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

   
Serve your community working as the NAMI Maricopa

NAMI Arizona is hiring.
$23,400 per year for 30 hours a week.
Local travel is required.

Deadline is June 12, 2009

Click here for details

NAMI Phoenix Annual Meeting

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Scottsdale Senior Center
1700 N. Granite Reef, Scottsdale

Program Speaker:  Lori Ashcraft, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Recovery Opportunity Center
Recovery Innovations of Arizona

5:30 pm --- Buffet Supper provided by NAMI Phoenix

Questions?  Call NAMI Phoenix at  602.374.7439

June issue of 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.

Get this newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

   

Education Meetings

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

Education Meeting
June 2, 2009
Tuesday 
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Speaker: 
David Covington
Chief of Adult Services, Magellan of Arizona

Education Meeting

Education Meeting
July 7, 2009
Tuesday 
7:00 - 9:00 pm

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

Get this newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

February issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Audit: Decline in Local Mental Health Services  

Maricopa County’s mental health system, provided by Magellan Health Services, has greatly deteriorated in the last year according to the annual evaluation released by court monitor Nancy Diggs. Contrary to Magellan’s assertion that it would significantly improve services over its predecessor, ValueOptions, the audit identified a “…pattern of regression and significant declines in a number of areas.”

Also:

Crisis Intervention Training 

What to do when calling the police for help.

Get the newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

Two New Support Groups 

To download a one page list of all support groups in the Valley of the Sun
Click here

December 2008 issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Insurance Parity for Mental Health is now the Law  

On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed the economic bailout bill which included legislation that requires group health plans to cover treatment for mental illness at parity with all other medical conditions.

Also:

Mystery Authors Entertain at Luncheon 

Smiling faces turned out in droves for the 8th Annual Mystery Authors Benefit Luncheon (MABL) at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on October 25, 2008.

What is NAMI?     

NAMI is a national organization with state and local affiliates. There are four affiliates in the Valley of the Sun, including NAMI Phoenix and NAMI East Valley.

Get the newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

October 2008 issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
Genetics Linked to Risk of Schizophrenia 

Genetic factors are thought to account for more than 70% of all cases of schizophrenia and scientists have long sought to identify those genetic markers in an effort to predict who is predisposed to the disease so that they can avoid triggers and perhaps onset.

Also:

New Support Group for Families of Those who Attempt Suicide 

EMPACT-SPC  has started a long-awaited support group for people who have loved ones who might be at serious risk for suicide. The group will be facilitated by a professional member of the EMPACT staff.

Lessons from the 2008 NAMI National Convention     

The NAMI 2008 convention was about three things:
1. Faith and hope for recovery
2. Inspiration and achievement
3. Building Tomorrow

Get the newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

August 2008 issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Newsletter Highlights:

 Lead Article:
State Hospital Bans Smoking 

On July 1, 2008, the Arizona State Hospital today became a Smoke Free environment, a historic move designed to benefit patients, staff and visitors. We examine both sides of this contentious issue.

Also:

Schizophrenia: Public Attitudes, Personal Needs  

Twice as many Americans live with schizophrenia than with HIV/AIDS, but a major report by NAMI reveals most Americans are unfamiliar with the disease. Click here to see the survey summary. Click here for the survey web site.

Family Involvement Center    

Family Involvement Center's mission is to assist and support families/caregivers, and help policy makers, agencies and providers transform systems, to ensure that children and youth with an emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder succeed in school, live with their families, avoid delinquency, and become productive adults and youth. Click here for their web site.

Get the newsletter:

Select Newsletter to download a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

June 2008 issue of Caring and Sharing now available

Lead Article: 
Military Vets Receiving Inadequate Mental Health Care

Since 2002, more than one million U.S. military personnel have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Significant numbers of those troops returning from combat suffer from psychological problems.

Select Newsletter to download a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter and to see references and links to this month's articles.

Receive a FREE e-mail copy of Caring and Sharing. Click here to subscribe.

To see pictures of NAMI Walks 2008 by Rusty Childress (and others)
Click on the Photo Gallery button.

Both in English and en Español
Click on the About Us button

Four New Support Groups

To download a one page list of all support groups in the Valley of the Sun
Click here