SAMHSA Administrator Comes to Pittsburgh to Discuss Mental Illness as Public Health Issue

Pittsburgh, Pa.— Do you consider mental illness a public health issue? Should a person’s healthy mental development be a national priority? These are some of the questions that will be discussed on Friday, June 14, at an event in Pittsburgh featuring Pam Hyde, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public efforts to advance the behavioral health system of the nation.

“We deal with the social issues of mental health all the time: homelessness, unemployment, dropping out of treatment,” explains Christine Michaels, Executive Director of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, the organization that is hosting the event featuring Administrator Hyde on Friday. “But if you start thinking of mental illness as a public health issue, then you begin with prevention. And that’s a new way of thinking.”

WHAT: Mental Health and Substance Use as a Public Health Issue

WHO: Pam Hyde, J.D., Administrator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

WHEN: Friday, June 14, 2013  ●  11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

WHERE: Sheraton Station Square, Admiral Room

WHY: To explain and foster a discussion among providers, advocates and consumers of mental health services why mental health and substance use are public health issues in America.  

“We are thrilled to bring Administrator Hyde to Allegheny County, where we have a rich array of services and a strong mental health system that is focused on recovery during a time of great change,” states Ms. Michaels.  “She represents our leadership at the national level and is our best hope of a recovery focused mental health system in the future.”

The event is sponsored by Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc. with support from Value Behavioral Health.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania (an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education and advocacy. More information is available at www.namiswpa.org or by calling (412) 366-3788.

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NAMI Takes a Stand for Mental Illness in New Documentary on Violence

Last night, thousands of viewers across Southwestern Pennsylvania watched a new documentary on gun violence in America called "Gun Violence: The Voices." Produced by Tonia Caruso for WQED-TV, the 30-minute documentary investigates gun violence and the gun control debate from a variety of different perspectives. One of those perspectives is that of Christine Michaels, MSHSA, executive director of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. Michaels represents the mental health community in the documentary, which illustrates that mental illness is common and that people living with mental illness are no more likely to commit a violent crime than the rest of the population.

"In the incidences that we do know of where there has been a tragedy and an act of violence, and we know that the person did have a mental illness or a history of mental illness, we know that it (the mental illness) was untreated," Michaels stated. "And that is the operative word: untreated."

Michaels continues, "So if you're going to create new laws in terms of gun violence in America and you want to focus on mental illness then I think you should focus on treatment, not a list. It is a disincentive to seeking treatment."

To view the entire 30-minute documentary, which was funded by the Pittsburgh Foundation, click here.

New Community Education Classes on Mental Illness & Addiction

NAMI is pleased to announce a series of classes in June that focus on mental health and addiction.   

These Community Wellness Classes are for people who want to learn more about mental health issues and addictions. Whether learning how to care for yourself or a family member, there is much to explore. The interactive classes are taught by experts in the mental health and/or addiction fields along with family advocates. Our experts include physicians and staff at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC and NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Registration must be in advance.

• Class size is limited.
• Cost is $30 per class.
• Child care is provided at no charge.
• For additional information, contact Nancy Mundy at (412) 204-9090.

You are Not Alone: Facts About Mental health and Mental Illness
This class provides an overview of some of the more common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, phobias, hoarding and obsessive compulsive disorder. We will review substance abuse, the symptoms, and the different kinds of treatments available. This class will also cover the types of mental health professionals and how to find help.

• Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m.

To register for the event, visit the Classes and Events page and use "Community Wellness" as a keyword. Look for the "You Are Not Alone" classes. If you have questions or need help with registration, call the NAMI office at (412) 366-3788.

You are Not Alone: Someone in My Life is Depressed, What Can I Do?

Depressed individuals may withdraw from family and friends and the activities they enjoy. Others may experience symptoms including: low energy, chronic fatigue, decreased effectiveness at school, work or home, a change in eating and sleeping habits, and loss of sexual interest. This class will give an overview of depression and the types of treatment available. Our experts will provide information about available resources and what you can do to help your loved one.

• Wednesday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
• Thursday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m.

To register for the event, visit the Classes and Events page and use "Community Wellness" as a keyword. Look for the "You Are Not Alone" classes. If you have questions or need help with registration, call the NAMI office at (412) 366-3788.

Classes are sponsored by Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, Allegheny Family Network and NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Big News: Few Waived for NAMI Cycles!

Ride with NAMI for only $30! That's right: to create a more inclusive event for NAMI members and friends, we have waived the $150 fundraising requirement for NAMI Cycles. So register online today and ride with us on Saturday, May 18. Don't miss this first-of-its-kind event on the Great Allegheny Passage to raise awareness of mental illness. Here's how you can get involved:

 

1) REGISTER to cycle for only $30 today at www.namicycles.com. Want to cycle but need a bike?  Find bike rentals here.

2) DONATE if you cannot attend. Click here and become a virtual rider by donating $30, stock up a rest stop for $50, or be a trail champion for $150.  Any amount you can donate is truly appreciated.  

3) VOLUNTEER! We welcome individual volunteers or group volunteers from businesses, schools or community organizations. Contact Susan Harrington at sharring@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 14.  

While there is no fundraising requirement, riders raising at least $150 will receive a NAMI Cycles T-shirt in a size of your choice. Very cool indeed!  

For more information, call (412) 366-3788 or email dgarda@namispwa.org.

Announcing Honorary Chair of NAMI Cycles

We are pleased to announce WTAE-TV News Reporter Sheldon Ingram as the Honorary Chair of our inaugural cycling event NAMI Cycles, which takes place on Saturday, May 18 at Cedar Creek Park. Sheldon has been with WTAE-TV for 20 years and is devoted to health and fitness, including (of course) cycling! 

With Sheldon Ingram as our Honorary Chair and a growing list of sponsors, NAMI Cycles is only three weeks away. We need your help to make this happen! Can you do one of the following?

 

1) REGISTER to cycle and/or ask a friend to participate. Here is the link for information and to register: http://www.namicycles.com/

 

2) SPONSOR or donate to NAMI Cycles. Sponsors recieve many benefits. Click here for details. Other donations can be made securely online here. 

 

3) VOLUNTEER. We need volunteers to put on this event. We welcome individual volunteers or group volunteers from businesses, schools or community organizations. Contact Susan Harrington at sharring@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 14.

 

All proceeds benefit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in its mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education and advocacy.

 

Sponsors of NAMI Cycles

We'd like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors whose support is helping us to launch the inaugural NAMI Cycles event on Saturday, May 18. Without sponsors to fund our events--which raise a tremendous amount of awareness about mental illness in the community--events such as this would just not happen.

THANK YOU to:

The Testoni Family

The McHolme Family

Stanley M. Stein, P.C.

NAMI Familias

We are still in search of sponsors for this event! Please take a look at our NAMI Cycles Sponsorship Brochure for monetary levels and benefits, or contact Darcey Garda at dgarda@namiswpa.org or (412) 366-3788 ext. 23.

For Immediate Release: NAMI Cycles for Mental Illness

NAMI Cycles Event To Debut on the Soon-To-Be-Completed Great Allegheny Passage

Rostraver, Pa.— NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania announces its first-ever cycling event to raise awareness of mental illness on the soon-to-be-completed Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), noted as one of the best bike trails in the country. Taking place on Saturday, May 18, NAMI Cycles begins and ends at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver. It offers four distance options ranging from five miles to 73 miles, perfect for families, casual riders and fitness enthusiasts alike.

WHAT:           NAMI Cycles: The Great Allegheny Bike Ride
 
WHEN:           Saturday, May 18, 2013   ●   9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:        Cedar Creek Park, Rostraver Township, Pa.

WHO:             Hundreds of cyclists and mental health advocates

WHY:             To raise awaress of mental illness

HOW:             Information and register at www.namicycles.com

“One in four people are affected by mental illness, and we’re eager to bring our message of hope and recovery to a whole new audience,” said Christine Michaels, executive director of NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. “NAMI Cycles is a new way for us to engage a different segment of people in Southwestern Pa. and let them know that mental illness is common and that support and treatments are available.”
 

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania (an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education and advocacy. More information is available at www.namiswpa.org or by calling (412) 366-3788.

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