Have a safe and happy New Year. As the year closes, following is a list of interesting links to the most recent news items, blog posts and information from NAMI National.

States Continue to Cut Mental Health Funding, but You Can Take a Stand
In 2015, five mental health bills stood out to NAMI. Make sure to tell your own legislators about them.

Go Take a Hike (and Get Some Vitamin D)
Have you been spending enough time outside? Avoid the winter blues by soaking up some Vitamin D and getting fresh air as often as you can.

Congress $400 Million Boost In Budget for Mental Health
The House and Senate passed and the President signed the $1.1 trillion 2016 budget bill (HR 2029) on Dec. 18. Learn more about what this new bill includes about mental health research and services.

I Am Living with Schizoaffective Disorder and I Will Not Be Silenced
I do not call myself schizoaffective. I call myself what I am: a person living with schizoaffective disorder.

7 of the Best Movies about Mental Health
Looking for movies to watch about mental health? Here are a few modern and classic movies that are worth taking a look at.

This Comic Explains What it Feels Like to Ask for Help (and How NAMI Can Be There for You)
Asking for help can be challenging and intimidating, but once you ask for help, it gets better.

I Am Not Just a Box on the DSM 5
I thought the doctors were mistaken when they first began tossing around the term borderline personality disorder in reference to me. I didn’t—couldn’t—have that.

8 of Our Favorite Blogs from Buzzfeed’s Mental Health Week
Buzzfeed recently held their first ever Mental Health Week where they posted nearly 150 blogs. Here is a list of some of our favorites.

Every Flower Deserves the Opportunity to Blossom
Stigma can be a barrier to people achieving their goals and living the life that they want to live.

What’s New on the NAMI Bookshelf?
Here are some books to check out if you are looking for new, interesting and enlightening books about mental health.

Wearing Both Red and Green Ribbons
On World AIDS Day, Stephen Puibello also advocates for mental health.

I’m Not OK, but I Will Be
I am thankful for the ability to reach so many loved ones that are afraid to get help because of the unfair stigma associated with mental illness.

From Executive Director Mary Giliberti, J.D.:

Dear NAMI Supporter,

In these final hours of 2015, I’d like to ask you to consider making one final gift of hope this year.

All year-round, people affected by mental health conditions and their families turn to us for help, for hope and for a future free from the stigma of mental illness.

There’s so much you’ve helped us accomplish this year, but as I look ahead to 2016, there’s much to be done. Your gift ensures we can serve even more families and individuals in the year ahead, improving lives and strengthening our communities for generations to come.

We can advocate for a well-functioning mental health system that offers early, effective interventions so that outcomes are better in communities everywhere.

And we must continue to educate the public on the realities of mental illness to promote acceptance and understanding for people living with mental health conditions.

This is your last chance to give the gift of hope in 2015. Your donations will help us continue to work towards a tomorrow without the stigma of mental illness.

Thank you for putting your trust in NAMI.

Sincerely,

Mary Giliberti, J.D.
Executive Director

P.S. Don’t forget to make your gift before midnight on December 31.

Following is a list with links to the Mental Health Fact Sheets currently available on the national website for NAMI. These fact sheets are clear, concise information on mental health topics. NAMI suggests they may be useful by sharing them with loved ones, taking them to appointment, or handing them out at health fairs. Each link is to a downloadable PDF file.

Mental Health Conditions

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)
• Depression
• Dissociative Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• OCD (Obsessive-compulsive Disorder)
• PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Schizophrenia

Related Conditions

• Anosognosia
• Dual Diagnosis
• Psychosis
• Risk of Suicide
• Self-harm
• Sleep Disorders

Treatment & Services

• Crisis Services
• Complementary Health Approaches
• ECT and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies
• Medications Overview
• Mental Health Professionals
• Psychosocial Treatments
• Psychotherapy
• Treatment Settings