Thursday, September 27th, 6:00pm | Baltimore Center Stage

For 35 years, NAMI Metro Baltimore has served the greater Baltimore community. We have provided quality education, empathetic support, and hope for recovery to individuals and families whose lives are impacted by mental health conditions. Today, we have grown to serve more than 6,500 people each year.

We hope you will join us September 27th at Baltimore’s Center Stage for a celebration of our impact in the community. The event will showcase one of NAMI Metro Baltimore’s greatest strengths – our stories. Hear from a series of diverse and compelling storytellers, who will share their experiences living with a mental health condition or caring for a loved one.

Announcing: Special Guest Zeljko Ivanek

We are delighted to announce that Emmy-award winning actor, Zeljko Ivanek, will join us as the evening’s narrator. He currently stars in the CBS show Madam Secretary. His many tv and film credits include True Blood, 24, Three Billboard Outside Ebbings, Missouri, Argo, six happy seasons the Baltimore based Homicide: Life on the Streets, and many others. His many stage credits have earned him three Tony nominations.

We hope you will mark your calendars to join us for this special evening. Event tickets will go on sale July 1st. Stay tuned for more details!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available to support NAMI Metro Baltimore’s 35th Anniversary Celebration. See our sponsorship package for sponsor levels and recognition benefits. For more information, please contact Deputy Director, Caitlin Mulrine.

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Thank You to Our 35th Anniversary Celebration Sponsors

Spotlight Sponsor

 

 

Marquee Sponsors

First Maryland Disability Trust | The Spurrier Family

Contributor Sponsors

Carole Miller | Jimmy Potash and Sally Scott | SC&H | Schochor, Federico & Staton, PA

Media Sponsor

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May is Mental Health Month. This month and throughout the year, NAMI Metro Baltimore builds awareness of mental health, stigma, and recovery. 1 in 5 people – 43.8 million adults in the United States – live with a mental health condition, including depression and anxiety.  Mental health conditions and the stigma that continues to surround them affect people from all walks of life.

Stigma can have serious consequences. It can cause people to feel isolated and alone. Stigma can also keep people from seeking help and treatment when they need it. In fact, 60% of adults living with a mental health condition did not receive any treatment services in the past year.

This Mental Health Month, we hope you will join us in the #WalkInMyShoes campaign seeks to bring greater awareness to mental health, and to help those who are personally impacted to feel less alone. The campaign aims to educate the community, offer support, and encourage those who need help to reach out.

Join the #WalkInMyShoes Campaign

We invite you to join us throughout Mental Health Month in the #WalkInMyShoes campaign. Here’s how to get involved:

1. Post a photo of your shoes on Instagram or Facebook with the caption: #WalkInMyShoes
2. Feel free to add a brief sentence sharing your experience of what it’s like to live with a mental illness, or caring for someone who does.  #WalkInMyShoes
3. If you don’t want to share your story, but want to show you understand, simply show a picture of your shoes and caption it with #WalkInMyShoes
4. Follow NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore on Facebook and Instagram.

Walk with Us – June 2nd

Ready to take the next step? Lace up your walking shoes and join us at the 16^th Annual NAMIWalks Maryland on Saturday, June 2^nd at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  Gather friends, family, and colleagues to form a team. Register your team today– be sure to say you’re walking with the Metro Baltimore affiliate! By walking with us, you’ll bring critical awareness to mental health and raise funds to support NAMI’s programs in our community.

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NAMI’s education and support programs for individuals and families will be offered this summer. NAMI’s programs will help you expand your understanding of mental health and navigate resources for recovery. All programs are peer-led by trained volunteers with lived experience of a mental health condition, either as a peer or family caregiver.

Class and support group begin in May. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. To reserve your space in an upcoming program, please contact the NAMI Metro Baltimore HelpLine at (410) 435-2600.

Upcoming Schedule

NAMI Family-to-Family

NAMI Family-to-Family is 12-week education program for family members and caregivers of a loved one living with a mental health condition. It is a designated evidence-based program that includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises. Learn more.

When: Wednesdays, May 30th-August 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Christian Temple Church, Fellowship Hall, 5820 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228

Caregiver Circle

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. Learn more.

When: Saturdays, June 2nd-July 14th, 10:00am-11:30am
Where: Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

NAMI Basics

NAMI Basics is a free, 6-session education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing mental health issues. You’ll learn the facts about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school and when they’re getting medical care.

When: Saturdays, June 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 9:00am-2:00pm
Where: MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baum Conference Center, Conference Room A
3001 S. Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225

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Winter is here and with it comes snow, ice, and cold weather. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore observes the closing policy of Baltimore County Public Schools, including delays, closures and cancellation of weekend and evening activities.

NAMI Metro Baltimore will share all weather delays and cancellations for our office and programs at www.namibaltimore.org. Announcements will additionally be shared on the NAMI Metro Baltimore Facebook and Twitter accounts.

While we never like to close or cancel our programs, the safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff are our top priority.

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NAMI programs provide outstanding education, support, and resources to individuals and families who are affected by mental health conditions. NAMI’s education programs can help you to better understand mental illness and recovery, and to advocate for yourself or a loved one.

NAMI Basics and NAMI Peer-to-Peer will be offered in January 2018. Advanced registration is required to participate, and all classes are provided at no cost. Classes will fill quickly – to reserve your space please contact the NAMI Metro Baltimore HelpLine at (410) 435-2600.

See the full program schedule and detailed program descriptions below to find the program that is right for you.

NAMI Basics

When: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
Start Date: January 6th
End Date: January 20th

Where: Christian Temple
5820 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228

NAMI Basics is a free education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been diagnosed. The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience—they know what you’re going through because they’ve been there. The program provides critical strategies for taking care of your child and learning the ropes of recovery. Learn more.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer

When: Saturdays, 10am-12pm
Start Date: January 13th
End Date: March 17th

Where: Clay Pots
1635 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, 10-session educational program for adults with mental illness who are looking to better understand their condition and journey toward recovery. Taught by a trained team of people who’ve been there, the program includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises. Learn more.

 

 

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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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