NAMI Union County Family Support Group

This support group meets the 1st Monday of the month, starting with December 2nd, 2013. Family Support Group are free meetings of caregivers of individuals with a mental illness where family members can talk frankly about their challenges and help one another through their learned wisdom.

When : First Monday of every month

Where : Union House, 316 I.B. Shive Street, Monroe, NC
Map at http://goo.gl/maps/7bAaa

For more information please contact Evann Duncan, 704-292-2287 or email: info@nami-charlotte.org.

Family Support Group @ CMC Behavioral Health, 501 Billingsley Rd

These support groups meet the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of the month. Family Support Group are free meetings of caregivers of individuals with a mental illness where family members can talk frankly about their challenges and help one another through their learned wisdom.

When : 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of every month
Where : CMC Behavioral Health, 501 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
            Map @ http://goo.gl/maps/BlUXe

Meetings are facilitated by trained NAMI members. For more information call: 704-333-8218 or email:  info@nami-charlotte.org.

We welcome you to NAMI Charlotte! During the year we host Educational Forums, but not during the summer months. These ed forums will be published/posted and can be emailed to you by request:

Educational Forum - Getting Beyond the Suffering

Bob Ward, Attorney with The Public Defenders Office, will be the guest presenter at our Education Forum on October 8.  He will share information about Mental Health Court, Involuntary Commitment, and other topics.  He also will provide time for our mutual questions and answers.   See below for details.  

NOTE:  Our NAMI support groups will meet prior to the Forum and times are listed.    
Our Educational Forum in November will be on Nov. 12.  Look for details in a future email.  We appreciate all who are supporting NAMI in our mission to provide education, support and advocacy for those experiencing mental illness challenges, as well as for their family members and friends. 
                                                   
St Johns Baptist Church
300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204

NAMI-Charlotte Educational Forum
Tuesday, October 8, 2013 – 7:30 pm

Presenter:  Robert (Bob) Ward, Attorney
Public Defender’s Office, Charlotte
Topic:  “Getting Beyond the Suffering”

Learn about Mental Health Court,
Involuntary Commitment, etc.
Some Simple solutions and Opportunities

For mutual questions and answers.
Support Groups            
Family Support Group Meeting–6:00 pm
Consumer Support Group Meeting–6:00 pm
(Meetings held prior to Educational Forum)

Family-To-Family (F2F) Classes
For more information or to register -
contact Michele Brown - 704-576-9452 ormichelebrown1941@gmail.com
For other NAMI information
Contact
NAMI-Charlotte - 704-333-8218 or  www.nami-charlotte.org

Veteran NAMI Family to Family Class

The Family-To-Family course covers current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, PTSD and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders. Included are communication and problem-solving techniques, coping mechanisms and self-care skills needed to deal with your loved one's mental illness as well as its impact on the family. 

This class will meet once a week and is structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serous mental illness while maintaining their own well being. The course it taught by a trained NAMI family member volunteer who knows what it's like to have a loved one struggling with a brain disorder.
Class Begins: October 1, 2013 (Tuesday)

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: VA Outpatient Clinic
8601 University East Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213
Map @ http://goo.gl/maps/fwFme

Register to: Beverly Corpening
Email Address: bevey4@gmail.com
Phone #: 704-493-8520

For Information: Michele Brown, NAMI-Charlotte
Family Educator/Coordinator704-576-9452

Charlotte CBOC - Locations - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
www2.va.gov › … › VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network

Charlotte CBOC. Skip links | View the ... 8601 University East Drive Charlotte, NC 28213 http://goo.gl/maps/fwFme Phone: 704-597-3500


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JAM for CAM - Benefit Concert - Saturday, September 7 - 8:00 pm

JAM for CAM - Benefit Concert - Saturday, September 7 - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Sarah Schaffer and The Clanton Road Band are rambling into the North Carolina Music Factory to support NAMI. The show is free to the public and you are invited to show up and spread the word. The NC Music Factory is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte, 28206. Detailed directions are available on their website - ncmusicfactory.com


Donation proceeds will provide education and support right here in Charlotte. Music inspires us all and what better way to celebrate life and collaborate for a great cause!

More details @ https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9x_cBOetRFOeENzWmctQXpjUlU/edit?usp=sharing 

Free NAMI Basics Class in Lake Norman

We are pleased to announce that a Free NAMI Basics Class is being offered in the Lake Norman Area. This six-week education program was developed specifically for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. Parents who have children who are experiencing symptoms, but have not yet been diagnosed, can also benefit from this call. Details are as follows:

Location:     

Grace Covenant Church
17301 Statesville Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
Date: Mondays, Beginning September 30, 2013

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

To register or for more information call Judy Reiner at 704-827-5433.

Education Forum - Feeling Depressed or Anxious – Suggestions to Help You feel Better - on Tuesday, September 10th @ 7.30pm

Dr. Malti Mehta, Psychiatrist and Kim Olige, Quality Assurance Director at Family Innovations, LLC will be the guest presenters at our Education Forum on Tuesday, September 10th. They will also be available to answer your questions. See below for details.

NOTE:
Our NAMI support groups will meet prior to the Forum and times are listed. We hope you can join us.

 

St Johns Baptist Church

300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204

Hope all had a great Summer!

NAMI’s Fall Schedule is now underway.

NAMI-Charlotte Educational Forum

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 – 7:30 pm

Presenters:

From Family Innovations, LLC

Dr. Malti Mehta, Psychiatrist

Kim Olige, Quality Assurance Director

Topic: “Feeling Depressed or Anxious – Suggestions to Help You feel Better”


Support Groups

Family Support Group Meeting–6:00 pm

Consumer Support Group Meeting–6:00 pm

(Meetings held prior to Educational Forum)



Family To Family (F2F) Classes

Starting this Fall

For more information or to register -

contact Michele Brown - 704-576-9452 or

michelebrown1941@gmail.com

 

For other NAMI information

Contact

         NAMI-Charlotte - 704-333-8218 or

                                                                    www.nami-charlotte.org

Free 12 Week Mental Health Course for Family Members

UPCOMING EVENTS: F2F Mental Health Course

Family to Family class will begin the week of SEP1st and end the week of NOV 17th.

 

OVERVIEW: F2F Program:
Family–to–Family Education Program

The NAMI Family–to–Family Education Program is a free 12–week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses). The course is taught by trained family members. Class is in session for twelve classes which are 2 1/2 hours meeting once a week.

All instruction and course materials are free for class participants.

The curriculum focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder, Borderline personality disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively:

Click FOR MORE INFO on our F2F Program (PDF)

Phone: 704-333-8218
Email:f2f@nami-charlotte.org

 

NAMI–Charlotte, an affiliate of both the North Carolina State and National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a non–profit 501(c)(3) grass-roots organization, and is the only Mecklenburg County organization that focuses exclusively on people with serious and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, (manic–depression) borderline personality disorder and unipolar disorder (depression).

 

Our members include individuals suffering from mental illness, family members of the mentally ill, professionals’ in the mental health field and concerned citizens.

 

LEARN MORE: Please visit www.NAMI-Charlotte.org

A DIfferent Type of "March Madness" - Mental Illness Forum Tonight in Charlotte

What GRADE Would You Give Emergency Care Services in Mecklenburg County? (in regard to responding to, treating, and overall effectively serving the needs of those suffering from mental illnesses in Charlotte, NC and other cities within Mecklenburg County.)

Michael Gordon, of the Charlotte Observer, asked the question...and recently dug into this complex topic.

There is a FORUM tonight, Monday March 18, 2013, at UNC Charlotte's Center City building, but although FREE, quickly "SOLD OUT" - more than 400 people registered.

If you didn't get a ticket or are unable to attend tonight's forum, you can watch the entire forum below!

VIDEO of ENTIRE MARCH 2013 Charlotte, NC Mental Health FORUM:
"Solving It Together"
(NOTE: LONG VIDEO = 1 hour, 42 minutes)



ABOUT NAMI-CHARLOTTE: NAMI–Charlotte, an affiliate of both the North Carolina State and National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a non–profit 501(c)(3) grass-roots organization, and is the only Mecklenburg County organization that focuses exclusively on people with serious and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, (manic–depression) borderline personality disorder and unipolar disorder (depression).

Our members include individuals suffering from mental illness, family members of the mentally ill, professionals’ in the mental health field and concerned citizens.

To Learn More, visit our website: www.NAMI-Charlotte.org

Education and Insight on Mental Illness with NAMI's Family to Family Program

What is NAMI’s Family-to-Family Program?

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. 

• The course is taught by trained family members 
• All instruction and course materials are free to class participants
• Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this national program

What does the course include?

• Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders
• Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence
• Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery
• Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness
• Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques
• Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse
• Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload
• Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services

Go to NAMI.ORG for more information or to JOIN US!

NAMI-Charlotte Will you win?

Greetings and Happy New Year to all!

On behalf of NAMI-Charlotte, I would like to invite you join us with your Annual Membership for 2013.  When you join NAMI-Charlotte – your membership is also recorded with NAMI North Carolina and the NAMI national office.

Given the changes that are occurring in the provision of mental health services, your membership will help us achieve our mission of providing support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness.  We need your voice to be heard during this time of struggle for services.  

Your membership will also help support the programs at NAMI-Charlotte, such as the education classes of our signature program, Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Basics, NAMI Connection and our Family Support Group.   We offer In Our Own Voice Program, where consumers share their experiences, strengths and hopes with communities across North Carolina.  And as always, we advocate for individuals, often dealing directly with providers of mental health services to speak for those who are not being heard. 

If you renew by February 28, you will be entered into a special drawing for prizes.

Enclosed you will find a membership form.  Please note that one membership will cover the whole household. Or if appropriate, complete the Open Door category.   Please complete the attached form and send it in with your membership dues today. You may also enroll your membership right on-line at:www.nami.org

On behalf of NAMI-Charlotte, I salute you for all you do to help individuals and family members with mental illness.  Thank you for your dedication, compassion and ongoing support!

Classes on Mental Health Education

Please know that our next course in MHFA will be on Jan 24-25 (from 8:30a-4p) at Myers Park United Methodist Church, Room 110, 1501 Queens Rd, Charlotte. The cost to attend both days, including meals and materials, is $40. We currently have nine registered participants. We need at least 10 individuals (but no more than 25). Could you please help us fill the class? If payment is an issue for anyone, please let me know. Thank you.

The course provides CEUs for Human Resource Managers only, and is intended to provide basic education on adult mental health diagnoses, treatments, and how to help an individual experiencing a crisis. It is not intended for “mental health professionals” but serves as an overview for family members, faith/clergy members, community members and individuals interested in learning more about mental health issues.

Here is the link to register for the class. Materials describing the course are attached. Please forward this email to others who may be interested.

https://app.etapestry.com/cart/MentalHealthAssociationofC_2/default/index.php

Thank you and Happy New Year!

 

The mission of the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas, Inc. is to promote mental wellness through advocacy, prevention and education. Spreading Hope, Spurring Action, Supporting Families, Saving Lives!

Do you want to be a CIT actor?

Nami is seeking your assistance engaging consumers in recovery as actors for Mecklenburg’s CIT class. Our team has a firm belief that the role play experience is most meaningful for officers when the actors are consumers. Our numbers of consumer actors have gone way down in the last year, and we’ve mostly had certified CIT officers as actors. While this is sufficient, it certainly isn’t ideal. Family members also provide a valuable perspective. Can you help?

The next class is February 11-15. Role plays are Thursday, 2:30-4:30 and Friday 9-11. If you know of anyone who would be a good match for this task, please refer them to me or someone else on the CIT team.

Additional 2013 class dates are:

May 6-10

August 12-16

November 18-22.

Thanks so much for your support of this important, collaborative effort! Please contact Sarah Greene: Sarah.Greene@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call: 704-366-2944 or 704-621-7210.