NAMI Metro Baltimore is proud to be featured in the February 2022 Issue of Baltimore Magazine! You can read more about mental health in the workplace, criminal justice system, and more by checking out our feature below.
If you would like to read the rest of the Magazine, visit their website by clicking here.
Share this story
To Our Dedicated Volunteers, Program Participants, and NAMI Friends,
The Fall of 2021 brought us some hope, as we relaunched in-person programming with great success. But, if this pandemic teaches us one thing, it will be flexibility. We have pivoted, swiveled, and salsa danced around each scenario thrown in our path – and unfortunately it is time to do so again.
We have made the tough decision to temporarily suspend our in-person support groups through February, 2022. Our staff have been closely monitoring trends in COVID-19 data and are following the advice of public health officials. While it has been so special to bring community members back together in a physical space, we feel it is important to do our part to protect the health and safety of our participants and volunteers.
We know that our support groups and classes are essential for many to manage and maintain their mental health and wellness, and that this decision will have a big impact on the people who count on us. As such, we want to make clear that the support groups that were in-person will be made available through Zoom.
To view our updated support group offerings and how to access them, please click here or visit www.namibaltimore.org/support-groups
All support groups will be held virtually in January and February 2022. In mid-February, we will re-evaluate the state of public health and determine how groups will operate in March and April 2022. We are so grateful for your patience and flexibility as we are trying to create the best experience for our participants and volunteers.
I know you, like me, are exceedingly weary over this ongoing pandemic and the constant changes. At the same time, I am increasingly hopeful over the elevated voices around mental health. The conversations are happening all around us – in the media, in schools, in the workplace, and yes, even in line masked-up at the grocery store. The buzz around mental health that initiated in 2020 at the onset of COVID-19 has become a roar. 2022 might be off to a rough start, but we will persevere and we will get louder!
Yours in Health,
Kerry Graves
Share this story
The Mental Health Education Conference for Faith Leaders offers participants the opportunity to gain a better understanding of topical issues pertaining to mental health and the effects of stigma. Faith community leaders will learn new strategies for supporting their congregation’s mental health needs by effectively “Putting their Heads Together”.
Participants will hear from fellow faith leaders, experts in the mental health field, and peers and family members whose lives have been impacted by mental illness.
Check out our presentation line up below!
May 5th: Dr. Que English “The Kids are not OK: Mobilizing Faith and Community Leaders to address Youth Behavioral Health”
May 12th: Rev. Kevin Wayne Johnson “Suicide Prevention: Why It Matters and How You Can Help”
May 19th: Rabbi Ilan Glazer and Rev. Jermine Alberty “A Conversation About Recovery”
May 26th: Rev. Pamula Yerby-Hammack, Robin Schaffer, and Dr. Sharlene Allen-Milton “Putting Our Heads Together” Panel
Join our newsletter to stay in the know about other NAMI Metro Baltimore Events!
Past Faith Conferences
NAMI Metro Baltimore’s annual conference for faith community leaders took place virtually in 2021 and was a 3-part webinar series to help educate and support faith leaders. Participants learned new strategies and gained tools to help support the mental well-being of their congregations.
This educational program has passed, however you can view recordings of the Webinars of your interest by clicking the links below. Be sure to click the play button on the bottom of the screen in the new window.
A discussion led by Rev. Bryce A. Jones will define social and perceived mental health stigma and the factors that cause stigma. Participants will learn how to help reduce mental health stigma in their congregations.
About the Presenter: Rev. Bryce A. Jones graduated from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University with a Masters of Divinity. Ordained in the Gospel ministry at New Friendship Baptist Church in Baltimore, Rev. Jones currently serves as the Minister of Urban Affairs and Political and Community Outreach.
Rev. Bryce A. Jones joins us again to discuss the emotional, mental and physical toll that is often imposed on faith leaders. Participants will learn how to identify and define vicarious trauma, and more importantly how to strengthen themselves and their organization against compassion fatigue and burnout.
You can watch a recording of the Webinar by clicking here!
Dr. W. Dan Hale of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center will lead a discussion to inform participants of a congregational mental health training program and how faith organizations can get involved.
About the Presenter: Dr. W. Dan Hale is a clinical psychologist who serves as special advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and director of the hospital’s Healthy Community Partnership. He is the coauthor of Healing Bodies and Souls: A Practical Guide for Congregations.
You can watch a recording of the Webinar by clicking here!
Share this story
Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma so people seek support, sooner.
NAMI Ending the Silence Will Teach You…
For questions, contact Volunteer and Outreach Manager Sarah Arndt at sarndt@namibaltimore.org or call our HelpLine at (410) 435-2600.
Share this story
We are so grateful to everyone who joined our virtual Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony and made it a night to remember. It was a great year for NAMI Metro Baltimore. Learn more by reading our full annual report.
During the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, we reflected on our impact from the last year, engaged in an insightful discussion with our esteemed panelists about mental health and the workforce, and recognized professionals and community members who go above and beyond to support the mental health of our fellow Baltimoreans.
Couldn’t make it to the live event? You can catch the recording on YouTube by clicking the play button, below!
For any questions, please contact info@namibaltimore.org or call our HelpLine during weekdays from 9am – 5pm at (410) 435-2600.
Share this story
On Friday, October 15th, we’ll be joining our friends at Johns Hopkins University’s Centro SOL and Fortalece tu Bienestar for a Facebook Live conversation about mental health in the LatinX community.
We’ll be joined by experts Cecilia Suarez, Omaira Mejija Castano, and Aida Pinto Medina as they discuss the importance of reaching out for support if you are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other symptoms that indicate an underlying mental illness.
No registration is required! Simply join by visiting our Facebook Page at noon, on Friday, October 15th!
This conversation will be held in Spanish!
Share this story
Every quarter, NAMI Metro Baltimore hosts Mental Health Forum to raise awareness and start conversations about mental health in the Baltimore Community. The Healing Us Together (HUT) project is a co-designed community-based intervention project by BHSB, Ministers Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity, and community leaders being used as a mitigation strategy for people to begin to heal from the historical and current effects of exposure to traumatic events in Baltimore.
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
At the end of this interactive session, participants will be able to:
This session is free and open to the public! Register and receive reminders by clicking the button below.
Share this story
As it becomes safe to hold in-person programming, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore has resumed a few of its support groups at Sheppard Pratt and Christian Temple. We will continue to offer virtual support groups as well, on an alternating schedule.
We will follow all safety protocols set in place by both the Baltimore City and County Health Departments and our partners to ensure the safety of participants.
Space is limited, so advance registration for in-person support groups is required.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our staff via email at info@namibaltimore.org, or call our HelpLine (Available Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) at (410) 435 – 2600.
We look forward to seeing you again!
Share this story
For over 35 years, NAMI Metro Baltimore has worked with dedicated grassroots leaders to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy, and support group programs for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
Join NAMI Metro Baltimore leaders for a conversation about mental health, our programs and services, and ways to get involved with our organization. NAMI Metro Baltimore is driven by our dedicated core of volunteers, and small team of 6 who are passionate about bringing awareness and support to the community in Baltimore impacted by mental illness.
Come get to know us! To receive Zoom meeting access details, click the button below and register for the event.
Share this story
We’re eager to bring mental health awareness to our community here in Baltimore, and are collaborating with other local organizations on some awesome events! Check out our event offerings below, and click the green buttons underneath each to learn more and register for the event(s) of your interest.
Mental Health Education Webinar Series for Faith Leaders
Tuesday, May 4th at 11:00am: “Critical Collaboration: Faith and Mental Health Professionals as Partners in Community Care” presented by Bishop C. Guy Robinson. This first webinar in our series will explore the critical need for strategic partnerships between professionals in faith and mental health traditions. This event has passed – catch the recording on YouTube here!
Tuesday, May 11th at 11:00am: “Mental Health Matters: Creating Effective Mental Health Ministries” presented by Rev. Domanic A. Smith. This webinar will continue the conversation about the efficacy of creating mental wellness teams by exploring the origins of health teams in organized faith systems, understanding key components of established wellness teams, and creating teams based on your faith organization’s capacity. This event has passed – catch the recording on YouTube here!
Tuesday, May 18th at 11:00am: “Supporting Internal Family Systems Mental Health Model with Spiritual Practices” presented by Claudia Cameron, LCSW-C, ATR-BC, Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen and Cantorial Intern Becky Mann, of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. This webinar will illustrate the intersections between Jewish spiritual practices and IFS, the Internal Family Systems model of mental health. They will explore how Torah study, meditation and chant can support mental health and wholeness. This event has passed – catch the recording on YouTube here.
Tuesday, May 25th at 11:00am: “Connecting the Dots…And it Doesn’t End with Us” presented by Min. Lisa Connors and Belinda Kock. The final webinar in our series will connect the dots by encouraging interfaith leaders to educate and promote mental health and substance use wellness in their faith communities. This event has passed – catch the recording on YouTube here.
Out of Stigma’s Shadow: A Conversation with Nic Sheff
Wednesday May 5th | 7pm – 8pm
Parenting During a Pandemic | Strategies for Coping and Thriving
Thursday May 6th | 12pm – 1pm
Benevolent Bubbles at Patterson Park by the Pagoda
Saturday May 8th | 2pm – 4:30pm
NAMIWalks Virtual Walk Event
Saturday May 22nd | All Day
Share this story
