NAMI Union County, NJ “in the news”

Please join us on Thursday September 22nd at 7:30pm for a discussion of “The Brain and Mental Illness”.  This presentation (you can explore it here), by Dr. John Fossella PhD of The Mount Sinai School of Medicine is geared toward the general public who may have specific questions or wish to learn more about the human brain, its normal function and some of the brain systems that function poorly in mental illness.  The format is relaxed and audience participation is welcomed.  If you would like to learn more about the brain, please join our discussion. The program begins at 7:30 pm at our new meeting location at The American Legion Post at 1003 North Ave in Westfield. Refreshments served.  For information: Call 908-233-1628 or visit http://nami-nj-uc.org or e-mail at nami.union.nj@nami.org

Click the link below for a map to the new location:

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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (http://nami-nj-uc.org) begins its free educational Family-to-Family program for Union County residents on Thursday 9/10/09 at 7pm in Clark, NJ.  Course continues every Thursday over a 12-week period.  Loved ones learn about the mental illness of their family member, caring and other related topics. To pre-register (required) please Call Pat at (732) 382-0762.

Joyce Benz, LCSW, of the Mental Health Association in NJ is guest speaker on Monday, May 18 at a free public presentation offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Union County.  As Director of Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) in Kenilworth, Ms Benz is a knowledgeable resource on all aspects of mental health and will provide an update on the latest issues and changes in the system. Find out how you can help someone whose life is effected by mental illness.

A broad range of topics will be explored including housing options, information on mental health assistance programs available in the community and how proposed NJ budget changes will effect persons with mental illness. A brief overview of Trinitas Hospital’s new intensive outpatient services and Bridgeway’s new housing and case management initiatives is included.  Ms Benz will answer questions from the audience.

The program begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark. Refreshments served.  For information: Call 908-233-1628 or visit http://nami-nj-uc.org or e-mail at nami.union.nj@nami.org

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Union County invites the public to its free program on Law Enforcement and Persons with Mental Illness, on Monday, April 27.  Theodore Romankow, Union County Prosecutor, will be presented with the award-winning 20 minute police training DVD, “The Community I Serve”, by NAMI-Union County.  The DVD will be screened for the audience to view.  Maureen O’Brien, Assistant Prosecutor, will provide an update on the training programs for police officers when they encounter persons with mental illness in crisis situations.

Mr. Romankow has mandated that the DVD be shown to all police officers in Union County as part of their training.  Conceptualized by NAMI-Union County and produced by NAMI-NJ, the DVD is being distributed to police departments and non-police organizations throughout NJ.  It shows how action other than a confrontation or an arrest can be taken by law enforcement and how a situation can be de-escalated before injuries occur to those involved.  The production of this DVD is an inspiring example of mental health advocates and law enforcement personnel coming together in cooperation to achieve a positive outcome.

Phil Lubitz, Director of Advocacy Programs and Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Education Program for NAMI-NJ will speak on what families face when their loved one becomes involved with the criminal justice system.  He will distribute “Do and Don’t Cards” and the new NAMI-NJ booklet on navigating the criminal justice system.

The program will begin with Kelly Baker from Trinitas Regional Medical Center who will give a brief overview of the newly expanded Psychiatric Emergency Screening Service (PES).

The presentation begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Road, Clark.  Questions: 908-233-1628.  Website: http://nami-nj-uc.org E-mail: nami.union.nj@nami.org

ATTORNEY TO SPEAK ON LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME PERSONS  WITH DISABILITIES

On Monday, March 23 guest speaker Marc D. Snyder, Esq., Managing Attorney of the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) in Union County will speak on services available through CHLP.  This non-profit advocacy and legal services group serves the needs of low-income NJ residents with psychiatric and other types of disabilities, as well as the elderly.  Questions from the audience are welcome!

Mr. Snyder will provide information you need to know now – before a legal problem or crisis arises – so you will not have to make future decisions in haste during troubled times.  His talk will include the following areas: Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), housing, discrimination, Medicaid, Medicare and a wide range of other civil matters.

Mr. Snyder is a graduate of Albany Law School and Pennsylvania State University.  Bar admissions are New York and New Jersey.  Currently, he serves on the Union County Human Services Advisory Committee and is a member of the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. He serves on the Professional Advisory Committee to the Union County Mental Health Board and the Minority Concerns Committee - Superior Court of New Jersey.  In the past he has provided service in civil liberties litigation in state and federal courts and has represented inmates at NJ State and County correctional facilities.

The program begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark NJ.  The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Union County, sponsors this program and can be reached at: 908-233-1628 — e-mail: nami.union.nj@nami.org or  website: http://nami-nj-uc.org

If your life is affected by the mental illness of a loved one, this free presentation is for you!  On Monday, February 23, Mr. Jay Yudof, in a talk entitled “Overview of Rehabilitation & Recovery”, will focus on self-help roles for individuals with mental illness, and tell how the mental health system, family and other supporters can assist in improving the outcome for persons who are pursuing recovery.

Mr. Yudof is an exuberant and dynamic presenter who speaks widely around the state on a range of topics related to the delivery of rehabilitative, client-oriented mental health services.  He is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, holding an MS degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from UMDNJ.  Mr. Yudof is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Monmouth County and is the Statewide Consumer Outreach Liaison for NAMI of NJ.  Bring your questions for what is expected to be a lively question and answer session!

The program begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark, NJ. and is run by NAMI of Union County.  For information or if inclement weather, call: 908-233-1628. Website: www.nami-nj-uc.org, E-mail: nami.union.nj@nami.org  Refreshments served.

A free copy of our Resource Guide – Help in Navigating the Mental Health System in Union County, and other handouts will be available to attendees.

The Union County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) invites area residents to join its “Circle of Friends” for a free, informal evening of discussion. On Monday, January 26, panel member Joyce Benz, LCSW, Director of the Intensive Family Support Services of the Mental Health Association in NJ, will facilitate an exploration of various topics affecting persons with mental illness. Bring your questions and address your concerns. Learn about the latest issues in the field of mental health.

Second panel member, Elaine Jeffers, will provide expertise from her years as a psychiatric nurse. With 30 years of nursing experience, she has worked as a case manager, legal nurse consultant and developed and implemented a psycho-education program on schizophrenia.

The panel of four will be completed by 2 members from NAMI who will offer insight from their own experiences in dealing with the mental illness of their family member. This is an opportunity for information sharing with others who have common interests.

A free copy of Resource Guide – Help in Navigating the Mental Health System in Union County, and other handouts will be available to attendees.

The program begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd, Clark. Refreshments will be served. Call 908-233-1628 for information, or in the event of inclement weather. Visit our website at: www.nami-nj-uc.org E-mail us at: nami.union.nj@nami.org

Image by Phil Scoville via Flickr

This is your opportunity to “ask the doctor”.  Learn about effective treatment options  for older adults with mental illness. At this free presentation on Monday, November 24, Mark Perrin, M.D., previously on the staff of Overlook Hospital & the Summit Medical Group, will share his expertise in working with mental health issues that effect this age group.  Find out ways to cope with the illness of your loved one & how the mental health system could provide support to your family.

President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of NJ, Dr. Perrin served on Governor Richard Codey’s Mental Health Taskforce in 2004-2005.  Educated at Princeton University, New York University School of Medicine, Baltimore City Hospital in Maryland and Boston Veterans’ Administration Hospital, he specializes in internal medicine.

Among previous positions he has held are: Attending Physician Internal Medicine — Overlook Hospital, also Internist with Department of Internal Medicine — Summit Medical Group, 1966-1999. He is the recipient of many awards in recognition of his work and advocacy in the area of mental health and is a member of the American Neuropsychiatric Assn. and the NJ Infant Mental Health Assn.  Dr.  Perrin currently serves on various mental health boards and advisory committees.

Run by NAMI-Union County, the program begins at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark.  Call NAMI at 908-233-1628 with questions.  Or visit www.nami-nj-uc.org Refreshments served.

Image by wwwes via Flickr

On Monday, October 27, speakers from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of NJ (NAMI) will discuss their multicultural outreach program which raises awareness about mental health in the Afro-American, Asian, Hispanic and South Asian communities. The award winning dvd on diversity and mental illness, Documenting our Presence: Advocacy in Different Cultural Communities will be shown. Audience questions will be answered by guest speakers, Martha Silva, Director of NAMI-NJ en Espanol and psychologist Mini Poulouse.

This exciting program has been very successful in addressing the needs and issues of individuals from many cultures, providing education in their own language, reaching out to dispel misconceptions surrounding mental illness that may exist. Persons seeking treatment will find comfort, understanding and acceptance in their journey toward wellness and recovery. Mental illness knows no borders; please join us at this informative, free presentation.

Held at 7:30 pm at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark, the presentation is offered by NAMI of Union County. Call 908-233-1628 or visit http://nami-nj-uc.org for more information. Refreshments are served.

THE BRAIN: MENTAL HEALTH & RECOVERY

Learn about mental illness and the brain. The basic workings of the brain as it pertains to brain illness and recovery, is the focus at a free presentation on Monday, September 22 at 7:30 pm. John Fossella, of the Dept of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, will speak on Mental Health & Recovery: Introduction to Basic Brain Science. Ample time is allowed for questions and discussion.

John Fossella, PhD MBA, is Assistant Professor of Molecular Imaging Genetics in the Department of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. His research goal is to incorporate genetic and biomarker data into mainstream treatment and rehabilitative medicine in psychiatry. In addition, his work in the non-profit sector is aimed at improving medical literacy in the current emerging era of consumer-driven healthcare.

Held at Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark, the program is run by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Union County. Call 908-233-1628 or visit http://nami-nj-uc.org for more information. Refreshments are served.