The Voice

The answer to the title question is a resounding

“yes”! A year and a half ago, we began a project to create a

grassroots mental health advocacy network in Florida. The

time seemed right (Florida ranked last in mental health

spending in the U.S.) and the need was obvious (there was

no voice for those of us at the grassroots level to make our

mental health stories known). A year and a half later, we

are well on our way to forming advocacy groups statewide;

joining with Mental Health America (MHA) affiliates in that

effort; and working with the NAMI Florida Board to speak

with one voice on issues that most affect our membership.

So far, there are NAMI or joint NAMI/MHA

advocacy groups in six areas: Greater Jacksonville, Broward,

Palm Beach, Hernando, Hillsborough, and Sarasota.

Working this year with Jeremy Morse, the Chief Executive

Officer of MHA Palm Beach County, we expect to expand the

advocacy network to four NAMI/MHA affiliates in the

Panhandle, Tallahassee, and Collier County. By the end of

the year we also expect to have a group going in Miami-

Dade and Greater Orlando.

We hired Alisa LaPolt, the former Executive

Director of NAMI Florida, to be our expert lobbyist. She has

guided us as we’ve learned about the legislative process in

Florida and about the power dynamics that drive the

legislative agenda. Most importantly, Alisa is on the ground

in Tallahassee and can attend the committee meetings in

which mental health issues are discussed and testify on our

behalf. Alisa tells us that we are witnessing Florida mental

health policy at a tipping point—where, for the first time,

our legislators themselves are standing up and telling their

own mental health stories and where one legislator has

vowed to start a mental health caucus in the Florida House

of Representatives.

This year, we decided to support three initiatives: a

bill to bring Florida into compliance with federal law

requiring all insurers in Florida to cover mental health and

substance abuse benefits at the same level as all other

benefits (insurance parity); a bill that would make it easier

to become a peer specialist and would create a line item to

support first episode psychosis in areas throughout Florida;

May 2019

Issue V, Vol. IX

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

561-588-3477 www.namipbc.org

and a bill that would set up a taskforce to bring together all of

the major players in housing in Florida to come up with

solutions to the lack of low-cost housing.

And…we can report modest success in our first year! All of

these issues impact us in some way, whether we live with

mental illness and/or take care of folks who live with mental

illness. Two out of the three issues we supported have traction.

As I write, the peer specialist bill (reducing barriers for

becoming a peer specialist) made it all the way to the Senate

Appropriations Committee, and the housing taskforce is now at

the end of its committee journey in the House State Affairs

Committee. Unfortunately, the parity bill went nowhere and

follow-up with the state insurance agency that can enforce the

law concluded with a clear indication that the state would

neither enforce the law nor require insurers to report on their

compliance with the law.

I urge you to consider joining our NAMI/MHA advocacy

group. You don’t have to have prior training or advocacy

experience. We all help each other along as we learn together.

Maybe you don’t feel as though you can understand mental

health issues and policy—that’s okay because maybe you are

willing to email or call your legislator with a prepared message.

Maybe you don’t want to take direct action but you are really

passionate about a mental health issue that has affected your

life—start reading and learning about that issue so you can

serve as the “go-to” person for the rest of us on that issue.

Maybe you like meeting and greeting and can serve as an

ambassador from our affiliates to the legislators in our

community, meeting with them and developing personal

relationships with them and their aides. Maybe you don’t

want to do any of this but you do want to serve as a liaison

with all of the other advocacy committees so that our mental

health message is coordinated and consistent.

We have made a great start—now we need your assistance for this dream to reach its’ fullest potential. If you would like to get involved, please contact me at helentrainor@namipbc.org and let me know what your area of interest is and what level of involvement you feel comfortable with!

Is Mental Health Advocacy in Florida Important?

By: Helen Trainor, NAMI PBC Advocacy Coordinator

SAVE THE DATES

May 06 – Autism and Mental Health (p. 4)

May 06 – Mindfulness for Busy People (p. 4)

May 13 – NAMI Ending the Silence-Families (p. 4)

May 16 – The Habit of Happy (p. 4)

May 19 – Peer Council Annual Picnic (p. 5)

May 20 – NAMI Ending the Silence-Families (p. 4)

May 23 – Wear Green for Mental Health p. 4)

May 24 – NAMI Reunion (p. 2)

May 26 – Peer Council Meeting (p. 5)

May 27 – Memorial Day (NAMI Closed)

May 28 – Autism and Mental Health (p. 4)

May 29 – 10 Best Ways to Save on Prescription

Medication (p. 2)

May 29 – NAMI 101 (p. 2)

May 30 – Your Dependent with Special Needs (p. 4)

Jun 14 – NAMI Destination Dinner (p. 3)

Jun 15 – Peer Council Trip Norton Museum

Jul 13 – Peer Council Yard Sale

Nov 02 – NAMIWalks

Dec 12 – NAMI Annual Luncheon

*See p. 9 for support group listings.

Page 2

NAMI Reunion Potluck

Join NAMI families and friends at our new monthly event, the NAMI Reunion Potluck. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with friends from your Family-to-Family or Peer-to-Peer class, socialize with other families, NAMI Connection and Peer Council members, and NAMI leadership and staff. Please join us at this

very informal event—no sign up, no lists; just show up with some food or beverage to share!

Friday, May 24, 2019, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

NAMI Lake Worth Office

1520 10th Ave North, Suite D., Lake Worth, FL 33460

RSVP 561-588-3477

10 Best Ways to Save on

Prescription Medication

30-minute presentation by Samantha Hobbs,

Discount Prescription Services

Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Followed by:

NAMI 101

Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

NAMI Lake Worth Office

1520 10th Ave North, Suite D.

Lake Worth, FL 33460

In March, NAMI PBC

served 704 individuals

We answered 231 family calls

68 attended NAMI Presentations

39 attended NAMI Family Support Groups

176 attended NAMI Connection Groups

19 attended the NAMI Y oung Adults Group

28 Teens attended NAMI Ending the Silence

14 Teens Mentored, 22 Adults Mentored

107 participated in NAMI Peer Council and

NAMI on Wednesday activities

NAMI Destination Dinner

DESTINATION:CHINA

June 14, 2019, 6:30 pm Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Hall

2100 N. Florida Mango Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Come join us and be a part of a special evening of dinner, entertainment, raffles, and more!

$55.00 per person for non-members

$50.00 per person for members $500 Table of 10 people

Prepayment Required

Please RSVP by May 26, 2019.

RSVP: 561-588-3477 or https://namipbc.org/destinationdinner/

Free Parking is available. If you have a seating preference please call the NAMI office at 561-588-3477.

Page 3

Page 4

Mental Health Month Talks in May

NAMI Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County Library System will present a series of mental health topics in May.

Monday, May 06: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health

Presenter: Alison Bourdeau Jupiter Branch Library, 11:00 a.m.

Monday, May 06: “Mindfulness for Busy People”

Presenter: Brandyce Stephenson Okeechobee Blvd. Branch, 2:00 p.m.

Monday, May 13: NAMI Ending the Silence for Families

Presenter: Amanda Kopacz Main Library Branch, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 16: The Habit of Happy

Presenter: Ryann Watkin

Acreage Branch, 2:00 p.m.

Monday, May 20: NAMI Ending the Silence for Families

Presenter: Allison Moyel Glades Road Branch, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health

Presenters: Darius Murray and Alexzandria May Main Library Branch, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 30: Your Dependent with Special Needs Presenters: Douglas Vogel and Michelle Hollister, ESQ.

Royal Palm Beach Branch, 2:00 p.m.

Page 5

NAMI ON WEDNESDAY (N.O.W.) Drop In

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Drop In for Arts & Crafts, Games, Socializing & more!

NAMI Lake Worth Office, 1520 10th Ave. N., Ste. D, Lake Worth, FL 33460 For more information, call the NAMI office at 561-588-3477.

Join us Wednesday, May 8th, for Birthday Celebrations!

Peer Council

Upcoming Peer Council Events

Annual Picnic Sunday, May 19th 12:00—2:00 p.m.

South End of Bryant Park South Lakeside Dr., between 4th and 5th Ave. South

Lake Worth, FL 33460

The NAMI PBC Peer Council

had a great time at the Kravis

Center on April 12th. They

experienced the Palm Beach

Symphony’s Precious Gems

with Conductor Gerard

Schwarz.

We would like to extend a

special thank you to the Palm

Beach Symphony for this

special opportunity.

Peer Council Meeting Sunday, May 26th 2:00—4:00 p.m.

NAMI Lake Worth Office 1520 10th Ave. N., Ste. D, Lake Worth, FL 33460

Pizza & “Pokeno” game

Page 6

This 1-hour presentation for parents and primary caregivers includes information on warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child, and how to work with school staff.

Monday, 5/13/19, 6:00 p.m.

Main Branch Library

3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Monday, 5/20/19, 6:00 p.m.

Glades Road Branch Library

20701 95th Ave. South, Boca Raton, FL 33434

RSVP: 561-588-3477 or info@namipbc.org.

Education

Saturdays —Boynton Beach

June 29th - August 17th

1:30-3:30 p.m.

Call for location and to register: 561-588-3477

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health

conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.

Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions

and informative videos. However, as with all NAMI programs, it does not include

recommendations for treatment approaches.

Page 7

Ryan Yule is the NAMI PBC’s new Administrative

Coordinator. She began working for NAMI in April

2019. She brings her experience in the hospitality and

event coordination industry.

Ryan grew up in Palm Beach Gardens and has always

been passionate about being a part of her community.

This is her first time working in nonprofits, and she is

eager to contribute to mental health awareness and

eliminating the stigma.

Welcome, Ryan!

WRAP One On One

NAMI PBC will now offer One on One Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

mentoring. WRAP was developed in 1997 by a group of people who were experiencing

mental health challenges. NAMI Peer Specialists will offer individualized support for

individuals who are developing their WRAP plans.

Topics include: Wellness Toolbox, the Daily Maintenance Plan, Triggers Identification

and Action Plan, Early Warning Signs Identification and Action Plan, When Things Are Breaking

Down Identification and Action Plan, A Crisis Plan or Advance Directive, and the Post Crisis

Plan.

This program is made possible through the generous support of The United Way of

Palm Beach County and The Healthcare District of Palm Beach County. This program is offered

free of cost. To learn more, please call the NAMI PBC Office at 561-588-3477.

Ryan Yule

IN A CRISIS

Mobile Crisis: Mobile Crisis provides emergency intervention, de-escalation, screening and assessment for individuals

who are in emotional distress. As a family member or close friend, you can call Mobile Crisis and discuss the situation

with them. They will help to determine the best course of action. It may involve them going to the individual’s home

to assess the situation. Based on the assessment, they may recommend community treatment, or they can arrange to

have the individual hospitalized. Mobile Crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Palm Beach County has three Mobile Crisis Units:

Jerome Golden Mobile Crisis (northern part of county): 561-383-5777

South County Mobile Crisis (southern part of county): 561-637-2102; (Glades area): 561-382-3555

Calling 911: If you find that the situation has escalated to a point of crisis, call 911, describe your situation and ask for

a CIT-trained officer. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) completes a week-long training developed nationally by NAMI

and the police to improve responses to people in crisis. Many local officers have participated in this training.

Questions / Need Resources? When you are looking for support finding resources, or to develop a crisis contingency plan, you can call NAMI PBC’s

Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (Family Support), Sue Gordon at 561-588-3477. Sue is available during regular

business hours to help you identify resources in your area within Palm Beach County.

Page 8

Resources

GREAT GIVE

NAMI had a very successful

Great Give 2019!

Here are the highlights:

$37,021 Raised

103 Donors

$505 in Matching Minute bonus

$500 “Night Owl” Prize

Thank you to everyone who

donated on 4/24/19!

We would also like to extend our

gratitude to Scott, Chris, and Lori

for volunteering at the NAMI Office

during the Great Give!

NAMI Support Groups

Page 9

NOTE: Support groups are subject to change. Please call NAMI Palm Beach County at 561-588-3477 to confirm details.

For information about other local support groups, please call

NAMI Palm Beach County at 561-588-3477.

NAMI Connection Peer Recovery Support

NAMI Young Adults Group (18-35 years)

NAMI Family Support Group

NAMI on Wednesdays Drop In Center

Delray (South County Mental Health Ctr., Toole Bldg.)*

16158 S Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484

Mondays, 2:45 p.m.—3:45 p.m.

NO GROUP at SCMHC on Monday, May 27th,

in observance of Memorial Day Lake Worth (NAMI Office)

1520 10th Ave. N, Ste. D, Lake Worth, FL 33460

Saturdays, 4:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m.

Saturdays, 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

Lake Worth (NAMI Office)

1520 10th Ave N, Ste. D, Lake Worth, FL 33460

First 3 Fridays each month, 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

Lake Worth (NAMI Office)

1520 10th Ave N, Ste. D, Lake Worth, FL 33460

Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Boca Raton (East) (Boca Raton Community Center)

150 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

2nd Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Boca Raton (West) (West Boca Library)

18685 N. State Road 7, Boca Raton, 33498

1st Thursday, 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Delray Beach (Fair Oaks Pavilion, Classroom D)

5440 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33446

2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.—8:30 p.m.

Jupiter (El Sol)

106 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458

2nd Thursday, 7:00 p.m.—8:30 p.m.

Wellington (Fire Station 30)

9610 Stribling Way, FL 33414

3rd Sunday, 3:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m.

Go Paperless Stay up to date with NAMI PBC online. Contact the office at 561-588-3477 to learn more.

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NAMI Membership includes 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 SERVICES AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR BY CALLING

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