NAMI Finger Lakes News This Week- September 10, 2021

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NAMI Finger Lakes This Week- September 10, 2021

At National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Finger Lakes affiliate, we provide advocacy, education and support for families of people living with mental health conditions. In our weekly e-news, we share events and resources of interest to our mental health community. You'll find more resources and information at our website namifingerlakes.org

In this newsletter:

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
NAMI FL Special Forum: Suicide Awareness- September 27
NAMI Finger Lakes Crisis File
NAMI FL Scheduling Upcoming Family to Family Classes
In Person Outdoor Family Support Group- September 24
Register for Upcoming Support Group
NAMI Finger Lakes Family Forum- Mental Health Services For Medicaid Eligible Children and Adolescents - September 28
NAMI Tips for Back to School Wellness
NAMI FL 2021 Programs and Services Guide
Opportunities to Support NAMI Finger Lakes
Hold Your Next Fundraiser For NAMI Finger Lakes- We Can Help!
Like-Follow-Share NAMI FL

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

or call 911 immediately.

Local to Tompkins County, you may also dial 607-272-1616

NAMI Finger Lakes Special Forum: Suicide Awareness

September 27, 2021 - 6:30PM EST

Join us as we raise awareness on the topic of suicide in a virtual discussion with our local Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services organization, guests who have been impacted by suicide who share their experience, and a representative of NAMI NYS to discuss the upcoming 9-8-8 implementation.

Research shows that discussion and awareness around the topic of suicide can reduce the risk. Let's work together to end the stigma as we explore the many aspects of suicide such as the local services available, how to get help, what challenges exist, honoring the experience of those we've lost, and a new approach coming with the 9-8-8 Crisis model in Summer of 2022.

More details to come. Registration is required.

This event will be held on Zoom.

The NAMI Finger Lakes Crisis File contains valuable resources for families in search of help during a mental health crisis. You'll find resources for emergencies, housing, mental health treatment, services and more.

Click to Find Crisis Resources

NAMI Finger Lakes Scheduling Upcoming

Family to Family Classes

What is Family to Family?

This free eight session class will help family members understand and support their relatives living with mental illness, while maintaining their own well-being.

Family to Family classes are led by trained volunteers with lived experience of supporting a family member with a mental health condition. They will walk you through the following topics.

Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery
Effective communication strategies
The importance of self-care
Crisis preparation strategies
NAMI and community resources

Course participants will receive extensive materials on symptoms of mental illness, diagnoses, and medications; caretaker “self-care”; and strategies for helping and communicating with our relatives.

Visit NAMI Family-to-Family for more information about the program.

There are THREE openings in our upcoming class that begins October 3rd - Sundays 4:00-6:30 PM- through November 21st.

This class will be held virtually using Zoom.

Please contact [email protected] or call 607-288-2460 to inquire and reserve your spot before September 19th.

What People Are Saying

"The course gave me hope that it will be okay, that I am not alone and reduced a lot of shame, guilt and hopelessness."

"I felt safe in this class. I was able to talk about things I haven't been comfortable expressing elsewhere."

"By taking this course, I have met others who are going through the same things I am and have learned about many resources that I never knew existed."

"I thought my wife and I knew just about everything there is to know about the system and the illness. Boy, were we wrong. Without a doubt, this is the best support course I have had the privilege of taking part in, bar none."

In-Person Outdoor Family Support Group

You'll receive confirmation that you've been registered and an email with information about a downtown Ithaca location (TBD) on the day of the meeting. With respect to the safety of our facilitators and participants, vaccination for in-person meetings is preferred. Anyone not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask.

NAMI Finger Lakes Support Group Registration

NAMI FL Family Support Groups are led by family members who have gained understanding through lived experience. At our support groups, we share concerns, coping skills, and compassion in a supportive atmosphere, and build bonds with people who genuinely understand.

NAMI FL support groups currently meet on Zoom.

To register or for information on how to attend, email [email protected] or call 607-288-2460 for assistance.

NAMI Support Groups are for people 18 and over who have a loved one living with a mental health condition.

Family Support Group:

Third Monday of the month 1:30 PM-3:00 PM- (September 20th)

First Tuesday of the month 7:00 PM-8:30 PM- (October 5th)

Partner/Spouse Support Group:

Fourth Thursday of the month 7:00 PM-8:30PM (September 23rd)

Look for information soon about our September In-Person Support Group in this newsletter!

Click to view our Support Group Materials

If you need support now, please call the NAMI Finger Lakes Help Line at 607-273-2462. Our Help Line is answered by local NAMI family members who have experience with loved ones living with mental illness.

NAMI Finger Lakes Family Forum; September 28 @ 6:30 PM EST Mental Health Services For

Medicaid Eligible Children and Adolescents

Attorneys from Disability Rights New York will present on the types of community-based mental health services that should be available to children and adolescents on Medicaid.

The attorneys will also discuss and welcome feedback about the barriers that families face when trying to access these services.

DRNY is an independent nonprofit organization designated to advocate for the rights and safety of New Yorkers with disabilities. DRNY is committed to enabling those we serve to exercise their own life choices and to fully participate in community life. To learn more about DRNY, please visit www.drny.org.

Supporting Back to School Wellness

Check Out NAMI's

Tips for Back To School Wellness

For over a year the school experience has changed like never before.
NAMI has recommendations for understanding feelings when returning to school, having conversations, and prioritizing children, family, and educator mental health.

Click the image for a printable flyer to keep on the fridge and in your classrooms so everyone can have a better school year together!

NAMI Finger Lakes 2021 Programs & Services Guide

NAMI Finger Lakes 2021 Programs and Services Guide

Please Print and Share The NAMI Finger Lakes 2021 Program Guide

Printable PDF is available by clicking on the image.

Opportunities to Support Our Services

NAMI Finger Lakes programs and services are always free so families impacted by mental illness can access information, education and support when they need it most. It is because of the generosity of folks like you who care about mental health that we can accomplish this goal every day. If you or your group would like to raise funds for NAMI Finger Lakes, please get in touch!

We can help make it simple and easy to do! Please contact Executive Director, Beth McGee, today at [email protected] or call 607-288-2460 for more information. We'd love to work with you on your next event. On behalf of the families we serve, our volunteers, Board of Directors and staff, we thank you for considering support for NAMI Finger Lakes.