NAMI Virginia/Virginia CIT Convention!

This year NAMI Virginia and the Virginia Crisis Team Coalition (VACIT) are teaming up to hold a two day joint conference, which is being held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual CIT International Conference!

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other on how to build and develop CIT in your community!  Anyone that cares about growing CIT in Virginia is welcome!

September 11-12th

 Doubletree Hotel and Virginia Beach Conference Center

Registration closes THIS SUNDAY, August 1 

Register now!  

 For more information, visit

http://namivirginia.org/get-involved/state-convention  

or contact Stephany Melton, Convention Coordinator at

smelton@namivirginia.org 

or 804-285-8264.

 July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month!  

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a month-long opportunity for recovery-oriented organizations, groups, peer supporters, and national and local media to spotlight mental health issues affecting African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino, Native American, and Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transsexual Questioning communities.  

Here are some events and activities that are being held in honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month:

STAR CENTER Teleconference Series in honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July 27, 2011: Cultural Competency in Mental Health Peer-Run Programs and Self-Help Groups

Please click here for additional details about this week's call

The STAR Center is funded by a SAMHSA/Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). Please visit SAMHSA/CMHS for helpful information and resources on mental health and recovery, at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/CSP.

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Media Contest

In 2008, the US House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. To raise awareness of mental illness, prevention, treatment, and research in diverse communities during this month, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Colaborando Juntos, and NAMI-Virginia are sponsoring a Media Contest for Minority Mental Health Awareness. Plan area activities during the month of July for a chance to win prizes and be highlighted in various publications. 

Click here for more information and to download the flyer 

 Announcing a New Statewide Family Network  

We look forward to hearing from you!

This spring, nine people were part of the first graduating class of Peer Facilitators on Advance Directives.  The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy worked closely with the Norfolk CSB to provide extensive training and mentoring to this very dedicated group of volunteers who receive mental health services from the CSB, and who are now qualified to assist their peers in preparing advance directives for mental health treatment.  The graduation ceremony was held on April 15, National Health Care Decisions Day. 

The event was covered by a local television station.  

Part of mental health recovery is taking responsibility for your own health and treatment.  One way to do this is to plan ahead for times of crisis.   Since 2009, Virginia law has allowed individuals to plan ahead by including mental health treatment in a medical advance directive.  An advance directive can document the care you want or do not want if you are ever in crisis and cannot speak for yourself.  This tool is a powerful one for individuals with mental illness.

VOPA has assisted over 100 individuals in preparing advance directives, but even with that VOPA could not meet all of the need.  Using Peer Facilitators was the logical solution and it has been highly successful.  The training program is a win-win for everyone involved: many more individuals will be assisted in writing their advance directives; and the CSB volunteers gain valuable experience in assisting their peers in recovery.  Studies have also shown that people with mental illness often feel more comfortable working with their peers, especially when discussing such personal information.

We need your input!  

VOPA is working to develop the curriculum so that the Norfolk experience can be repeated across the state.  For more information about VOPA and to give us feedback on our work on Advance Directives and in other areas, please click here: www.vopa.state.va.us Our annual public input survey is at the top of our home page.   

 Be a part of the largest anti-stigma event in Virginia!    

The Team Captain Kick off Luncheon is a VERY IMPORTANT opportunity for everyone to learn how to take full advantage of the Walk and the chance to raise awareness in the ENTIRE community and how to raise the funds needed to run NAMI's signature programs.   

Thursday, August 11th

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 

This is the time when we launch our campaign to train Team Captains so they understand how to recruit and coach the Walkers on their team to success.

We need Team Captains for NAMIWalks!

 We need individuals who will be leaders!

 We need you!

  Don't let the lions, tigers, and bears keep you away! R.S.V.P Today!

 
 NAMI In Our Own Voice - What a Success!

NAMI In Our Own Voice has been a signature program of NAMI's since the early 2000s.  It has been a flagship in many ways, such as highlighting the real faces of mental illness and spreading a message of hope.  It has also served as a vehicle for empowerment and recovery for many of its presenters.  In many ways, this program epitomizes what NAMI is all about; the recovery of our loved ones to a meaningful and fulfilling lives.  

And that why it is so very exciting that, well past the mid-way point of the year, Virginia still leads the nation in In Our Own Voice presentations!!  Which is saying a lot when you think of the geographic and demographic size of states like California and Texas.   As a member of NAMI and mental health advocate, it makes me brim with pride to know our members and affiliates have made this program a priority.  That they recognize the invaluable worth of this program in promoting recovery and decreasing stigma.  And most importantly, that we're getting the word out better than any other state!  

Congratulations to everyone involved with this wonderful program!  We are better together!  Pleases help us capture some of the impact the In Our Own Voice program has had on you, please take a moment to share your experiences:   

FACES FAMILY PICNIC

  July 26, 2011

 6:00-8:00

"ROUND UP " all your family and friends and join us

  INDOORS  for an old fashion , good time, western  pot luck. Bring a dish to share and FACES will provide the rest!

 FACES 

Family Advocacy Creating Education and Services 

11601 Lucks Lane

Midlothian, VA 23114 

phone (804) 378-0035-FAX (804)378-0052 

www.FACESVA.org  

This group strives to support the growth of quality Connections groups and programs in the State of Virginia.  Specifically through the sharing of individual expertise from the field to NAMI Virginia, individual affiliates, coordinators, and facilitators.  Members also represent and advocate for Virginia Connections facilitators to NAMI Virginia.  These advisory groups can be called upon when tough support group questions or situations arise and counsel is needed.  

The only requirement is that those serving on the advisory group are active facilitators.  Preference is given to active facilitators who are strong program leaders with a long standing history with the Connections program.   

To learn more please contact Sarah Eisenman at seisenman@namivirginia.org  

 
  Click here to read the latest update