Recovery for All: March 2011

NAMI Report on Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health
Sharing Hope: Partnering with African American Congregations
StrengthofUs.org: Live a Better Life through Community
Chicago, Here We Come!
Announcements / New Resources / Upcoming Events

NAMI Report on Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health

Did you know that Asian American teenage girls have the highest rate of depressive symptoms of any racial, ethnic or gender group, yet Asian Americans have the lowest utilization of mental health services? What can be done to change it? This and many other important considerations are addressed in the report released last month based on an Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health Listening Session hosted by NAMI. Read more.

Sharing Hope: Partnering with African American Congregations

With the release of updated materials and the announcement of new grant opportunities, NAMI continues to expand its outreach and education efforts to African American congregations across the country under the banner of Sharing Hope. This innovative program spreads a message of support and healing for those affected by mental illness by reaching out to interact with faith communities, a place of strength for many African American families. Read more.

StrengthofUs.org: Live a Better Life through Community

With its first anniversary, StrengthofUs celebrates reaching more than 1,600 members and introduces new interactive resources and celebrity videos.

StrengthofUs.org is NAMI’s online resource center and social networking website for young adults (aged 18-30) living with mental health conditions. It exists to empower young adults to live out their dreams and goals through peer support and resource sharing. We believe every young adult deserves to feel hopeful, supported and encouraged to love who they are. Read more.

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Chicago, Here We Come!

Register for the NAMI 2011 Convention by March 15 to be eligible for the discounted "Super Saver" rate of $210.

The program for this year's convention, to be held in Chicago, July 6-9, is almost complete. NAMI is thrilled to announce that Jessie Close, sister of academy award winner Glenn Close and the inspiration for BringChange2Mind.org, will be a keynote speaker at the Opening Plenary on Thursday, July 7. In addition to some great learning opportunities, NAMI be providing multiple opportunities for networking and some unusual-and really fun-activities, including dancing under the stars, a poetry slam, wellness activities, a homecoming party and theatrical performances.

Chicago is truly a wonderful city and the Chicago Hilton Hotel is ideally located for attendees to take advantage of all the city has to offer. Within a 10-minute walk of the Hilton there are many terrific attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Buckingham Fountain and more.

Visit the NAMI Convention web pages for more information including scholarship opportunities.

Announcements

Rebbie Jackson and family recently visited the NAMI office while in Washington, D.C. for a stop on her Pick Up the Phone suicide prevention tour. Jackson’s message is inspired by the experiences of her daughter, Yashi Brown, who was diagnosed with mental illness as a young adult. Mother and daughter have given many recent interviews discussing the experiences of facing the family’s struggles while in the celebrity spotlight and promoting Brown’s new book of poetry, Black Daisy in a White Limousine.
Steve Puibello, member of NAMI’s GLBT Networking Group, is featured in the Spring 2011 issue of Sane Magazine. In the article, Puibello shares his story of overcoming the obstacles in his life, including dual diagnosis, to find a path of recovery and become a strong advocate and fundraiser for mental health and HIV/AIDS among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

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New Resources

Youth Mental Illness in Indian Country: Addressing a National Failure

Laurie Flynn discusses the need for attention on suicide prevention among Native American youth and celebrates the February launch of the Center for Native American Youth, a new policy program at the Aspen Institute in Washington DC on the TeenScreen blog. Flynn is the executive director of the TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University and former executive director of NAMI.

¡Avanzamos! Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Family-to-Family

The latest issue of ¡Avanzamos!, NAMI’s popular bilingual publication (all articles provided in both Spanish and English), is coming soon to a mailbox near you. With a sleek new look, this issue honors the thousands of NAMI volunteers who help spread the word about mental illness, recovery and available support through NAMI signature programs throughout the country. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Joyce Burland, Ph.D. shares the story of how she was inspired to create the NAMI Family-to-Family education program. This issue also features stories of the growth and impacts of other NAMI programs, all of which now available to Spanish-speakers.

Click here to subscribe to ¡Avanzamos! in print or electronic format and access previous issues in the web archive.

Upcoming Events

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum VOICES 2011 Conference: "Purposeful leadership for tangible outcomes" May 16-17, Washington, D.C.
8th Annual Shining Lights: Outstanding Leadership for a Better Future for Hispanics Awards Gala, sponsored by the National Center for Hispanic Mental Health, June 9, West Orange, N.J.

Join Us in Making a Positive Impact

Start now!

Personalized fundraising is now available for NAMI supporters. Personal web pages allow you to share your personal story, thoughts and memories while helping change the lives of people affected by mental illness. Creating and sharing your own page is easy—NAMI has provided all the necessary tools for building the web page, sending emails, setting fundraising goals, collecting donations and sending acknowledgement to your supporters.

CELEBRATE the journey of recovery.

INSPIRE friends and family to bring hope to everyone affected.

HONOR the memory of loved one who has recently lost the fight.

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Join NAMI today!

When you become a member of NAMI, you become part of America's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness. And now you can join online.