Date and Time
Wednesday, September 27th
6:00-8:00pm

Location
The Marbury Building
Johns Hopkins University Campus at Mount Washington
6225 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209

Register to Attend

This year, NAMI Metro Baltimore members, volunteers, and advocates raised their voices. We shared stories of recovery and perseverance, we spoke up to challenge stigma, and we used our voices to support important advocacy issues. Our voices reached individuals and families throughout the Metropolitan Baltimore area, and advocates made their voices heard from Annapolis to Washington.

Join us in celebrating NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s impact in the community at the 34th Annual Meeting. Hear from elected officials about issues affecting our community’s mental health in the year ahead and why it is more important than ever to raise our voices. Our distinguished panelists include Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford, State Delegate Dana Stein, Baltimore County Council Chairman Tom Quirk, and Baltimore City Councilman Kristerfer Burnett. We will be joined by Ashley James of ABC2 News, who will serve as our master of ceremonies and panel moderator.

NAMI Metro Baltimore will additionally honor and recognize dedicated advocates, community partners, law enforcement officers, and volunteers who have raised their voices to improve the lives of individuals and families living with mental health conditions.

Board of Directors Election

NAMI members will have the opportunity to elect new members to the Board of Directors. To become a NAMI member or renew your membership, please visit www.namibaltimore.org/get-involved/membership. Learn more about each of our four candidates for the Board of Directors:

• Reginald Burke, Maryland State Department of Education
• Jill Johnson, MedStar Harbor Hospital
• Dr. Carole Miller, Saint Agnes Hospital
• Michael Ritmiller, Sheppard Pratt Health System

 

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Caregiver Circle is a free, peer-based, mutual support program for caregivers to loved ones living with a co-occurring mental health and substance use condition. Trained facilitators offer support and practical knowledge to participants as they guide productive discussion. The program will help participants strengthen family support by providing resources, connection with others with similar experiences, and hope for recovery.

Caregiver Circle meet for seven, 1-hour sessions. Topics addressed will include self-care, treatment compliance, and managing relapses. This program was developed by the Metro Baltimore affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Upcoming Program Schedule

Saturdays, 10:00am-11:00am
July 8th-August 19th

Location
Christian Temple
5820 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228
Free on-site parking is available in the lower lot.

Space is limited and advanced registration is required to participate. To join the Caregiver Circle program, please contact our HelpLine at (410) 435-2600. To learn more about Caregiver Circle, please contact Director of Signature Programs, Clarrissa Taylor Jackson.

 

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Date and Time
Thursday, May 4th
9:00am-3:00pm

Location
Christian Temple
5820 Edmondson Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228

Register to Attend

NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s Mental Health Education Conference for Faith Leaders will provide current information about mental health and trauma in greater Baltimore, as well as present strategies to empower religious organizations to help end the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and treatment.

This one-day conference will grant ministers, rabbis, imams, youth and lay leaders responsible for congregational life the opportunity to hear from local experts about the “State of Mental Health in Greater Baltimore.” Conference attendees will also be able to hear of the challenges and successes from individuals living in recovery in their place of worship, speak with mental health experts, and learn from faith leaders who operate mental health ministries.

Conference workshop topics include:

• Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness and Trauma

• Virtual Voices – An experiential workshop *Space is limited*

• In Our Own Voice Presentations

• Approaches to Establishing a Mental Health Ministry

Registration Information

Conference registration is $25, and includes continental breakfast, boxed lunch, and all conference materials. Space is limited. Register here.

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Get involved with grassroots advocacy to support access to behavioral health services throughout Maryland!

Date and Time
February 28th, 7:30am-12:00pm

Location
142 House Office Building
Annapolis, MD

Register to Participate

Meet with your elected officials and share your story to advocate for policies that will improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental health conditions. Sharing your personal experiences is our most effective advocacy tool! NAMI Maryland will host a breakfast legislative briefing before attending meetings with your representatives.

Group meetings with legislators will be scheduled on your behalf by the NAMI Metro Baltimore office. Find your legislators.

Prepare for Advocacy Day

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy Training

Date and Time
Tuesday, February 7th, 7:00-8:30pm

Location
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore
6600 York Road, Suite 204
Baltimore, MD 21212

Register to Participate

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy is a hands-on advocacy training program that helps people living with mental illness, friends and family transform their passion and lived experience into skillful grassroots advocacy.

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy will help you tell a compelling story that is inspiring and makes an “ask” in 90 seconds.Participants routinely share that they’ve never been able to condense their story or made a clear “ask,” but with NAMI Smarts, they are now able to.

This training is offered at no cost to participants. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Please contact Director of Volunteers, Johanna Murphy, with questions about the training.

Advocacy Training Webinar

NAMI Maryland will host two Advocacy Training webinars to provide an overview of how to effectively tell your story. The training webinar will also review talking points and key issues in the 2017 legislative session. Two sessions will be held and registration is required.

• Monday, February 20th, 5pm – Register
• Wednesday, February 22nd, 12pm – Register

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In the event of inclement weather, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore observes the closing policies of Baltimore County Schools. NAMI Metro will share program and schedule updates, including delays and cancellations, on our website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith

Listen Here

In a new memoir, Monica Coleman reflects on the legacies of slavery, poverty, war, and alcoholism, and how these conditions can mask a history of mental illness. At once spiritual autobiography and memoir of madness, Bipolar Faith is the book Dr. Coleman was hoping to find when she was diagnosed with bipolar II, which is characterized by periods of deep depressions balanced by periods of productivity and energy. Moreover, she found precious few memoirs that engage religion and faith in truly constructive ways.

While the taboo around depression in the African-American faith community is diminishing, “I think there are people suffering from depression and bipolar disease who are also striving to maintain their faith. There are few guides or safe places where they can discuss their feelings,” says Coleman. This book is for them and for their allies.

Monica A. Coleman, MDiv, Ph.D., teaches theology and African-American religions at Claremont School of Theology (CST), in Claremont, CA. At CST, she was recently promoted to the position of full professor — making her the first African-American woman full professor at CST. Dr. Coleman is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a sought-after speaker and preacher.

Presented in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

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Although nutrition is still considered a “young” science, it is one that resonates with many. Interest in nutrition and how eating impacts our health is of great interest to people of varying ages and health histories. While much attention within nutrition remains on physical health, the influence on mental health is equally valuable.

Nutrition is the sum of its parts. What we eat over time, and other lifestyle factors such as stress management, exercise, and sleep all play a role in our physical and mental health. One of the best ways to improve our health through nutrition is adopting a big picture perspective, and keeping our focus broad. Taking into consideration how our overall lifestyle contributes to health, and then taking steps to make the best changes for our personal goals.

As you’re making changes to your nutrition, consider the idea of being inclusive rather than exclusive with regards to nutrition, by adding in rather than taking away. Try new foods, look for new sources of inspiration such as cookbooks or magazines, find a helpful meal planning system, and strive to make eating enjoyable. Eating at regular intervals keeps our energy levels in balance, and in turn helps our focus and attention. Mood can change when we are overly hungry, too full, or ignoring our physical cues altogether. Cultivate mindfulness when eating, and tune in to how you feel physically and emotionally. Make note of what foods and combinations of foods feel energizing, and what leaves you sluggish.

While there are many nutrients associated with improving mental health and mood, such as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and the B vitamins folate and B12, it is the overall intake and lifestyle that has the greatest impact. If we’re eating a variety of foods, and enjoying what we eat, we are more likely to meet our various nutrient needs. In addition, if we are caring for ourselves through adequate sleep, moving our bodies, and managing our stress, we are in a better position to make healthful decisions about food.

Research does not always indicate a cause and effect, but can often make associations with nutrient intake and changes in specific symptoms. For example, omega-3 fatty acids have been widely studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, and their link to decreasing depression symptoms. Vitamin B12 supports neurologic function, and may benefit mood. Folate, also a B vitamin, is associated with depression if levels are too low. If you have concerns about a specific nutrient playing a role in improving your mental health, such as taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements for symptoms of depression, talk with your health care providers. Including a Registered Dietitian (RD) as part of your health care team could help clarify these concerns, and provide individualized information about your health and overall nutrition needs.

Making changes to our eating habits is a process that takes time and perseverance. Paying attention to your body, and your needs is one aspect of care that can translate to good health, both physically and mentally.

About the Contributor

Samantha Lewandowski is the Nutritional Care Coordinator of Outpatient Services at Sheppard Pratt’s Center for Eating Disorders. A registered dietician, she received her BS in Nutrition from the University of Delaware and her Masters in Health Promotion Management from The American University. Her previous experience includes providing clinical nutrition services at a long term care and rehab facility and providing health promotion services for an employee wellness program. Samantha joined the Center for Eating Disorders staff in 2006, and her main role is working one-on-one with patients in the outpatient setting.

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Bebe Moore Campbell’s 72 Hour Hold tells the true story of an African American mother learning to maneuver the mental health system without family support.  Her daughter lives with a serious mental health condition – bipolar disorder. The story reflects the experiences and challenges of so many in the African American community who are impacted by mental illness, including guilt, denial, isolation, and stigma.

July is Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month, which is a time for building awareness about serious mental health conditions in diverse communities. The awareness month honors Campbell’s legacy as an advocate for individuals and families living with mental health issues.

African Americans are 20% more likely to experience a serious mental health problem than the general population. Mental illness affects not just the individual, but also the family and community. The African American community faces many unique barriers including access to treatment, stigma, and cultural insensitivity in treatment settings. The agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that African Americans and Hispanic Americans use mental health services at one-half the rate of white Americans.

Family, faith, and community can play an important role in providing support to a loved one who is living with a mental illness. One’s family and faith can be a source of strength and reduce isolation. The African American community can learn more about mental illness and find support in NAMI’s free programs for individuals and families.

Treatment and support for individuals or their loved ones is available. Mental illness requires the same diligence in care as any chronic illness, like diabetes. Communities need to support individuals living with mental illness in the same way they support a person with cancer or other serious physical illness. Communities can advocate for an improved mental health system with access to adequate treatment facilities. With effective treatment and strong support systems, recovery and wellness is possible.

Learn More

Saturday, July 30^th, 9am – 12pm

Owings Mills Library

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc® is sponsoring a book club discussion of 72 Hour Hold on Saturday, July 30^th. The event will feature African American panelists, including clinical psychologist Dr. Carter of Black Mental Health Alliance, Dr. Jordan of Community Voices, Terri Collins of the Office of the Public Defender, Tanya Brown of Daddy’s Girls Lifestyle and a NAMI In Our Own Voice presenter. Attendees are encouraged but not required to read 72 Hour Hold. All are welcome to join the discussion and learn about mental illness, treatment, available support systems, the impact of the legal system and so much more.

Roslyn Kelly is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA). Starting in 2015, NAMI and AKA are partnering to increase mental health awareness in the African American community. AKA chapters work with local NAMI affiliates, including NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, to educate communities about mental health and recovery.

 

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Last week, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore welcomed a delegation of social service providers from the Eastern European country of Belarus. The meeting was arranged through a month-long professional exchange program of The World Trade Center Institute. Members of the delegation provide a range of community health and peer support services in Belarus. They are meeting with non-profits throughout the Maryland and DC region to learn best practices.

NAMI Metro Baltimore staff offered an overview of NAMI’s grassroots model of peer-led education, support, and advocacy programs. Volunteer Coordinator, Julianne Mills, shared the ways in which our more than 220 active volunteers work throughout the community to offer resources, life-saving information, and hope for recovery. Staff exchanged practices and ideas with our guests to help them implement or strengthen volunteer recruitment and training programs in their own non-profit organizations.

Throughout the conversation, both groups recognized a common, yet profound challenge: the impact of stigma. With the aid of interpreters, the group realized that “stigma” is the same word in both the English and Russian language. They spoke at length about the stigma that exists in both cultures and the impact it has on accessing needed support and treatment. The Belarusian delegation shared similar barriers stemming from stigma, including funding and resources, government regulations, and the need for increased public awareness.

NAMI Metro Baltimore Executive Director, Sherry Welch reflects that “we share the same frustration and pain in trying to provide support for those who feel the sting of stigma, while trying to change the larger conversation around the need for understanding and healing, instead of judgment and discrimination.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, gifts, contact information, and hugs were shared. But most importantly, there was the mutual recognition that we are indeed a global community, and it is only through supporting one another that we can change our communities for the better.

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As the daughter of a psychiatrist, I grew up hearing about the great mental health services that NAMI provides to the community. I proudly wore NAMI hats and shirts at NAMIWalks year after year, but I did not fully appreciate or understand what I was supporting until this year. During an internship with NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore this year, I became more aware of the wide scope of support that NAMI offers. Coming from Boston, I was new to the Baltimore area and hesitant to start a new internship on top of a full academic workload. The entire NAMI Metro Baltimore staff took me under their wing and guided me through what turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

During an information session that I helped organize in the Madison/East End Neighborhood, I was listening to volunteers share their experience with mental illness when a concerned aunt shared about her nephew who was living with a co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorder. I started realizing how important it is that NAMI supports not only people who are directly suffering from a mental illness, but also their loved ones. Family and friends who support someone living with mental illness face significant hardship, stress, and pain; they need support, too.

As we wrapped up the session, the concerned aunt looked much more relieved to know she was not alone in what she was feeling—an overwhelming desire to fix things for her nephew while struggling with the knowledge that her nephew must be the one to take the first step. Just knowing that NAMI Metro Baltimore was available to both her and her nephew was a source of comfort for her.

At another information session that focused on trauma, I heard people talk about traumatic experiences in their lives, including miscarriages, deaths of loved ones, and breakups. I realized all of us have gone through something traumatic at one point or another in our lives. We all have a past that we are working through and a future that we are working towards. It is resources like NAMI that let us know we are not alone and that help is available when we are lost.

One of the most important lessons I learned during my internship is this: no one is immune to mental illness. Anyone’s mental health can change, and anyone can have a loved one who develops a mental illness. NAMI aims to wipe away the stigma that is so often associated with mental illness which prevents people from seeking the help they need. This is the point of NAMI’s information sessions and classes—to give people an outlet to ask for help and to provide guidance during a time of need.

Naomi Plasky served as the 2015-2016 Johns Hopkins SOURCE Service Scholar at NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. She supported outreach efforts to expand NAMI’s support and education programs in previously underserved . Naomi is pursuing a MPH/MBA at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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