eNews for February 5, 2019

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

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Registration is OPEN for the 2019 NAMI Connecticut Walk!

Join us on Saturday, May 18th, in Bushnell Park in Hartford, OR at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport!

When you register, you can choose your Walk Day Location!

Be sure to check out NAMI Connecticut's newest support groups for families and individuals impacted by Opioid use.

In Glastonbury, Hartford, and Waterbury.

To view the flyers suitable for downloading and sharing, please click the following links:

Glastonbury Group
Hartford Group
Waterbury Group

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New Research Study - DEPRESSION, REPEATED DOSES OF KETAMINE, AND NEUROIMAGING

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of repeat doses of ketamine in the brain. The NIMH is interested in learning how ketamine affects areas of the brain important in regulating mood and if there are unique signatures that could help predict who may respond to the drug. Also, NIMH would like to see if repeated doses of ketamine are safe and effective in treating the symptoms of depression.

Read More (be sure to scroll down to the Research Study section)

For a complete list of other available Research Studies, please CLICK HERE.

Life is Good

Guest Blog - by Diane Frost

Mornings look good to me these days and they have for awhile. I actually like getting up to see the sun. And, over the last few years I’ve enjoyed the challenge of school and regular work as a social worker. It wasn’t always that way though.

I think you know what I mean, when I say I used to sleep late when I was really having a hard time dealing with my mental health condition. It’s not that I wasn’t motivated or bored though . . .

Employment Opportunities with the
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)

CCAR is looking for full-time Recovery Community Educator to provide system and community navigation, facilitate Recovery Support services and deliver informational community trainings in the city of New Haven, CT. The ideal person will be enthusiastic and passionate about working closely with people in recovery from alcohol and other addiction, family members, friends and allies. CCAR offers a highly attractive compensation package that includes competitive wages, benefits, paid holidays and vacation time. A valid driver’s license, insurance and reliable vehicle required.

Write on is back!

Emerging adults: it’s time to find your voice and write your truth!

Mental Health Connecticut’s Write On! program is designed for emerging adults, ages 18-29 who live with trauma, mental health, and/or substance use challenges and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates.

The next classes for Write On! begin in March. The deadline to apply is February 15th. More information and a link to the online application can be found here: www.mhconn.org/writeon

The Open Enrollment Period has ended, but Access Health CT is still actively supporting our 2019 customers with verification documents, 1095-A delivery and corrections, and Special Enrollment periods.

This brief survey is designed to gather information from a variety of stakeholders regarding DMHAS Mobile Crisis Services. It will be helpful to obtain responses from consumers of services, family members, communities of faith and other stakeholders. Participation is optional and responses are anonymous. Results from this survey will be used to inform DMHAS’ plans to enhance this level of care. The survey will be open until Friday, February 8th.

Take the Survey

NAMI Fairfield is very excited to welcome John Labieniec, LCSW from Continuum of Care, Inc., to discuss the do's and don'ts of de-escalating a mental health crisis. John commitment to recovery, client centered and collaboration has developed a model of care that has now gained recognition across the State.

To be held Wednesday, February 6th, 7:30-9pm, at First Congregational Church, 148 Beach Rd, Fairfield.

Please come out to hear him speak; there will be opportunities to ask him questions as well. All are welcome, and we hope to see you there!

A Panel Discussion - Thursday, February 21, 7:30pm, in Stamford

When a mental health crisis hits, family and friends are often caught off-guard and unsure of what to do. If you are unable to de-escalate the situation yourself, it's important to act quickly to get the help you need to keep everyone safe.

NAMI Southwest has assembled a panel of professionals who will explain when and how to call for help, and what happens afterward.

Monday February 25, 6:30 P.M., in Bloomfield

In Another Kind of Madness, author Stephen Hinshaw explores the burden of living in a family "loaded" with mental illness and debunks the "stigma" behind it, explaining that in today's society, mental health problems can result in a loss of a driver's license, inability to vote or run for office, ineligibility for jury service, or automatic relinquishment of child custody. With a moving personal narrative and shocking facts about how America views mental health conditions in the 21st century, Another Kind of Madness is a passionate call to arms regarding the importance of destigmatizing mental illness.

NEW NAMI Young Adult Connection Group Alert!

Starting Wednesday, February 27, Marcus and Kaitlyn will be co-facilitating a Young Adult Connection Group located at the Westfarms Mall Community Room. Join them each week from 6-7:30PM.

NAMI Basic Classes - Winter/Spring 2019

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.

Classes will be held in Bridgeport (Spanish - *NEW*), Fairfield, Greenwich (*NEW*), Ridgefield, Hartford, Newtown, and more coming soon!

NAMI Family to Family Classes: Winter/Spring 2019

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.

Winter/Spring Classes are being held in: Danielson, Greenwich, Hamden, Manchester, Milford, New Canaan (*NEW*), New Milford (*NEW*), Norwich (*NEW), Ridgefield, and more coming soon!

NAMI Homefront Classes to be held in Milford, beginning Tuesday, March 5th

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.

Other Upcoming events:

There are are always many different events being held throughout the state of Connecticut. Events include: Substance Abuse and Mental Health in Older Adults, February 5, New Canaan; Parenting Through the Opioid Crisis and Beyond, February 6, Norwalk; Help Your Community Afford Prescription Meds WEBINAR, February 12; FREE Narcan and QPR Training, February 13, Wallingford; Keep The Promise Coalition Monthly Meeting, February 20; Youth Mobile Crisis WEBINAR, February 20; Special Needs Planning Workshops; and MORE. To see the entire list, please visit our website!

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

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MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MEDIA

This edition of NAMI Connecticut's "Mental Health in the Media" features articles about:
Advocates: Uber won’t work to get disabled to New Haven health clinic
Drug combo shows promise in treatment of depression and addiction
Father, NAMI Advocate Frustrated By Flawed System That Sets Up Young Man For Incarceration Instead Of Treatment
It is time for parity for behavioral health care
Marijuana Debate Heats Up At State Capitol
Meth’s Resurgence Spotlights Lack Of Meds To Combat The Addiction

and MUCH MORE!