Mental Health Awareness

NAMI Connecticut

Raising Consciousness for NAMI

So many conversations lately have been surrounded by mental health connected with gun violence. One organization that does so much to improve the lives of people with mental illness and support their families is NAMI. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when NAMI Connecticut and advocates across the county are bringing awareness to mental health. Each year NAMI fights stigma and discrimination, provides support, educates the public and advocates for equal care. Connecticut has been seen as a leader in mental health services and initiatives for many years and has been acknowledged as such. Therefore, it is a sadly ironic that the work of NAMI is now standing on the precipice of setting the work back years from the organization has worked so hard to build, by deeply and devastatingly cutting mental health and other human services. Now more than ever NAMI Connecticut needs our help. To reinforce awareness and raise money for NAMI CT there is the annual NAMI Walk on Saturday, May 19^th at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The walk begins at 10:00am and we gather as a team at 9:30am. We ask for your support and join the UACT team to walk or make a monetary online contributions visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/team/814816/, if you would like to walk please contact Johanna Schaefer at johannadschaefer@gmail.com. For more information about NAMI Connecticut visit www.namict.org

National Alliance on Mental Health Connecticut (NAMI CT)

NAMI’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all those impacted by mental illness, by providing support, education and advocacy as part of the Keep the Promise (KTP) Coalition, a statewide mental health advocacy network. NAMI and KTP produce yearly legislative priorities, attend statewide and community meetings on adult and children’s mental health issues and participate in legislative work through meetings with legislators, advocacy trainings and public education and engagement.

For 2015 NAMI's advocacy is focused on the following initiatives:

EXPAND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES, CHILDREN & ADULTS-

Increase supportive housing, which is permanent, independent and affordable housing combined with on-site or visiting services and support which may include case management, employment service, social support and other operations. This approach has been shown to reduce hospital expenses, promote self-efficiency and prevent homelessness and re-institutionalization.

PROVIDE AGE APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR YOUNG ADULTS -

Hold Department of Children and Families (DCF) and DMHAS accountable for providing timely support and services, including peer mentors, for young adult with mental health needs, including those experiencing their first episodes of mental health conditions.

STENGTHEN AND EXPAND SCHOOL BASED HEALTH SERVICES -

Increase access to mental health services for children by increasing the number of school based health centers, school social workers and school psychologists including promoting supportive school environments through mental health training and education of school personnel.

ASSURE ACCESS TO INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SRVICES -

Assure timely access to and assistance with navigating vital health care services for adults and children.

Almost all of us are affected by mental illness. Let’s help NAMI help us all.

For more information about NAMI visit www.namict.org