JULY 2016

Issue VII Vol. V

5205 Greenwood Ave. Ste 110 West Palm Beach, FL 33407

561-588-3477 www.namipbc.org

The Voice

UPCOMING ELECTIONS The Election Season is upon us! Florida’s Primaries are August 30th and the General Election is Novem-ber 8th. With many candidates on the ballots and many issues to consider, now is the time to really dig in and do your homework. Get to know the candi-dates and their stand on issues of importance to you. Also, now is the time that you may actually be able to meet candidates face to face. The state legis-lature is not in session and many candidates are out and about in the community meeting constituents face -to-face.

NAMI’s national office has a Public Policy Platform, outlining the wide range of issues and public policy challenges facing individuals living with mental ill-ness. This comprehensive document is available at NAMI.org under the Get Involved section. Subsec-tions include Learn About the Issues and Advocate. NAMI Florida is in the process of resurrecting its Leg-islative Committee. A draft Legislative Priorities doc-ument is in the works. This draft document, availa-ble under the Advocacy section at NAMIFlorida.org, establishes legislative priorities specifically for NAMI Florida. Priorities noted in the document include Health, Access (to Medicaid), Employment, Educa-tion (Emotionally Disturbed Children and Youth), Peer Support and Workforce, Housing, and Jus-tice. Also on the NAMI Florida website is a legisla-tive locator to assist you in obtaining the names and contact information of your legislators.

Under the leadership of one of our new board mem-bers Helen Trainor, NAMI-PBC is also in the process of re-establishing a committee devoted to legislative advocacy. NAMI-PBC will work closely with the state organization to align our efforts with the priorities established on the state level. If this effort is of

interest to you, please give us a call (561-588-3477) and let us know. We will contact you when we set up our meeting schedule or have activities scheduled that may be of interest. Most of all, please remember to educate yourself on the is-sues and the priorities of your representatives, and then get out and vote! In Florida’s last gen-eral election in 2012, only 72% of registered vot-ers voted. This time around, don’t be one of those who stays home.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Marsha Martino

In May NAMI/PBC served

588 individuals

We answered 187 phone calls

5 attended the Cognitive Enhancement Therapy

13 attended NAMI Family-to-Family Education

42 attended NAMI Presentations

99 participated in NAMI Peer Council and

N.O.W. activities

48 attended NAMI/PBC Family Support Groups

157 attended NAMI Connection Groups

19 attended the NAMI/PBC Y oung Adults

Group

25 attended the NAMI/PBC Adolescent Support

Groups

5 REACH for Teens mentored

WHAT’S COMING UP!

Page 2

JULY IS NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Campbell was a champion for mental health education and support among individuals of diverse communities. A leading African American author, she co-founded NAMI Urban Los Angeles and received NAMI’s 2003 Out-standing Media Award for Literature. She died in 2006. ©

2016. NAMI. All rights reserved. Visit www.nami.org/minoritymentalhealth to learn more.

Get Involved - join NAMI Palm Beach County’s NAMI Walks

at John Prince Park on November 12, 2016 Call Carmen at 561-588-3477 for more information

“It’s not shameful to have a

mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.”

—Bebe Moore Campbell

NAMI GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

NAMI of Palm Beach County, 5205 Greenwood Ave #110, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Join us for July’s General Meeting

LATEST UPDATES ON SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH

Presented by:

McLean Bolton, Ph.D.

Research Group leader, Disorders of Neural Circuit Func-tion

Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience

NAMI/PBC General Meetings are free and open to the general public.

NAMI’S MYSTERY DINNER

Buffet-style Dinner and a Show!

Friday, August 26, 2016, 7:00 pm

Tickets $50 - Advance Sales Only

Get your tickets soon - this event sells out!

Go to namipbc.org to purchase online or call

the NAMI office at 561-588-3477

WHAT’S COMING UP

Page 3

NAMI PEER COUNCIL MEETING Friday, July 29, 4:30 pm

Join us for bingo, pizza and refreshments afterwards

NAMI Office, 1520 10th Avenue, N., Suite D

Lake Worth, FL 33460

Call Michael at 561-588-3477 to RSVP

NAMI On Wednesdays (N.O.W.)

Make sure you “drop in” for Arts & Crafts, Book

Club, Games, Speakers, Computer Training, Ad-

vocacy, Movies and more at NAMI On Wednes-

days (N.O.W.), 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. NAMI PBC

Office 1520 10th Avenue, N., Suite D., Lake

Worth, FL. For more information, call the NAMI

office at 561-588-3477.

NAMI TEEN GROUP

A recreational and social group for teens guided by Peer Specialists. Are you interested in art, games,

and socializing? Contact Peter Davey for more information at 561-588-3477.

Lake Worth Theater

Wednesday, July 6, 2016, 8:00 pm

ROCK OF AGES

This musical brings back the 80’s!

Free Outreach Performance

Reservations are required by calling Michael or Chris at 561-588-3477

N.O.W. HAT PARTY

Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm

$8.00 per person includes:

2 hrs. bowling, shoe rental, pizza and drinks

Call Michael or Chris to RSVP 561-588-3477

BOWING AT GREENACRES LANES

Peer Council Picnic at Okeeheelee Park on Sunday,

June 12. We had 23 join us for food, fun and plenty

of sun!

IN THE NEWS

Page 4

From left: Luis Maldonado, Peter Davey, Car-

men Moore, and Carol Passeser receiving their

certificates for Mental Health First Aid. The

training was provided by Alpert Jewish Family

and Children's Services.

Fourteen new Family-to-Family teachers joined the

NAMI-Florida ranks on June 6. Representatives from

seven affiliates attended the training sponsored by

the Tallahassee affiliate: Hernando County, Jackson-

ville, Marion County, Palm Beach County, Tallahas-

see, Volusia/Flagler, and Wakulla County. Florida

Council on Community Mental Health graciously pro-

vided the use of their facility for the statewide train-

ing. Congrats to Marsha Martino and Christy Potter!!

34 showed up for the NAMI Volunteer Training

last month!

A great turnout also for Project Connect in June.

Marsha Martino manned the NAMI resource table.

Katherine Murphy and Pete Davey manned the NAMI resource table at the 3rd Annual Stu-dent Mental Health and Wellness Con-ference on June 8 at Park Vista High

Peer and Family Support Groups Call 561-588-3477 for more information

NAMI/PBC Connection Recovery Support Groups

Lake Worth (NAMI Office) 1520 10th Avenue N, Suite D Lake Worth, FL 33460 Sat. 6:00-7:30pm

Delray Beach (Toole Building So. County Mental Health Center) 16158 S Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484 Mon.. 1:45-2:45pm & Wed. 10:15-11:30am

Hypoluxo (Amigos Group — Jeff Industries) 111 E Coast Avenue, Hypoluxo, FL 33462 Mon. 2:30-4:00pm

Jupiter (Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network) 140 Intracoastal Pointe Dr., Suite 208, Jupiter, FL 33477 Mon. 5:30-7:00pm

NAMI/PBC Young Adults Group 18-35 Year Olds

Lake Worth (NAMI Office) 1520 10th Avenue N, Suite D, Lake Worth, FL 33460 First 3 Fridays of the month 6:00-7:30pm

NAMI/PBC Adolescent Support Groups - Regis-

tration Required

NAMI/PBC Family Support Groups

West Boca (West Boca Raton Library) 18685 State Road 7, Boca Raton, FL 33498 1st Tuesday 6:30-8:00pm

Boynton Beach/ Delray Beach (Hagen Ranch Library) 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446 2nd Tuesday 6:15-7:45pm

Jupiter (Southeast Behavioral Health) 140 Intracoastal Pointe Dr, Ste 208, Jupiter, FL 33477 3rd Thursday 6:30-8:00pm

Wellington (Wellington Regional Library) 1951 Royal Fern Drive, Wellington, FL 33414 2nd Monday 6:30-8:00pm

Other Local Support Groups for Peers

GROUP MEETINGS

South County Mental Health Center Depression Bipolar Support Alliance 16158 S Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484 1-877-858-7474 for directions ALL DISORDERS (Building E. — Toole Building) Wed. 7:00-9:00pm

Peer Place Support Center 2100 45th Street, Suite B12, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 561-712-0584 for directions and information Schizophrenics Anonymous Mon, Wed, Fri. 2:00pm-3:00pm DRA (Living in the Now) (12 Step Co-occurring) Tues,

Thurs, Sat. 10:30am-11:30am Peer Support Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-4:00pm; Sat. 9am-1pm

Fair Oaks Pavilion (Behind Delray Community Hospital) 5440 Linton Blvd, Ste 1010, Delray Beach, FL 33484 Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Mon. 7:00 pm 561-716-7511 Jupiter Fire Station No. 19 322 N. Central Boulevard, Jupiter, FL 33458 561-633-7525 for information Depression/Bipolar Thurs. 7:00-8:30pm

West Boca Medical Education Center 21644 State Road 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428 For directions and info: Jason Spielman 954-217-1757 OCD 1st Thurs. 7:30-8:30pm

Trauma Support Group Center for Trauma Counseling, Inc. 801 Lake Worth Road, Suite 101, Lake Worth, FL 33467 Tues. 6:30-8:00 pm, Contact Helya 561-444-3914

Support for Eating Disorders Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness 1649 Forum Place, # 2, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561-841-0900 Mon. 7:00-8:30pm Thurs. 7:00-8:30pm Friends and Family Support Group Weds. 7:00-8:30pm

Jupiter 50 South US Highway 1, Suite 309, Jupiter, FL 33477 Grades 7-8: Mon. 5:30-6:30pm Grades 9-12: Mon. 6:30-7:30pm

Page 5

NAMI/PBC N.O.W. (NAMI on Wednesdays)

Lake Worth (NAMI Office) 1520 10th Avenue N, Suite D, Lake Worth, FL 33460 Wed. 11:00am-4:00pm Drop-in

NEW - NAMI Teen Group — Social/recreation If interested, contact Peter Davey for more details at 561-588-3477.

MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER - Helen Trainor

Mark your calendars for the NAMI Young Adult Group’s

free upcoming Summer Film Series. Of Two Minds is

the featured film on Friday, July 15 at 6:00 pm at our

Lake Worth office. This free event is open to all. Call

Peter at 561-588-3477 for more details.

THINGS TO KNOW

Page 6

Reverend Helen Trainor is a former criminal defense and civil rights lawyer. She was the first Director of the Virginia Institutionalized Persons Project for the Charlottesville, VA-based Legal Aid Justice Cen-ter. She and her team were responsible for bringing the plight of prisoners suffering from mental illness who are placed in indefinite solitary confinement to public attention and was the driving force behind a lawsuit that compelled the Virginia Department of Corrections to provide decent health care to women at Fluvanna Correctional Center. Rev. Trainor is also a 2002-03 United States Supreme Court Fellow and an ordained Episcopal deacon.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM

By Dorothy Kelleher

If you have a loved one in crisis and need the services of a CIT officer, you should call 911 and give the necessary information to the dispatcher, making sure the dispatcher understands that you do need a CIT officer sent to the scene. NAMI and CIT work closely together in providing this service.

We had 11 join us last month for our fea-

tured film Touched With Fire

THINGS TO KNOW

Page 7

THINGS TO KNOW

Page 8

Please help welcome Carmen Moore, NAMI PBC’s new Development Coordinator, to the NAMI-Walks team! We are thrilled to have her aboard!

The first Walk planning meeting was held at the Lake Worth office on June 11. We are in need of people to fill Committee Chair positions and we are always looking for volunteers. We are actively seeking local businesses to become sponsors. Sponsorship Brochure packets are available for pick -up at either the West Palm Beach or the Lake Worth office. We can also mail or email packets to you. For more info send an email to Carol Passeser at namiwalkspbc@namipbc.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE NAMIWALKS Kick-Of Event

Saturday, September 10th 10:00am – 12:00pm

5205 Greenwood Ave, West Palm Beach

Join us for brunch as we get ready to “HAVE a BALL and WALK for ALL!!” We will review team building, sponsorship opportunities, Walk Day details, and provide you with the tools you need to help the 2016 Walk be amazingly successful! For additional details and to RSVP, call Carmen at 588-3477.

Have you registered or created your team yet? To register, simply log on to www.namiwalks.org/palmbeachcounty today.

THINGS TO KNOW

Page 9

Make your purchases through smile.amazon.com and select NAMI Palm Beach County as your charity and NAMI

will receive 0.5% of the purchase price with no cost to you! Remember us for holidays, birthdays and special

A TRUE COMMUNITY LEADER

By Liz Downey

In June I read a Facebook posting from one of our mem-bers. She shared that her ill son was on the streets and she was frantic. A lot of us can relate. I was so moved by her post, that I wanted to share it with all of you because with the elections coming up, it’s important for us to know when one of our leaders’ actions show he is truly invested in his community. I am speaking about Bobby Powell who has been a member of Florida’s House of Representatives and is now running for a seat in the Florida Senate. Bobby and his staff have made many referrals to NAMI and it has been an honor to have worked closely with him. Below is our member’s post:

I wanted to take just a moment before I went to bed to tell you about a man whose compassion I will never forget. Many of you know I have son who has been diagnosed with a mental illness. The past few weeks have been very trying. Last evening, amid several sightings of my son darting out in traffic on foot and appearing despondent, State Representative Bobby Pow-ell saw him. The Representative had held a kickball game a little over a year ago and my son and he had battled over who was the better athlete. He recognized that it was my son and they both revisited where they had previously met. Bobby Powell reminded my son that he (Bobby) was a decorated track star in the day and my son insisted that he was a decorated football player and much younger, hence faster. A foot race ensued and I still can't recall who won. Fast forward to last evening, Bobby Powell offered him a ride and surprisingly my son accepted. Bobby called me immediately and advised that he had my son and said he was taking him on the campaign trail. I tried to warn against it since my son was not at his best, but Bobby insisted. When the evening came to a close, and long after I had gone to bed, Bobby wanted to make sure my son was fed and safe and allowed him to sleep over near his headquarters. I got a call this morning and needless to say, I was relieved to find my son rested and eager to tell me all of the things he had done the day before. "Ma we put out signs, we knocked on doors, I ate,” he said. In speaking with Bobby, it was indeed an adventure. My son spilled soda in his car, wrinkled his suit jacket, and gave him and in-depth tour of the neighborhood as he saw it......lol.

What I am most thankful for is the Representative's willingness to take a substantial amount of time out with my son. Bobby

has been instrumental in my mental health journey. He was the one who introduced me to NAMI Palm Beach County and Liz Downey, the then Executive Director. Through that relationship I have been able to better understand my son, his journey, and the importance of spreading awareness within communities of color. As a friend, as one of his constituents, and as a fellow resident of District 88, I am honored to be under his leadership. I'll never forget him for his tremendous extension of kindness to my kid and to a cause that matters to us both. Thank you. You will always have my support!!!!!

It’s not often that you find a politician with the caliber of Bobby Powell. He definitely rolls up his

sleeves and gets down in the trenches with us. I can’t believe many people, much less a politician,

would have taken the time, especially in the midst of a senatorial campaign, to show Respect , Com-

passion and Hope to one of our own. Thank you Bobby, and good luck!

From left: Pete Davey, Carmen Palacios, Rep. Bobby Powell, Marsha Martino, Liz Downey, Veronica Witt In front: Donna Estes

Non-Profit Organization

US Postage Paid

West Palm Beach, FL

Permit No. 1327

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Palm Beach County

Mollie Wilmot Center—Palm Healthcare Pavilion

5205 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 110

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Or Current Resident

NAMI Membership exists at 3 levels: Affiliate, State & National. NAMI is a 501(c)(3) non -profit, charitable organization—contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Together, we can continue to fight for all those affected by mental illness. PLEASE NOTE: In

order for NAMI/PBC to receive your full donation, please send your donation to the NAMI/

PBC office. Thank you!

Contributions benefit NAMI|PBC, a not for profit tax exempt organization. A COPY OF

THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF NAMI|PBC

(CH 6498), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SER-

VICES AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-

7352 WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY EN-

DORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. NAMI|PBC

receives 100% of each contribution.

Members are NAMI/PBC’s lifeblood; your member-ship helps us continue to

provide free outreach, support & education. In bringing mental health

issues to wider attention, we advocate for better

treatment. As our mem-bership base grows, our voice becomes stronger.

Respect, Compassion & Hope … NAMI Works!

I’d like to support NAMI PBC with a donation of: __ $25 __ $50 __ $100

other: $____

5205 Greenwood Ave., Suite 110, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

T: 561.588.3477 F: 561.588-3499

Email: info@namipbc.org Website: namipbc.org

I’d like to volunteer for NAMI/PBC’s 2016 Walk. I wish to receive NAMI National’s solicitations.

Check here for renewal: Date:_______

Name:______________________________

Address:____________________________

City/St:_____________________________

Zip:_________....Phone:_______________

Email:______________________________

MEMBERSHIP: Regular $35 Open Door $3

SPONSORSHIP: Family $55 Professional $65 Corporate $250