eNews for August 7, 2018

Find your local NAMI Affiliate Find a local Support Group Find a local Education Class

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NAMI Connecticut is seeking an experienced Fund Development Manager to join our Team!

Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director, the Development Manager will spearhead efforts that ensure NAMI Connecticut has the financial ability to meet its Mission. A new position in the organization, the Manager will have the opportunity to build the development function from the ground up. This is a part-time, 20 hour/week position with opportunity to become full time within one year.

Join Our Team - CHDI is Hiring

The Child Health and Development Institute of CT (CHDI) is looking to expand our team. We are seeking candidates with the education, experience, and dedication to contribute to effective policies, systems, and practices that improve children's health and well-being. CHDI is a non-profit located in Farmington, Connecticut.

CURRENT OPENINGS:

Director of Implementation: The selected candidate will lead and expand statewide initiatives to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children with behavioral health concerns.

Project Coordinator: The selected candidate will provide project management and implementation supports to successfully disseminate evidence-based practices and quality improvement initiatives in children's behavioral health.

Data Analyst or Senior Data Analyst: The selected candidate will analyze and report on client characteristics, performance measures, and outcomes of evidence-based and best practices in children's behavioral health.

Read More: https://www.chdi.org/about/our-team/job-opportunities/

The Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network AmeriCorps Program aims to improve academic engagement of economically disadvantaged students through participation in the Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) and Collegiate Health Service Corps (CHSC) service learning programs, as well as health workshops. The YHSC and CHSC programs are health careers recruitment programs that engage diverse students as leaders in meaningful service learning that address community health issues. Student volunteers are trained to serve in health care settings that serve the underserved. Students are exposed to entry level health care careers and learn how to successfully enter onto upwardly mobile health care career ladders. The program will increase AmeriCorps members' educational and professional status by providing a vast amount of experience in the field.

Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc. is Looking for their next CEO

Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc. (CFA), an innovative multi-service, multi-sited nonprofit organization in New London, Connecticut is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). CFA’s mission is to nurture children and families to develop their strengths through service, partnership and advocacy.

Operation Fuel, Inc. is looking for a new Director of Energy Programs

The Director of Energy Programs oversees Operation Fuel’s fuel bank network and energy assistance programs, which include Energy Assistance, Home System Repair & Replacement, Homeless Intervention and Prevention, and MDC Water Assistance. The Director of Energy Programs reports to the Executive Director and serves as a thought partner to assist with organizational development, analysis and implementation of advocacy strategies, agency priorities, partnerships, and infrastructure. The Director will also assist the Board of Directors, as required by the Executive Director. This is a full-time position, 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend hours for special events.

NAMI Connecticut will again be participating in the 25th Running of the Eversource Hartford Marathon! The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 13th, and we need your help. If you would like to run with us, or simply make a donation, your support is critical to our ability to continue to keep our education and support programs free of charge to those who need them the most. Won't you help us?

YOU are INVITED!

Join legislators, candidates, community behavioral health advocates and constituents in this roundtable discussion highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing Connecticut's behavioral health care delivery system. This event will feature members from the community sharing their experiences and suggested solutions to current challenges faced by Connecticut's behavioral health care delivery system including mental health parity, current workforce shortages, access to treatment, and budgetary needs including community supports.

2018 Candidates’ Forum on Disability Issues: A non-partisan forum for federal and statewide candidates. To be held Thursday, October 11, 3:00-6:00 p.m., at the Red Lion Hotel (formerly Radisson Hotel), 100 Berlin Rd., in Cromwell, CT. Reception to follow at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Moderated by New York Times bestselling author, Emmy award winning journalist, documentary producer and speaker, Diane Smith.

Please Join Us...

Date: September 26, 2018
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: WATERBURY (exact location to be determined)
Light refreshments will be served

Children of mothers who experienced depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy are more likely to have behavioral difficulties throughout childhood, according to a meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The association between prenatal depression and the children’s behavioral problems was found to be higher in economically disadvantaged families.

A new report released by NAMI, Mental Health Parity at Risk, looks at mental health and substance use coverage before the ACA (aka Obamacare) and shows just how dangerous it could be to remove these consumer protections, taking us back to a time when it was acceptable for insurers to treat mental health and substance use conditions inequitably.

Read the Report

NAMI Releases New Crisis Guide

"Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency" (Crisis Guide) provides important, potentially life-saving information for people experiencing mental health crises and their loved ones. This guide outlines what can contribute to a crisis, warning signs that a crisis is emerging, strategies to help de-escalate a crisis, available resources and so much more.

Download the Guide

NAMI Homefront – in Norwalk begins, Saturday, September 8, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

What is the NAMI Homefront Education Program?

NAMI Homefront is a free, six-session education program for family, friends and significant others of Military Service Members and Veterans with behavioral and mental health conditions. It focuses on the unique needs of military and veteran communities, such as post-deployment and post-discharge transitions.

The course is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being. The trained teachers of this course are also family members who have experience with military culture and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental health challenges.

Announcing the Fall 2018 Family to Family Fall classes: So far we have scheduled classes in Bloomfield, Fairfield, Guilford, Hamden, Manchester, Milford, Newington, Norwich, Ridgefield and Stamford, …and more coming soon!

What is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program?

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12-session education program for family, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness. The course is designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one living with mental illness, while maintaining their own well-being. The course includes information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. Thousands of families describe the program as life-changing. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness.

Read More

NAMI Basic Classes: New Canaan + Hartford + Bridgeport...and more coming soon!

What is the NAMI Basics Education Program?

NAMI Basics is a free, six-session program designed for parents and other family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
NAMI Basics helps parents and other family caregivers of children to understand the illnesses that are causing those behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also the parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties prior to age 13.

NAMI Basics – NEW CANAAN
Starts Thursday, September 6th, 2018

NAMI Basics – HARTFORD
Starts Monday, October 1st, 2018

NAMI Basics BRIDGEPORT (SPANISH)
Starts Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

NAMI Connecticut is offering a FREE Young Adult Connection Group Facilitator training for emerging adults (ages 18-29) who are in recovery from a mental health condition.

The training will be held on August 14, from 9AM-4:30PM, at the United Way of Connecticut, 1344 Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Please note, registration is required, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NAMIYACC

NEW Young Adult Rainbow Connection Group alert!

Starting July 16th, the YoungAdult Connection Community via NAMI CT will have a weekly group for Young Adults ages 18-29 in Hartford on Monday nights from 6-7:30PM. This group welcomes any member of the LGBTQIA+ community regardless of labels or self-identification.

Announcing NAMI Young Adult Connection Groups! In Hartford, Manchester, Mansfield, and West Hartford.

Sometimes support is important for someone dealing with mental health challenges, especially peer support from other young adults. That’s what the NAMI Young Adult Connection groups are all about. The groups were developed by young adults for young adults. They are run by young adults who have been trained in the support group model. The groups are designed to help young adults stay positive, healthy and reach their goals through peer support and community sharing. You can drop in and talk about what’s on your mind and meet other young adults who have or are going through many of the same experiences you are.

CLICK the links below for more details:

Hartford Group, Manchester Group, Mansfield Group, West Hartford Group

*NEW* NAMI Family Support Groups Starting in Middlebury!

NAMI Connecticut will offer a NEW NAMI Family Support Group for individuals living with a loved one with a mental health issue. It will be held on the second Wednesday of the month, starting Sept, 12th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, at the Middlebury Congregational Church.

NAMI Family Support Groups are free, confidential and safe groups of families helping other families who live with mental health challenges. In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one living with mental health challenges.

For more information, please CLICK HERE

*NEW* NAMI Southwest Support Group! Held the 3rd Monday of each month, in Norwalk.

ABOUT US - MENTAL WELLNESS HELP, SUPPORT & EDUCATION is a one-of-a-kind support group for anyone impacted by mental health challenges. Whether you live with a mental health condition, or love someone who struggles with mental health, this new format provides a confidential, judgment-free space for people to share experiences and gain a new perspective.

Announcing a FREE education-based discussion support group for families and individuals impacted by Opioid use. To be held Tuesdays, from 5:45 - 6:45 PM, at Catholic Charities, 13 Wolcott Street. Waterbury, CT.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a NAMI Support Group, and NOT group therapy!

This support group will provide support, education, and community for both those in recovery and their loved ones. There will also be time to discuss and process issues or concerns in each session.

For additional information please contact Paul Brainerd at 860-882-8674 or pbrainerd@namict.org

For a flyer suitable for printing, posting, or passing along, please CLICK HERE

NAMI Southwest will offer 2 *NEW* NAMI CAN (Child & Adolescent Network) Support Groups, in DARIEN & New Canaan!

Raising a child with mental health challenges can be stressful, exhausting, and lonely.

NAMI CAN (Child & Adolescent Network) provides support for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents, under age 18, with behavioral, emotional and mental health concerns.

The group is FREE, confidential, safe and led by trained volunteer facilitators with lived experience. Parents and caregivers may speak freely and be understood without embarrassment or the fear of being judged or treated differently. READ MORE

Volunteers NEEDED!

For the following events we need people to staff a table, hand out literature, and talk about all the great things that NAMI Connecticut and our local affiliates provide our state and our communities:

2018 Pratt & Whitney Health Expo, to be held September 21st, in East Hartford
Tunxis Community College Health and Wellness Fair, October 4, 10am to 2pm, in Farmington.

For more information, and to volunteer for the above events, please contact the NAMI Connecticut office at (860) 882-0236 and ask to talk to Pat or send an email to admin@namict.org.

Other Upcoming events:

There are are always many different events being held throughout the state of Connecticut. To see the list, please visit our website! CLICK HERE - THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

For more information on the above, please click on the event. For more information on NAMI Connecticut classes, please visit our EVENT CALENDAR.

MHITM_Graphic

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MEDIA

This edition of NAMI Connecticut's "Mental Health in the Media" features articles about:

and MUCH MORE!

Research_Studies_Graphic Research Studies

NAMI Connecticut helps promote mental health research by promoting research studies hosted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the University of Connecticut, Yale University, and others.

We are pleased to announce 5 *NEW* Research Studies:

For more information, as well as a complete list of Research Studies, please CLICK HERE.