NAMI Connecticut eNewsletter for June 25, 2019

eNews for June 25, 2019

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NAMI Connecticut News

As many of you know, Kate Mattias has departed as our Executive Director. We thank Kate for her leadership over the past 14 years. Kate has been a stalwart and committed advocate for the rights and needs of Connecticut citizens living with mental illness and their families. She developed successful and important programs to educate the public and to provide many forms of assistance to family members. Kate has also played a leadership role in promoting public policies and legislation that have improved the lives of people living with mental illness and their families, helped protect their rights, and contributed to a reduction in stigma. We wish Kate all the best in the next phase of her life.

The Board is preparing to launch a wide search for a new Executive Director. We plan to involve affiliates and other stakeholders in the process. During the transition, the Board has brought on Jeffrey Walter to serve as Interim Executive Director. Jeff served for 34 years as President and CEO of Rushford Center in Meriden and Middletown. Over the past 5 years, Jeff has worked as a consultant with many Connecticut non-profit organizations. We are also excited that Sheila Amdur has agreed to work with Jeff in overseeing programs and program staff. Sheila, of course, is well-known to the NAMI community, having served as an Interim Executive Director and, over many years, as a volunteer fundraiser for the NAMI Walk.

Please feel free to contact Jeff (namictied@namict.org) if you have any questions or suggestions concerning the transition process.

NAMI’s Ask the Expert Webinar

Antidepressants: How Do They Work?

Event Date & Time: Wednesday 26 June 2019, 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM ET

As a NAMI Member, you have the opportunity to register in advance for NAMI’s Ask the Expert Webinar! Advance registration is only available to NAMI Members and Leaders, as a way to show thanks for your support and involvement.

Hear from mood disorder expert Dr. Andrew Nierenberg as he reviews antidepressants used in both short- and long-term treatment plans. Dr. Nierenberg has published over 475 papers and has been listed in The Best Doctors in America for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in every edition since 1994.

This webinar will address the following questions: Do antidepressants work? What do they do? How do psychiatrists select which to one prescribe? What is the expected timeframe for response or symptom reduction? Can antidepressants prevent a potential symptom relapse? This webinar will also briefly discuss two new antidepressants, esketamine and brexanolone.

Following the presentation, Dr. Ken Duckworth, NAMI’s Medical Director, will moderate and facilitate an interactive Q&A session between our presenters and you, our audience.

To Register, please visit: https://communique.adobeconnect.com/namiasktheexpertdepressiontreatments/event/registration.html

PTSD Awareness Day Fair!

To be held Thursday, June 27th, 9am to 2pm in the courtyard of the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut (950 Campbell Avenue).

The event will start promptly at 9 AM with an opening/Independence Day ceremony that will feature the 102nd Army Brass Quintet, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Color Guard, and very brief comments from hospital leadership, Chaplain services, a member of the active duty military, a Veteran, and a faculty from the National Center for PTSD and PTSD Firm. Throughout the day, they will have some Veterans reading their own poetry, a Tai Chi demonstration and free class, and open mic Q&A with a PTSD psychiatrist and psychologist to provide some information and field any questions the audience may have. The local band, Black Velvet featuring Trent Morris, will perform starting around 11:30 AM.

Researchers at UConn Health are recruiting volunteers for a study of better ways to help people deal with drug or alcohol use and traumatic events. All study participants are paid up to $295 for their time.

FREE education-based discussion support group for families impacted by Opioid use. Hosted by NAMI Connecticut.

CLICK HERE for information about our Glastonbury Group

CLICK HERE for information about our Hartford Group

Raising the Volume on Mental Health in the Black Community A *NEW* Support Group

To be held the first and third Mondays of every month, in Hartford.

Introducing a NEW NAMI Young Adult Grief Support Group.

To be held every Tuesday, 6:30pm, in the greater Middletown area.

Emerging adulthood is complicated enough under "normal" circumstances…Find comfort, validation, and support as we explore this journey through grief and embrace the triumphs and challenges of young adulthood, together.

We have partnered with Actively Moving Forward® (AMF), a national support network which connects and empowers grieving young adults. NAMI-AMF chapter groups are young people helping each other learn to embrace the memories they hold so deeply within their heart and mind and to actively move forward through their grief. All are welcome – whether you’ve lost someone in your life a week, a month, a year ago, or during your childhood.

NEW NAMI Young Adult Connection Groups Alert!

2nd & 4th Tuesdays, at 6pm, in New Haven.

*AND*

2nd & 4th Fridays, 6pm, in Glastonbury.

You are NOT alone!

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