Summer 2016 NAMI-NYS Annual Educational Conference STOMP OUT STIGMA New Horizons in Recovery: Breakthroughs in Research and Treatment November 11-13, 2016 Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany

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This year’s conference will not only detail new breakthroughs in research and treatment of various psychiatric disorders but will also explore the four crucial elements impacting people living with a mental illness and their families: ■ The importance of forming of recovery teams comprised of people living with a mental illness, their families and service providers ■ improving mental health in the workplace and getting people living with a mental illness back into the workforce NAMIWalks NYS is honored to welcome super bowl ■ the need to recognize and address trauma champion Keith O’Neil as grand marshal of our first ■ how to make our voices heard on the key inaugural walk. Mr. O’Neil is also the founder of “4th advocacy issues of our time and Forever Foundation” who are proud sponsors of In commemoration of Veterans Day on November NAMIWalks NYS. The foundation is dedicated to raising 11th, we will also be honoring our veterans with a awareness of mental illness as well as funding special tribute at the conference. research on ways to alleviate mental illness. See more details about the conference inside on page 13. See inside for more details

A Publication of the National Alliance on Mental Illness | New York State CONTENTS Newsletter Appeal 3 Executive Director’s Message PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ANNUAL APPEAL! Help us to sustain the momentum and continue the progress 4 President’s Message that our members, volunteers and supporters began over thirty years ago 5 New Board Members and continue to make every day. In the Spotlight 6-7 Legislative Conference WHAT ARE YOU SUPPORTING? 8-9 Ribbon Campaign NAMI-NYS provides funding and resources for scheduled for September 24th in Albany. 10-12 NAMIWalks NAMI programs throughout the state. Last year, Our hope is that in walking to raise awareness over 1000 individuals took the Family to Family about mental illness in the state capital, 13 Education Conference Course, 160 took the Peer to Peer Course, we will generate even more awareness and 14-19 Affiliate and Training more than 7500 people attended In Our complement the successful NAMIWalks already Own Voice presentations, over 1500 young established in other regions of New York. 20 National Convention people attended The weekly e-news 21 NIMH/Reaffiliation Ending the Silence ■ Family to Family Course ■ Peer to Peer Course produced each presentations, 22 Media/Helpline ■ In Our Own Voice Presentations ■ Ending the Friday by NAMI-NYS over 200 people reaches more 23 Fundraising Silence Presentations ■ Parents and Teachers as attended Parents than 8500 email and Teachers as Allies Presentations ■ NAMI Basics Course ■ addresses and Allies presentations, NAMI Family Support Groups and Connections the NAMI-NYS and almost 400 Groups ■ Educational Conference ■ NAMI-NYS Facebook and individuals took Twitter followers Information and Referral Helpline ■ Ribbon the NAMI Basics exceeds 4100. Course. NAMI-NYS Awareness Campaign ■ Legislative Advocacy Day The semiannual is also responsible ■ New York State NAMIWalks ■ Weekly E-News ■ print newsletter is for the training of Semiannual Print Newsletter ■ Mental Health delivered to over all teachers and 4000 recipients. Now ■ NAMI on Campus Clubs ■ presenters, as well NAMI-NYS also Support NAMI-NYS as the support started an through the State group leaders for the 50 NAMI Family Support educational television show, Mental Health Groups and Connections groups spread Employees Federated Now, that highlights different aspects of throughout New York. mental illness, including programs and Appeal (SEFA) Campaign The appeal also supports the annual information affecting those with mental The SEFA campaign allows Educational Conference, providing information illness and their families. NYS employees to designate on topics relating to all aspects of mental NAMI-NYS has also been focused on illness. It also supports the NAMI-NYS a portion of their paycheck educating young people. We have increased Information and Referral Helpline and to be automatically donated training for programs like Ending the Silence the informational resources distributed and have been working to promote NAMI to a charity of choice. to the public throughout the state. Last year, on Campus clubs. New York also recently NAMI-NYS disseminated 53,630 pieces of established the first high school NAMI club literature, including pamphlets, brochures and we have received encouragement NAMI-NYS’s and booklets to NAMI affiliates, community from school officials and mental health organizations and individuals, as well as SEFA Number is: professionals to bring NAMI clubs to high at its own tabling events. 999-00281 schools throughout the state. Our increased The appeal helps to fund NAMI-NYS’s presence on social media is another valuable advocacy efforts, including the Ribbon tool in our efforts to reach young people. If you are a NYS employee Awareness Campaign, which raises We have also established a small endowment awareness about mental illness and the please designate NAMI-NYS so that we can rely less on grant funding, stigma associated with it and allows the as your SEFA charity. which can be unpredictable and highly opportunity to build partnerships within the competitive. An endowment ensures a If you have friends or family community and collaborate with schools, steady flow of funds that can help ensure who are NYS employees businesses, municipalities, hospitals and other NAMI-NYS’s continued existence for many please ask them to designate NAMI-NYS non-profit organizations. Appeal funds enable years to come, funding programs and as their SEFA charity. us to hold our successful Legislative Advocacy advocacy efforts into the future. ■ Day every year. 2016 will also be the first year for a New York State NAMIWalks, which is

2 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News Executive Director’s Message By Wendy Burch Over the past few months, NAMI has been NAMI ribbons all through May. We hope to a lot of energy active throughout the state with exciting repeat the success next May and will leave and are eager to initiatives that raise awareness and offer the information on how to run the campaign volunteer, so I education and support for those living with on our website for all to reference. hope our affiliates mental illness and their families. We had an Reaching out to young people has also been will give them the outstanding legislative day in February, where a goal of NAMI-NYS, and I am so pleased opportunity to help so many NAMI members and supporters came that our NAMI affiliates have been expanding accomplish our out to advocate for more funding and better their outreach through NAMI’s Ending the mission of helping legislation for those affected by mental illness. Silence and Parents and Teachers as Allies. others. It is vital that services are available to those New York currently has 8 active NAMI on In reaching out to who need it-it is also so important that the Campus clubs, with another 29 formed the public, especially public understands the needs of those living and pending official recognition from young people, social media with a mental illness and recognize that NAMI’s national headquarters. We have is a fantastic tool. NAMI-NYS currently has people with mental illness should not be also established our first NAMI high school over 1100 Facebook and Twitter followers, stigmatized, but treated with the respect club here in New York. Katherine Wallace, and it is growing every day. Both are a great accorded to everyone. daughter of NAMI-NYS volunteer Bill Wallace, way to distribute information and get I was thrilled to see how the NAMI affiliates formed a club at Emma Willard School in Troy, conversations started. throughout the state embraced the Ribbon New York. The NAMI at Emma club has already Finally, the NAMIWalks in Rochester, Awareness Campaign originally launched contributed much to the local community Westchester, Long Island and New York City by NAMI Westchester. As many of you know, and received an award at the What’s Great were huge successes-kudos to those affiliates NAMI Westchester and NAMI Mid-Hudson in Our State Children’s Conference. We have who organized and participated in the walks presented at the Educational Conference in received requests from other local school in those areas. NAMI-NYS is excited to be November on the campaign and their success districts to duplicate the club’s success holding our own NAMIWalk in the fall. I hope in building collaborations with the community, and are working with them to establish you will all join us on September 24th here as well as raising awareness with the general clubs in their schools. I urge our affiliates in Albany for our walk. Together we can public. The response was overwhelming, and to reach out to colleges and high schools stamp out stigma! ■ the state of New York was blanketed with in their areas. These young people have

The NAMI-NYS Staff

Wendy Burch Sharon Clairmont Matthew Shapiro Executive Finance and Public Engagement Director Business Office Manager Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Tammie Paradis Shaniqua Jackson Christine Rickeman Affiliate Development State Program Helpline Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Heide Garner • NAMIWalks Manager • [email protected] Alicia Burns Heide Garner was hired in January as the Walks Manager for the Inaugural NAMI- Office NYS NAMIWalk to be held in September 2016. Heide is a graduate of Hudson Assistant Valley Community College. She lives in Nassau with her husband and youngest [email protected] son. She has four other children and three grandchildren. Her passion in life is mental health advocacy, which is why working at NAMI-NYS is so important to her.

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 3 President’s Message By Denise Duncan NAMI-NYS News It is my sincere wish that all of our NAMI members, affiliates, col- is published by: leagues, family and friends are having a safe, happy and healthy National Alliance on summer. The staff of NAMI-NYS, along with the Board of Directors, Mental Illness-New York State have worked tirelessly to achieve the goals we set forth at the begin- 99 Pine Street, Suite 302 ning of this year. I am happy to report that our efforts have been Albany, New York 12207 successful, and we have achieved significant strides toward improving Phone: 518-462-2000 the well-being of individuals with mental illness and their families. Fax: 518-462-3811 While we are very pleased and encouraged by these victories, we must Web site: www.naminys.org be cautious not to rest on our laurels, as there is much left we wish to achieve. As I expressed in my previous message, we are in the midst Board of Directors of seeing some of the most significant changes to the mental health Denise Duncan care delivery system in decades. New York City has experienced the change-over to a managed PRESIDENT care system of funding for mental health services. The rest of the state will be carved into managed care soon. We should be proactive in educating our consumers and families regarding how this Mary Lou Barry change will affect them, and we must ensure that necessary steps be taken to provide assistance FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT so that the change-over to managed care goes as seamlessly as possible. NAMI-NYS is working Evelyne Tropper, PhD toward this goal, and we encourage all stakeholders to do the same. SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT The staff of NAMI-NYS remains dedicated to advocacy for individuals and families affected by Ceceile McIntosh Green mental illness. Toward this end, we have established cooperative relationships with a number of SECRETARY organizations that work toward common goals, and we have reaped the rewards that this collaboration has made possible. We appreciate the hard work groups, such as MHANYS, NYAPRS, Annie Wright ACLAIMH and others, who have invested in the issues that we share in common. As we know, TREASURER there is strength in numbers, so we look forward to continuing to add our voices together to Sue Gagne advocate for the well-being of those we hold dear. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE I remain humbled and honored to work with the many dedicated people that comprise our NAMI- NYS family. The Board of Directors has been and will remain hard at work to provide education Sigfrido Benitez and advocacy in the months to come. I am especially excited by the work of our Educational EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Conference Committee who are hard at work preparing to make our 2016 Educational Conference William Perun a spectacular experience. As those who attended last year’s conference know, the Committee will CONSUMER SEAT have to work extra hard to top last year’s conference, which received amazing feedback from attendees. Having been privy to the plans for this year, I can assure you that NAMI-NYS will be Irene Turski presenting another unbelievably fun and informative conference in November 2016. Please PAST PRESIDENT be on the lookout for more information about this wonderful conference in the next few months. We hope to see you there. Directors Ariel Coffman Until then, please accept my wishes for a wonderful and successful summer. ■ Robert Laitman, MD Lynda Reagan Warm Regards, Rina Riba Denise Duncan, President Dhanu Sannesy Marcy Rose Judith Watt Chemene Webber Are you busy on September 24th? We need as many people as possible to volunteer for our Inaugural NAMIWalk: • Registration Table • Hand out Water, Fruit, and Backpacks • Coffee/Bagel Station • Park Cars • Route Stations • Set-up and Tear Down Contact Sharon at (518) 462-2000 or [email protected]

4 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NAMI-NYS NEWS

New Board Members

As a result of three vacancies on the NAMI-NYS Board of Directors, in February the Nominating Committee proposed and the Board accepted three new members to fill the position. NAMI-NYS welcomes Dhanu Sannesy, Chemene Webber and Ariel Coffman. Dhanu and Chemene will serve through November of 2016 and Ariel will serve through November 2018. All three have made significant contributions in support of those with mental health issues and have already made their marks as NAMI-NYS Board members.

Chemene currently serves on the NAMI-NYS Educational Ariel, a licensed social worker, Conference Committee and has organized several sessions currently works as a compliance and activities for this year’s conference. Like so many of us, officer for a behavioral health center she became involved with NAMI as a result of a close family on Long Island, and her knowledge member, who, Chemene attests, is an inspiration to her. As she about the transitioning health care states, “His character and compassionate heart alone serves system is invaluable as we navigate as a stark reminder that mental illness is not who a person is, the world of health homes, Health Chemene Webber but rather, a condition that people have.” Ariel Coffman and Recovery Plans (HARP) and Home and Community Based (HCBS) services. She is particularly passionate in advocating for Dhanu, also an important member of the Educational Conference better housing for those living with mental illness, especially Committee, is a longtime NAMI advocate and current president those who find themselves living on the streets as a result of her local affiliate, NAMI Orange County. She has been an of their conditions. Ariel is also lending her expertise to advocate for better mental health treatment for 24 years, ever the organization’s strategic planning, helping to ensure since her own close family member began to struggle with mental NAMI-NYS is on the right track. NAMI-NYS is fortunate to illness. Dhanu has been very active in urging reform, particularly have three such committed individuals working with their within the criminal justice system in Orange County, and is now fellow Board members to meet the NAMI-NYS mission. ■ Dhanu Sannesy involved with the crisis intervention training (CIT) there.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mary Beth Honsinger During the Spring Semester, increase awareness about NAMI, and to help became involved with we were honored to have expand the rural outreach. When asked about NAMI in 2009 as a result of DeShonna Bernard with her time here at NAMI-NYS….”Working for a family member’s illness. us as an intern from NAMI-NYS has been amazing. Everyone here She is past-president of Bryant and Stratton College is wonderful and easy to work with.” NAMI-Rensselaer, and is and then as a work study Torie Keeton is a Community trained in Family-to-Family, student. DeShonna was Health student at SUNY Family Support Group, and MaryBeth a Psychology major and DeShonna Bernard Potsdam, starting her Basics. In addition to her Honsinger worked mostly with the junior year in the Fall. duties with her affiliate, she Helpline, Affiliate Development and the She feels that interning has been volunteering a few days each week at Training Programs. She was a great help with at NAMI-NYS has been NAMI-NYS to help in the preparation of the our Legislative Conference in February. a fantastic experience for upcoming NAMIWalks. Samina Xochyla Edmond her. Her main undertaking Torie Keeton Seth Messina started in is a senior at Bryant & has been developing the May as a volunteer. If you Stratton studying to get NAMI-NYS Young Adult Network, which aims have called the office her Associates Degree in to give young adults a new voice in the cause recently in the morning, Business. Her plan after for mental health and wellness. She feels she you have probably talked graduation is to become has learned so much during her time with us to him. Seth has also an entrepreneur. Her and is so appreciative of how enthusiastic been assisting us with our main focus at NAMI-NYS the staff has been about including her in Samina Xochyla regular mailings, mailing has been gathering all of different projects. We are just as lucky to have Seth Messina Edmond out brochures, and general the public library contact Torie with us, as she has been a great asset office duties. He moved here from Portland, ME information for New York State so that to NAMI-NYS. ■ a few years ago and is presently taking the NAMI-NYS can reach out to them… with the Peer-to-Peer class with NAMI-Rensselaer. intent to help our affiliates, grow membership,

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 5 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

2016 Legislative Advocacy Summary By Matthew Shapiro, Public Engagement Coordinator

To date, 2016 has been exciting and historic at a press conference in front of the Sing-Sing and explained how to use traditional and for NAMI-NYS and our grassroots advocates. Correctional Facility in Westchester. NAMI-NYS social media to advance our priorities. Together, we have projected our advocacy discussed the importance of the issue on Following the release of the Toolkit, NAMI-NYS voice louder and stronger than ever before. the Capital Tonight news program. Governor made several visits to affiliates around the NAMI-NYS has also found ourselves working Cuomo signed the bill into law and NAMI-NYS state to present our advocacy agenda and with broad coalitions of advocates and forming continues to work with Senator Carlucci on encourage participation. NAMI-NYS has also new strategic partnerships as well as finding how this program will be implemented. used our new television program Mental more ways to communicate our message. This The NAMI-NYS Government Affairs Committee Health Now, as a mechanism to showcase magnification of our voice led to one of the put forth a sweeping legislative action agenda critical issues impacting families affected by most impactful legislative sessions both in designed to help both individuals and families mental illness and then sending Action Alerts New York State and on the Federal level in affected by mental illness, increase mental with a link to each episode as well as the addressing the concerns of NAMI-NYS members health awareness and education and improve advocacy tools needed for our viewers to and all individuals and families impacted by the mental illness and criminal justice interface. make their voice heard. mental illness. Together, we helped create a The committee made the following issues their NAMI-NYS voiced our concern about lack of more mentally healthy New York State and main priorities: housing and community services on February have made significant in roads nationally. ■ Increased Access to Safe and Affordable 3rd, when we delivered testimony before the Our efforts helped ensure that families and Housing With Wraparound Services Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Mental caregivers will no longer have to sacrifice Hygiene. In addressing the state’s proposed job security and salary in order to help a ■ Continued Investment in Community Services hospital bed reduction and lack of housing loved one during the most difficult points of ■ Ensuring Access to Proper Medication funding, NAMI-NYS stated, “we cannot fully their recovery through the enactment of a Through Prescriber Prevails and the support the reduction in beds when it involves Paid Family Leave initiative. We are also on Regulation of Step-Therapy releasing people with highly specialized needs the cusp of making sure that all people living ■ The Incorporation of Mental Health Education into a system, which despite its best intentions, with chronic illnesses get the medication in Schools does not have the capacity to provide the their doctors believe to be most appropriate necessary care for this vulnerable population. and incorporating mental health education ■ Improving the Criminal Justice-Mental This lack of capacity is greatly attributed to into schools. On the National level, the House Illness Interface flat funding and the Executive Budget’s lack of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HR. ■ Sustained Support of New York State's of true investments to allow existing programs 2646 The Helping Families in Mental Health Research Institutions to operate at their full capacity as well as Crisis Act, with no New York State House ■ Expansion of Veteran's Mental Health Services invest in new services.” Representative voting no for the landmark bill. The Committee also decided that NAMI-NYS Our Legislative Advocacy Day on February Throughout the session, NAMI-NYS’s would make the passage of the following bills 23rd was a major success and we held a Executive Director Wendy Burch and Public our priority for this session: joint housing rally with NYAPRS in front of the Engagement Coordinator Matthew Shapiro Capitol. More than 200 people participated worked in harmony with the Government ■ S-3419A/A-2834A-Regulating step therapy in our advocacy day and our advocates made Affairs Committee, chaired by Irene Turski and and fail first policies by insurance providers. more than 60 legislative visits throughout the comprised of Dr. Robert Laitman, Dr. Evelyne ■ A3887/S2585-Requiring mental health Tropper and Peggi Miller. NAMI-NYS President education incorporated into existing school Denise Duncan also worked closely with staff health curricula. and the committee to help shape and advance ■ S-3004-Enacting the paid family leave act. our advocacy voice. ■ A01275-Improving Kendra’s Law and making NAMI-NYS began the year with a victory, it permanent. as in December a bill we supported designed to reduce suicides within correctional facilities ■ S.5900-Regulatimg the use of solitary by mandating mental health training for confinement. correctional officers and prison staff made In order to introduce our advocacy vision to its way to Governor Cuomo’s desk. The lead our members and engage them in our efforts, sponsor for the bill, Senator David Carlucci, NAMI-NYS produced our first ever Advocacy immediately turned to NAMI-NYS to play Toolkit. The Toolkit laid out and detailed all of a major role in getting the bill signed. the issues and why they are important for our Alicia Burns, Speaker Carl Heastie NAMI-NYS stood alongside Senator Carlucci membership. It also provided talking points and Matthew Shapiro

6 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News day. Government Affairs Committee members, In February, NAMI-NYS once board members and staff also met with again appeared on Capital program council from the leadership of Tonight alongside Joseph both houses. Maldonado, Jr., MD, MSc, MBA, As the session moved along our members really President of the Medical Society gravitated to the issue of Paid Family Leave and of the State of New York to NAMI-NYS became a leader in calling for this discuss the issue. In May, NAMI- much needed reform. We were thrilled that the NYS staff and board members Governor and Legislature agreed to a paid family participated in an advocacy day leave initiative that included all the components on this issue where NAMI-NYS we argued for specifically an up to twelve-week led two advocacy teams. leave and two-thirds the employee’s salary. This For several years, NAMI-NYS represented one of the greatest victories for has worked with MHANYS to Wendy Burch, Executive Director, speaking at the Press Conference families and caregivers of people with chronic advance the bill which would illnesses in a very long time. incorporate mental health education into for funding for housing and services. Kendra’s schools’ existing health Law is also due to sunset next year. This vital curricula. Our joint efforts program ensures that people with the most increased this session as NAMI- serious forms of mental illness get the services NYS recruited students to meet they need to avoid both hospitalizations and with legislators to detail why entry into the criminal justice system. Despite mental health education is the success of the program there are still crucial to their development. many who oppose it and there remain many This session we also lent our misconceptions about the initiative which in support to a bill introduced by reality saves lives and advances recovery. Senator Jesse Hamilton, which On the federal level most of our advocacy would mandate that teachers has been around HR 2646 and S 1945 which receive mental health training. would enact a broad range of mental health NAMI-NYS participated in a reforms. While HR 2646 faced a long and press conference with Senator bumpy road, many compromises have been Paid Family Leave Hamilton for this initiative. made and the bill passed the House in early In June, during the final weeks July. The Senate is scheduled to vote on S.1945 Other positives included two criminal justice of the session, the efforts of NAMI-NYS and our in September. Both New York Senators Charles advances: the expansion of Crisis Intervention advocacy partners proved successful as both Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand are co-sponsors Team funds and enactment of presumptive the step therapy regulation bill and the mental of the Senate bill. Medicaid eligibility for people with a mental health education bill passed both houses of the We will be updating our members on illness coming out of correctional facilities Legislature. These were tremendous victories; advocacy actions needed. If you are not and restoring their Medicaid 30 days prior however, the voice of NAMI-NYS grassroots receiving emails from NAMI-NYS please to jail/prison discharge. Prescriber Prevails members will be needed when these bills reach contact Matthew Shapiro by email or phone was restored and there were also continued Governor Cuomo’s desk. at (518) 462-2000. ■ investments in veterans’ mental health We are tremendously programs and funding for New York’s research grateful to all the remained at their current levels. We are NAMI-NYS advocates grateful to Assembly Mental Health Chair who took action on Aileen Gunther and Senate Mental Hygiene these issues during the and Developmental Disabilities Chair Robert past six-months, your Ortt, for their leadership which led to these efforts truly contributed improvements. Despite these successes, to a more mentally many gaps remained, especially around healthy New York. As housing and community services. we rejoice in our NAMI-NYS took an active role in the fight to successes, we also regulate Step Therapy practices by insurance look to the future as companies. NAMI-NYS served on a steering 2017 is sure to bring committee for a coalition of more than 70 a challenging year. We patient advocacy groups working on this issue. must continue to fight Fail First Group

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 7 RIBBON CAMPAIGN

Ribbon Campaign Only a few short years ago NAMI Westchester member Sheryl Brauman came up with the idea to create awareness ribbons to display in her hometown, and we are thrilled to see how the campaign has expanded across the state. Both NAMI Westchester and NAMI Mid-Hudson have been hanging NAMI ribbons in their areas for the last few years with amazing results, and this year it became a statewide campaign. We commend those volunteers who took advantage of the campaign during May’s Mental Health Awareness month, demonstrating their advocacy voice by raising awareness in their communities. The NAMI Ribbon Campaign served several purposes. First, displaying the ribbons helped to raise awareness about mental illness, generating conversations and dispelling stereotypes. Every day, people living with mental illness encounter stigma, and educating the public about mental illness and raising awareness helps to eliminate that stigma. The ribbons themselves provide NAMI-NYS’s contact information, enabling those seeking help an avenue to locate resources, including NAMI affiliates and programs in their area, as well as other available resources. One of the most important benefits of the campaign is the community outreach that occurs when NAMI volunteers collaborate with schools, municipalities, businesses and organizations in their areas to raise awareness about mental illness. These community partnerships are so valuable and vital as we work to accomplish the NAMI mission. ■

The 2016 NAMI-NYS Ribbon Awareness Campaign Letting Communities Throughout New York Know NAMI-NYS and our Affiliates are a Place to Find Help and Find Hope

8 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 9 NAMIWalks

A Fabulous Day Was Had by All! NAMIWalks Westchester 2016 was held on Saturday and featured great weather, a stiltwalker/juggler, DJ spinning some tunes to get us going, yoga warm-up, free massages, complimentary continental breakfast, an unlimited supply of water, NAMIWalks temporary tattoos, live singer/songwriter, Westchester County Deputy Commission of the Dept. of Community Mental Health, emcee Lisa Salvadorini from News 12, The Peak's on-air personality Jimmy Fink, info and prizes from our sponsors, inspiring words from teams and our board president Jennifer Jacquet-Murray. All of this added up to a FUN day! ■

Our 19 NAMIWalks Star Fundraisers, all personally raised $1,000 each

Emcee Lisa Salvadorini NAMI Westchester Program Director Sharon from News 12 and NAMIWalks Westchester 2016 McCarthy, Ringling Bros. clown Adam Auslander, legendary on-air Starting Line Director of Development/Walk Manager personality Jimmy Fink Marie Considine, emcee Lisa Salvadorini, Teens writing inspirational messages welcome the crowd and Andrea Kocsis from Human Development along the route with sidewalk chalk of 500+. Services of Westchester

Another Festive and Successful NAMIWalks Long Island/Queens Despite rain and strong winds the day before, illness and support NAMI’s many local programs included Optimum Community, News 12 and the threat of more of the same on walk and services. The festive day included a DJ Long Island, Connoisseur Media, and Anton day, we were blessed with good weather and a who got us all rocking and rolling as well as Community Newspapers. NAMI Queens/Nassau great turnout as we walked the boardwalk at drummers, arts and crafts, face painting, and was the sponsoring affiliate in collaboration Jones Beach on Saturday, May 7th for our 12th a visit from the Long Island Ducks mascot. with participating NAMI affiliates Central annual NAMIWalks Long Island/Queens. With Lead sponsors were the Ann Allen Cetrino Suffolk, Huntington, Long Island Regional 101 teams and individual donors we raised Family Fund and Northwell Health/Zucker Council, Nassau University Medical Center, $242,104 to increase awareness about mental Hillside Hospital and media sponsors and North Shore. ■

10 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NAMIWalks Rochester Celebrates NAMIWalks NYC Hope and Recovery Celebrates 10th On May 7th, 2016, the sun Anniversary Walk/Run was shining bright on the 3rd NAMIWalks in Rochester as On Saturday, May 7, NAMIWalks NYC cele- approximately 800 people brated our tenth anniversary Walk/Run. Over gathered in the courtyard of 5,000 caring and compassionate New Yorkers Village Gate to begin the walk gathered at the South Street Seaport Prome- around the Neighborhood of nade to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for the Arts. Participants enjoyed NAMIWalks NYC, with Grand Marshal Jaclyn an area for kids, a balloon Stapp leading the way. The weather was chilly installment created by but spirits were warm, and the energy of the Arigami, music and visiting with community gathered was invigorating. Our gen- community partners. The emcee erous walkers raised almost $570,000! There was radio personality, Evan were 140 walk teams, 82 Walk Stars (people Dawson of WXXI, who provided who raised $1,000+), 80 runners, and 12 the crowd with personal stories booths at the health and wellness fair. Walkers and a message of hope. Over came from across the tri-state area. They $103,000 has been raised for ranged in age from infants to 80-year-olds – the 2016 Walk, which will support with an average age between 35 and 45 – and our nine Signature programs. represented a wide range of ethnicities. Many Countless sponsors, volunteers, people first learn about NAMI-NYC Metro be- walkers and donors ensured the cause a friend or coworker has asked them for success of this event. Thanks a donation, or to be a member of their walk to all of them and a special team—and we hear so many stories about how thanks to our Premier Sponsor glad they were to find us. It was a wonderful and gracious host, Village Gate day—for raising awareness, ending discrimina- and Stern Properties. ■ tion, and building community. ■

Join us Sept. 24, 2016 Jennings Landing • Albany, NY And tell us... Why do

“To raise awareness.” “Because I can!” “I want to see mental health care “I know that appropriate “To follow those before, YOU walk? become more accessible. Affordable mental health treatment join with others now, and and effective for every individual is of vital importance. to lead those coming. And for love.” in need and to eliminate stigma.” I walk. I care.”

“For mental health equality.” The Board of Directors for NAMI-NYS “To stomp out stigma.”

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 11 NAMIWalks

NAMIWalks New York State would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors, teams, supporters, and individuals who have chosen to take a stand against stigma by supporting our NAMIWalks event. Without your hard work and dedica- tion this event would not be possible. It is not too late to join us and help to stomp out stigma one step at a time!

OUR SUPPORTERS: Dr. & Mrs. Huober | American Diversity Business Solutions OUR SPONSORS:

NAMI Cayuga County Empower Small But Mighty Beacon Health Options Terri Wasilenko, Team Captain Donna Fin Kuo, Team Captain Melinda McDuffee, Team Captain Tanya Monette, Team Captain Francine Farina NAMI Rensselaer The Vulcans Barryessentials Paul Klein, Team Captain Gillian Burch, Team Captain Nerds United Mary Lou Barry, Team Captain Mary Loughran Wendy Burch Trina Garner, Team Captain Panicle Behavioral Health Destiny Lawyer Weighless Walkers CDPC Walkers Laura Hunt, Team captain Mary Beth Honsinger, Team Captain Christina Noval, Team captain Capital Region Health Courtney King Julie Bink Frank Greco Connections Zac Gemello Dan Demmer William Ballenberger Janelle Shults, Team Captain Stop the Silence Judy Bellinger Marilyn Noval Melancholy Lincolns Becky Pallone, Team Captain Margot Phillips Team Walk and Talk About It Bill Perun-Team Captain Rob S Independent Walkers Pamela Slotsky, Team Captain Ann Shaw Net Walkers Gregory Hitchcock Bonnie Nasca Judy Stacy Richard Garner, Team Captain Cindy Hatzikontos Mary Beth Nelligan Justin D'Alessandro Lena Hurewitz Christopher Nolte Peer to Peer Heide Garner Erin Schwab Stephen Piorkowski Carol Messina, Team Captain Nicole Adami Nicolas Schwab Carla Suna The Beasts from the Swamp Layne Garner Carla Sauna Stepping Out with Shaps Joyce Ruitenberg, Team Captain Schuyler Garner Maria Lopez Matthew Shapiro, Team Captain Rex Conaway Amber Quinones Team Bryant/Foy(s) Jessica Klos Shapiro Alison Halpin Sue Gagne Shaniqua Jackson, Team Captain Kevin Ruitenberg Catherine Ortiz License to Ill Tammie Paradis Erin Schwab James Boswell Alicia Burns, Team Captain Nicholas Schwab Schenectady Peppermint Patties Patricia Furman Christine Rickeman Jennifer Stefanik Patty Costa, Team Captain Vanessa Perez Jill Stefanik Shelby Varian

12 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News EDUCATION CONFERENCE PREVIEW

2016 NAMI-NYS Education Conference New Horizons in Recovery: Breakthroughs in Research and Treatment By Matthew Shapiro The 2016 NAMI-NYS Education Conference interface between also be discussed through a presentation by New Horizons in Recovery: Breakthroughs mental illness and the New York State Office of Mental Health Medical in Research and Treatment will be taking criminal justice system. Director, Dr. Lloyd Sederer, who will talk about place November 11-13 at the Desmond Saturday will feature a working with your doctor to achieve wellness. Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. This strong focus on the first Saturday morning will also include a research year’s conference will not only detail new two issues noted above. update from Dr. Robert Heinssen, Acting Branch breakthroughs in research and treatment of That morning will begin Chief, Adult Treatment and Prevention Research various psychiatric disorders but will also with a plenary session Branch, NIMH. Shelia Sutton, RN explore the four crucial elements impacting panel on forming This year, Dr. Sederer will be joining us on people living with a mental illness and their recovery teams. All Saturday afternoon as the second part of a families: the importance of forming recovery members of the recovery double afternoon plenary session, as opposed teams comprised of people living with a mental team will be represented to his traditional Sunday illness, their families and service providers; on the panel. Dr. Thomas morning timeslot. The improving mental health in the workplace and Jewell of the Center for first half of the afternoon getting people living with a mental illness back Practice Innovation and session will feature a into the workforce; the need to recognize and Dr. Nina Schooler of panel discussion on address trauma; and how to make our voices SUNY Downstate mental health in the heard on the key advocacy issues of our time. Dr. Donald Goff University Medical Center workplace and getting This year, the Conference will detail their research people with mental begins on Veterans Day demonstrating the positives of family illness back to work. The Dr. Robert Heinssen and NAMI-NYS will use involvement in the recovery process. NAMI-NYS panel will feature CEO’s this as an opportunity to Consumer Chair, Bill Perun, will represent people of major businesses, HR deepen our commitment living with a mental illness and Shelia Sutton of executives along with to showcasing the NAMI Orange County (and one of our new people living with a importance of honoring Provider Training presenters) will represent the mental illness detailing our military families and family perspective. The morning plenary will also their experience going Dr. Thomas Jewell their mental health. The feature a presentation by back to work. This Friday lunch session Dr. Donald Goff, Director of the Nathan Kline important topic will also will include a special Institute, who will discuss communication be explored in multiple Dr. Lloyd Sederer presentation of colors strategies when someone refuses treatment workshop sessions which and the singing of our and denies they have a mental illness or mental will discuss job coaching and how returning to national anthem by an health issue. The theme of working together will work will impact someone’s Social Security

acapella group from RECOVERY FOCUSED and/or Disability Insurance. YO the University at UNG A Sunday morning will feature an extended D Albany. The lunch ULT ENG NTAL HEALTH EFFECTIVE PARTN Town Hall session which will highlight our plenary session RED Dr. Nina Schooler AGE CE ME E advocacy issues and how to make our M during Friday’s E NT RKPLA ERSHIPS voices heard on these issues. Sunday WO lunch will feature a PERSON CENT S will also have our traditional Ask the TR RAM AUM PROG panel on recognizing A INFO RE RMED Doctor session. and addressing NEWNEW HORIZONS SIGNATU trauma in children, ININ RECOVERY:RECOVERY: The conference will feature workshop ADVOCACY veterans and military EARLY INTERVENTION BreakthroughsBreakthroughs sessions on specific diseases and wellness families and in the inin ResearchResearch andand strategies, as well as other issues impacting Treatment mental health care. criminal justice Treatment HOPE system. The long- SUPPORT Be on the lookout for detailed information Bill Perun term implications of about the conference and our presenters trauma exposure will be discussed during as well as scholarship information. We look the session as well. Friday will once again forward to having you join us for what is feature focus tracks on mental health in sure to be and informative and inspiring children, the military as well as the weekend. ■

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 13 AFFILIATE NEWS

NAMI Westchester’s Program Director Receives Award By Marie Considine, MPA, NAMI Westchester, Inc. NAMI Westchester’s own Program Director their time to help the families and people with Irwin Lubell, Ken Kendes and Joan Perez for and volunteer Sharon McCarthy was the a mental health condition. Sharon gives so their years on the board and welcome to first recipient of the NAMI Westchester much to our affiliate and many others, and is Louise Ellis, Genna Woods, Annalissa Vicencio, Sharon McCarthy Award for Dedication and committed to NAMI’s mission 24/7. This award Jana Doty and Chris Gaur. Compassion. This award was presented to her will become an annual honor to be awarded at Director of Development Marie Considine on June 15, 2016 at our Annual Meeting and our Volunteer Recognition yearly event. We are thanked volunteers and team captains Volunteer Recognition Event at The Woman’s always in search of new volunteers to facilitate who made NAMIWalks Westchester 2016 a Club of White Plains. All of our volunteers are and present our programs. fabulous day and a terrific success. To date, amazing and special people, and this award is We also thanked our board members, saying we have raised $130,664 toward our goal given to honor and thank a volunteer who goes farewell to some and welcoming new members. of $134,000. ■ above and beyond, and dedicates so much of Thank you Jennifer Jacquet-Murray, Nivia Dones,

NAMI Mid-Hudson Annual Dinner Gala, 2016: Find Help. Find Hope. NAMI Mid-Hudson held their annual dinner at and health related events such as the as Allies, have made a tremendous impact in the Grandview, Poughkeepsie NY on June 8th, NAMI Ribbon campaign, Stomp Out the delivering the key messages of early intervention 2016 overlooking the beautiful Hudson River Stigma Walk and MHADC’s Wellness Fair and and suicide prevention education to educators to celebrate their successes this year and especially family related programs such as and youth. Allison stated, “What makes NAMI moving forward. the Children’s Mental Health Awareness special, is that we’re all here because we’ve That night, the Mid-Hudson Bridge was lit in Week. Recently, The Office of Mental Health lived through mental illness, either personally green, an in kind donation by Cathy Frame, recognized this Committee for their excellence or with family members. In many cases, our a NAMI Mid-Hudson Board member and her and commitment to children’s mental health in work to help others does just as much to give us husband Bob Frame. The evening featured Dutchess County. This award also recognized meaning and purpose in our own lives. But we a silent auction with in kind donations from Andrew’s kindness and compassion by can’t do it alone. Mental health is not an easy many local businesses and individual donors. donating an in kind donation of an office. topic or a popular one to raise, which makes it O’Grady’s unequivocal efforts to help sustain all the more exceptional when leaders like Over 160 NAMI Members and supporters, NAMI-MH has made for a stronger and more County Executive Mike Hein community leaders, and clinicians came out to vibrant community in Dutchess County. support the event. NAMI Mid-Hudson honored make the commitment to bring resources to two community leaders: Ulster County Executive Allison Barclay, a NAMI Mid-Hudson Ending the community.” Hein was also instrumental in Mike Hein and Executive Director Andrew the Silence and Parents and Teachers as supporting NAMI Mid-Hudson’s efforts to bring O'Grady of Mental Health America of Dutchess Allies presenter and advocate presented the Ulster’s First Crisis Intervention Training in May County (MHADC) for their efforts to support Catalyst for Change Award to Ulster County 2016. As a result of Hein's support, NAMI NAMI Mid-Hudson and mental wellness in their Executive Mike Hein for his successful efforts Mid-Hudson was able to bring ETS to over community. Executive director Andrew O'Grady to support NAMI Mid-Hudson’s mission to 765 students and 165 PTAA educators to this was presented the Honoring Our Partners de-stigmatize mental health issues and increase date and twenty-eight graduates completed Excellence Award. NAMI Mid-Hudson honored mental health awareness in Ulster County. His the CIT training. NAMI Mid-Hudson is looking Andrew for his exceptional commitment to dedication to bring NAMI’s two mental health forward to continue to be a viable resource in participate, collaborate, and partner with literacy programs to the Ulster County schools: the community with a bigger and better annual NAMI Mid-Hudson in community awareness Ending the Silence and Parents and Teachers gala next year. ■

NAMI-NYC Metro Reaching Underserved Communities New York City is well known for its multitude of A major part of the success of NAMI-NYC opportunity to speak about the specific services diverse mental health resources, but with a Metro is because we use NAMI signature we offer that would be beneficial to their population of 8.5 million people, there remain outreach programs to connect with new community, patients, workforce, etc. a large number of underserved communities. providers and different stakeholders. NAMI In One of the greatest challenges that we have As a result, NAMI-NYC Metro—along with all Our Own Voice and NAMI Ending the Silence struggled with is connecting authentically to of the other affiliates within the city—has taken have helped create many partnerships and a new community. It often takes a lot of time on the seemingly insurmountable task of community connections by offering an and resources. Last year, we started an annual connecting those who need support to the educational service at the start of a new community mental health fair to connect with right services within their own community. relationship. In turn, these efforts create an Continued on next page

14 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NAMI-NYC Metro Continued a new underserved neighborhood each year. We Working Well: host the fair during July, National Minority Addressing Workplace Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Month, which gives us the opportunity to apply for a small grant from By Wendy Brennan, Executive Director, NAMI-NYC Metro NAMI National to produce the fair. The goals of On June 3, 2016, the National the fair are three-fold: 1) to create awareness of Alliance on Mental Illness of local mental health-related resources and New York City (NAMI-NYC Metro) services, 2) to connect people to community- and Northeast Business Group based support, and, 3) to begin to change the on Health (NEBGH) co-hosted perception of mental illness by normalizing it its second CEO Summit on and celebrating recovery and wellness. Last Mental Health in the Workplace year we had over 100 people attend the fair, in New York City, alongside the but more importantly, we created what will be Partnership for New York City long-lasting relationships with the leaders in and the American Psychiatric that community. Our next fair will be held on Association Foundation’s Saturday, July 16th in Washington Heights Partnership for Workplace (Northern Manhattan). Mental Health. The meeting If you have any questions on outreach Chirlane McCray, NYC included several members of First Lady at the June 3rd CEO conference. strategies or if you are considering hosting a the Partnership for New York City Photo by Larry Bryan fair, we are more than happy to talk through the and other top employers. challenges and tactics we learned along the Peter Hancock, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIG, led the discussion at Deutsche way. To learn more about NAMI-NYC Metro and Bank’s U.S. headquarters, alongside Kathy Wylde, President of the Partnership for New York how to get involved visit their website at City, and Chirlane McCray, New York City’s First Lady. naminycmetro.org. ■ Summit participants engaged in a roundtable discussion led by Wylde and Barbara Ricci, Co-Board President of NAMI-NYC Metro, on the future of workplace mental health. NAMI-Orange “Employers increasingly recognize the business case for focusing on the mental health needs of employees,” stated Wylde. “Mental illness accounts for 30% of disability costs NAMI information & brochures at Orange and up to $100 billion a year in lost worker productivity.” Regional Medical Center behavioral unit, One in five Americans live with mental illness, and conditions often affect people during their Middletown. Families visiting their loved ones prime working years. Treatment for the most common conditions is effective 80% of the time, in the hospital are appreciative of all the yet only 33% of the people who need help with a mental health issue and only 11% with a ■ resources/information we provide. substance use issue will get treatment due to social stigma, fear of repercussions at work and the lack of access to quality, affordable care. When NAMI-NYC Metro began its workplace mental health initiative more than a decade ago, there was neither a comprehensive federal parity law nor a New York State parity law, and few but the most progressive businesses were addressing the mental health needs of their employees. We have made significant progress in the intervening years. Today we have a strong federal parity law and Timothy’s Law, New York State’s parity law, on the books. Both require parity of coverage between mental and physical health care. Unfortunately, despite these laws, HR and EAP executives know that access to quality mental health treatment remains a challenge for their employees, particularly if the employee is experiencing a mental health crisis. These employers also understand that stigma remains as a significant barrier to access. While we have accomplished a great deal since we started the workplace mental health initiative, more needs to be done. We need to ensure that the parity laws we have translate into access to quality care, that employees with mental health conditions can work in an environment where stigma has been replaced with knowledge, and that repercussions for disclosing a mental health condition are eliminated. Currently far too many employees who disclose their mental health condition are either bullied at work or fired outright. Businesses can serve as a catalyst for progressive social change in the U.S. Real change, however, requires bold leadership, and we will continue to engage CEOs to insure positive forward momentum. ■

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 15 AFFILIATE NEWS

NAMI Cayuga County to NAMI Cayuga County's hold Mental Health First Stigma Free Campaign Mental Illness is Nothing to Monkey Around About Aid Trainings By Terri Wasilenko By Terri Wasilenko NAMI Cayuga County will hold three Mental Health First Aid Trainings during June, July and August at NAMI Cayuga County is Cayuga Works at Cayuga Community College. at the half way mark to- NAMI Cayuga County continues to connect with our wards its goal of 100 14 CIT officers through thank you cards attached to sock monkeys, monkey cookie plates delivered to our local law enforcement hats, gloves, coin purses agencies. It is important to our affiliate that our officers and pillows to sell at its know they have our support and appreciation for the booth at the annual holi- job they do. These officers chose to be invested in day craft fair scheduled this program and make a positive difference in how for December 3rd and individuals in a mental health crisis can be diverted 4th at Cayuga Community to appropriate care. College on Franklin Street in Auburn, NY. The two day NAMI Cayuga County attended an EAP Day at community event provides Five Points Correctional Facility on 6/15/16 from a venue for mental health 9:00-2:00. Corrections officers and civilian workers awareness. Sock monkey stopped at our NAMI table to pick up educational items will be for sale and materials on mental health. mental health educa- The affiliate is in the planning stages of scheduling tional materials will be a NAMI Family to Family Education class from available. ■ mid-September through mid- December at Auburn Community Hospital. ■

NAMI Rochester – Summer 2016 NAMI Rochester was honored as the 2016 positive. One educator said, “These presenters chosen based on the meaningful and Outstanding NAMI Affiliate at the NAMI National really touched the lives of many of my students. measurable impact their work has had on the Convention in Denver this July. The affiliate was We talked a lot about stigma. This presentation Rochester community. NAMI Rochester received selected as the 2016 honoree in recognition is one of the best I have ever had. I hope to another prestigious recognition in May, with the of its tremendous work, including offering the continue having this program and presenters Excellus BCBS Community Health Award, which full slate of NAMI Signature programs which for years to come.” awarded the affiliate with $4,000 to support provide education, support, and awareness NAMI Rochester also organized another its NAMI Peer-to-Peer education program. to both individuals and families impacted successful NAMIWalks designed to increase After choosing NAMI Rochester to be the by mental illness. Each year, hundreds of mental health awareness. The 2016 recipient of its annual fundraising campaign, people participate in the programs and presentations offered by NAMI Rochester. NAMIWalks Rochester on Saturday, May 7th, Greece Olympia High School hosted several Under the leadership of Executive Director, saw approximately 800 people walk on behalf NAMI In Our Own Voice presentations during Patricia Sine, and its dedicated staff and of the affiliate, bringing in over $102,000. the school’s Mental Health Awareness Week, volunteers, the affiliate continues to flourish, Participants enjoyed an area for kids, face- reaching over 450 students. Their faculty steadily increasing its presence in the painting, games, a balloon installment, music, advisor, Kara Passamonte, held a benefit on Rochester community through outreach and the opportunity to form connections with May 20th and donated the proceeds to NAMI and support. community partners. Rochester. The event, entitled Shattering Stigma through Stories and Song, showcased readings One of NAMI Rochester’s most requested In April, NAMI Rochester received the 2016 and performances by people of all ages whose education programs in recent years has been Causewave Community Partners Matchstick lives had been affected by mental illness. NAMI’s Ending the Silence. In 2016, NAMI Award, which consisted of a $5,000 cash Rochester presenters have already reached award and a $25,000 media buy donated by NAMI Rochester looks forward to continuing over 1,000 middle and high school students in the Democrat & Chronicle Media Group, which its work in the community, and creating and four counties. The feedback from students and combines advertising and other digital services. maintaining lasting partnerships throughout administrators in the area has been incredibly Organizations in the running for the award were the Greater Rochester region. ■

16 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NAMI Syracuse Hosts Children’s Conference NAMI in Otsego During May is Mental Health Month County By Kate Hewlett On Wednesday, May 5th, NAMI Syracuse held its strategies in the home or classroom and 5th annual children’s conference, Addressing identify how schools have adapted PBS for NAMI has changed my life so much in the Challenging Behavior in Children & Youth, at use at the systems-level. past three years. As I participated in the In Our Own Voice training in May of 2013, I was the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Conference Center, Regina Canuso, MSN, CMHCNS-BC, Coordinator Syracuse. Thanks to the conference committee, not prepared for how much sharing of my re- of the Hard to Place/Hard to Serve Unit at covery story would change so many lives, in- Marla Byrnes, Carol Sheldon Brady and Judy the NY State Council on Children and Families Bliss-Ridgway, it was an outstanding cluding my own. To date, I have done an gave us an overview of the Multi-System average of fifty presentations, with four in educational and Challenges emotional day. 2016. I have taught two Peer-to-Peer educa- in Serving tion classes in two years with 18 graduates. The morning and Complex early afternoon Children. Without my involvement with NAMI Otsego County, I probably would not be where I am was filled In the late with dynamic today. NAMI has opened so many doors for afternoon the me and am proud to say that I am the first and informative attendees were speakers. full time Peer Engagement Specialist for Ot- moved by a sego County working out of the Adult Behav- Doctor Adrienne series of heart- ioral Health Services Clinic. I have my NY Allen, attending Karen Winters Schwartz and Karen Winters Schwartz and wrenching and Spencer Plavocos Frank Mozzotti State provisional Peer Specialist Certifica- psychiatrist heart-warming tion with my Standard coming any day! My in the children’s outpatient clinic at Hutchings personal stories from mothers. It was so first year flew by and was such a wonderful Psychiatric Center spoke on Self-Destructive apropos for the week before Mother’s Day. learning experience. As I created my pro- and Violent Behavior stating that youth Thank you April Lawrence, Kathleen Hyde, gram, supported folks, and continued my violence is widespread in the United States Jennifer Daly, Jenny Redmond and Kelly Covert learning, I was amazed at how much I and is the 3rd leading cause of death for for your bravery and all you do to help improve learned about myself, my wellness, and the 15-24 year olds. services to our children. wellness of others. Bridget Hier, PhD, BCBA, Assistant Professor of During the conference, NAMI Syracuse To kick off Mental Health Month, I presented School Psychology at the University at Buffalo, President, Karen Winters Schwartz presented my In Our Own Voice presentation to a crowd presented on Promoting Pro-Social Behavior the Joe Gentile Memorial Award to NAMI of 65 folks of all ages at SUNY Oneonta. I in the Classroom and Home Through Positive Syracuse Vice President, Spencer Plavocos spoke at the Otsego County Board of Repre- Behavior Supports. Dr. Hier spoke on how to and Treasurer, Frank Mazzotti for their many sentatives to bring local awareness to the identify the principles of positive behavioral years of dedication and loyalty to NAMI struggles associated with mental health chal- supports (PBS), implement various PBS Syracuse and the community. ■ lenges. I was featured in two of my local newspapers for that brief talk. NAMI@Emma Year End Presentation The 2nd Annual Day of Recovery will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2016. This is On May 20th Katherine Wallace presented a day to focus on recovery from mental health to a group of Emma Willard students, challenges and addictions. The activities I teachers, and alums the culmination of have planned will be non-clinical, wellness fo- a year’s work with NAMI@Emma, the first cused, and can be for anyone regardless of high school level NAMI club in New York. what their struggles are. By teaming up with After discussing what defines a mental a fellow NAMI Otsego Board member we were illness, the presentation then explored able to hold a basket raffle with items do- examples of stigma in everyday life, in nated from small local business and raised particular comments made in the 2016 $125.00 to help cover some of the cost for Presidential campaign. The presentation this event. also emphasized the importance of ensuring that high school students I believe increasing awareness about mental received mental health education, and Katherine Wallace addresses the club. health challenges and fighting stigma can summed up the work of NAMI@Emma to achieve this by running various events such as a Wellness be done by reaching just one person at a Night and Body Image Workshop, and by participating in the NAMI-NYS Educational Conference and time. That is my mission in life and with my Legislative Day. The presentation ended by expressing NAMI@Emma’s aim to expand the club model involvement with NAMI I am able to do just to other high schools next year with the help of NAMI NYS. ■ that, so THANKS! ■

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 17 TRAINING

NAMI Westchester – Ending the Silence Aid Trainings during June By Sharon McCarthy, NAMI Westchester

NAMI Westchester has done some great work get Ending the Silence into all with this program. On June 9th, 2016 the the schools. Since starting this Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester program in January 2015 we County Department of Community Mental have done 166 presentations Health Services decided that they needed to in 20 schools to over 3600 have a meeting over the summer where he students. Since our County could bring schools in to talk about how we can is on a big push to educate students on mental health and suicide prevention they are a big supporter of Sharon McCarthy and Annalissa Vicencio with students from AB Davis Ending the Silence. School in Mt. Vernon after anETS presentation to them. I am amazed every time we them with the hope that with treatment and present with the positive reaction we coping skills they will succeed with their goals. get from both students and teachers. We have also had feedback that this program Students will come up after the class has resulted in students speaking with their to share their personal stories and counselors who were concerned for themselves thank our young adults for providing ■ ETS Training: Presenters who were trained last August 2015 or a friend.

Mt. Vernon Camp: This picture is of campers from the Thorton Sports & Arts In School Foundation Camp in Mt. Vernon. There were over 40 students at this presentation.

NAMI Heroes: NAMI’s Program Leaders By Wendy Burch I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the coping and caring for our loved ones. Our Klein, and the wonderful Sandra Dinoto, outstanding NAMI program teachers and teachers encouraged the class to support one who stepped in to lead class whenever one presenters throughout New York. The amount of another, and they clearly detailed the material of our regular teachers was unavailable. The preparation, time and effort that these in a way in which all the members could relate. class vowed to stay in touch and serve as a volunteers dedicate to helping others is With a class like Family-to-Family, where so continued support to one another. Perhaps inspirational, as I can attest from my recent 12 much of the material must be read, Bonnie the most touching moment came when week attendance of Family-to-Family and Pam were able to keep everyone engaged, the class leaders distributed cloth bags sponsored by NAMI Rensselaer County. many times injecting humor into portions of containing a small stone to each class My F2F teachers Pam Slotsky and Bonnie the class that threatened to become too dry, member, reminding them to remember Nasca took the class through a journey of tense or technical. They expertly balanced the that “you are someone’s rock.” information and discovery where they so tone of the class, and their empathy came I know that Bonnie and Pam are not unique generously shared their own stories and through with everything they did. in their generosity and capability in leading engaged the class members in discussions The final session particularly demonstrated a NAMI program. NAMI-NYS has so many that, while often times very emotional, what the twelve weeks really meant to the teachers and presenters that change lives really brought the class members’ struggles class members. There was much hugging for the better every day. I salute you all and to the forefront where everyone was given the and tears, and we were joined by the am so grateful that you are a part of the opportunity to offer support and strategies for NAMI-Rensselaer affiliate president, Paul NAMI family. ■

18 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NAMI Mid-Hudson: Healthy Minds = Healthy Communities NAMI Mid-Hudson’s mission to increase mental participants reaching out to help their friends or on investment.” The highlight of PTAA is always health literacy in Dutchess and Ulster Counties themselves. Allison Barclay one of our Ending the final presentation of the young adult. As is reflected in our success to sustain our NAMI the Silence and Parents and Teachers presenter one high school principal expressed that “the Signature programs particularly with Ending states, “Too often, people don’t know about young adult presenter brought the message the Silence and Parents and Teachers As Allies. mental health or are too afraid to mention it, home and provided a powerful example of the By empowering students and educators with and that silence makes it hard to get help early impact of mental illness can have on a young mental health knowledge allows schools to take on. The teenagers we talk to leave the classroom person as well as the tremendous increase in better action and prioritize mental health and more prepared to start that conversation. After efficacy of identifying and treating the illness wellness in their schools. Students who feel we present, students reach out to their school further increasing the chance of success for well, do well, and a more effective teacher, clinicians, because they now recognize the recovery. The young adult could have easily means more effective teaching, and more warning signs in themselves or their friends.” walked in our hallways two short years ago.” effective learners. Since August of 2014, NAMI Ending the Silence not only benefits the The benefits of these two mental health literacy Mid-Hudson has presented to an upward of participant but encourages our young adults programs continue well after the presentations. 2,000 students and 1,000 plus educators. to stay in recovery emphasizing that advocacy NAMI Mid-Hudson has strengthened our These two mental health literacy programs have is a powerful positive coping skill. Parents of our relationships with schools to provide NAMI changed attitudes and saved lives. Educators young adults have expressed that their children Mid-Hudson as an ongoing resource for their have expressed that Ending the Silence is one have gained so much insight and confidence as population. We have received several referrals of the most unique programs they have ever a presenter, helping them stay in recovery and to take our classes and attend our support experienced in their classrooms, with their giving them a purpose in life. groups. Schools have participated in our NAMI students viewing mental illness “in a different, Ribbon campaign and even holding a NAMI more open minded way” as one Health Educator “The title Ending the Silence is personal to me. Basics class and support group at their school. As a young adult speaker, my job is to tell a stated. NAMI Mid-Hudson not only focuses on NAMI is also seen as a viable resource in the topic of mental illness and recovery but also roomful of strangers something that, until a year ago, I could barely tell my own sister. I talk about schools. Schools have referred parents of relationship violence, bullying, substance abuse, students with mental health conditions to NAMI topics that have affected so many students in recovery, something I’ve learned as much about by making these speeches as the students do Mid-Hudson. That “three-minute” conversation profound ways. One health educator stated that with the parent has given them the oxygen to Ending the Silence didn’t just focus on mental by hearing them. For a long time before I started working with NAMI, I lived inside my own head. be able to work effectively with their schools illness but “emphasized the seriousness of and other mental health agencies to effectively bullying and the importance of speaking up, I didn’t get that I couldn’t recover in there, because recovery means having a place in help their child. There is great emphasis placed not being a bystander; having a voice for throughout our two presentations on linkage someone can save a life. The link between the world, and helping kids like me feel less alone is part of that. The people I’ve worked with to local resources through the County and substance abuse and the possible development other mental health organizations such as of mental disorders was vital as well. With the here taught me to see my past as something with value. I’m working in mental health now, the Dutchess County HELPINE and the Ulster growing ambivalence toward recreational drug County Suicide Prevention Speak App. This has use among our youth, this (presentation) could and I definitely couldn’t do my job without that confidence. “ fortified our relationships between important not have been more powerful or occurred at a stakeholders in the community. NAMI Mid- more opportune time in their lives. As a result Parents and Teachers as Allies has also made Hudson has also presented ETS and PTAA of presenting at this high school, we partnered a significant impact in our community as a at events sponsored by the County and other with this high school to launch their first Mental presentation that “needs to be offered at every mental health organizations, establishing NAMI Health Fair this May. Ending the Silence is a school district.” One high school principal stated as a valuable and critical resource throughout program with immediate results. NAMI Mid- that the PTAA presentation was “timely, present our community. ■ Hudson has experienced 5-6% of the and exceptionally powerful, a significant return NAMI Finger Lakes Family-to-Family Group NAMI Finger Lakes held a NAMI Family-to-Family course from February 3rd to April 20th, 2016 at the Finger Lakes Independent Center in Ithaca, NY. This 12 week course was taught by Brigitt Schaffner and Andrea Staffeld. The course helps the caregivers not only learn a wide range of information about the illness, but it also helps to understand how the lived experience of these conditions affect their loved ones. During these 12 weeks, family members are also taught how to help during crisis and essential elements of selfcare. To learn more about NAMI Family-to-Family, please contact your local affiliate or Shaniqua Jackson, State ProgramsCoordinator. ■

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 19 NATIONAL CONVENTION

New York was well-represented at this year’s annual business meeting, NAMI National Convention, held in Denver was “given in recognition of between July 6th through the 10th, with many exceptional efforts at the of our state’s NAMI members making the cross- local level in carrying out country trip to participate. the NAMI mission as defined The Convention began on a high-note when by the NAMI Standards of on Wednesday, July 6th, the U.S House of Excellence.” NAMI Rochester Representatives passed HR 2646, The Helping Executive Director Pat Sine and Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. NAMI-NYS Board President Bill Perun were has been advocating for this landmark piece on hand to accept the award. of legislation for more than 3 years and we New York was also honored presented the bill's sponsor Rep Tim Murphy (R- that the state’s attorney general, PA) with our 2014 Legislative Champion Award. Eric Schneiderman, was NAMI-NYS Board Member Dr. Rob Laitman talks with selected to receive NAMI’s Steven McCarroll, Ph.D., Director of Genetics at the Broad Institute’s Distinguished Service Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research and an Associate Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School Award for his work in ensuring that health insurers adhere to parity laws, so that mental health conditions are treated no differently from other physical ailments. The convention was packed full of information on research, advocacy, and developments in the field of Patricia Sine and William Perun receive award mental health, and the NAMI staff from Mary Giliberti, NAMI CEO and Board outlined some changes at Throughout the convention NAMI recognized the national level. One of the most significant how NAMI-NYS and our members are making is the upcoming changes to membership set a difference by making our voices heard. to take place next year. In addition to a slight Barbara Ricci, of NAMI NYC Metro, was elected increase in membership dues (Regular: $40, to serve NAMI as a member of the Board of Open Door: $5), NAMI is adding a Household Directors. Several representatives of NAMI in Membership level at $60. New York State were asked to present at the Next year’s convention will be a little convention, including NAMI-NYS staff member closer to home. It is scheduled to take NAMI-NYS Member Ilene Flattery Wells Matthew Shapiro on Paid Family Leave and Pat place in Washington D.C. from June 28th works to raise awareness of the need to repeal the IMD Exclusion Sine and Judy Watt of NAMI Rochester on the to July 2nd. ■ affiliate’s evolution. NAMI-NYS is particularly proud of NAMI Rochester as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding NAMI Affiliate Award. This award, presented during the

NAMI- NYS Board Member Sigfrido Benitez with NAMI Board Member Gloria Walker

20 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News NIMH

NAMI-NYS Continues Our Work as an NIMH Outreach Partner In 2015, NAMI-NYS was selected to continue to serve as one of the two New York State representatives for the National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) Outreach Partner Program. This year, we were appointed to serve on the program’s steering committee, providing us with a larger role in shaping the program and introducing best strategies to engage the public in NIMH activities. The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of NIMH’s Office of Constituency Relations and Public Liaison (OCRPL). The Program works to increase the public’s access to science-based mental health information through partnerships with national and state organizations. The Program encourages efforts to reach diverse racial and ethnic groups. The Program also strives to enhance opportunities for the public to benefit from participation in research. NAMI-NYS has a page of our website dedicated to NIMH and Dr. Bruce Cuthbert, Matthew Shapiro with Dr. Robert Heinssen, our weekly E-Newsletter contains a section on NIMH News. Acting Director of NIMH, visits Acting Branch Chief, Adult Treatment and the NAMI-NYS poster Preventive Intervention Research Branch, NIMH. Our Education Conference also features presenters and display detailing our Dr. Heinssen will be presenting at this year’s exhibits from NIMH. Mental Health Now program. Education Conference. The 2016 NIMH Outreach Partner Program (OPP) Meeting took place July 18-21 at the Porter Neuroscience Research Center on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The annual OPP brings together the partners from all 50 states to hear from leading researchers from throughout the country as well as those from the NIH/NIMH campus. As part of the meeting’s partner sharing session, NAMI-NYS presented on our Mental Health Now program and how we use it as both a communication and advocacy tool. Members of the NIMH research team will be featured on the program’s November episode. ■

Re-Affiliation Continues Forward By Tammie Paradis I would like to let the affiliate’s know that NAMI-NYS Board of Directors. It is also memberships to NAMI-NYS to process. NAMI (National) has set a deadline and if an important to be aware that as a Model B They must take the training for NAMI 360 affiliate doesn’t decide its direction and start affiliate, NAMI-NYS acts as the governing to enter their memberships before the process, it is at risk of losing its status as body. This means that NAMI-NYS will possess October 3rd, 2016. To date 12 affiliates a NAMI affiliate. As NAMI-NYS continues to the necessary documents such as insurance, have been trained. move forward with the re-affiliation process, non-profit status, etc. This also means that I have collected a lot of resources to help affiliates must finish the Survey and choose the Model B affiliate will no longer have its the affiliates with their transition, including to become either a Model A or a Model B. own bank account, Board of Directors, or but not limited to: bylaws, affiliate name To date we have 22 Model A’s, 14 Model B’s Bylaws, as it will no longer be a formally changes, insurance, incorporation, charities and 7 affiliate’s that are undecided in which recognized affiliate; the affiliate will be a filing and 501c3. If your affiliate has any direction that they would like to go. support/division of the larger entity. Model B questions please contact me so that I can For affiliates thinking about becoming a groups will still be able to hold meetings, work with you and get them answered. NAMI Signature programs, and Support Model B, we are still in the process of I would like all affiliates to know that groups, but they will need to work with creating a working agreement for affiliates although we are moving forward, NAMI-NYS NAMI-NYS as the working agreement states. to follow in order to satisfy this option. In remains concerned about the future of all the event that an affiliate does choose to To date I have trained seventeen Model A of our affiliates and will continue to work work as a support/division, it is important affiliates in the NAMI Profile Center. The with everyone to ensure we are able to to note that both the affiliate and NAMI-NYS NAMI Profile Center is the location for all allow everyone to be successful and agree to abide by the working agreement re-affiliation documents to be stored. The continue supporting the NAMI mission. that will be created. These agreements will NAMI-NYS Board has decided that Model A Please contact me either by phone, be created by a committee consisting of affiliates also need to enter and maintain (518) 462-2000 x 104 or by email, representatives from NAMI affiliates in their own memberships. This means that [email protected] with any questions New York and will be approved by the the Model A’s will no longer submit their you may have regarding re-affiliation. ■

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 21 MEDIA/HELPLINE

NAMI-NYS Mental Health Now Information and NAMI-NYS has established an informational television program entitled Mental Health Now, which is produced by Colonie TV and filmed at the Colonie Town Library. The monthly program features Referral Helpline topics that provide general information about mental illness and mental health to the public and is hosted by NAMI-NYS’s own Matthew Shapiro. The show is geared to serve as an educational tool NAMI-NYS recently renamed our helpline about different aspects of mental health. The inaugural guest was Bill Dickson, the executive director the NAMI-NYS Information and Referral of the Capital District Psychiatric Center, and the following month we hosted Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan, Helpline to better reflect the purpose Commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health. The program has also featured a wide range of of this valuable resource. The NAMI-NYS topics, including mental health in schools, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, reaching young adults, Information and Referral Helpline provides how to have effective outreach, information, referrals and support to people and information about the living with a mental health condition, family NAMIWalks program. members, caregivers, and mental health providers. We have been working hard to The program is tailored to appeal better serve our callers and online inquiries; to both mental health advocates, we receive an average of 80 calls monthly, including NAMI members, as well and we now have a listing of all support as the general public with no groups that are held by our affiliates previous knowledge or connection throughout the state, listings of local and with mental illness. In this way, state wide agencies to accommodate we work to educate about mental your needs, and have added resources to illness and the services and our website for your convenience. The NAMI- resources available, as well as NYS Information and Referral Helpline can dispel the harmful myths that answer your questions and find resources contribute to the unfair stigma regarding mental health issues such as associated with mental illness. support groups and services, education The show airs locally in Colonie, New York. For those who do not live in the Capital District, NAMI-NYS programs, vocational resources, housing/ includes each episode with the weekly e-news and archives them on the NAMI-NYS website. If you facilities, legal issues/AOT/ACT/Mental have a request or suggestion for an upcoming episode, we encourage you to contact the NAMI-NYS Health Courts, Insurance/Medicare/ office with your ideas. ■ Medicaid/SSI/SSDI, and knowing the Symptoms of mental illness, different treatment options along with how to help JOIN THE TEAM!!! family members get treatment for their loved ones. Our team of trained staff, interns and volunteers are available to take your calls, emails and letters Monday- Friday 9:00am -5:00pm. We are unable to provide OCTOBER 3RD counseling or therapy, we are here to listen, and it is always comforting to know you at don’t have to go through any situation 5:00 PM alone. In case of an emergency call 911 and/or your local Mobile Crisis Unit. MEMBERSHIP DUES must be received by NAMI-NYS The Helpline also offers our Lending Library ■ Start a team or join an existing team. and Educational Brochures with a vast or entered in NAMI 360 ■ Become a virtual walker if you can't make it variety of information for your education by the affiliate to the Capital Region on September 24th. and enjoyment. Both are available on our (with e-batch closed) website at www.naminys.org or by in order to vote ■ Donate to the NAMI-NYS NAMI Walks-Your contacting Christine at 518-462- support is crucial to NAMI-NYS's ability to 2000/email [email protected]. in the November election continue meeting the demand for NAMI Christine Rickeman for NAMI-NYS Board of Directors. programming from communities throughout New York State. NAMI-NYS Information and Call Tammie if you have any questions Referral Helpline Coordinator at (518) 462-2000. ■ Visit our NAMI-NYS NAMIWalks Page for more 1-800-950-3228/[email protected] ■ information. www.naminys.org ■

22 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News FUNDRAISING

We are Most Grateful to Those Who Made Financial Donations to NAMI – NYS During the First and Second Quarters of 2016

$2,500 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

$300-$400 Beth LaTorre, Fredrick Maxfield, and Robert Rubenstein

$200-$250 Janet Hoffman-Tretin, Edward Jones, Megan Jones, Herbert Pardes, Members of Public Employees Federation, and Maria Walski

$100-188 Cheryl Bulbach, Richard Charles, Community Works of NYS, George Drakos, Give With Liberty, Joann Jacobson, Lynne Mahoney, Mary Morgan, Michael Santana, John Shepherd, Patricia & Robert Sine, Harvey Shultz, Mary Sweiechocki, Temple Israel of Northern Westchester 7th grade Center for Jewish Learning, and Carol Tutino

Up to $100 Diane & David Ardam, Sharon Austin, Joan Back, Bridget Barclay, Nancy Becerra, Michael Bickman, Joseph Bisesi, Mario & Nadine Bottali, Karen Brothers, John Canavari, Richard Charles, Audrey & Thomas Chiascione, Mary Cohen, Phyllis Conlin, Mariana D’Alessandro, David & Katherine Epstein, Cynthia Farone, Rena Finklestein, Bonnie & Robert Franco, Susan Franze, Margaret Grot, James Hurley, Shimon Israel, Hildi & Peter Kaufmann, Megan Kilfoyle, Brenda Lehrman, Tonya Martinez, James & Madeline McCarthy, Ilene & Keith Mirenburg, Christine Muller, NAMI Manhattan GLBT, NAMI Hope Chapter, Paula & Peter Newfield, Gregory Newton, James Niemis, Mary Nummelin, Barbara O’Bannon, Robin O’Brien, Bonnie Orlowski, Tracey Parcher, Andrea & William Paskey, Lamplighter Acres, Dawne Roberts, Lillian Rothstein, Anne Samson, Michael Santana, Christine Schwab, Megan Sechrist, Ellen Stettine, Barbara & Ronald Stonotsch, Stephanie Trchala, Debbie Uckele, Susan Ungerer, Jill VanDewoestine, Ingrid Waterman, Lynne Whetzel, Leslie Whitehead Speranza, Walter Wilczak, Russell Wise, Dana Yanulavich, and Christopher Zavelo ■

A Brighter Day Event NAMI-NYS kicked-off Mental Health Awareness Keplinger for once again sponsoring the Month with our annual A Brighter Day event at event, Glennpeter Jewelers Diamond Centre Glennpeter Jewelers Diamond Centre in Albany for hosting, all the businesses that donated to on April 29th. the raffle and everyone who attended the event. As usual, the event was a big success. Attendees were inspired to hear from Elizabeth NAMI-NYS is grateful to Bob and Evelyn Tiglao-Glass, the founder of Link of Hearts, who told her remarkable story of recovery from depression and anxiety and how she overcame the stigma her family and their culture had element to this year's event was music provided about mental illness. Her by the Grassroots Rebels. journey led her to start her A Brighter Day is a great annual event for business, Link of Hearts, raising awareness about the unfair stigma which designs jewelry with associated with mental illness, and brings in inspiring messages. For much needed funds to support NAMI-NYS every piece sold Elizabeth initiatives like NAMI Signature Programs, the donates one of the same Educational Conference and outreach and pieces to someone living advocacy efforts. ■ with a mental illness. A new

Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News 23 NAMI-New York State 99 Pine Street, Suite 302 NON-PROFIT ORG. Albany, NY 12207 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBANY, NY PERMIT NO. 0010

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24 Summer 2016 ■ NAMI | NYS News