NAMI Mass Convention; Two of our Members in Action

The NAMI Mass Convention was an exciting, in-person event on November 5. The keynote speaker, Ken Duckworth MD, Chief Medical Officer of NAMI, gave an animated review of his new—and first— book “You Are Not Alone.” Ken was joined by 4 peers from our area who were featured in the book. Each told a riveting story of their life dealing with mental health challenges and working toward recovery. Without a doubt, the audience was deeply engaged and connected. Books were sold and signed by all 5 panelists all through the day. Ken is making a nationwide tour and the books are selling like hot-cakes. Be sure to buy your own book in the bookstore of your choice or perhaps find it in your local library. It is a very personal, informational, and comprehensive look into all aspects of mental health. For more: nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/You-Are-Not-Alone

NAMI Central Middlesex was proud to have two of our own represented in the major activities of the day. Steve Hadden won the Program Leader of the Year Award and Lindsay Farnum skillfully ran a workshop on Cultivating Self-Compassion for Mental Health Condition Recovery.

Here, Steve Hadden is receiving his award from Eliza Williamson, Deputy Director of Programs at NAMI Mass. He has been a Family-to-Family leader (class teacher) for 10 years and has been instrumental in bringing the leaders together at the annual “Tan & Plan” party to learn from each other. He’s also taught in other affiliate areas such as Lowell and Western Mass. where single leaders needed a partner. More than all this, Steve has been a dedicated teacher spending many hours talking and sharing with his students, helping them move in a positive direction with their loved ones.

Lindsay Farnum completed the Applied Compassion Training at the Stanford University Center for Compassion & Altruism Research & Education, and she shared with attendees approaches to building compassion to support mental health recovery. Many of us feel inadequate, anxious, or discouraged because we judge ourselves more harshly than circumstances justify. Developing compassion toward ourselves is a valuable first step toward accepting what has happened, and enabling further recovery of balance and self-confidence. Lindsay shared her story and led attendees through example exercises to help them discover the real basis for compassion in their own lives.