October 1-7 is Mental Illness Awareness Week
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition — but mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends, or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness, fight discrimination, and provide support. The Theme for this week is “Together we care. Together we share.” There are many ways to get involved: nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Illness-Awareness-Week.
The photo above is an example of our volunteers making an impact. This 988 banner appears on the front of Emerson Hospital’s office building in Concord due to the efforts of Central Middlesex members participating in the Emerson Hospital Mental Health Working Group. Thank you to all who gave of your time to make this happen!
Have you benefitted from a NAMI Family-to-Family class or a NAMI Support Group? If you have, this week in October is a great time to start to care and share. Helping others who are struggling is the most gratifying use of that little bit of extra time that you have.
Good folks who touch people and make a difference are the NAMI volunteers who facilitate our support groups and teach our classes. There is a virtual training class coming up October 28th and 29th for Family Support Group Facilitators. NAMI Mass is looking for individuals interested in being trained to be Family Support Group Facilitators. NAMI Family Support Group is a free, peer-led, confidential support group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with a mental health condition. Training takes place October 28th & 29th. Interested and able to attend BOTH days of the training? Email Ilya Cherkasov at icherkasov@namimass.org to register. If you’ve experienced the welcoming empathy of our Family Support Groups and are in a place where you can offer perspective, the facilitator role might be just right for you.
Our teachers are also busy this month with a NAMI Basics class for parents of adolescents coming up on October 17th and one more Family-to-Family class still open for registration with a start date of October 10th. If you or a friend could benefit from one of these, consider signing up. If you have already enjoyed the experience and feel ready to bring it to others in need, watch for the next training session for leaders of these classes.
Registration for October Basics: namimass.regfox.com/basics-nami-statewide---october-2023
Registration for October Family-to-Family: namimass.regfox.com/f2f-nami-central-middlesex---october-2023
An on-going volunteer effort that all NAMI members can enjoy is helping at an information table. This fall we’ve been sharing our information at many community events, for instance, Wakefield's Living Well Health Fair, Bedford Day, Boxborough's Fifers Day, West Acton's Octoberfest, MaynardFest. Consider giving a few hours to help us spread the good word of NAMI to your neighbors. Contact Judy McKendry at jdmckendry@verizon.net.