Events & Resources January 2024
Registration for Certified Peer Specialist Training
The KIVA Center is sponsoring a no fee training for Certified Peer Specialists. A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a trained professional who shares their lived experience of mental health recovery, resilience and healing in employment settings that include inpatient, emergency services, respite, community health and outreach services, prevention and Recovery Learning Communities. The course will meet on a hybrid basis Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in March. The registration period is January 8-19.
For more information: kivacenters.org/certified-peer-specialist, or 617-807-0222. See the button below for a FAQ document.
Youth Mental Health First Aid in Westford
Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents from ages 12-18. The January 30th no fee training will be in person in Westford, 10:15-4:00. More details and registration avialable in the button below.
Student Mental Health Essay Contest
This essay contest, Share with Youth: Speaking Up About Mental Health, challenges high school students ages 16—18 to raise awareness about mental health. Students are invited to submit essays that share ways to eliminate and/or reduce mental health stigma faced by young people, especially in diverse communities. Submissions due by January 16th.
For more information: youth.gov/announcements/share-youth-speaking-about-mental-health
Basics Course Registration Waitlist
NAMI Basics is a six-session weekly course designed for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents showing signs of behavioral and emotional challenges. Highlights include accessing care, communication skills, working with schools, and self-care. The class is taught by NAMI trained family members.
There is a wait list forming for an upcoming virtual Basics course, date to be determined. You can add your name to the general registration waitlist. Once a new Basics courses is scheduled, we will be in contact regarding next steps for registration. Sign up for the waitlist here: namimass.regfox.com/basics-nami-mass---general-waitlist-.
NAMI Ask the Expert: An Evidence-Based Conversation on Violence and Mental Illness
This January 18th, 4:00 pm webinar reviews the topic of violence and mental illness from an evidence-based framework. First, the webinar will highlight different ways that social stigma and cognitive bias fuel exaggerated beliefs about the link between violence and mental illness. Then, empirical research will be presented, demonstrating that the scientific link between violence and mental illness is weaker than commonly believed—numerous other risk factors are stronger predictors of violence.
Registration: nami-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xx1-Q-BvTJWs3adZZub31g#/registration
NAMI Central Middlesex Board of Directors 2023
All current board members may be contacted through the affiliate email address, nami.cmsx@gmail.com. Our January meeting is set for Monday the 8th at 6:30 pm via Zoom and is open to our membership.
President: Lori Krinsky
Vice President: Open
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: Dawn Bentley