Monthly Archives: June 2015

Watch MHC–the Mental Health Channel

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The Mental Health Channel is here. Arcos Films offers 12 regular shows with 47 episodes currently filmed out of 120 that are planned. Each episode is about seven minutes in length, and is always available on the MHC website free to view, free to share and commercial free.

Find it at http://mentalhealthchannel.tv/

Tune in now and you can eventually tell others that you were present at the creation. MHC seeks to provide “engaging, enlightening, informative programming, commercial free” to help everyone improve mental health.

Episodes include “A Circle of Friends” (Emily has dealt with anxiety and depression since age six), “The Right Response” (San Antonio’s police crisis intervention team), and “Ill in the Family” (May Howard and her sister live their inherited bipolar disorder). All 12 show themes are:

  • The Inside Story
  • The Journey Home
  • Critical Years
  • Cracking Up (Comedy)
  • Mental Fitness
  • Dr. Brain
  • The Common Good
  • Family Portrait
  • The Developing Brain
  • MHC Student Films
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Participate in Stanford University’s Work & Stories Project

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Stanford University is seeking people to participate in their Work & Stories project. This project is designed to collect stories from a variety of people with psychosis who see themselves as successful in their chosen vocational paths.

Linked to the right is a flyer with information about the project and the contact information for those leading it. The project will help to highlight the success that individuals with psychosis achieve in life. Please share this information with individuals you may know who live with psychosis and might be interested in participating.

Survey. A direct link to the project’s survey is available here.

Website. Visit the project’s project website for additional information (including a sample completed survey).

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Seven Things about Mental Health

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From the Article: 7 Things to Remember About Mental Health by Sandy Smith at the NAMI National Blog.

Although we all experience and interpret life in different ways there are a few universal truths for those living with a mental health condition. These are just a few examples of simple mental health realities everyone should know.

Mental Health Conditions Are Real

Mental illnesses are just as real and valid as physical illnesses. Whether there are malfunctions in the brain or in the body, people need proper diagnosis and treatment. Many early deaths are also attributed to mental illness in the form of suicide.

It’s Not a Personal Weakness

Scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an organization devoted to research, prevention, and treatment of mental illness, have determined that mental illnesses are dysfunctions of the brain… (see more HERE)

Everyone is Different

Each case is unique, as all individuals are unique. Even among people with the same diagnosis, every person will experience it differently. Not every person will exhibit all the common symptoms of their particular disorder… (see more HERE)

You Can Help Your Family Member or Friend

If one of your loved ones lives with a mental health disorder it is critical for their recovery that you give them compassion, respect, understanding, encouragement, and support. Be careful not to pressure or force your loved ones to do things. You can’t tell other people how to think or feel… (see more HERE)

You Can Fight Stigma

You can’t control what other people think, say, and do, but you do have control over yourself. Even if you don’t know someone who lives with mental illness, you can do your part to help by spreading the truth, reducing stigma and increasing public awareness about this serious health problem. Please support these efforts just as you would for breast cancer or any other physical disease.

You Are Not Alone

(see more HERE)

There is a Lot of Information and Resources

For more information about mental health research, visit National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). To learn about the prevalence and impact of mental illness, read the Director’s Blog, “Mental Health Awareness Month: By The Numbers”.

Information and opportunities to get involved can also be found right here on NAMI’s website. You can learn. You can find out how to support yourself or a loved one. Or you can see how to get involved and make a difference in your community.

Guest Post || The New Advocates

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I Run This Mind

I am so honored to have Rudy Caseres featured as a guest post on I Run This Mind this week.  Rudy and connected via Instagram, a social media platform that has done wonders to bring together those who are diagnosed with mental illnesses and advocates around the world. Rudy’s support of my own endeavors has been nothing but encouraging. I am so happy to be able to return his support and share his words here. You can follow Rudy on Twitter and Instagram, and check out his website here.

Rudy’s post reminds me of the continued importance of openness, honesty, and most importantly, acceptance in the mental health community and beyond.  We have to be loving and accepting of one another before we can gather the strength to encourage others to be loving and accepting of us; both are vital for real progress towards health in the mentally ill…

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Meeting Tonight about Special Needs Trusts

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Attorney Karen R. Holt will speak at our June 15, 2015, meeting about Special Needs Trust. Karen has spoken at our meetings in the past and her information has been very valuable to our members. If you don’t already have one, it will be your chance to learn about special needs trusts. If you have one established for your loved one, it will be your opportunity to gain current information and updates about special needs trusts. Information is very critical to avoiding loss of government benefits. You won’t want to miss this informative presentation at 7:30 PM at the First Lutheran Church.

In addition to Special Needs Planning, Karen’s practice includes Comprehensive Estate Plans, Business Formation, Real-Estate Transactions, Trust Administration and Probate. Special Needs Planning, in particular, involves advice and documents for complicated issues such as how to leave inheritance or gifts to a loved one who suffers from a disability or advanced age and whom may need long-term care.  Proper planning provides the necessary protection to insure the best financial and medical benefits available while enhancing quality of life for those family members who may not be able to plan for themselves and need our help the most.

The meeting will be preceded by Caring and Sharing Group Support at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Chat Room. The Speaker Meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church is at 2900 Carson Street, in Torrance, California.

PTSD Workshop – June 27

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“PTSD – The Prisoner Within: Contemporary Challenges In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder”

In recognition of PTSD Month and the National PTSD Awareness Day, Argosy University in coordination with Del Amo Behavioral Health Systems and Patriot Support Programs is conducting a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Seminar.

Continuing Education Unit Earned for this Seminar

Date: June 27, 2015
Time: 9:00am-12pm

Keynote Speaker

C. Carl Wilson, LPC, CRADC is the Installation Director of Behavioral Health at the Marine Corp Logistical Base, Barstow, CA (MCLBB). He is a licensed psychotherapist in Missouri and Iowa. He has a license and certifications in Substance Abuse, Anger Management and Human Behavior. He served in the Army for 11 years before returning to social services. He has worked for several years with the Department of Veteran Affairs. He currently serves as a seminar and workshop presenter for Covenant Counseling, offering courses in Anger Management, Substance Abuse and Marriage Boot Camps around the country. His background includes private practice and inpatient treatment case management. Carl’s primary area of research has focused on the relationships between anxiety and hypertension. He is currently working on a doctor of behavioral health degree with a completion of December 2015.

Agenda

  • 9:00am – 9:30 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
  • 9:30am-12:00pm: Event with Panel Discussion of Industry Professionals

Come Meet and Greet with Argosy University and Discover:

What is PTSD? | Impact of PTSD? | PTSD and the Military | How to jump start a career in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Forensic Psychology or Criminal Justice and more…..

Location

Argosy University
5230 Pacific Concourse Drive Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Save the date in your calendar and RSVP. More details will follow soon.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Angelique Jackson | ajackson@argosy.edu | 310.531.9664

 

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NAMI Support Group Facilitator Training

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Announcement from NAMI San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valley

  • DATES: June 27-28th, 2015
  • START TIME: 8:00 am. Saturday
  • END TIME: 6:00 pm Sunday
  • LOCATION: Encino, California
  • TO REGISTER: Contact your local affiliate for an application. Candidates must be referred by their affiliate education coordinator/Family to Family or Basics teacher/active Support Group facilitator or local NAMI board member. Applications are remitted to Bmedof@calottery.com
  • COST: Materials, training, and meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner both days) are covered.  Transportation cost is not reimbursed.
  • SPONSORED BY: NAMI SFV-SCV

NAMI Support Group Facilitator Requirements:

  • Membership in NAMI is $35.00 annually. To find your affiliate’s website and additional contact information go to namicalifornia.org or call NAMI California at 916-567-0163.  References from your local NAMI affiliate will be requested.
  • It is important that all individuals trained in this curriculum have lived through the experience of having a first degree relative (brother, mother, spouse, etc.) with a mental illness. Caregivers of someone with mental health challenges will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  • Be at a point in their life where they are familiar and comfortable with the emotional issues families face and can self-disclose about their own feelings regarding their life situation.
  • Be willing to lead a support group for at least once a month for two years. It is understood that unexpected situations may occur in which flexibility in this policy will be needed.

References from your local NAMI affiliate will be requested. Once you are accepted into the training you will receive an email acknowledgement. Emailing confirmation letters will be sent beginning June 15th.

Announcement initiated by:

Bob Medof, Support Group Facilitator Coordinator
NAMI SFV-SCV,California
NAMI California Family to Family
National Alliance On Mental Illness
1851 Heritage Ln.  Ste. 150  Sacramento, CA 95815
Tel: 916-567-0163  FAX: 916-567-1757
Email: Lynn.Cathy@namicalifornia.org