JANUARY NEWSLETTER

New Year, New Links!

Happy New Year Everyone!

NAMI Greater Cleveland has updated all their Zoom links for programs in 2024.

To ensure you don't miss out on any of our classes, workshops, and support groups, please go to the website calendar and register for these events!

Your engagement and support mean everything to us, and we want to make sure you have seamless access to our resources.

Head over to our website or reach out to us directly for the updated calendar and registration links for 2024 events.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to having you join us for these upcoming sessions!

For more information or assistance with re-registration,

call our helpline at (216) 875-7776

Save the Date!

NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Annual Membership & Awards Meeting

will take place on

May 1, 2024

Exciting Announcement: Nominate Outstanding Individuals and Organizations for NAMI GC's Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in May 2024!

Do you know someone or an organization that deserves recognition for their exceptional dedication to promoting and providing mental health services in 2023? Look no further! NAMI GC is thrilled to announce that we are now accepting nominations for our prestigious awards, which will be presented at our highly anticipated Annual Meeting on May 1.

We invite you to CLICK HERE and explore the descriptions of each award, along with the instructions on how to submit your nominations. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to mental health.

But hurry, nominations must be submitted by the close of

business on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to honor the remarkable individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in the mental health community.

For additional information, please feel free to reach out to Lisa at 216-875-0266 or ldellafiora@namicleveland.org.

We can't wait to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our nominees at the Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony in May. Join us in recognizing those who have truly made a difference!

Welcome new staff members

Emma Getz

Support & Education Coordinator

Shyann Williams

Communications Coordinator

Please join us as we extend a heartfelt welcome to both of our new staff here at NAMI Greater Cleveland. We are thrilled to have them join the team and look forward to their contributions in furthering our mission and enhancing the services we provide.

Their expertise and dedication will undoubtedly make a positive impact, and we are excited to embark on this journey together. Welcome aboard!

Staff Celebrations 🎉

In 2023, we had two staff hit major milestones with us, and we want to take a moment to celebrate them!

Kari Kepic has been with NAMI Greater Cleveland for 15 years as of February, 2023! She has served the organization in several roles over the years, with her latest being the Family Support and Education Coordinator, but anyone who knows Kari knows she does it ALL!

Lisa Dellafiora celebrated 10 years with NAMI GC in November 2023! Lisa has been instrumental in financial growth during her tenure as our Development and Special Events Coordinator! Her ability to build relationships with our funders, sponsors, and individual donors has helped to elevate us over the years, and she does so much! NAMIWalks, the Annual Meeting, overseeing grants and fundraising, and anything else we throw at her!

NAMI Greater Cleveland thanks both amazing ladies for the contribution they make to the community and the team!

Mental Health IN THE NEWS

‘Transgender people will die’: Ohio lawmakers ban healthcare for transgender youth and transgender girls from playing sports

If Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signs the bill into law, it will be illegal for doctors, licensed therapists, counselors and social workers to provide transgender people under the age of 18 with any type of healthcare considered “gender-affirming,” including some types of family counseling and talk therapy.

Cleveland prepares to deploy more social workers alongside police for mental health crises

With City Council approval this week, Mayor Justin Bibb received the OK to strike a new contract to provide what’s known as a co-response model of policing, in partnership with the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County.

'So people in crisis feel respected': Responding differently to mental health emergency calls

A recent News 5 Investigation exposed how police mishandled a mental health response where they ended up breaking a mentally ill woman’s arm, and then she received a sizable settlement against University Circle. Now, News 5 is following through with a deep dive into these kinds of mental crisis calls to show you how one city is doing it differently.

'Winter blues' season is here: Experts share tips for using a lamp to help with seasonal affective disorder

As our exposure to daylight decreases over the winter months, millions of Americans suffer each year from the effects of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a form of depression that for some can surface like clockwork each year. SAD is defined as a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons.

Spiritual Practices for Wellness: Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST via Zoom

Join NAMI Greater Cleveland for an exploration of lovingkindness to offer this heart-based practice to ourselves and all living beings. Please come as you are—no prior meditation experience is required.

Connection Support Group: The Kaleidoscope Crowd LGBTQ (18+)

Thursday, January 11, 2024

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EST

In partnership with the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, we are hosting a peer-facilitated mental health support group for LGBTQ individuals (ages 18+) This group aims to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for support as we look at the intersection of identity and mental health.

Wednesday Virtual Connection Support Group

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm EST via Zoom

NAMI Connection Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there.

Music Therapy: An Overview of the Clinical Practice

Monday, January 29, 2024

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST

In this presentation, participants will be presented with an overview of Music Therapy as a clinical practice including: what Music Therapy is, how Music Therapy is used, some of the science and research behind Music Therapy, and the education and training of Board Certified Music Therapists. Participants will also be provided with an opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation on this topic.

Sign your youth up for YOUTHMOVE!

future leader today by clicking the link below!

Program SPOTLIGHT

APAPACHO Grupo de Apoyo para Familiares de NAMI

APAPACHO (abrazar con el alma) es un Grupo de Apoyo para Familiares. Este es un grupo libre, confidencial y seguro para ayudar a las familias afectadas por condición mental de un ser querido.

Las familias se unen en grupos de cuidado y se ayudan los unos a otros mediante el uso de sus experiencias y aprendizajes de cómo lidiar con las condiciones mentales.

La próxima sesión es el 10 de enero de 19:00 a 20:30 horas.

Registrar aquí

NAMI GC RESOURCES

NAMI Caring Companion Calls

The Free Caring Companion Calls program Provides Supportive Mentoring & Companionship to Adult Peers (those living with a mental health condition), and Friends, Family Members, and Caregivers.

Our Caring Companions are extensively trained volunteers who are peers and loved ones of peers with a lived mental health condition. Specifically, the Caring Companion volunteer is a person who is skilled in patience, compassion, empathy, and effective communication.

Click Here To Learn More

NAMI Greater Cleveland Helpline

The NAMI Greater Cleveland Helpline is a free peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers, and the public.

Helpline staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained, and able to provide guidance.

The NAMI Greater Cleveland Helpline does not provide a hotline, crisis line, or suicide prevention line service. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or the 24-hour Mobile Crisis Team at 216-623-6888.

Call: 216-875-7776

Monday - Friday from

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

or via email at

helpline@namicleveland.org

Call, Text, or Chat 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Dial 911 for emergencies.

NAMI Parent Advocacy Connection

The mission of the PAC Program is to empower, educate, encourage, and equip families to partner with professionals in promoting access to family-centered, community-based, comprehensive, and culturally competent services.

PAC is a NAMI Ohio grassroots program that offers trained Parent Advocates with lived experience who reflect the cultural and ethnic make-up of the families they serve. Click here to learn more

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

Members of NAMI Greater Cleveland are part of NAMI's movement to improve the mental health system, to end stigma, and create a culture of knowledge and understanding about mental illness.

Join today!

Are you creating or updating your estate plan?

Please consider helping NAMI GC grow our programs by including us as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement plan or life insurance policy.

Contact your financial advisor for more information.