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Archives for March 2016

Gifts that Give: ‘A New Day Designs’ Supports NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore

March 24, 2016 by Guest Writer

AND-LogoI wanted to spark public awareness of the strong connection between those in need and those who want to help. So I decided to launch a philanthropic business called A New Day (AND) Designs that would support non-profit organizations who share in a mission to celebrate and support resilience of the human spirit.

Here at AND, we design and produce various kinds of jewelry and other products which are sold online. All of our products contain the AND logo, a union of the  ‘&’ symbol (representing connection of strength of community and support for one another) and the rising sun (symbolizing the promise of a new day). It represents Resilience, Strength, and Grace. When wearing and sharing this symbol, it is like a talisman, a reminder of our inner strength and the promise of tomorrow.

With every purchase of an AND product, we donate all profits to our designated non-profit beneficiaries, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Metropolitan Baltimore. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore connects people to a supportive community of peers who help one another cope with the challenges of living with a mental health condition. Each year, NAMI Metro Baltimore provides essential education, support, and public awareness services at no cost to more than 4,500 people in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. NAMI Metro Baltimore’s programs include support groups, education classes, workshops, presentations, and mentoring programs – all of which help make a positive change in the lives of people living with mental illness and their loved ones.

Not only does AND support NAMI Metro Baltimore’s work financially, but it also helps end stigma by sharing their stories. AND’s website contains a page dedicated to sharing stories of recovery and resiliency. Megan Roach, a NAMI In Our Own Voice presenter, shared her story on the AND story page:

“I have found my passion…I love sharing my story of living well with my illnesses and I know that other people are helped too. Many have come up to me after a presentation and told me that they were helped, or feel that they can understand and help a loved one more, due to my story! It’s the best feeling in the world.”

To learn more about A New Day Designs and its products, please visit www.anewdaydesigns.com.

Randee Greenwald is the founder and CEO of A New Day (AND) Designs.

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Filed Under: Featured

New NAMI Family Support Group

March 15, 2016 by Caitlin Mulrine

NAMIFSGNAMI Metropolitan Baltimore has launched a new NAMI Family Support Group in partnership with Bon Secours Baltimore Health System.  Support group meetings are held at the psychiatric unit of Bon Secours Hospital, located in the West Baltimore community. The free weekly support group serves family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.

Family members often play a significant role in helping and supporting a loved one who develops a mental health condition. It is important to know you are not alone. The Family Support Group offers the opportunity to connect with others facing similar circumstances and to learn from shared wisdom.

NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to be heard and get what they need. Support groups are facilitated by trained family members who understand the impact of mental illness first-hand. Group leaders encourage empathy, guide productive discussion, and foster a sense of community.

The support group helps family members gain a deeper understanding of mental illness and to develop coping and communication skills. Participants also learn how to identify and access community resources and supportive services.

To attend the support group:

Every Tuesday, 3:00-4:30pm
Bon Secours Hospital
2000 W. Baltimore Street, 5th Floor
Street metered and garage parking is available.

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Filed Under: News

Getting Teens Talking about Mental Health

March 8, 2016 by Caitlin Mulrine

DSCF0335

NAMI and Empathy Club leaders introduce the short film Opening Minds.

High school can be a challenging time for any student.  But, for many adolescents, it is also commonly the time of onset for a mental illness. 1 in 5 youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition, and yet more than half are not receiving help. Students at the Friends School of Baltimore started the NAMI and Empathy Club to ensure their peers get mental and emotional support when they need it.

Raising awareness and reducing stigma is key to increasing the likelihood that teens seek out mental health care. Club leader, Cloris Feng, hopes to challenge the misconceptions surrounding mental health and says the new student organization aims to “be the first to reach out, so students know help and support is there.” The club worked with school counselor, Kristy Norbert, and then reached out to NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore to find ways to get students and teachers talking about the issue.

Last month, the club hosted a school-wide assembly to start the mental health conversation. Students viewed Opening Minds: Ending Stigma, A Young Person’s Perspective, a short film that explores the signs of mental illness and how to seek support through personal stories. Warning signs of a mental health condition can include significant changes in behavior or mood for more than 2 weeks, trouble sleeping, or worries or fears about daily activities.  The film shows that mental health conditions are more than just the blues, and affect one’s thinking, feelings or mood, and ability to function.

Following the assembly, students met in their advisory groups with a teacher or counselor for small group discussions about the film. Kristy, who led an advisory group of 8 students, found that many of the teens were surprised to learn the statistics. Advisory groups were then engaged to find ways to make changes at school. Groups had many ideas, including enhancing the “freshman-senior buddy” peer mentor program and creating spaces for students to openly discuss their feelings and experiences.

The next week, students had the opportunity to continue the conversation over lunch.  The group was able to hear stories of mental illness from two NAMI In Our Own Voice presenters who are individuals living in recovery. Students also had the opportunity to ask the presenters questions, providing a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with a mental illness.

Discussing what a teen is experiencing and feeling with others is an important step to getting help. Cloris and fellow club members hope that students will be able to find a trusted person to talk with if they are experiencing mental health challenges. In the coming months, the NAMI and Empathy Club will continue to increase awareness and build safe and caring spaces at the Friends School. The club members are planning a project to post notes with kind and encouraging messages around the school.  The club is also looking forward to forming a NAMIWalks team to increase awareness and challenge stigma not only at school, but also in their community.

Learn more about children and adolescent mental health.

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Filed Under: Featured

Information Session Survey

March 4, 2016 by Caitlin Mulrine

survey-infosessionWe want to hear from you! Help us plan future information sessions by taking a brief survey. Let us know what issues and resources are of interest to you and your family. Your feedback will help us provide high-quality information sessions to your community.

Take the Survey

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From the blog

Healing Together: Connecting Young Adults Living with Mental Illness

NAMI Metro Baltimore Launches New Hub at Christian Temple

NAMI Launches Stigmafree Company Partnerships

NAMI’s Impact on the Baltimore Community

Op-Ed: We Need to Talk About Depression

NAMIWalks: Join Us June 2nd

Walk with us at the Baltimore Inner Harbor to bring awareness to mental health, celebrate recovery, and raise critical funds to support NAMI’s programs.

Events

Free Community Talk: Anxiety in Children

Tuesday, May 8th, 6:30pm. Free community presentation on childhood anxiety presented by NAMI Metro Baltimore and Sheppard Pratt Health System.

May Mental Health Forum: Mental Health Players

Wednesday, May 9th, 6:30pm at Clay Pots. Don’t miss this interactive and unique performance addressing stigma, co-occurring disorders, and depression.

April Mental Health Forum: Wellness

Saturday, April 14th, 10am at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. Learn new self-care and wellness practices.

March Mental Health Forum: In Our Own Voice

Wednesday, March 14th, 6:30pm at Clay Pots. Hear personal stories of living with a mental health condition.

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy

Learn to become an effective, grassroots advocate in NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training. Trainings will be held in January and February 2018.

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