NAMI Westchester September 2016 Newsletter

The Official Newsletter of NAMI Westchester
September 2016
OUR FEATURE ARTICLE
PLANNED RESPITE
Mental Health Association of Westchester has a Planned Respite Program. This is a short-term intervention
for people who are experiencing an increase of symptoms that cannot be managed at home and in the
community without added supports.
Services are voluntary and temporary, and are provided by trained staff in the participant’s place of residence
or at an alternate authorized temporary housing arrangement. It includes custodial care for a person in order
to provide primary care givers (family, significant other, or legal guardian) relief from care responsibilities or
supports to the individual to sustain stability in the community and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. There
are specific criteria that must be met and eligibility is determined by the Department of Community Mental
Health’s Program Director of Community Support Services. For more information call Maria Diaz,
Coordinator at MHA at 914-564-3749 or Department of Community Mental Health’s Program Director of
Community Support Services at 914-995-6753.
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY
On Wednesday, August 5th, NAMI-NYS participated in the New York Step
Therapy Reform Coalition rally in front of the Capitol to urge the signing
of A.2834-D/S.3419-C which would regulate the use of step therapy practices by
insurance providers. Along with a press conference on the Capitol steps,
participants marched around West Capitol Park with signs and various chants.
Visit http://files.ctctcdn.com/9d08e137201/3397dac9-543e-4c8f-8f6fdd6873928280.pdf to read the letter of support NAMI-NYS sent to Governor
Cuomo on this issue.
NAMI-NYS encourages our members to call the Governor's office at
518-474-8390 and urge him to sign A.2834-D/S.3419-C. Despite the fact that the
bill passed BOTH houses of the Legislature UNANIMOUSLY, the bill faces an
uphill battle as the insurance lobby is pushing back hard. For more information,
please go to www.naminys.org.
If you would like to be part of the NAMI Westchester Advocacy Committee,
send us an email at info@namiwestchester.org and include your contact
information.
www.namiwestchester.org
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWestchester.org
914-592-5458
NAMI IN THE COMMUNITY
Diana Cusumano, NAMI Westchester Board
Member and Assistant Dean/Director of
Counseling at The College of Westchester,
along with students from NAMI on Campus
held a bake sale to benefit NAMI
Westchester on August 9th. Great work!
Westchester Community College NAMI
on Campus was honored at the college's
Spring Student Leader Recognition
Dinner with the Event of the Year for the
Art Therapy event they held.
WHY I VOLUNTEER
Michaele Rizzuto
1.
I get to work with an awesome group of people who are
passionate about recovery.
2. I use my knowledge and skills to help people and
families find hope in the midst of mental illness as a
board member, presenter, facilitator, and mentor and
committee chair.
3. Through my volunteer efforts I fundraise, allowing
NAMI Westchester to provide programs at no cost.
5. NAMI Westchester provides education for young
people, so they don't grow up afraid of mental illness
and they have the opportunity to speak freely about
their experiences.
6. I have the opportunity to share my experiences and give
people a better understanding about what it is like to
live with a mental illness.
7. I get to go to conferences and community events that
educate and provide initiatives in an effort to improve
mental health treatment.
8. I have a voice to advocate for people with mental
illnesses and families and to speak about what works
from both professional and personal points of view.
9. NAMI Westchester dispels the stigma of mental illness.
10. Volunteering for NAMI Westchester makes me a better
person.
www.namiwestchester.org
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWestchester.org
One of our amazing volunteers Michaele
Rizzuto. Michaele, thank you for all your
do for NAMI Westchester!
914-592-5458
c
NAMI WESTCHESTER UPCOMING EVENTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVENT PLEASE VISIT OUT WEBSITE AT WWW.NAMIWESTCHESTER.ORG
HOLISTIC RECOVERY
Speakers: Dr. Richard P Brown, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia
University, NY and Annalissa Vicencio, Music Therapist-Board Certified, Neurologic
Music Therapist, Certified Health & Recovery Coach and mental health peer
September 14, 2016
7:30 to 9:00 pm
Doors open at 7:15 pm
St. Vincent’s Hospital Conference Center , 275 North Street, Harrison, NY
To register please go to:
NAMI WESTCHESTER FUNDRAISER
SPARKLE FOR A CAUSE IN AMY’S GARDEN
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Crabtree’s Kittle House Restaurant & Inn
1 Kittle Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514
NAMI Westchester will receive 30% of proceeds.
No reservation needed, no minimum purchase.
2nd Annual Educational Event
Let’s Talk...The Road Ahead
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Hines
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
4 to 7 pm (4-6 pm optional workshops)
ANNUAL ARTS EXPRESSION
December 14, 2016—7 pm
St. Vincent’s Hospital—Conference Center
SEEKING CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY.
Submit application for art work, photography, poetry, essay
or musical performance
www.namiwestchester.org
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWestchester.org
914-592-5458
100 Clearbrook Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
(914) 592-5458
Quote of the Month
“Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.”
So Please Drive Carefully!
-Nelson Mandela
“Like” us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWestchester.org
For information about our programs and events please visit our website at:
http://www.namiwestchester.org/
To become a member please go to
http://www.namiwestchester.org/#!become-a-member/cfp5.
www.namiwestchester.org
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIWestchester.org
914-592-5458