive other benefits, including five individual professional memberships and discounts on events, while they directly support our mission. Thank you to the first group of organizational members listed below!

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
PMHYS Mercy Behavioral Health
SPHS Behavioral Health
Value Behavioral Health of PA
The Watson Institute Friendship Academy
Wesley Spectrum Services
Westmoreland Casemanagement & Supports, Inc.
 
We are seeking two new members to reach our goal of 20 members in this fiscal year! For information, contact Darcey Garda at dgarda@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 23.

For details about NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania and mental illness, please visit our website.

Vote Today... Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Please ensure the voice of the mental health and broader disabilities community is heard by casting your vote in today’s primary election. Polls are open until 8 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Find out by clicking this link.

Workshop #6: Trends, Truths and Treatment about Alcohol and Other Drugs

On the eve of our 12th Annual Education Conference, let's take a look at the final workshop for the afternoon session. Attendees have the tough job of selecting which one of six workshops to choose in final portion of the day. So far, we've highlighted: 1) Understanding Eating Disorders as Serious Mental Illnesses; 2) Ask the Doctor; 3) New Hope for People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; 4) Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents; and 5) Weight Management Through Good Nutrition. Each of the six workshops is presented by an expert in the field, and we are grateful that all presenters donated their time to educate us and our attendees on these important topics. The sixth workshop for tomorrow's conference is:

Workshop #6: Trends, Truths and Treatments about Alcohol and Other Drugs

This workshop will focus on various issues related to drugs and alcohol in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Current trends will be described in terms of nicknames and slang, in addition to the drugs of choice that are currently on the rise. During this workshop, myths and truths will be discussed, the link between mental illness and drug use will be detailed, current and up-to-date statistics will be provided, and the personal perception of drug use will be explored. The presentation will also cover the disease vs. choice argument, and why treatment is essential in any recovery process.

Presenters: Tara Phillips, Outreach Specialist, Gateway Rebab; Minne Benjamin, person in recovery; Darrell Williams, person in recovery.

Workshop #5: Weight Management through Good Nutrition

With only two days left until our 12th Annual Education Conference, today's post highlights the fifth of six afternoon workshops. We are pleased to welcome back the always inspiring and informative Meridith Paterson of Paterson Nutrition Consulting as our workshop presenter.

Workshop #5: Weight Management through Good Nutrition

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can best be accomplished through proper nutrition. This workshop is designed to provide participants with practical tips on how to improve diet to promote weight loss and weight management. Discussion will focus on portion control, meal planning and developing healthy eating and exercise habits--practical ideas that can be applied immediately to make a healthy impact for a lifetime. The presenter will also share the latest information on intuitive eating and its possible role in weight loss. Intuitive eating is an approach that teaches people to respond to their inner body cues to create a healthy relationship with food, mind and body.

Presenter: Meridith M. Paterson, MS, RD, LDN, has more than 11 years of experience practicing, educating and counseling in the field of dietetics. She is an instructor at Penn State University-Greater Allegheny Campus and registered dietitian for Community LIFE.

Workshop #4: Understanding Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents

This photo has Some Rights Reserved

Did  you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death of individuals age 10 to 24? This workshop at the NAMI Education Conference on Saturday will explain the most up-to-date research on suicide among this age group. In terms the everyday person can understand, the presentation will include the neurobiology of suicidal behavior and highlight preliminary findings from the brain scans of adolescents with a history of suicide attempts. Basic review of the brain circuitry of depression will be included. A case report reviewing contributing factors for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal behavior will also be presented. The relevance of this information to understanding suicidal behavior in adolescents, and future directions of research, will be discussed.

For more information or to register for the conference, click here. Registration deadline is today!

Presenter: Lisa Pan, MD, is the assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic.

Workshop #3: New Hope For People With OCD

With our 12th Annual Education Conference fast approaching, today we highlight the third of six workshops offered simultaneously on Saturday afternoon. As we always say, the hardest part of the conference is choosing which workshop to attend! For more information about the conference or to register, click here.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that is characterized by recurring, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and the repetitive behaviors (compulsions) used to control the anxiety the thoughts cause. These rituals often become so controlling that they interfere with activities of daily living. Typically, it takes 14 to 17 years from the time OCD symptoms start for people to find the right treatment. Fortunately, new treatments for OCD are being developed, offering new hope for people with OCD. During this workshop, Dr. Hudak will discuss these new treatment options, as well as how they are utilized with standard treatment protocol.

Presenter: Robert Hudak, MD, is the assistant professor of psychiatry and medical director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Institute and Clinic at Western Psychiatric.

Scholarships Available to the NAMI Conference

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's 12th Annual Education Conference is only a week away! Plan to join us at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott on Saturday, April 21 for our presentation of "Evidence for Hope: Why Research Should Matter To You." We promise you will walk away informed, educated and inspired!

Scholarships to attend this conference are available to Allegheny County residents who have children currently in the mental health system. For more information, call the NAMI office at (412) 366-3788 or email info@namiswpa.org.

We hope to see you there!

Workshop #2: Ask the Doctor

Each year, the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania conference offers six workshops that run simultaneously in the afternoon. Attendees choose one of the six workshops, and picking which one to attend is never easy. This year's conference Evidence for Hope: Why Research Should Matter To You is no exception. Yesterday we highlighted the workshop on eating disorders, and today we highlight a tried-and-true and always well-attended workshop called "Ask the Doctor."

Workshop #2
Ask the Doctor

Mental health consumers and family members often have many questions that can't be quickly answered in a short doctor's visit. Do you have questions about: Medications and their side effects? The symptoms of different mental illnesses? Issues relating to co-occurring disorders? How to make better lifestyle choices? During this workshop, Dr. Suzanne Vogel Scibilia will answer participants' wide variety of questions concerning mental illness while discussing effective treatments and supports that promote recovery and healthier living.

For more information or to register for the conference, click here or call (412) 366-3788.

Which Workshop To Choose?

The hardest part of our annual conference is choosing one of the six interesting workshops offered in the afternoon portion of the day. This year's topics offer broad appeal with subjects such as "Ask the Doctor," good nutrition and addiction. But it also appeals to more specific interests such as new treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, suicidal behavior in adolescents and the workshop on eating disorders highlighted below. Over the next week, we will highlight the five other workshops on our blog.

Workshop #1
Understanding Eating Disorders as Serious Mental Illnesses

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect people from all cultures and socioeconomic classes, with consequences that can be devastating to individuals and their families. Eating disorders are difficult to treat and are associated with significant co-occurring mental and physical illnesses, high relapse rates and death. This presentation will review the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Theories of causation including genetic, familial, personality and cultural influences will be discussed. Medical complications and the importance of medical monitoring and intervention will be explained. A review of empirically supported treatment interventions will be presented, with a special emphasis on the role of family in treatment and recovery from an eating disorder.

Presenter: Liz McCabe, PhD, Clinical Administrator for Eating Disorders and Behavioral Medicine and Director of Social Work at UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.

For more information on the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania annual conference or to register, click here.

The Agenda: NAMI Conference

Each year, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania works hard to offer an annual conference that is not only educational and accredited but also interesting, entertaining and inspiring. This year we take brain research to a new level: one that you need not be a neuroscientist to understand! At the end of conference day, we will all walk away with the information and inspiration to truly appreciate the future of mental illness treatment and recovery. For more information or to register, click here.

The Agenda:

8 a.m. - Registration/Continental Breakfast/Exhibits

8:45 a.m. - Welcome by Christine Michaels, MSHSA, Executive Director, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania

9 a.m. - Opening Remarks "Translational Research in Psychiatry: The Road to Prevention and Recovery" by David A. Lewis, MD, UPMC Professor in Translational Neuroscience, and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh and Medical Director, WPIC

9:30 a.m. - Keynote Address "Accomplishing Scientific Breakthroughs Through Innovative Neuroscience Research" by David A. Baker, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University

10:45 a.m. - Break and Exhibits 

11 a.m. - Morning Plenary "NAMI Southwestern PA Champions New Research Initiatives" by Christine Michaels

11:45 a.m. Luncheon

1 p.m. Afternoon Plenary "Current Trends in Mindfulness Research: Backing Up Practice with Science" by Safdary I. Chaudhary, MD, Founder and Medical Director, S'eclairer

2:15 p.m. - Break and Exhibits

2:30 p.m. - Workshops (Choose one of six) - 1. Understanding Eating Disorders As Serious Mental Illnesses - 2. Ask the Doctor - 3. New Hope for People with OCD - 4. Understanding Suicidal Behavioral in Adolescents - 5. Weight Management through Good Nutrition - 6. Trends, Truths and Treatment about Alcohol and Other Drugs

3:45 - 4 p.m. - Evaluation and Adjournment 

Quick and Easy Online Conference Registration

Registering online for the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania 12th Annual Education Conference Evidence for Hope: Why Research Should Matter To You has never been so simple. It's easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

1. Go to the registration page and click on Register for the Event.

2. Create your free sign-in account.

3. Register yourself and guests, choose Continuing Education Credits, select a workshop and finalize your payment method.

Register online now and ensure space at one of Southwestern Pennsylvania's leading conferences on mental health:

NAMI Southwestern PA 12th Annual Education Conference

Saturday, April 21 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pittsburgh Airport Marriott

Introducing NAMI Organizational Members

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania recently launched its new organizational membership program and is pleased to announce our first group of members. We thank them for their support and look forward to working with these members in the upcoming year!

Autism Education and Research Institute
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.
The Alliance for Infants & Toddlers
Community Care Behavioral Health
Family Behavioral Resources
Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration
Familylinks
Gateway Rehab
Heritage Valley Health System
Pace School
SPHS Behavioral Health
Southwest Behavioral Management, Inc.
The Watson Institute Friendship Academy

For more information on the organizational membership program, contact Darcey Garda at dgarda@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 23.