Events & Resources February 2023

Family-to-Family Class starts March 11 (in person!)

When: Saturdays, starting March 11, 9 - 11:30 am; last class May 13
Where: First Congregational Church, 21 Church Street, Winchester MA
Contact information: Linda at mojolb2@gmail.com
Register For Cambridge/Middlesex & Central Middlesex F2F Class

Meet NAMI Mass Executive Director, Dr. Myisha Rodrigues

When: Monday, Feb. 6, two online sessions
Afternoon Session | 3 - 4:30 pm. REGISTER (required)
Evening Session | 6 - 7:30 pm. REGISTER (required)

DEAFinitely & This is My Brave: Heart Truth- Mental Health Stories from the Deaf Community

When: Saturday, March 4 @ 7 pm
Where: The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472

This is the first ever live show featuring twelve Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing storytellers who will share personal stories of mental illness and recovery to break down stigma, uncover access barriers in the mental health system, and celebrate the resilience of the Deaf community. This show is for ages 15+. Learn more, including tickets and accessibility

Addressing Anxiety & Depression in Young Adults: Leveraging What Works

Often young adults face the stigma of discussing mental health problems and have nowhere to turn for help. This is particularly true for people of color and those in underserved communities.
What: A ClassACTHR73 Online Forum from the Cole Resource Center
When: Wednesday, March 1, 7 - 8:30 pm
Register: Here 

“EmerSong” A Capella Night Raises $ for Behavioral Health Services

EmerSong, the Auxiliary of Emerson Health’s cabaret-style evening, conceived to support its inpatient and outpatient Behavioral Health Services, is back after a COVID-induced, two-year hiatus.  The event, which features local high school, college, and adult a capella groups, has traditionally been a sellout.
When: April 1, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Where: 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord.
Cost: $30. For more information and tickets, visit EmersonHealth.org/EmerSong

Statistics can be Staggering

Use this link, Statistics, to view the January 2023 Psychiatric Patient Access to Continuing Care Services, a publication of the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems. This illustrates the crisis in continuing care and available beds in medical facilities in the Commonwealth. At the end, the “recommendation for collaborative action” shows exactly what the new DMH Help Line and the CBHCs and Mobile Crisis Units are starting now.

Recent Report on use of 988 from NPR

This reports good utilization of 988 in the number of calls, texts, and emails; more than prior activity on the suicide hot line. The population in need seems to be using 988. It’s a good report that publicity and information reached the people. In general, it is encouraging but still improvement is needed on the service end. Listen here to the report from January 16: npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/16/1149202586/988-lifeline-sees-boost-in-use-and-funding-in-first-months

Virtual “Sharing Our Stories” Presentation

When: Thursday, February 9, 5 - 6 pm
Register for Feb SOS presentation

IOOV Presentation

When: Tuesday, February 28, 5 - 6:30 pm
Register for Feb IOOV presentation

Enjoy NAMI’s ‘Get One, Give One’ Promotion

Pay it forward this new year! If you purchase a copy of NAMI's first book, “You Are Not Alone” by Dr. Ken Duckworth, we’ll send a complimentary book to a recipient of your choice. Learn More

Share Your Story For NAMI’s Next Book 

Dr. Christine Crawford, NAMI National's Associate Medical Director, is writing the second NAMI book focused on youth mental health — and she's hoping to speak to individuals and families with lived experience. Please email azielinski@nami.org, with your name and an overview of your experience with mental health.

Vital Village x BPL: Children’s Mental Health Storytime

When: Thursdays, January - April (Zoom)
Time: 3:30 - 4 pm

Families with young children are invited to Children’s Mental Health Virtual Storytimes co-hosted by the Vital Village Network Mental Health Committee and Boston Public Library. Together, they will bring families together for book readings and activities focused on Social-Emotional Learning inspired by their Children’s Mental Health Storytime Toolkit. Sessions are designed for families with children 3-8 years old, however, younger and older siblings are welcome to join the fun! At the end of the session, there will be an opportunity for Q&A and resource sharing with parents/caregivers. View the VVN Calendar for the registration links

Calendar

Refer to the Support Group page of our website to find contact details.

Thursday, February 9: Family Support Group, Burlington, 7:30 – 8:45 pm
Thursday, February 9: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS), 7 – 8:30 pm
Monday, February 13: NAMI Central Middlesex Steering Committee Meeting, 7 pm. Contact us if you would like to participate: nami.cmsx@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 14: Family Support Group, Acton/Littleton, 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, February 14: Family Support Group, Winchester, 6:45 – 8:45 pm
Thursday, February 23: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS), 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, February 28: Family Support Group, Acton/Littleton, 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, February 28: Family Support Group, Bedford, 7:30 – 9 pm
____________

Mark your calendars for these important future events:

Monday, March 27: College Panel, 7 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, April 4 - 6: NAMI Mass Advocacy Day, online
Saturday, May 20: NAMIWalks Massachusetts at Artesani Park in Brighton, MA; Start planning today at namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1349

NAMI Central Middlesex Board of Directors 2023

All current board members may be contacted through the affiliate email address, namicmsx@gmail.com.

President: Lori Krinsky
Vice President: Jennifer Morazes
Secretary: Rachel Krebs
Treasurer: Jennie Payne
Community Outreach Coordinator: Judy McKendry
NAMIWalks Coordinator: Tom Scurfield
Advocacy Coordinator: Lori Krinsky
Support & Education Coordinator: Ivy Pompei
Board Member at Large: Dee Febba
Board Member at Large: Kristin Howell
Board Member at Large: Dawn Bentley