NAMI Mississippi Winter 2021-2022 Newsletter

Mississippi WINTER 2021-2022

NAMIWalks MS 2021

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Exec. Dir. Letter p. 4

Strategic Plan p. 6

State Conference p. 9

Education p. 16

2022 Media Kit NAMI Mississsippi Newsletter

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The NAMI Mississippi newsletter is a way for your organization to reach our members and beyond, including mental health leaders and advocates, as well as potential clients if you are representing a clinic or private practice.

The newsletter is mailed to members three times a year, and digital versions are published online for the general public.

Read the latest newsletter at namims.org

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Mississippi

Executive Director’s Letter

2618 Southerland Street Jackson, MS 39216 601-899-9058 • 800-357-0388 Fax: 601-956-6380 • namims.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Media Kit 2-3 Executive Director’s Letter 4 Staff Updates 5 Strategic Plan 6-8 2022 State Conference Registration 9 NAMI Pine Belt 10-11 NAMI Vicksburg 11-12 NAMI Central Mississippi 12 NAMI Oxford 13 NAMI Four Rivers (MS) 14-15 Education 16 NAMIWalks 2021 Overview 17 Calendar of Events • Support Groups 18 Membership 19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Harrington, President & Oxford Affiliate Representative Megan Hamm, Vice President & Four Rivers (MS) Representative Harriette Mastin, Secretary and At Large Marcus Ginn, Treasurer and At Large Sharon Turner-Davis, At Large Christiane Williams, At Large Thomas Carson, Peer Leadership Council Representative Auvergne Williams, Central Mississippi Affiliate Representative Shan Abbott, Coastal MS Affiliate Representative Patricia Battle, Meridian Affiliate Representative Mavis Creagh, Pine Belt Affiliate Representative Kim Benefield, Tupelo Affiliate Representative Jenny Drake, Vicksburg Affiliate Representative STATE OFFICERS Sitaniel J. Wimbley, Executive Director Joy Amerson, Account Manager Vanessa Chatelain, Program Marketing Specialist Kawanna Jenkins, Education Outreach Volunteer Caleb McCullum, Regional Outreach Coordinator Ms. Tonya, Office Volunteer Latasha Willis, Peer Community Outreach Specialist OPEN UP MISSISSIPPI Ingrid Cloy, Consultant Yasmine Ware, Volunteer AFFILIATES Central Mississippi Four Rivers (MS) Pine Belt Vicksburg Meridian Oxford Coastal MS (Developing) Tupelo (Developing) The NAMI Mississippi newsletter is funded by donations from members and partners, and is published to inform, educate and strengthen the community of individuals and families affected by serious mental illness. The articles and opinions within are not necessarily those of the NAMI Mississippi organization. Content is not intended to endorse any political candidates, viewpoint, treatment or medication.

by Sitaniel J. Wimbley

I

f you are anything like us here at the NAMI Mississippi State Office, then you know this year has been a year of adaptation and uncertainty. Many things have changed, some remain the same, and others are more obvious than ever. As we bring this year to a close, I urge you not to look at the struggle but the success. We have big opportunities in front of us in 2022.

Let’s focus on starting this year off with renewed energy, passion, and direction.

COVID-19 and all that it brings has caused changes in the way that we get together to support each other. Leaders have learned to use new technology and continued to offer support in the community.

For many, we are the only place safe enough to share true feelings.

We have stopped COVID from completely dominating our lives and we are fighting back through our support groups.

The will and determination of NAMI MS members and supporters has been unwavering. You all have worked to together to keep the mission alive. You have led and attended classes, made calls, and generally stepped up for your community. For that I want to thank each of you. Your time and resources are important. I know that you have a choice in what you support, and

we are honored that you have chosen to continuously support NAMI Mississippi.

During the year the new strategic plan was formulated and completed.

This plan is a five-year roadmap to help NAMI Mississippi improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families. COVID has allowed the world to see how important mental health is and now it is our time to really step it up.

Thank you for your loyalty and perseverance during the last year. Despite all the changes and disruptions to your normal life, you all stayed strong and helped us to share knowledge of mental illness across the state. Your contributions are making a change in the perception of mental illness. You all have delivered impressive results and a new strategic plan that will only carry us further. I look forward to next year and strongly anticipate continued growth for NAMI Mississippi.

Happy holidays and see you in the New Year!

Sitaniel J. Wimbley NAMI-MS Executive Director

We have stopped COVID from completely dominating our lives and we are fighting back through our support groups.

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STAFF UPDATES

Caleb McCullum - Caleb is the Regional Outreach Coordinator in Oxford, MS. This position is a collaboration between Communicare and NAMI Mississippi. The goal of his position is to be a liaison for the community to better understand the services offered by NAMI Mississippi. Caleb attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology degree from the University of Mississippi. He is earning a master’s

Caleb McCullum

degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University.

Vanessa Chatelain - Vanessa has joined the team as Program Marketing Specialist. She works remotely from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Previously Vanessa has been trained to offer In Our Own Voice and has a passion for mental health. She is trained in yoga philosophy and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management.

Laykin Register, Former State Level

Vanessa Chatelain

Youth Engagement Coordinator The Mississippi Department of Mental Health discontinued funding of the System of Care Grant, through which she was able to work as an Open Up Mississippi staff member. Due to the funding cut, NAMI Mississippi ended the contract with Laykin on September 30. She continues to remotely volunteer in other capacities for NAMI MS. We wish you well, Laykin, and we miss you. ❦

Laykin Register

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NAMI MS 2021-2025 Strategic Plan

by Mary Harrington, Board President

I

am excited to share with our readers highlights of the newlydeveloped NAMI-MS Strategic Plan for 2021-2025. Board members devoted many long hours to develop this plan, which will serve as a framework for our activities over the next five years.

The process began with a clarification of our mission, vision, and goals, which are closely aligned with those of NAMI National.

Mission: NAMI Mississippi provides support, advocacy, education, and public awareness so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

Vision: NAMI Mississippi envisions a world where people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.

Values: NAMI Mississippi’s values include: • Hope: We believe in the possibility of recovery, wellness, and the potential in all of us.

• Inclusion: We embrace diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

• Empowerment: We promote confidence, self-efficacy, and service to our mission.

• Compassion: We practice respect,

kindness, and empathy.

• Fairness: We fight for equity and justice.

With those principles firmly in mind, the Board proceeded to develop overarching goals aimed at fulfilling our mission. Once those goals were identified, strategies were developed to achieve the goals.

As a further refinement, specific, measurable objectives were identified that would accomplish each strategy.

These objectives were then assigned to a Board committee, along with a timeline for reaching them. An overview of these goals, strategies, and objectives can be found on page 7 of this newsletter.

For example, one of our six overall goals is to achieve financial stability.

Seven strategies were identified to reach this goal, one of which was to maximize conference income.

Six objectives were developed that would specifically maximize conference income, including a focus on increasing continuing education presentations, revisiting the conference fee structure, and identifying ways to increase publicity for the conference.

I’m thrilled to announce that under Mavis Creagh’s dynamic leadership, the Conference Committee has already accomplished several of these

objectives and are diligently working on others.

This kind of clarity regarding what specific activities committees should focus on has already impacted the effectiveness or our organization. Tasks are getting accomplished; committees are being held accountable; measurable progress is being made. In short, the plan is working!

The complete Strategic Plan may be found at bit.ly/nmsp21.

I want to thank each and every Board member for all the tremendous energy, creativity, and thoughtfulness they devoted to this important project.

I especially want to thank Shan Abbott of Coastal MS and Megan Hamm of Four Rivers for their leadership, as well as Sitaniel Wimbley who was invaluable in this process.

I am confident that this new Strategic Plan will provide clarity, direction, and focus for our NAMI MS organization. Together we can – and will – accomplish great things!

With great expectations!

Mary Harrington NAMI-MS Board President

Board members devoted many long hours to develop this plan, which will serve as a framework for our activities over the next five years. The process began with a clarification of our mission, vision, and goals, which are closely aligned with those of NAMI National.

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WINTER 2021-2022 · 9

NAMI MS 2022 STATE CONFERENCE Theme: “Taking Action for Mental Health” Conference Dates: May 18-20, 2022

Early Bird Registration and Sponsorships

Location: Virtual

Early bird registration available through February 8, 2022.

Discounts for existing active NAMI members and NAMI Peers start March 1, 2022.

Registration: Early Bird (Donation) $75.00

Early Bird (Donation) + One-Year Membership $100.00 General Admission (Donation) $99.00

General Admission (Donation) + One-Year Membership $125.00 NAMI Member Admission $75.00 NAMI Peer Admission $50.00 Sponsorships: Platinum Sponsorship $1,500.00 Gold Sponsorship $750.00 Silver Sponsorship $500.00 Bronze Sponsorship $250.00 • CEs will be applied for in the fall of 2021.

• Session recordings will be available through Sunday, June 5, 2022.

• CE evaluation forms will be due by Sunday, June 5, 2022.

• CE certificates will be sent to attendees who submit evaluation forms by Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

• Registration details and the agenda will be provided in the coming months after finalization and approval by the committee.

Conference presenters, topics, and updates at:

namims.org/conference2022

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G

reetings to all NAMI family and friends! We are pleased that the end of this year reveals some “light at the end of the tunnel,” and it’s not a freight train!

We have had excellent presentations by knowledgeable caregivers and other professional members of our community at our monthly meetings.

We continue to collaborate with law enforcement officials and with the professionals from our community mental health center, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources (PBMHR), to increase the awareness of police and sheriff departments on ways to help people experiencing mental health crises. Our advisory role on the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) planning committee is essential to ensure that the personal aspect of a mental health crisis is fully appreciated by first responders.

Two of our affiliate members, Joe and Sandy Kinnan, are actively working with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health on the Governor’s Challenge Suicide Prevention Committee. Their goal is to significantly reduce or eliminate suicides among military active duty, veterans, and their families. They arranged a meeting between the senior chaplain of the Camp Shelby Army Training Center, Colonel Partin, and Mrs. Wendy Bailey, the Executive Director of DMH. The meeting was remarkably successful, with both agencies finding common ground in the quest to effectively reduce suicides in Mississippi. Significant legislation may result from their discussions.

We invested much energy into our annual NAMI (virtual) Walk, held on October 9th. We had outstanding sponsors and walk team members.

As a result, we are approaching $6000 in donations. Of course, we use the funds to support numerous NAMI signature programs, as well as Mental Health First Aid Training, Behavioral

Health Court graduations, CIT classes, and other essential events in our community.

We continue to reach out to other agencies and the public to publicize the NAMI mission and programs.

Our President, Mavis Creagh, has addressed several key community groups, including the University of Southern Mississippi Nurses Association. Sandy Kinnan represented our affiliate at the “Changes” Resource Center Festival on October 29th. That special event hosted over 75 people who are basically homeless. Fifteen agencies were involved. Several people signed up to attend NAMI courses and to become trainers. Narjis and Mikal Ugdah assisted our affiliate by attending the City of Hattiesburg “Live at Five” Event and interacting with citizens and law enforcement officials.

We appreciate all NAMI volunteers!

On November 17, our affiliate members and our NAMI-MS State Office expressed sincere appreciation to Linda Foley, the award-winning grant writer for PBMHR, who spearheaded the establishment of the City of Hattiesburg Behavior Health Court and the Crisis Intervention Teams in our state. The NAMI-MS

Executive Director, Sitaniel Wimbley, and our Affiliate President, Mavis Creagh, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Foley, who has contributed immensely to our NAMI mission.

As the year ends, our affiliate is helping PBMHR clients to enjoy meaningful time with their friends at special Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. We genuinely appreciate the staff of our Community Mental Health Center as they minister to vulnerable peoples’ needs throughout the year.

Our affiliate treasurer, Joe Kinnan, was recently chosen as the City of Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year for 2021. A major factor in his selection was his involvement with NAMI’s mission throughout the Pine Belt region and the entire state. Joe is a retired Air Force colonel. His wife, Sandy, serves on our affiliate’s steering committee as well as the NAMI-MS State Conference Committee.

Until next time, we wish you wonderful mental health “happenings” with many victories. We consider you key companions on our journey.

- Submitted by Mavis Creagh, Affiliate President

Top: NAMI Pine Belt Affiliate President Mavis Creagh (left) and NAMI Mississippi Executive Director Sitaniel Wimbley (right) present a Certificate of Appreciation to Linda Foley during the celebration of her retirement from Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources on November 17. Ms. Foley is a longtime NAMI contributor.

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NAMI Pine Belt members Sandy and Joe Kinnan (far right) along with staff from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health met with Col. Terry Partin, Mississippi National Guard state chaplain, on September 29 at Camp Shelby regarding the importance of the Governor’s Challenge to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. (Photo source: Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center/Facebook)

G

reetings from NAMI Vicksburg!

There is so much to celebrate this quarter. With cooler weather and a calming of the pandemic, the members of the Vicksburg Affiliate have been focused in our efforts to maintain our presence in our local community as we increase awareness of mental health needs in our community and state.

We proudly participated in this year’s Walk Your Way 2021. In spite of the continuation of virtual participation, we had a blast! A special thank you goes out to Mayor George Flaggs, Jr., for graciously welcoming everyone to our virtual walk day activities. Kudos to Affiliate member Deloris McGee and The Rhymic Fuzion Senior Line Dance Exercise Group who teamed up with the Vicksburg Junior High Gatorettes dance team. They came together to do line dancing for mental, physical, and social health. It was fun and we plan to have more events with them in support of NAMI Vicksburg! Thanks to Coach Monica Williams, Instructor Lisa Kemp, videographer Jaiviss Gaines and the Gertrude Young Community Center for their care and support of our efforts to make this virtual exercise happen. All of our affiliate members and walk teams are

working hard to meet our walk goal, and we know we will succeed.

NAMI Vicksburg continues to participate in community sponsored activities around the town. Just in the month of October we participated in the Mental Health Field Day held on the Hinds Community College Vicksburg Campus.

Affiliate members Deloris McGee and Jenny Drake provided a display table of bottled water and lots of brochures about NAMI resources. Thanks to Sarah Johnson and Jenny Drake we also provide much needed mental health materials at the Fall 2021 Empower Hour sponsored by the office of Circuit Court Judge Toni Terrett. The event was held on the lawn of the Warren County Courthouse.

In an effort to better connect with the community of Vicksburg and Warren County, NAMI Vicksburg is especially pleased to accept an invitation to partner with the Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies of the Vicksburg Warren School District. This partnership gives NAMI a vital role to play in guaranteeing that VWCCA students have the professional experiences, exposures, practical knowledge, and relationships that will help launch new opportunities after graduation. Thanks to the awesome leadership of affiliate president Thomas Carson and members Deloris McGee and Jenny Drake, the paperwork and

Pictured (l-r): Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, Sandy Kinnan and Dr. Joseph Kinnan. Dr. Kinnan was recognized as the 2021Veteran of the Year during the city’s Veterans Day celebration.

other logistics were signed, sealed and delivered. Jenny Drake will serve as NAMI Vicksburg Affiliate Liaison for the partnership which consists of at least nine other community businesses. The best is yet to come!

NAMI Vicksburg is quite busy, but we have not neglected being sure that each member of our affiliate improves their skills in serving the mental health needs of our community at the grassroots level.

With that being said, our members are now in the process of completing classes from the NAMI Smarts Modules. We are proud to announce that Thomas Carson, Deloris McGee, and Jenny Drake have completed Module One. NAMI Smarts is designed to help participants build their advocacy skills. Those skills include the following: Telling Your Stories, Skillfully using Email and Phone Calls, and Meeting Your Legislators, local, state and national. It is a perfect method to refresh and refine for seasoned NAMI members and for new members just beginning to advocate. Hopefully, all affiliates will take advantage of these great classes.

For all of the activities that have been previously mentioned, you might think we are taking a break in November and December. We are not! At this time Mary Pope and Sarah Johnson along with other affiliate members are preparing for (continued on page 11)

12 · NAMI MISSISSIPPI (continued from page 11)

November and December birthdays and Bingo parties for the residents at Wisconsin Cove facility and the Group Home as well as planning how to make the Christmas activities a memorable time for all.

Rain, shine, sleet, snow, nor a pandemic has ever stomped them in past seasons.

We expect success this year as well.

We are continuing to meet virtually on Webex and conference calls but are hopeful those in-person gatherings will start back soon. Special acknowledgements must go out to Harriette Mastin for her dedicated work in keeping us on track

with any information we need to keep all affiliate members informed. Through her emails and phone calls we are able to stay informed and in touch with one another in our affiliate. Harriette, your efforts are appreciated by NAMI Vicksburg.

As we look forward to 2022, we are beginning to book presentations for NAMI Family and Friends for the months of January and February. For affiliate members with access, please check the Workplace site for our invites.

Our Affiliate Development Committee continues to meet the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. led by President

Thomas Carson. We invite you to join this committee and work with us as we strive to help one another and our communities.

Our Affiliate meets monthly every Fourth Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Our Family Support Group meets monthly every First Tuesday at 6 p.m. Please join us.

For more information on classes or support groups, Email vicksburg@ namims.org or text 601-218-0843.

- Respectfully submitted by Jenny Wilson Drake, NAMI Vicksburg Affiliate Vice President Pictures, clockwise from left: Still from NAMIWalks Your Way Vicksburg Line Dance (watch on NAMI Mississippi’s YouTube channel) Deloris McGee at the Mental Health Field Day held on the Hinds Community College Vicksburg Campus in October, and a closeup of the resource table.

Jenny Drake and Sarah Johnson at the Fall 2021 Empower Hour on the lawn of the Warren County Courthouse.

Still from Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.’s virtual address for NAMIWalks Your Way Vicksburg 2021.

• Vanessa Chatelain spoke at the Oct. 5 meeting about self-care. A recording of the meeting is available on NAMI Mississippi’s YouTube channel.

• NAMIWalks total: $695 (goal -$250).

• Shana S. Harper of Be Undefeated Therapeutic Solutions spoke at the Dec. 7 meeting about workplace burnout (recording on NAMI Mississippi’s YouTube Channel), and we listened to Laurie Walker Hall’s single, “Epiphany.”

Affiliate President Latashs Willis created a lyric video so the attendees could follow along. The video is available at youtube.com/watch?v=u-8VR5D8F8o).

• We held a virtual popcorn fundraiser from December 6-10 with sales of $337 (net profit of $168.50).

• Next meeting on Tuesday, January 4 at 7 p.m. is a business meeting, but more may be added! Stay tuned for details.

- Latasha Willis, NAMI Central Mississippi Affiliate Vice President

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T

he Oxford Affiliate may be small, but we give big.

Every penny of the $6,754 that Team Oxford raised will go to the Jackson office to fund NAMI Mississippi’s statewide needs.

Relying on 54 participants, NAMIWalks Your Way Oxford raised $11,181! We are proud that we raised nearly 30 percent of the NAMIWalk total for the state and that the top fundraiser in the state is none other than our Mary Harrington.

Our fundraising team relied on family and friends in more than a

dozen states from Mississippi all the way north to Wisconsin and New Hampshire. We also personally approached the Bank of Commerce, Parkwood Behavioral Health Systems, Right Track Medical Group, Baptist Hospital and Communicare for support. The team is grateful for their generosity.

Her Honor the Mayor of Oxford, Robyn Tannehill, served as Honorary Chair of our local walk.

As a fundraising stunt, the Oxford affiliate president booked a balloon ride. The ascent was cancelled due to a turbulent dawn. Donations came in anyway.

Partnering with Communicare Communicare in Oxford has hired

Caleb McCullum to serve for the State Office as an outreach specialist in the Oxford area. Specifically, Caleb will help with marketing NAMI in the Oxford area. Caleb is pursuing a degree in counseling.

Advocacy on the Move Mary Harrington presented the signature program NAMI Family and Friends at the Lions Club luncheon on Nov. 9. Audience interest in her talk was lively. She was booked to present the program again at the Rotary Club in November and will present at St. Andrew’s UMC Fellowship Luncheon at a later date.

- Submitted by Michael Danahy, Affiliate President

We also personally approached the Bank of Commerce, Parkwood Behavioral Health Systems, Right Track Medical Group, Baptist Hospital and Communicare for support. The team is grateful for their generosity.

Her Honor the Mayor of Oxford, Robyn Tannehill, served as Honorary Chair of our local walk.

As a fundraising stunt, the Oxford affiliate president booked a balloon ride. The ascent was cancelled due to a turbulent dawn.

Donations came in anyway.

Mary Harrington presented the signature program NAMI Family and Friends at the Lions Club luncheon on Nov. 9. Audience interest in her talk was lively.

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N

AMI Four Rivers has been active in Natchez this Fall. On September 25, we hosted our first NAMIWalks on the Bluff. Y’all Means All Natchez sponsored our walk and a local sorority hosting their own walk joined with us.

October 21-23, we celebrated “The Weekend” with Y’all Means All Natchez. This fun and inspiring event benefits NAMI Four Rivers and NAMI Mississippi.

The mission of Y’all Means All Natchez is to foster an atmosphere of hope by participating in an open way in community improvement activities while providing help in the form of funding for mental well-being services.

Y’all Means All Natchez is deeply committed to Natchez and our region.

We have all chosen to live here. As successful and impactful members

of this area, we believe that active involvement in the betterment of our community through activities such as community engagement, local improvement projects, and civic pride events, are the best ways to reach LGBTQ+ individuals who may feel isolated and helpless.

Y’all Means All Natchez is donating the profits from “The Weekend” to us. In 2019, they gave Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex $20,000. They hope to double this gift to NAMI this year. It is an awesome opportunity and responsibility to make a difference.

Leslie Jordan and Mrs. Kasha Davis headlined the events, which included Drag Bingo and the Battle of the Belles and Beaus. Along with many in Natchez, Sitaniel Wimbley, NAMI Mississippi Executive Director, and Megan Nelson, NAMI Four Rivers Affiliate President, were able to join us. We made connections with others

who support NAMI including a friend from NYC whose brother leads a Connection Support Group for LGBT individuals.

At the end of October, Heather Schrock, Secretary/Treasurer of NAMI Four Rivers, and Emily Fox spoke to the Kiwanis Club and found more support. They hope to speak to other groups and continue to spread NAMI‘s message.

NAMI Four Rivers’ Family Support Group is now meeting on the third Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. We have been meeting by Zoom and this has helped bring the support group to more family members in our Southwest Mississippi area along with others in the state. In December, we hope to be able to host our support group in person at Merit Hospital in Natchez again and, technology willing, be able to have our Zoom family join with us virtually.

- Submitted by Emily Fox

Natchez NAMIWalks with local sorority on the Mississippi Bluff.

Emily Fox, Ms. Kasha Davis and Heather Schrock

John Grady, Sitaniel Wimbley, Emily Fox, Heather Schrock, Jason Dauphin

Sitaniel Wimbley, Josalyn Royale, Emily Fox

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More pictures from The Weekend courtesy of G. Douglas Adams Photography.

16 · NAMI MISSISSIPPI

EDUCATION REPORT

by Sitaniel J. Wimbley, Executive Director Technology training for signature program leaders is available upon request.

Please check weekly newsletter for more information on times, dates and registration information for the classes, presentations, and trainings.

NAMI Leaders Signature Trainings are being scheduled and posted on Eventbrite.

Two leader for each class from each affiliate is the goal in order to make the trainings more effective. We anticipate increasing classes across the state but we will need trained leaders to increase capacity and to reduce burnout among our volunteers.

Classes Completed as of November 18, 2021: Based on the chart, we have been reimbursed from the Department of Mental Health for the following:

Type Date Completed NAMI Basics Presentation July 21, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation July 22, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation July 28, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation August 20, 2021 NAMI Basics Presentation August 31, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation August 21, 2021 NAMI Basics Presentation September 30, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation September 24, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation September 26, 2021 Say it Out Loud Training September 28, 2021 Family & Friends Presentation October 13, 2021 NAMI Smarts Training October 16, 2021

Register for upcoming classes at namims.eventbrite.com.

Signature Program Leader Training FALL 2021 CLASS State Trainers: Monica Wolters and Latasha Willis The 1.5 day virtual training was held December 4-5, 2021.

These students successfully completed the training and have the tools needed to lead NAMI Peerto-Peer courses:

Cameron Haight – Kenyatta Williams Magee – Kendra McGee Scott – Janett Williams Congratulations!

If you are interested in taking any of NAMI Mississippi’s classes or inviting us to give a presentation, send an email to education@namims.org.

WINTER 2021-2022 •· 17

by Sitaniel J. Wimbley, Executive Director Thanks again for your support of our annual charity event. We came very close to out collective goal of $50,000, and our participants got very creative with walking their way! We also thank you for joining us for our NAMIWalks Mississippi livestream on Facebook. Videos from the walks can be viewed on our YouTube channel as well as the state and affiliate Facebook pages.

Walk Name Participants Total Raised NAMIWalks Your Day NAMIWalks Your Way Coastal Mississippi Ways to Participate in NAMIWalks Your Way

42 $2,334.55 NAMIWalks Your Way Mississippi 81 $23,210.00 • NAMI Four Rivers MS Team 8 $3,020.00 ENGAGE INDIVIDUALLY: ■ Do a short video message on what Mental Health for All means to • NAMI Central Mississippi Team 9 $695.00 you and post it on social media.

NAMIWalks Your Way Oxford 56 $11,181.00 ■ Let everyone know why you’re fundraising and how NAMIWalks impacts you.

NAMIWalks Your Way Pine Belt 15 $5,805.00 ■ UseNAMIWalks NAMIWalks Signs of Your Hope to Way show why you support Mental Vicksburg 6 $2,678.00 Health for All.

Walk Goal: $50,000 Final Total: $45,208.55

■ Entice your donors with a challenge. Say something like “If I raise $500 today, I will perform a song of your choice on Facebook Live.”

Make it fun and silly – remember, humor is healthy!

■ Share a quick video or post a picture of how you take care of your mental health.

National Sponsors:

■ Honor who you are walking for – yourself, your family member, a friend – by posting a picture online. We all have a personal connection to mental illness.

Special thanks to all of our sponsors for the state and satellite walks.

IMPORTANT TIPS: ■ Be sure to use the hashtag andsponsors your local hashtag (checkbelow.

The#NotAlone state walk are listed your local NAMIWalks’ webpage) when posting on social media, so we can share your engagement with others.

NAMIWalks Mississippi

■ ALWAYS link back to your fundraising page or team page when communicating about the event so people know exactly how to support your NAMIWalks Your Way efforts.

namiwalks.org

NAMIWalks Your Way Pine Belt

NAMI Four Rivers (MS) Team

NAMIWalks Your Way Coastal MS

NAMIWalks Your Way Vicksburg

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 16 Virtual Holiday Hello February CIT Awareness Month March Mental Health & Wellness Day at the Capitol (Date TBA) May

Mental Health Awareness Month May 2-8 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week May 6 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day May 18-20 NAMI Mississippi’s 2022 State Conference June PTSD Awareness Month July Minority Mental Health Month (conference TBA) October Mental Illness Awareness Week (first full week); National Domestic Violence Awareness Month November National Family Caregivers Month

AFFILIATE & SUPPORT GROUP CONTACTS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please check with each affiliate contact for information on whether meetings are being held in a virtual or hybrid format, or have been placed on hiatus. Physical locations are listed below in case in-person meetings resume for any location in the near future.

NAMI FOUR RIVERS (MS), REGION 11 Affiliate Meeting Held quarterly.

Contact: fourriversms@namims.org Family Support 3rd Tuesday of the month Merit Health Natchez, Magnolia Room 54 Sergeant Prentiss Dr., Natchez, MS 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Contact: Emily Fox – 662.801.8700, Arrick Rice – 601.951.0887 agingmatters@gmail.com fourriversms@namims.org NAMI CENTRAL MS (JACKSON), REGIONS 8, 9 Affiliate Meeting First Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Galloway United Methodist Church 305 N. Congress St, Jackson, MS 39201 Contact: Auvergne Williams 601-259-7176 Connection Recovery Support Thursdays, 1:30-3 p.m.

Cups in the Quarter 1855 Lakeland Dr., Ste D-10, Jackson, MS Contact: John McFadden - 601-956-1856

NAMI PINE BELT (HATTIESBURG), REGION 12 Affiliate Meeting Last Tuesdays (January-October) at 6 p.m.

Forrest General Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Room 6051 US 49, Hattiesburg, MS Contact: Joe Kinnan - 601-550-8219 NAMI MERIDIAN, REGION 10 Affiliate Meeting First Tuesdays, Noon – 1 p.m.

Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave., Meridian, MS Contact: Patricia Battle at 601-527-3734 or Jill Walsh at 601-917-1474 Connection Recovery Support Tuesdays, 5 p.m.

Wesley House Community Center, 1520 8th Ave., Meridian, MS Contact: Jill Walsh at 601-917-1474 NAMI OXFORD, REGIONS 2, 3 Family Support 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m.

North Mississippi Regional Center, Administration Building 967 Regional Center Dr. (off Hwy 7 South), Oxford, MS

Contact: Hanne Gaycken - 662-2349572, 662-801-6530, or gaycken@bellsouth.net Connection Recovery Support Sundays, 3:30-5 p.m.

North Mississippi Regional Center, Administration Building 967 Regional Center Dr. (off Hwy 7 South), Oxford, MS Contact: Clarice Ivy at 662-816-0469 or clariceiam@yahoo.com or Karsten Gaycken at kgaycken@yahoo. com or 662-801-2439 NAMI VICKSBURG, REGION 15 Affiliate Meeting (Quarterly) Jan./April/July/Oct., 6 p.m. Call for dates.

Warren-Yazoo Behavioral Health Conference Room 3444 Wisconsin Avenue, Vicksburg, MS Contact: Harriette Mastin at 601-630-9470 or 601-218-0843 Family Support 1st Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Warren Yazoo Behavioral Health Conference Room, 3444 Wisconsin Ave., Vicksburg, MS Contact: Harriette Mastin at 601-218-0843 (call/text) or email vicksburg@namims.org

NAMI COASTAL MS (DEVELOPING), REGIONS 13, 14 Affiliate Meeting Second Thursday of the Month (April October), 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Arc, 3109 Gulf Ave., Gulfport, MS Contact: The State Office at (601) 899-9058 coastalms@namims.org Connection Recovery Support 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Arc, 3109 Gulf Ave., Gulfport, MS Contact: The State Office at (601) 899-9058 coastalms@namims.org Family Support 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

The Arc, 3109 Gulf Ave., Gulfport, MS Contact: The State Office at (601) 899-9058 coastalms@namims.org NAMI TUPELO (DEVELOPING), REGION 3 Affiliate Meetings Dates TBA Southern Recovery Advocacy 1020 N. Gloster St., Tupelo MS For more information, contact Stephanie Stout at 662-416-5714

Support group descriptions at namims.org/programs.

WINTER 2021-2022 · 19

MEMBERSHIP

As a reminder, the NAMI Board of Directors has decided to add a Household membership category to our membership structure as well as increase the dues for Regular and Open Door memberships. All of these changes became effective July 1, 2017.

Household Membership - $60 Regular Membership - $40 Open Door Membership - $5 A Household membership will apply to everyone living in a single household whose names are provided to NAMI. Regular and Open Door memberships will continue to apply only to one individual. For voting purposes, each membership (including Household) will be counted as one (1) membership.

Encourage your friends and family to join at namims.org/join.

MEMBERSHIP CARD DESIGN

As an added membership bonus, every NAMI Mississippi member will receive a personalized membership card. Look for yours in the mail after your dues are received by the State Office.

Carry it proudly!

Front MEMBERSHIP CARD DESIGN MEMBERSHIP CARD DESIGN Front

Front

Back Back

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Mississippi

2618 Southerland Street Jackson, MS 39216

WINTER 2021-2022

SPRING 2021 AD SPACES FOR SALE Details in this newsletter on pages 2-3. If interested, email marketing@namims.org.

In our efforts to “go green,” our newsletter can be sent to you in digital format only by request. If interested, please send an email to stateoffice@namims.org.