Our Sponsors Make It Possible

With the NAMI Conference only two days away, we'd like to thank our sponsors who make this annual educational event possible. It is with their financial support that we are able to present an accredited conference each and every spring.

Thank you to:

Diamond Sponsor
Community Care Behavioral Health

Gold Sponsor
AstraZeneca

Silver Sponsors
Staunton Farm Foundation
Value Behavioral Health of PA

Bronze Sponsors
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Eli Lilly and Company
Mercy Behavioral Health
Project Transition
Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic of UPMC

Conference Workshop Spotlight: Complicated Grief

Do you know someone who is still greiving the loss of a loved one many years later? Has the grieving process affected his or her ability to find joy and meaning again in life? If so, this afternoon workshop at our conference on Saturday may be the one for you. Note: Pre-registration for our conference has closed, but walk-ins are welcome.

Complicated Grief: Recognizing the Needs of People who Struggle with Intense, Prolonged Mourning

Presenter: Charles F. Reynolds III, MD

Complicated or prolonged grief occurs when someone has difficulty accepting the loss of a loved one and is unable to move on with life to find joy and meaning. Complicated grief may be more likely depending upon the circumstances of the death, such as suicide. This workshop will focus on complicated grief and how it differs from normal grief, including indicators to recognize that someone may be living with complicated grief. The workshop will also provide information on how people living with complicated grief can be helped to get their grief back on track and move on with their lives. Dr. Reynolds will also discuss a new study of treatment for complicated grievers, sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Conference participants desiring more information about complicated grief may visit the Web site (http://healstudy.org/) or call 412-246-6006.

For more information about our conference, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Last Day To Pre-Register

Today is the final day to pre-register for our education conference Embracing Diversity: Cultivating Respect and Inclusion for a Stronger Mental Health System on Saturday at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.

You can register online or fax a registration form to our office today. We will be taking walk-ins the day of the conferece; however, payments on conference day can be made by cash or check only.

To find out more about the conference, visit our website.

NAMI in the News

Our upcoming conference "Embracing Diversity" can be found in the pages of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today. Take a look!  

Click here for more information about the education conference, scheduled for Saturday, April 30 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. This conference is designed for individuals with mental illness, family members, treatment professionals and anyone interested in the topic of diversity. Continuing educations credits are available at no extra charge.

Conference Workshop Spotlight: Co-Occurring Disorders

 Some rights reserved by Ferran

It is now generally agreed that as much as 50 percent of the mentally ill population also has a substance use problem. With such a large number of individuals dealing with substance use issues, it is important to know more about co-occurring disorders and how they impact the landscape of mental illness.

Interested in learning more? Join us at the 2011 NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Education Conference for our workshop, "A Consumer and Family Guide to Co-Occurring Disorders: Psychiatric Illness and Substance Use Disorders":

A Consumer and Family Guide to Co-Occurring Disorders: Psychiatric Illness and Substance Use Disorders

Presenter: Dennis C. Daley, PhD

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common among consumers with psychiatric disorders and can complicate their recovery if both types of disorders are not addressed in an integrated manner. This presentation will review the prevalence of co-occurring disorders, types and causes of SUDs, effects on the consumer and family, treatment options (medications and counseling), relapse risk factors, recovery, and how mutual support programs can help. Helpful strategies for consumers and families to cope with co-occurring disorders will be reviewed.

For more information about our conference, view our online brochure or visit our website. We hope to see you there!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Conference Workshop Spotlight: Disclosing Mental Illness at Work

 Some rights reserved by Michael_P

Employment is an important aspect of life, and working can positively impact the life of a person living with mental illness. The question of whether or not to disclose a mental illness in the workplace is a personal one, and there are many aspects to the decision making process.

Interested in learning more about disclosure in the workplace? Join us at the 2011 NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Education Conference for our workshop, "To Tell or Not to Tell: Disclosing Mental Illness at Work":

To Tell or Not to Tell: Disclosing Mental Illness at Work

Presenters: Carol Horowitz, Esq., James Kindler and Debbie Ference, MA

A job can provide many financial and psychological benefits, and fulfilling work contributes significantly to recovery efforts for those with mental illness. The decision to tell your employer about your mental illness is a very personal one, and each individual has the option whether or not to disclose this information. This workshop features a discussion of the legal, personal and employer perspectives of workplace disclosure. Through an open dialogue, they will discuss the clear benefits of disclosure, as well as the risks. Mental health problems are not always obvious to other people, so disclosure is necessary for those who need to ask for a reasonable work accommodation. By disclosing your mental illness, you may be better understood, and you will gain legal coverage under the Americans With Disabilities Act. You may also receive more emotional support from co-workers and your supervisor. Unfortunately, because of continued misinformation and stigma surrounding mental illness, people may treat you differently once you disclose. Attendees will leave this workshop able to make an informed personal decision after learning the legal requirements for disclosure and the accommodations available for those who do, as well as legal remedies for those who have suffered violations after disclosure.

For more information about our conference, view our online brochure or visit our website. We hope to see you there!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Conference Workshop Spotlight: Mindfulness

Mindfulness training has been shown to make positive impacts on mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)and eating disorders.

Interested in learning more about how mindfulness can impact your mental well being? Join us at the 2011 NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Education Conference for our workshop, "Mindfulness: Learning to Listen to Our Bodies and Inner Needs":

Mindfulness: Learning to Listen to our Bodies and Inner Needs

Presenters: Ricardo Stephen Marsili and Ruthann Valentine

Hidden in the word "listen" is the word "silent." What often happens for many of us is that we do not listen to our bodies or our inner needs. We often try to run from our conflicts. Through the practice of mindfulness, we can begin to heal from within. Mindfulness is being present to the current moment through the process of listening and quieting our own minds. During this presentation, the presenters will describe and demonstrate mindfulness approaches to stress, pain, grief and anxiety and share research supporting mindfulness benefits in the clinical setting.

For more information about our conference, view our online brochure or visit our website.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary