NAMI NEWS: The Second Chance Act? What IS it and WHY should we care?

Senate Judiciary Committee Passes the Second Chance Act 

On Thursday September 18, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee by a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5 passed legislation to reauthorize the Second Chance Act at $100 million. 

The Second Chance Act, S. 1690, helps youth and adults reentering communities after serving time in jail or prison, including offenders living with mental illness. 

This bill provides funding for mental health and substance use treatment as well as employment and housing supports―critical components of recovery for people with these illnesses. 

Without these vital services and supports, these individuals are at risk of cycling back to jail and prison. 

It does what the title says, it gives them a Second Chance.

What you can do to help?

We encourage you to contact your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor and support this important bipartisan bill.


First, see if your Senators are a co-sponsors. 
If your Senators support the bill thank them and if they do not support this bill ask them to support and to become a co-sponsor. 

Either way, please email your Senators now.

How is YOUR Health Insurance Treating YOU? (Deadline to take survey 10/17/2014)

How is your Health Insurance Treating You?  

Our nation’s health care system is changing dramatically. 

Major changes are happening in mental health care with the new health insurance marketplaces and the final parity rule requiring mental illness to be treated on equal terms with physical illness. 

Because these changes are so important, NAMI-Charlotte wants to understand how they affect your health insurance coverage.

That's where you come in.  We NEED your help/participation!

We at NAMI-Charlotte are asking everyone applicable to PLEASE take this survey on behalf of yourself or your loved ones in need of mental health and/or substance use care. 

It should only take an investment of your time of about 15-30 minutes.

Spread the word to your friends, family, co-workers, and colleagues. Post the link on your Facebook or Twitter! The more responses we get, the stronger NAMI's advocacy will be.

Deadline to take this important survey is Oct. 17.

LINK to take survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V7Q7ZRC

SURVEY EN ESPANOL: 

LINK to take survey in SPANISH:
http://www.sogosurvey.com/survey.aspx?k=SsRUYQsSYsPsPsP&lang=4&Dir=FST&Data

Thank you for your advocacy!

NAMI Charlotte to Offer Family-to-Family in Spanish starts October 14th

NAMI Charlotte to Offer Family-to-Family in Spanish!  Accepting Registration for  De Familia a Familia  to Start October 14th

We are thrilled to announce that NAMI Charlotte will be offering North Carolina's first Family-to-Family class in Spanish - De Familia a Familia! Family-to-Family is an educational course for family, caregivers and friends of individuals living with mental illness. When: October 14th - November 20th Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm Camino Community Center, 201 Stetson Drive, Charlotte Find a Flyer in Spanish to share HERE Gratuito para personas que tienen un familiar con: Depresion SeveraTrastorno  Bipolar (Trastorno maniaco-depresivo) Esquizofrenia y Trastorno Esquizoafectivo Trastorno Fronterizo de la Personalidad Trastorno de Panico y Trastorno Obsesivo-compulsivo Trastornos Cerebrales y Trastornos de Adiccion concurrentes Una serie de 12 sesiones, estructuradas para ayudar a los familiars a comprender y apoyar a su ser querido que padece una enfermedad mental, y al mismo tiempo ensenarles como preservar su propio bienestar.  Este curso esta a cargo de voluntarios capacitados por NAMI que saben por experiencia propia lo que es que un ser querido este luchando con uno de estos trastornos cerebrales.  El Programa De Familia a Familia de NAMI es completamente gratuito.  Mas de 300.000 personas en Estadeos Unidos, Canada, Mexico e Italia han completado este curso.  Estamos seguros de que usted quedara satisfecho con la gran ayuda que ofrece este programa.  Lo invitamos a llamar para obtener mas informacion.   Las clases seran los Martes y Jueves de 6:30 a  9:00 pm. Comienzan el Martes, 14 de Octubre 2014,   hasta el 20 de Noviembre, 2014.  Se require inscripcion y es solamente para familiares o cuidadores.   Lugar:     Camino Community Center   201 Stetson Drive, Charlotte NC.  28262 Co-Lideres:   Elsa MacDonald   980-237-6414   elsabmacdonald@aol.com  Carolina Bonillo  704-780-3509    mbonillo@live.unc.edu

NAMI's National Day of Action - SEP 4, 2014

SAVE THE DATE!
September 4th is NAMI's National Day of Action

1 in 4 Americans are affected by mental illness. 1 in 17 live with a serious mental illness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Mental Illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.

These numbers need to change!

We are calling on Congress to take action on mental health right now. Join with thousands of others on September 4th, to bring national attention to the need for comprehensive mental health legislation.

Reach out to your member of Congress. Tell them how important mental health is to you.

Tweet. Email. Call. Get their attention. Tell them that this can’t wait.

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Mental illness affects everyone. Nearly 60 million Americans experience a mental health condition every year. Regardless of race, age, religion or economic status, mental illness impacts the lives of at least one in four adults and one in 10 children across the United States.

People living with mental illness need help and hope: they need a community that supports them, their families and their recovery.

Because mental illness devastates the lives of so many Americans, NAMI works every day to save every life.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.

NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI State Organizations, NAMI Affiliates (such as NAMI-Charlotte) and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs.

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About National Day of Action

NAMI’s National Day of Action 2014  is a national campaign happening both online and in person in which we are asking supporters all across the country to stand up for the issues that are important to us. We are asking Congress to take action, pass legislation and support individuals living with mental illness and their families.

NAMI’s National Day of Action is not only happening on Capitol Hill—it’s happening nationally in the digital space. Be part of the conversation by sharing your National Day of Action experience on Twitter and Facebook.

If you tweet please use #Act4MentalHealth—take photos, impressions and be sure to thank your congressional offices by tweeting directly to them.

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#Act4MentalHealth with every message throughout the day so we can grow the movement and get our issue trending.

Add your voice to the conversation and join NAMI in telling Congress to #Act4MentalHealth.

Please email, call or tweet your member of Congress September 4th! 

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ABOUT THIS BLOG:

This Web Log posts NAMI-Charlotte ''news & announcements'' about upcoming local, regional and national events related to our organization.  

To stay updated, and "in the loop", please FOLLOW OUR BLOG BY EMAIL by using the "sign up" box (upper right of page).

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NAMI-Charlotte
Charlotte, NC Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

For more information about NAMI-Charlotte and other local Charlotte, NC mental health support groups, education, events and more, please visit
NAMI-Charlotte.org    

NAMI-Charlotte Phone: 704–333–8218

NAMI-Charlotte @ NC Air National Guard Family Day - OCT 2014

NC Air National Guard Family Day, Saturday, October 4th, 2014

NAMI-Charlotte will have promotional space at this event to share NAMI and related mental health information with those attending.


This NC Air National Guard annual event and will be another great opportunity for the "NAMI Homefront Program" to help the NC Air National Guard families attending get information they need regarding mental illness. 

DATE: 10-4-2014

LOCATION: The Wing

NC Air National Guard

145th Airlift Wing

4930 Minuteman Way
Charlotte, NC 28208

HOURS: 11:30 am to 3 pm

145th Airlift Wing NC Air National Guard Website 

Related Link: Air Force Suicide Prevention 

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ABOUT THIS BLOG:

This Web Log posts NAMI-Charlotte ''news & announcements'' about upcoming local, regional and national events related to our organization.  

To stay updated, and "in the loop", please FOLLOW OUR BLOG BY EMAIL by using the "sign up" box (upper right of page).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAMI-Charlotte
Charlotte, NC Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

For more information about NAMI-Charlotte and other local Charlotte, NC mental health support groups, education, events and more, please visit NAMI-Charlotte.org    

NAMI-Charlotte Phone: 704–333–8218

NAMI Steps Up To Do More To Help US Military Personnel

NAMI-Charlotte will soon be providing the NAMI Homefront Program in the Charlotte, NC area.

NAMI has launched a new education program called NAMI Homefront, a six-session adaptation of the evidence-based NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program. This free program will focus on the unique needs of families of Military Service Members and Veterans who are living with mental illness and often face post-deployment or post-discharge challenges.

Why now?

A recent study found that nearly one in five of the men and women deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2004 live with severe depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have experienced more traumatic brain injuries than in any previous military campaign. Those returning with devastating injuries face living with both physical and psychological pain. Tragically, since the beginning of the invasion of Afghanistan, more Service Members have died as a result ofsuicide than combat. A diagnosis of mental illness results in immediate separation or discharge from active duty, which may explain why only half of all service personnel affected by the symptoms of mental illness seek treatment.

Other Veterans face invisible wounds related to PTSD which limit daily functioning despite appearing able-bodied to society. Some Veterans have difficulty adjusting to separation from the military and loss of their connection to a unit or status as part of an elite team with specialized skills; they may face unemployment due to expertise that may not easily translate to civilian settings.

his has an impact on families, often leaving them confused, angry and lost in trying to help a loved one. Families sacrifice cohesion, communication and daily interaction during deployments. Less than two percent of the general population serves in the military so there is a sense of isolation among Military Service Members and Veteran families because others cannot relate to their experiences. Fear for the safety of the deployed strains families and some relationships do not survive multiple deployments.

Why NAMI?

NAMI has chosen to provide education, support and encouragement to the families of Service Members and Veterans because of the growing need that is the result of recent wars. Other families also confront symptoms of mental illness and the challenge of navigating mental health care systems, but the circumstances of Service Members and Veterans are often unique. NAMI is well-situated to provide a connection between family members and community resources.

NAMI has a history of partnership and collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NAMI Family-to-Family classes have been taught in VA hospitals and clinics throughout the country since the late 1990s. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between NAMI and the VA were signed in 2008 and 2010 to offer NAMI Family-to-Family in VA facilities. Since the first MOU in 2008 the course has been presented 189 times in 114 different VA facilities in 49 states and the District of Columbia with great success.

“You realize that he will never be the same having been through war. I learned how to treat him more as an adult than as a hurt child.” —Mother of a Veteran in Ohio after graduating from a NAMI Family-to-Family VA class

NAMI Homefront will address the very specialized needs of Service Member and Veteran Families. NAMI has established an expert advisory group comprised of Veterans, family members, the VA, the Department of Defense, the Rand Corporation and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivingto help guide the program.

In early 2014, the first round of NAMI Homefront classes will be taught in six states that are piloting the program (Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina). Instructors will be drawn from NAMI Affiliates with experience teaching NAMI Family-to-Family at VA sites, along with family members of Service Members and Veterans. A free online course will be offered later in the year. NAMI Homefront will be available across the nation by the summer of 2014. 

For Details about Homefront, click to read more (PDF file).

FOR MORE INFORMATION about NAMI-Charlotte and the new Homefront Program, 

visit www.NAMI-Charlotte.org  or call phone 704-333-8218   

This NAMI-Charlotte Blog Post courtesy of NAMI -- Original Post Titled: NAMI Homefront Helps Educate Military Families and Veterans - By Suzanne Robinson, MSW, Senior Education Program Manager , NAMI Family-to-Family and NAMI Homefront

NAMI-Charlotte Educational Forum - What is QPR? April 8th

Topic: What is QPR? 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 – 7:30 pm

Parking area is at back entrance to church.

Presenters: Mental Health Association Of Central Carolinas, Inc.
Carey Davies, Peer Support Specialist & Sal Caraco, Lead QPR Trainer
 
Come to learn how to respond to someone in crisis.

“In the time it takes to have lunch….you can learn how to save a life!”

Thanks to Carey Davies and Sal Caraco who will be the presenters at our April Forum on Tuesday, April 8. They are coming on behalf of The Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas and will inform us about QPR. We will learn of ways to help us respond to someone in crisis. See below for details.

Our NAMI support groups will meet prior to the Forum and times are listed.

Note: A special thanks to Doug & Elsa MacDonald who facilitated a Family-to-Family Teacher Training Class this past weekend. Thanks also to the class participants, who are looking forward to teaching Family-to-Family classes in the near future. We will keep you informed regarding those dates and locations.
 
NAMI 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 and for other NAMI information

Contact: NAMI-Charlotte - 704-333-8218 or www.nami-charlotte.org