National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
News for the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix Area)

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Arizona Legislature Cuts $14 Million from ADHS  

In December 2009, the Arizona state legislature slashed the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) budget by more than $14 million, including a $150,000 fund sweep from the Substance Abuse Services Fund.

Also:

Medicaid Children Likelier to Get Antipsychotics

Children covered by Medicaid are given powerful antipsychotic medicines at a rate four times higher than children whose parents have private insurance. Medicaid children are more likely to receive the drugs for less severe conditions than their middle-class counterparts, a new study shows. 

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Education Meetings

Scottsdale Senior Center at Granite Reef
1700 N. Granite Reef
Scottsdale, AZ

Education Meeting
February 2, 2010
Tuesday 
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Speaker: 
Paul & Shanna Galdys
Topic: Family Involvement & Risk
Crisis Planning

Education Meeting
March 2, 2010
Tuesday 
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Speaker: 
David Covington
Magellan of Arizona
Topic: Provider Outcomes Dashboard

Walker's Registration form

Walk Map

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Arizona Budget Crisis and Mental Health   

In the midst of an unprecedented budget crisis, Governor Brewer submits a plan to overhaul how services are provided to the mentally ill.

Also:

Drugmakers are NAMI's Biggest Donors

Drugmakers contribute more money to NAMI National than anyone else. Do drugmakers also influence NAMI's lobbying efforts? 

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Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Get Your Vitamin D   

Doctors have long known that Vitamin D, the Sunshine Vitamin, is important for building bones and maintaining their health. Now, it seems that vitamin D is good for much more.

Also:

NAMI Supports Health Care Reform

NAMI is advocating on four key areas of health care reform.

1. Full parity of insurance coverage 

2. Full integration of mental and physical health care

3. Allow Medicaid dollars to be used for inpatient psychiatric or substance abuse treatment

4. Improved data collection, outcomes measurement and accountability

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Peer-to-Peer
Mental Health Recovery Class

Meets at: 

Carl Hayden Hospital
650 E. Indian School (Map)
Phoenix, AZ
on
Wednesdays
Starts Sep. 23 to Nov. 2009
10:00 am – Noon
Info: Bob Tencer, 602.277.5551 x6688
robert.tencer@va.gov

New NAMI Phoenix and East Valley Family Support Group

Meets at: 

TERROS
3864 N. 27th Ave. (Map)
Phoenix, AZ
on
2nd Thursday of the Month
Starts August 13, 2009
6:00 – 7:30 pm
________________________________________________________________________________

El Grupo de apoyo familiar es para las familias en Español
TERROS
1455 S. Stapley -  #1300 (Map)
Mesa, AZ
on
1st Thursday of the Month
Starts 3 de septiembre, 2009
6:00 – 7:30 pm
(Flier)

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Late Stage Lyme Disease linked to Mental Illness Symptoms   

A study finds one-third of psychiatric inpatients showed signs of past infection with the Borrelia burgadorferi (Bb) spirochete

Get the ILADS brochure:  What Psychiatrists Should Know about Lyme Disease.

Also:

Three Perspectives of the NAMI National Convention

Informative and inspiring reporting from three of our local NAMI members.

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June 2009 Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
High Health Care Costs for  Bipolar 

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that bipolar disorder (BPD) is a more costly chronic condition than diabetes, depression, asthma and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Also:

Skip Treaser is spreading  the word in the East Valley ("There is hope").

Community outreach and in "Our Own Voice"

Information on FREE goodies: The Culture Pass 

Have a library card? You can get free tickets to cultural institutions in the Valley.

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April issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
NAMI: Arizona "Average" in Mental Health  

NAMI gave Arizona an overall grade of C+ in the delivery of mental health care. This grade was an improvement from a previous NAMI survey in 2006.

Also:

Becoming a Voice on Mental Illness in Arizona 

Ramon Garcia provides practical advice on how to become an advocate for mental health in our political process.

New NAMI Connections support group in Tempe 

Did you know there are nine of these recovery support groups that meet weekly in Arizona? 
Safford, Sierra Vista, Lake Havasu City, Prescott Valley, Mesa and now Tempe.
Here's a link to a national directory of NAMI Connections support groups.
These groups are:
• Open to adults with mental illness
• Free of charge
• Led by trained individuals who are also recovering

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