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NAMI

New Orleans News

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S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

IN OUR OWN

VOICE PRESENTS TO LAW

ENCFORCEMENT

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

REGISTER FOR NAMI SMARTS

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY

ONGOING

SUPPORT GROUPS For family members,

peers, and survivors of loss due to suicide

ANNUAL

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

FUNDRAISER AT

THE CARS OF YESTERYEARS

MUSEUM

SAVE THE DATES: NAMIWALKS 2016

NAMI LOUISIANA ANNUAL STATE

CONFERENCE

NEW ORLEANS’ VOICE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

SPRING 2016

LAW ENFORCEMENT LEARN FROM THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a best-practices model for training law enforcement officials to improve police response to people in a mental health crisis. CIT programs enhance communication, identify mental health resources for assisting people in crisis, and ensure that officers get the training and support that they need. Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office (JPSO) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) include the NAMI Signature Program In Our Own Voice in their week of CIT training. In Our Own Voice is a 90-minute presentation given by two people who share their personal stories of living with mental illness. During CIT training NAMI New Orleans’ presenters make sure to discuss interactions they have had with law enforcement in the past and what those officials did or should have done to better help them when they were in crisis. Law enforcement officials regularly report that the presentation was the most eye-opening portion of the 40-hour training. Here are a few things they have said:

“I will take more time to listen and understand people with mental illness.”

“I learned to never ignore the possibility that an individual may deal with a mental illness.”

“All police officers should see this.”

Learn more about NOPD’s CIT program implementation at NAMI New Orleans’

annual membership meeting on Wednesday, March 30th. Turn to page 3

for more information. Jessie Smith III tells JPSO officers and cadets about being

confronted by police while in crisis.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Several years ago I learned of NAMI’s existence when my family member was in a crisis situation. That was in California. Upon my return to New Orleans I contacted NAMI New Orleans and was assisted by Family Support Group Facilitators in learning more about mental illness. I am indebted to NAMI New Orleans not only because of how they assisted me and my family but also the many individuals and families that are affected by mental illness. NAMI offers excellent educational programs, advocacy, and counseling throughout the Greater New Orleans Area. Mental illness does not discriminate. Nor are there geographic boundaries. I am honored and pleased to serve as President of NAMI New Orleans this year and expect to carry on the excellent work that NAMI New Orleans is doing. There is much on our agenda and I ask you to become involved. Renew your membership or become a member. Support our activities such as the annual NAMIWalk. Join us at the annual membership meeting, attend our first spring event at Cars of Yesteryears. With your support and participation, we hope to reduce the stigma of mental illness and respect the dignity of life of all individuals. I look forward to serving you,

Vince Petreikis

NAMI New Orleans Drop-In Center celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with a wonderful performance from the Gregory Agid Ensemble. Special thanks to Jeremy Thomas, Gregory Agid, and our friends at the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation for helping make Drop-In Hoppin’!

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS

A monthly support group for family of people living with mental illness.

It is offered at four locations:

Every second Monday 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center, 2200 Lafitte St. in New Orleans

Every first Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at 1538 Louisiana Ave. in New Orleans

Every third Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at 2051 8th St. in Harvey

Every fourth Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 West Esplanade Ave. in Metairie

NAMI CONNECTION PEER SUPPORT GROUPS

A weekly peer-led recovery support group. Anyone living with mental

illness is welcome to attend.

It is offered at two locations:

Thursdays 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at 1538 Louisiana Ave. in New Orleans

Fridays 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 2051 8th St. in Harvey SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS

SUPPORT GROUP

A free, peer-led support group for adults whose lives have been impacted by the loss of a loved one to suicide, whether

recently or in the past. The group meets 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Meetings are held at NAMI New Orleans, 1538 Louisiana Ave. in

New Orleans.

Please contact the volunteer facilitators before attending your first

group at 504-410-7025 or survivors.nola@gmail.com.

DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR

SUPPORT ALLIANCE

For people living with these disorders and their loved ones. Adults only. Meets

first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Tulane-Lakeside Hospital, 4700 South I-10

Service Road in Metairie. Enter via the main hospital entrance, cafeteria to the left. Contact Eileen or John, at 504-286-1916, evenings or

weekends. www.dbsaneworleans.org.

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy workshops build your knowledge and confidence to:

Write and deliver short and compelling personal stories that have an "ask"

Create an impact with focused emails and phone calls to legislators

Advocate effectively at Behavioral Health Day at the State Capitol on May 3rd

Friday, April 15th 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Rosa F. Keller Library at 4300 S. Broad Avenue, New Orleans 70125

Free to attend but space is limited!

To register, contact Shannon at 504-896-2345 or

education@namineworleans.org.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY

Wear white and join advocates, family members, and people living with mental illness from all across the state to show the legislature how important it is that they protect funding and support bills

that advance mental healthcare in Louisiana. NAMI New Orleans can help you secure a personal meeting with your

legislators as well.

Tuesday, May 3rd 10:30 a.m. on the Capitol Steps

900 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge 70802

Register for your free spot on our bus to and from the event! (Lunch will be provided.)

Contact Shannon at 504-896-2345 or

education@namineworleans.org.

DROP-IN IS HOPPIN’ MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES

Cars of Yesteryears Museum

FOOD AUCTION WINE BEER

Friday, May 20th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Cars of Yesteryears Museum 4625 Fairfield St., Metairie, LA

For a Fundraiser to Benefit NAMI New Orleans

$60 - Individual $100 - Couple

Join us on Friday, May 20th at the

Purchase tickets online at www.namineworleans.org

or call 504-896-2345

View over 155 Vintage Cars, Classic Toys, Pontchartrain Beach Memorabilia, Live Music and More!

All donations are 100% tax deductible

NAMI NEW ORLEANS ANNUAL

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Wednesday, March 30th

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Lakeview Christian Center 5885 Fluer De Lis Dr.

New Orleans, LA 70124

A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a model for community policing that brings together law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency departments, and individuals with mental illness and their families to improve responses to people in crisis. CIT programs enhance communication, identify mental health resources for

assisting people in crisis, and ensure that officers get the training and support that they need.

Meet our newly elected Officers and Directors and learn more about the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Implementation with Guest Speakers:

Cecile Tebo, LCSW, Director Officer Assistance Program, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)

Sergeant Marc Hedgmon, NOPD CIT Commander

Danny Murphy, NOPD Consent Decree Compliance Manager

Join or Renew Your Membership Today! Make a Difference

We rely on you, our members and supporters, to sustain our many support, education and

advocacy programs which are offered at no cost to people with mental illness and their families in the Greater New Orleans area. We could not do it without you!

You can donate online at www.namineworleans.org (click on Get Involved, then Donate) or make checks payable

& mail to: NAMI New Orleans ▪ 1538 Louisiana Avenue ▪ New Orleans, LA 70115

Benefits of membership include the NAMI New Orleans Bonjour Newsletter, the National NAMI Advocate Magazine, a

copy of the NAMI New Orleans Family Guide: A Roadmap to Resources and Support, and invitations to special events and the Annual Membership Meeting featuring a guest speaker.

YES, I’D LIKE TO DONATE (please circle): $10 $35 $50 $100 $500 Other amount: $__________ NAME: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP: __________________________________________________________________________________________ E-MAIL: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

ANNUAL NAMI LOUISIANA STATE CONFERENCE

Friday and Saturday, April 22nd and April 23rd

First United Methodist Church 930 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Featuring Keynote Speaker Hakeem Rahim, Ed. M, M.A (Mental Health Awareness

Speaker), Senator Bill Cassidy, Dr. April Foreman, Dr. Brian Turner, and more!

Visit www.namilouisiana.org to learn more and to register!

Save the date for NAMIWalks New Orleans!

Saturday, October 15th Audubon Park

Register your team today by visiting: www.namiwalks.org/neworleans