Events & Resources October 2023
NAMI Basics Course via Zoom
When: Starts, Tuesday, October 17th; last class on Tuesday, November 21, 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Register: Basics Course Fall 2023
Contact:Ingrid at Iledeman@comcast.net.
NAMI Central Middlesex Virtual Family-to-Family Class
When: Tuesdays, starting October 10th
Time: 6:30 – 9 pm
Register for 10/10 Central Middlesex F2F Class
UPDATE: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Old meeting time: Thursdays, 12 – 1:30 pm on Zoom
NEW meeting time: Beginning September 28th, this group will meet at 3 – 4:30 pm via Zoom
Contact: Jessica at jessica_garue@yahoo.com or Ariana Skye McSweeney at arianaskyemcs@gmail.com
NEW: Family Support Group for Parents of Pre-teen to Teens (POPS) – Virtual
When: 4th Wednesday of the month, starting October 25
Time: 7 – 9 pm via Zoom
Contact: Robin at robinbahr1@gmail.com and Joy at cummingspj@worcesterma.gov
Self-Injurious Thoughts & Behaviors in Youth
Who: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
When: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | 2 pm EDT
Register
Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) commonly begin during adolescence and are of growing concern. Mental health services for youth who experience SITBs are often limited, with crisis lines being among the most easily accessible support. However, more services are needed that more explicitly target factors that contribute to SITBs. This presentation reviews recent results on the characteristics of youth who use a particular crisis service, the role of neurobiology in SITBs, and an ongoing study incorporating both neuroimaging and intervention in an effort to further our understanding of how to best help youth with SITBs.
Recovery Foundations: Peer Support Training
Recovery Foundations is a training that provides an introduction to Peer Support and Wellness. It is designed to help anyone new to peer support engage in self-exploration of what recovery and wellness mean to him/her, as well as learning about the many existing opportunities to become part of the growing peer support workforce.
Recovery Foundations is unique because it does not assume there is only one way for a person to become a peer supporter. Rather, it offers the opportunity to both learn and practice basic peer support skills in a guided, comfortable environment and learn about the many ways to provide peer support to others.The training consists of 8 sessions of 1 hour and 30 minutes during which a Training Team of experienced peer supporters introduces the skills and practice of Peer Support. These sessions will be facilitated during weekly Zoom meetings on Thursdays.
Dates: Thursday, October 26 - Thursday, December 21
Time: 10 am-11:30 am
Contact for Application: Rachely Ramos, CPS; phone: 978-687-4288 ext. 201 or email: rramos@nilp.org
October Sharing Our Stories Presentation
NAMI Mass Sharing Our Stories (SOS) is an impactful presentation delivered by two family members of people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters share their personal journeys as caregivers or supporters. Audience members will have the chance to ask questions and engage in discussion with the speakers.
Date: Monday, October 16
Time: 5 – 6 pm
Register for Oct SOS presentation
October In Our Own Voice Presentation
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a powerful presentation that aims to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters with lived experience of a mental health condition talk openly about their experiences and how they have found pathways to hope and healing. Audience members have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about mental health, and challenge misconceptions.
The presentation is offered free of charge and is appropriate for diverse audiences, including family members, friends, mental health professionals, and people diagnosed with mental health conditions. IOOV presentations are available for businesses, hospitals, high schools, colleges and universities, communities of faith, community organizations, and more.
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 5 – 6 pm
Register for Oct IOOV presentation
Youth Mental Health First Aid
For: Adults: teachers, parents, all community members
Purpose: Teaches adults how to identify and respond to mental health and substance abuse challenges in youth ages 12-18.
Date: October 11, 2023
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Place: Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St. Acton, MA 01720
Registration: Email Brittany Nash: bnash@westfordma.gov
NAMI Mass 2023-2024 Legislative Priorities
NAMI Mass aims to provide direction and guidance on policy issues affecting mental health in the Commonwealth to affiliates, state agencies, community stakeholders, advocates, and the general public.
View Our One-Pager With Priority Bill
Share YOUR Experiences with Mass DMH
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health has an online option to encourage individuals to share comments/complaints about interacting with the Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) or the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline. If you have had need of these new services, please take this opportunity to make your experiences known. Click here: Roadmap Feedback Portal
October 2023 Calendar
Refer to the Support Group page of our website to find contact details.
Thursday, October 5: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS), 7 – 8:30 pm
Monday, October 9: NAMI Central Middlesex Steering Committee Meeting, 7 pm. Contact us if you would like to participate: nami.cmsx@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 10: Family Support Group, Acton/Littleton, 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 10: Family Support Group, Winchester, 6:45 – 8:45 pm
Thursday, October 12: Family Support Group, Burlington, 7:30 – 8:45 pm
Thursday, October 19: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS), 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 24: Family Support Group, Acton/Littleton, 7 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 31: Family Support Group, Bedford, 7:30 – 9 pm
Thursday, November 2: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS), 7 – 8:30 pm
Monday, November 13: NAMI Central Middlesex Steering Committee Meeting, 7 pm. Contact us if you would like to participate: nami.cmsx@gmail.com
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: 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