al Ill-

Monthly Information Meeting – Wednesday, February 8, 2017

“State of the Affiliate”

Come and learn all about what NAMI PA of Montgomery County has to offer.

This one of kind meeting will provide an overview of all of our programming to the community, allow you to meet and ask questions of our class and support group facilitators, and gain the highlights of what is happen-ing at our affiliate and the newly redesigned state affiliate. This meeting will also allow US to hear from YOU!

Share your ideas about how we can continue to support our community in the best way!

Please join us for discussion & light refreshments.

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Time: 7-8:30 PM

Location: 100 West Main Street, Suite 204, Lansdale, PA 19446

This event is free & open to the public. An RSVP is appreciated by 2/7/17. Please call 215-361-7784

montco memo Montgomery County, PA February 2017 Volume XXXVI Issue 6

2017 NAMI Recognition Awards It is time again to honor those in our NAMI community who deserve recognition for their outstanding efforts on behalf of persons with mental ill-ness and their families.

If you want to nominate someone for an award, please call our office (215-361-7784) or email us at: info@namimontocpa.org.

Categories of recognition awards are as follows:

The Maryella Hitt Advocacy Award — presented to the individual/s or organization that exemplifies the true advocate for mental illness spirit.

The Peg Cochran Volunteer Award — presented to the individual/s or organization that has displayed outstanding volunteer efforts for individuals with mental illness and their families.

The Glenn Koons Recovery Award — presented to the individual/s or organization that exemplifies resiliency and recovery, and overcoming the challenges of mental illness.

The Criminal Justice Award — Presented in recognition of outstanding service in the realm of mental illness and the criminal justice system.

If you have any questions regarding any of these categories or eligibility criteria for them, or would like to make a nomination, please contact Abby Grasso, Executive Director at agrasso@namimontcopa.org or 215-361-7784. The deadline for nominations is April 7, 2017.

Calendar 2

Message from our President 3

Message from our Executive Director

3

Call for Board Nominations & Bylaws Amendments

3

A Tribute to Carol Caruso 4

NAMIWalks Celebrating 10 Years!

5

A Huge Thanks 6

Spring Family-to-Family Class Schedule

6

NAMI Connection Training 6

Forced Treatment Not the Way to Expand Access to Mental Health Services

7

Tributes and Donations 7

Also in This Issue

February 2017 Page 2

montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

the montco memo is published monthly by

NAMI of PENNSYLVANIA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Board of Directors

President Neen Davis First Vice-President Dawn Hogan Second Vice President Dave Davis Secretary Beth Milton Treasurer Stephen Nelson

Victoria Bright Lauren Centola Armand DiYenno Rhea Fernandes Tricia Malott Donna McNelis Jerry Rudakevich Mike Solomon

Executive Director Abby Grasso Editor Beulah Saideman Co-Editor Mary Schuck Editor Emeritus Maryella D. Hitt Bookkeeper Kelly DiBetta Walk Manager Danielle Blanchard

Support Group Facilitators Coordinator Abby Grasso

Abington Presbyterian Church Joan Kozlowski Corinne Smith Miriam McCauley

Lansdale Rich Kelble Anne Magowan

Lower Providence Presbyterian Church Neen Davis Sue Soriano

Pottstown Nina & Alan McDaniel

NAMI of PA Montgomery County

100 W. Main Street Suite 204

Lansdale, PA 19446 Phone: 215-361-7784 FAX: 215-361-7786

Email: nami-montcopa@verizon.net Web page: www.namimontcopa.org

Letters to the Editor and other articles and contributions are welcome. Send them

to the NAMI Office or by Email to brsaideman@comcast.net

by the 15th of the preceding month

NAMI of Pennsylvania Montgomery County is an approved Donor Choice Agency of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and

Southern New Jersey

United Way Agency Code # 5076

Calendar

Feb. 6 Mar. 6

NAMI Connection is a peer-run support group for individuals living with mental illness, which meets the first Monday of every month, except holidays, at 6:15 PM. William Jeanes Memorial Library, 4051 Joshua Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA

Feb. 7 Mar. 7

Lansdale Family Support Group at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 500 W. Main Street (at Richardson Avenue), Lansdale. First Tuesday, 7:00 PM.

Feb. 6 Mar. 6

Lower Providence Family Support Group, Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, 3050 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, Room 205. 7 PM. First Monday except on holidays.

Feb. 8 Mar. 8

Monthly Information Meeting, NAMI Office, 100 W. Main St., Suite 204, Lansdale, PA, 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

Feb. 9 Mar. 9

Glenside Family Support Group, Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington — 2nd Thursday, 7:30 PM.

Feb. 16 Mar. 16

Montgomery County CSP (Community Support Program). 3rd Thursday, 12-2:30 PM, Montgomery County Library, 1001 Powell St., Norristown

Feb. 13 Mar. 13 Feb. 16 Mar. 16

Pottstown Family Support Group, Creative Health Services, 11 Robinson Court, Pottstown , 2nd Monday, 7 PM.

Board of Director’s Meeting, 3rd Thursday, Lansdale Office, 6:30 PM.

A Note About Our Meetings

Although some of our meetings are held at religious institutions, they are non-denominational and open to people of all beliefs.

Inclement Weather Protocol

Please be aware that in the event of inclement weather, safety is our first priority. If support groups or educational programming are can-celled due to inclement weather, an announcement will be placed on our office voice mail (215-361-7784). If a monthly support group is cancelled, it will resume the next month. Our Family to Family or NAMI Basics Class will resume the next week. If you have questions or need further clarification, please call our office at 215-361-7784.

February 2017 Page

3 montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

Message from Our President Dear Friends-

Please join us at our many upcoming programs, support groups and activities. An informative program is offered the second Wednesday of each month at our Lansdale of-fice. These are 7:00-8:30pm. Family to Family classes will be starting soon. Adult family support groups are of-fered monthly throughout the county. There is no charge for any of these programs.

If you haven’t yet registered to be a Team Captain or Walker in our Greater Philadelphia NAMIWalks…now is the time to do so! Saturday, May 6th is when we’ll be stomping out stigma and creating awareness for mental illness. Please join us at Montgomery County Community College for a day filled with fun.

If you are not yet a member of NAMI of PA Montgom-ery County, I ask you to please consider joining. Our strength is in numbers. You can join by going to our web-site or calling our office. www.namimontcopa.org 215-361-7784

As always, please contact me with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Neen Davis President, NAMI of PA Montgomery County

Message from Our Executive Director

Hello! As winter the cold winter months are upon us, we at NAMI PA Montgomery County are moving full steam ahead! There are many things going on around us. Please look over the newsletter carefully & if anything sparks your interest – join us!

It is with great excitement I share that NAMI South-western PA was re-accredited by PANO (Pennsylvania Association of Non-profit Organizations) in Dec 2016. This accreditation of excellence in non-profit fiscal, legal and ethical management will follow them as they become NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania. Their office recently an-nounced they will host the first annual NAMI Keystone PA state conference, scheduled at the Best Western in Har-risburg on May 12th & 13th.

Our affiliate is looking for new, energetic board mem-bers – please consider nominating someone you may know! We have new Family-to-Family classes starting

and upcoming trainings we would love for you to be in-volved in. One of my favorite events – NAMIWalks Greater Philadelphia— is approaching and will be here before you know it! Bring your family, friends, and fur babies to celebrate our TENTH Walk!

Please consider liking our Facebook page and sharing your email with us. We want to keep you up to date on all the great events happening and share ways for YOU to get involved with us. I hope you will enjoy the updates and articles shared in the newsletter. If you have feedback or ideas, please share them with me. I love ideas!

My very best to you!

Abby Grasso

Executive Director

Call for Board Nominations & Bylaw Amendments

January began the call for candidates to our Board of Direc-tors, as well as for amendments to our bylaws. We currently have three (3) seats available on our Board, with three (3) incum-bents finishing up their first terms and running for re-election.

Criteria for eligibility are:

1. Be a member in good standing of our affiliate.

2. Be willing to attend and participate in monthly board meet-ings (the board meets on the third Thursday of the month, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in our Lansdale office; we do not meet in August or December), and all committee assignments.

3. Be willing to promote the NAMI mission.

If you are interested in submitting your name or someone else’s as a candidate, please put your nomination in writing

(email or hard copy) and provide the individual’s name, address, why you are nominating that person and what you feel they would bring to our Montgomery County Board. Nominations may be submitted to namimontcopa@verizon.net or mailed to NAMI, 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204, Lansdale, PA 19446.

If you would like a copy of our Bylaws please call 215-361-7784 or visit our website. The deadline for both candidate nomi-nations and bylaws amendments is February 24th, 2016. If you have any questions please contact Abby Grasso, Executive Di-rector, at 215-361-7784.

We appreciate your time and ideas

February 2017 Page 4

montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

By Ronald S. Honberg, JD Senior Policy Advisor, NAMI-National

The first thoughts that come to mind when thinking about the life of Carol Caruso are dedication, kindness and selflessness. In a word, Carol dedicated her life to helping others. She had many causes that she was passionate about, but no cause was nearer and dearer to her heart than helping people living with mental illness. Together, she and Jerry made an amazing team, as he too has dedicated his life and career to helping people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

In addition to her many years of service with NAMI-Montgomery County and NAMI-Pennsyl- vania, Carol served for nine years on the NAMI-National Board of Directors. During those years, she impacted in many ways on expanding and improving NAMI’s work on behalf of people living with mental illness. She was a strong champion for youth and young adults, recognizing the im-portance of early identification and intervention in treating and preventing the most harmful effects of mental illness. Her gentle but tenacious advocacy resulted in real change and a major focus for NAMI on mental health in youth.

Carol’s quiet leadership helped NAMI wade through some difficult and potentially divisive issues. Carol’s was a unique voice on the NAMI Board, one that was fully attuned to helping people with diverse perspectives unite on important issues. Carol was also a gifted fundraiser for NAMI at all levels. A key to her success in fundraising was her warm and welcoming smile and her ability to communicate that money allowed the organization to further its mission to support, educate, and advocate. In the words of Mary Giliberti, NAMI’s Chief Executive Officer, “Carol truly repre- sented the very best of NAMI with our supporters and members.”

Carol was a selfless person who, despite her busy schedule, always took the time to connect and ask after other people. Even in recent years, as she increasingly struggled with health issues, Carol far preferred to focus on the needs of other people rather than herself.

Carol Caruso’s life was truly a composite of good deeds. William Shakespeare, in The Merchant of Venice, wrote about the impact of quiet acts of kindness. “How far that little candle throws her beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world.” Carol’s quiet beams shone far and wide and will continue to do so for many years to come.

A Tribute to Carol Caruso

February 2017 Page 5

montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

Walk Information Meeting: For everyone that wants information on NAMIWalks Greater Philadelphia

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 4:30- 6:30 pm at NAMI of PA

Montgomery County Office, 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204, Lansdale

********* Kick-off Event: For Sponsors and Registered Team Captains

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes

Walk Planning Committee is working hard to bring NEW and FUN events to this year’s walk. If you would like to join the Walk Planning Committee, please contact the Walk Manager,

Danielle. NEXT MEETING IS Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 2:30- 3:30 pm.

Danielle Blanchard, Walk Manager, 215.361.7784, email: dblanchard@namimontcopa.org

Saturday, May 6, 2017

at Montgomery County Community College Register TODAY at www.namiwalks.org/greaterphiladelphila

Research News You Can Use

February 2017 Page 6

montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. Participants gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who've been there.

NAMI will be holding a training of Connection Support group facilitators in Philadelphia in February. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator of this support group for people living with a mental illness, please schedule an in-terview with Abby Grasso, Executive Director, by calling 215 -361-7784.

To be considered for this training, you must be a person living in recovery from a mental illness and you must have

taken the Peer to Peer class. All potential facilitators must go through an interview and screening process to determine whether the opportunity is a good fit for the individual and organization. NAMI Connection facilitators attend an in-tensive peer led training and are certified upon completion of the training. Certified facilitators commit to a minimum of one year of service in which they co-facilitate a group. All facilitators must be NAMI Members.

Think about giving the best of you while giving back!

Spring Family-to-Family Class Schedule

We will hold one, possibly two, Family to Family clas-ses this spring. Family to Family is an evidence based prac-tice. It is a free, 12 session course for family members and caretakers of individuals (adults) living with mental illness. The classes take place one evening per week for 2 ½ hours each. The curriculum covers topics such as diagnosis, medi-cations, communication, brain function and advocacy.

Classes take place on Tuesday evenings, starting Febru-ary 21, 2017.

Time: 6:30 PM to 9 PM Location: 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204, Lansdale

There is a possibility of another course being added to

the class schedule beginning in April,.

Pre-Registration is required and space is limited. Clas-ses fill up quickly! The course and course materials are provided at no cost to the participants, however we do re-quest a commitment for the entirety of the class.

For more information or to register please call 215-361-7784.

A huge thanks to Anna Trout

of Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Mental Health. Members and friends joined together on January 11, 2017 at our monthly information meeting to learn how to access services & navigate our mental health system in Montgomery County. Great information and resources were shared by Anna! If you missed the presentation and are interested in the resources, please call the office at 215-361-7784.

NAMI Connection Training

February 2017 Page 7

montco memo Volume XXXVI Issue 6

Tributes and Other Contributions

The Tribute Fund is a good way to mark anniversaries, weddings and other special occasions, and to express sympathy for the loss of a loved one. We will send a note of appreciation to anyone you designate. Send your check to NAMI of Pennsylvania Mont-gomery County, 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204, Lansdale, PA 19446. When designating NAMI in an obituary notice, please specify NAMI of Pennsylvania Montgomery County.

In Tribute: In Memory of Carol Caruso Martha Edwards Theresa & Jeffrey Haverson Dawn Hogan Kathy and George Laws Susan Medford Debra Moritz Marilyn Ricci Reuben & Beulah Saideman Ingrid L. Waldron

In Memory of Tara Hansen Lori Banks Roslyn's Book Club Buddies

Individual Donations:

Leon Bakalian Dolores Bergey Julian B Grow Gita Jani Robert & Mary Lew Orsatti Martha L. Metacarpa Catherine Shetler

Corporate Matching Gifts: United Way of Greater Philadelphia: Scott Evert, Elliot V. Hersh, Richard P. Kelble, Noelle Wheatley

Forced Treatment is Not the Way to Expand Access to Mental Health Services

Daniel B. Fisher, USA Today, January 12, 2017

My heart goes out to the victims of the gun violence in Flori-da and their families, but increasing forced psychiatric treatment is the wrong answer.

More forced treatment won’t prevent such tragic events: Vir-tually every significant study has concluded that people with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than matched con-trols in the community. Increasing the emphasis on coercive ser-vices frightens people away from seeking community-based ser-vices.

My experience as a board-certified psychiatrist — and as someone who has recovered from schizophrenia — teaches me that we need to expand access to recovery-oriented mental health services and to make them more welcoming to increase engage-ment with people early in their distress.

Increasing access requires more funding for community-based services, not repealing the Affordable Care Act, leaving millions with mental health issues without services.

As President George W. Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health concluded, we need to transform our mental health system from one that tells people in acute crisis that they have a brain disorder requiring a lifetime of care without hope of recovery, to a system based on the real hope of recovery. There is virtually no evidence that a mental health diagnosis is due to a brain disorder.

There are better alternatives, such as expanding evidence-based services provided by people with personal experience of recovery, called peers. Peers, like myself, are living evidence that recovery is possible. We can inspire hope in people who can’t be reached by others.

We have created peer-run, voluntary, trauma-informed alter-natives to psychiatric hospitals because that’s what we needed and wanted. We’ve developed a program, Emotional CPR, to teach people to assist others through crisis. CPR — Connecting, emPowering and Revitalizing — helps us re-engage with indi-viduals in crisis and their support system. It builds an individu-al’s capacity to recover his life.

We need to help people heal. Forced treatment is not the way.

Dr. Daniel B. Fisher is a psychiatrist and adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/01/12/fort-lauderdale-shooting-mental-health-psychiatrist-editorials-debates/96512548/

PENNSYLVANIA MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Dues are for one year and are Tax Deductible. Donations are welcome and are also Tax Deductible.

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NAME__________________________________________________________________________________

STREET ________________________________________________________________________________

CITY_______________________________________STATE_____ZIP______________________________

PHONE (H)__________________________________(C)_________________________________________

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_____Annual Dues $35.00 _____Open Door $3.00 - 30.00 (Amount $_____) _____Donation $______

What is the best way for us to contact you? Phone ______ Email ______ Snail Mail ______

Make check payable and return to: NAMI of Pennsylvania Montgomery County 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204 Lansdale, PA 19446 Or join or renew on our website: http://www.namimontcopa.org/join/

Double or triple the impact of your donation at no additional cost! Please check with your employer’s Human Resources Department to

see if your donation can be matched through a company matching gift program. NAMI of Pennsylvania Montgomery County is also an approved United Way Donor Choice Agency - Code #5076.

NAMI of Pennsylvania Montgomery County is open to all individuals subscribing to its purpose. All members receive NAMI newsletters and are automatically affiliated with NAMI PA and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)3 and all dues and donations are tax-deductible. Official registration and financial information of NAMI PA Montgomery County may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free within PA 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The official registration and financial information of NAMI PA Montgomery County can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania:

1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

PENNSYLVANIA MONTGOMERY COUNTY 100 W. Main Street, Suite 204 Lansdale, PA 19446