National Alliance on Mental Illness
November 2010 Vol. 27 / No. 3 Patience Merullo, Editor
Veterans and the Speaker Kevin Henze, PhD, CPRP.
Recovery Transformation: Director of Empowerment & Peer Services Center at
the Edith N. Rogers Memorial VAMC of Bedford, MA
Let's Keep on Growing!
NAMI of Central Middlesex is pleased to announce that our Nov-
ember education program, to take place on Monday, November
15th at 7:30 p.m. at Elm Brook Place, Bedford will be about the
veterans recovery transformation programs. (Directions to Elm
Brook Place are on page 4.) Dr. Kevin Henze, Director of Empow-
erment and Peer Services at the Bedford VA will be our speaker.
Over the past several years a steady transformation has rippled
throughout the Veterans Health Administration. The transformation
is one of mental health recovery! As an essential component of
mental health recovery, peer support has found a new home at VA
medical centers around the country, including the Edith Nourse
Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center in Bedford, MA. Dr. Kevin
Henze and Albert Krull, CPS will be sharing the good news about
Peer Support in the Veterans Health Administration, and Bedford
VAMC in particular, on Monday, November 15th, 2010. All are
invited to learn about the peer sup- ported recovery innovations at
the Bedford VA and engage in a dialogue with Dr. Henze and Mr.
Krull as to ways that the Peer Advisory Committee at Bedford VA
can continue to grow its relationship with NAMI and NAMI
Central Middlesex in particular.
Don’t forget to VOTE! WELCOME
Former Eastern Middlesex
VOTE NO A liate Cities and Towns
Our sharp-eyed readers will notice a change in
ON QUESTIONS 1, 2, 3 the masthead of this month's Bridge. We have
ON NOVEMBER 2ND added the areas that were formerly part of the
Eastern Middlesex affiliate. We look forward to
MASS ELECTIONS working with folks in these areas to help re-estab-
lish NAMI's presence. We have reached out to
For the sake of our mental health community,
many NAMI members in this area, and will con-
please vote on November 2nd Massachusetts tinue to do so over the coming months. We hope
elections and vote NO on questions 1, 2, and 3. to hear from those of you who would like to help
See article on Page 5 for NAMI-Mass and the us further our mission of support, education and
advocacy in the former Eastern Middlesex area.
Mass. Public Health Association positions.
2
CONSUMER AND FAMILY SUPPORT INFORMATION
Support Groups for CONSUMERS (persons who have a mental illness):
1. N A M I C O N N E C T I O N R E C O V E RY S U P P O R T G R O U P S (facilitated by NAMI-trained peers)
Fitchburg: Sponsored by NAMI of at Boston University,
a) by NAMI Greater Boston CAN, meetsNorth Central, meets at b) Somerville: NAMI Connection at the Cambridge-Somerville
Messiah Lutheran Church, 750 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, every Recovery Learning Center, 153 South St, 2nd Floor, every
Thursday night 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. For information call Sheryl at Monday from 1-2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Janel
978-602-0089. (Meets at the same time and place as the family at 617-863-5388 or tanj@vinfen.org.
group, but in a different room.)
c) Framingham: The NAMI Greater Framingham Family (caregivers) Support Group and NAMI Connection (for persons
recovering from mental illnesses) Support Group will meet on the first Monday of the month starting at 7pm at the
United Church of Christ Framingham Conference Center, One Badger Road, Framingham, MA. For additional
information call Tina at 508-272-9061 or call NAMI Greater Framingham Help Line 508-875-1544. The groups meet in
separate rooms in the same building (White Colonial Style Building).
d) Clinton: See 1.f below for details.
2. D B S A - B O S TO N (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance - formerly MDDA) meets every Wednesday from 7:00
to 9:00 pm at McLean Hospital (in Belmont, MA) in the deMarneffe building cafeteria. Additionally, there are drop-in groups on Monday,
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm in room 132 in the deMarneffe building cafeteria, Phone: 617-855-2795,
Email: info@dbsaboston.org, Website: www.dbsaboston.org. Family focused support groups, as well as consumer support groups
are both available.
Peer Warm Line 1-877-733-7563
A friendly phone line run by peers for peers. Hours of operation: Tuesday thru Sunday 4 to 8 p.m.
Support Groups for FAMILIES & FRIENDS of those with a mental illness:
1. N A M I FA M I LY A N D F R I E N D S S U P P O R T G R O U P S (facilitated by NAMI-trained peers)
a) Bedford: Sponsored by NAMI Central Middlesex, meets b) Framingham: The NAMI Greater Framingham Family
last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 - 9:30 pm, First Church (caregivers) Support Group and NAMI Connection (for per-
of Christ, 25 Great Road (Route 4/62/225). Call ahead to sons recovering from mental illnesses) Support groups will
use the elevator for handicap access, Susan Wingfield meet on the first Monday of the month starting at 7pm at
781-275-9389. the United Church of Christ Framingham Conference
Center (See 1.c above for more detail.)
c) Fitchburg: Sponsored by NAMI of North Central, meets d) Newton: Sponsored by NAMI of Newton-Wellesley, meets
at Messiah Lutheran Church, 750 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital on the second floor (usually
every Thursday night 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Contact Diane or Bowles Room #6) at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of
Guy at 978-345-1491. (Meets at same time and place as each month. Contact Eileen at 781-444-0750 or Jean at
the consumer group but in a different room.) jfaccerral@verizon.net.
e) Stow: Sponsored by NAMI Central Middlesex, 3rd Saturday of f) Clinton: Sponsored by NAMI of North Central, a separate group for
every month,10:00 am, Fellowship Hall, First Parish Church in Stow families and one for consumers, will be meeting on every other Friday
near the intersection of Rt. 117 and Rt. 62. Call Chuck or Trish Woods at Clinton Hospital, Highland St., Clinton at 7:00, 2nd floor, Conference
at 978-897-2962 for more information and directions. Rooms A & B. Contact Edie or Andy Scott at 978-345-2214 for information.
2. N A M I C A R E A N D S H A R E S U P P O R T G R O U P S (facilitated by NAMI Volunteers)
The monthly Caring and Sharing meeting of NAMI Cambridge-Middlesex will meet at the Cambridge hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street
in Cambridge. The location is in on the 3rd floor of the main building, in the Learning Center A (also called Conference Room A) on
the first and the third Monday of the month,7:30 to 9:30 pm. There is free parking, and it's on the T. If you want to attend and if you
have any questions, please call Elizabeth at 781-646-0397. Or, you can find bus directions to the Cambridge hospital at this link:
http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/servicenearby/?saServiceNearBy=1493+cambridge+st
3. D B S A - B O S TO N (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance - formerly MDDA) meets every Wednesday from 7:00
to 9:00 pm at McLean Hospital (in Belmont, MA) in the deMarneffe building cafeteria. Additionally, there are drop-in groups on Monday,
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm in room 132 in the deMarneffe building cafeteria, Phone: 617-855-2795,
Email: info@dbsaboston.org, Website: www.dbsaboston.org. Family focused support groups, as well as consumer support groups
are both available.
Information on Support Groups in other parts of Massachusetts:
To obtain information on consumer or family/friends support groups that meet in other parts of the state, conact the NAMI-Mass
office at 781-938-4048 or 800-370-9085 or check the website: www.namimass.org/supportgroups
NAMI of Central Mass Affiliate Helpline:
Our affiliate helpline, 781-982-3318, is covered by trained volunteers. Leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.
In a psychiatric emergency in our area, instead of calling 911 or using the local hospital emergency rooms, call
the Emergency Service Provider (ESP) at 800-640-5432. This is a 24/7/365 line. For information on ESP’s in
other areas of Massachusetts, call the Mass. Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) at 800-495-0086.
3
Message from NAMI of Central
the Co-President Middlesex
Having just received our check Sponsored Training
from NAMI Mass for our affil-
iate’s portion of the money for New Support
raised by our affiliate from the Group Facilitators
walk, it is only fitting that we Submitted by:
express our most wholehearted
thanks to all of you who con- Claire Boudreau,
tributed to the huge success of Affiliate Support and
our effort. Our affiliate led the Resource Coordinator
way in most funds raised,
Ivy Pompei receiving $17,033.32 of the Claire Boudreau
approximate $68,000 handed
NAMI of Central Middlesex affiliate sponsored a training
out to affiliates as a whole. Karen Gromis, of NAMI Mass, as Walk for new support group facilitators in our area on a recent
coordinator, carried out the most successful walk in the country. What weekend in October. All of the participants are “peers”,
a monumental job she did for NAMI Mass and for each and every one either family members, consumers, or vets who volun-
of our affiliates. teered to take the extensive facilitator training and will
Of course, for NAMI Central Middlesex, first and foremost we have to lead newly formed peer support groups as follows: A
thank Tom Scurfield, our walk coordinator. Tom is so enthusiastic and support group for veterans which will met off base, prob-
encouraging. He truly makes the event uplifting and fun. Tom devotes ably in the Bedford area, a support group for consumers that
himself for months to getting out there and drumming up walkers and will met in the Waltham area, and a support group for
fundraisers in face to face meetings with the clubhouses and other family members/caretakers that will met in the Waltham
organizations involved. He is truly the “coach” who leads the team to area. Details will be available in next month’s Bridge.
victory, rallying everyone to the cause. He reaches out to all involved The training was developed by NAMI-national and
to make each of us feel the importance of what we are doing. He involves learning facilitation skills, a trauma model of
makes even the most reluctant of us as fundraisers rise to the emotional responses, how to facilitate a structured group
challenge. that allows all those present to participate in the group’s
This year we had three clubhouses participate in our walk, each of work, and how to met the needs of those who attend each
them contributing in a very big way. Potter Place and Edinburg session.
Center, under the leadership of Scott Bezzini, brought 75 walkers; Our sincere thanks to Laura Blockel, the NAMI Connection
Elmbrook Clubhouse brought over 30, under the leadership of Steve Coordinator and Trainer of NAMI-Mass; to Janet Hodges
Paone; and Horizon House, new to our affiliate area this year the facilities coordinator from Edinburg Center, and the
brought about 20, led by Ellen Freshman. Also joining us for the first Edinburg Center of Lexington/Waltham who allowed us to
time this year was a group from the Young Adult Program (YAP) in use their facilities. Also thanks to the many people who
Arlington. We appreciate the great efforts by these leaders to organize participated in last spring’s walk which provided the fund-
these teams and bring the enthusiasm they did to the Walk. ing for this training.
In addition to our three clubhouses, we had a growing team of Congratulations to the participants in the courses. Mary
Veterans/Nurses. The turnout for this team was inspiring. We have Morin of Waltham, Will Hatley of Lowell, Brenda Watson
Tom Raposa and Kevin Henze to thank for their efforts in rallying the of Chelsea, Susan Corey of Malden, Debra Eisan of
Vets and Marie Ryder for her encouragement of the nursing students Waltham, Kimberly Lawrence of Stoneham, Tina Gesse of
from Middlesex Community College of Bedford. The addition of these Lexington, Janet Hodges of Arlington, and Billie Drew of
two groups to our walk makes it that much more special. Lexington.
Of course we additionally had a huge group of affiliate members and
Family-to-family alumni participating as always. Dee Febba uses all
her energy getting out the family-to-family alumni and she and Claire Nominating Committee for 2011
Boudreau did a great job organizing the group of Affiliate Officers
membership-at-large. In addition, Diane Holden rallied a group of
walkers from what had been the Eastern Middlesex Affiliate. This The following affiliate members have been appointed
affiliate has now joined ours (see welcoming message on page one) to the nominating committee for the 2011 Board or
and we acknowledge Diane’s help in getting these walkers out and Directors and Officers: Pam Andrews, Francine
look forward to our continued collaboration with this group. Stieglitz, Lois Pulliam, and Janet Hodges.If you are
interested, or know of anyone interested, in serving
Lastly, a huge thank-you goes out to every individual walker and
on the board of directors, please get in touch with
fundraiser who participated in this event. Our success depends on
every walker walking and every dollar solicited. It is our volunteer one of these committee people.
membership, you, who made this the success that it was. Election of new officers and board members will take
place at our affiliate’s annual meeting in January.
Ivy Pompei, Co-President
The Faces of Mental Illness in Your
Directions to Elm Brook Place Clubhouse Classroom Program Receives a
124 South Road, Bedford, MA - 781-687-0993 Grant from the First Parish Church,
From Route 95/128 North or South: Unitarian of Bedford
Take EXIT 31B Northwest towards Bedford By Nancy Willett, Former President of NAMI
Travel West on Routes 4/225 (The Great Road) CMSX and member of the Social Responsibility
Turn left on Loomis Street at a traffic light just before Committee of First Parish Church
the CVS store on the left
The Social Responsibility Committee the First Parish
At the junction of South Road, (a very large/wide
intersection with a traffic light) turn left Church (Unitarian) in Bedford recently announced
Elm Brook Place clubhouse is the third building on your that it is giving a grant to the course: The Faces of
left (a two-story cream-colored stand-alone building) Mental Illness in Your Classroom, which has been
authored by Judith McKendry, our affiliate vice-pres-
From the West of Bedford
Travel East on Routes 4/225 (The Great Road) into ident and Susan Root, a school psychologist from the
Bedford Center Acton-Boxborough school system. This in service
Turn right on South Road at the first traffic light on the workshop is for junior and senior high school teach-
corner of the large white First Parish UU Church that ers and staff and is designed:
is set back on the town green • to help teachers and staff recognize and under-
South Road passes through an intersection with a traffic stand signs of distress,
light • to develop empathy for students and parents
Elm Brook Place clubhouse is the third building on your • to give teachers and staff tools and resources that
left (a two-story cream-colored stand-alone building) can result in more school success for the youth
and their parents.
Parking: Along the right side or behind the building, if
there is space, or in the lot across the street (entrance on One of the most compelling pieces of the workshop
other side of the bike shop.) are first person accounts from older youth and their
Entrance: Use the front entrance of the building parents who have traveled the road of pain and diffi-
culty due to conditions related to mental health. The
grant is to pay for traveling and other expenses of the
guest speakers since many of them are on limited
income.
Your Sleep Problems, Sleep The course is presently being run at EDCO, a
collaborative of 20+ towns/cities in our local area
Disorders and Your Mental Health
which provide education courses to teachers and
Did you know sleep disorders can be symptoms of other school personnel. Twenty-one people are
mental illness or cause mental illness? Plus sleep participating in the current course which started last
disorders have an impact on existing mental illness. week and continues for several weeks.
That's just some of the information contained in a new
Many members of our affiliate have supported this
section on the HealthyPlace website on Sleep Disorders
wonderful program by participating in it as speakers
and Sleep Problems. Not only do we cover the types of
and providing resources for the course.
sleep disorders and their signs, symptoms, causes and
treatments, but this special section has detailed
information on:
• ADHD and Sleep Disorders Rosalynn Carter to Speak on the
• Alcoholism, Addictions and Sleep Disorders Mental Health Crisis in Boston
• Anxiety and Sleep Disorders On Sunday, November 7th, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.,
• Bipolar Disorder and Sleep Disorders Rosalynn Carter will be speaking on the Mental
• Depression and Sleep Disorders Health Crisis in our country, at the JFK Library,
You might also want to watch our video interview with Boston. Ms. Carter, wife of former US President
HealthyPlace Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, on Jimmy Carter, has been a strong advocate on mental
sleep disorders and mental health. health issues for years and their family’s organization,
The Carter Foundation, provides resources for advo-
For more information and to see these articles, go to: cacy and research on mental health. For info & to
http://www.healthyplace.com register go to: http://bit.ly/a4WWfC
5
Forum on the Treatment Advances
in Schizophrenia:
Promoting Adherence, Wellness and
Cultural Understanding
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010 from 10 am - 3:15 pm,
with check-in from 9:15-10 am complimentary coffee, tea,
and lunch will be served.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, The Starr
Center Auditorium, Charles River Plaza, 185 Cambridge
Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA Vote NO on Questions 1, 2, & 3
Presented by: The Massachusetts General Hospital Psychi- on November 2nd -
atry Academy Patient and Family Education Program Massachusetts Election Day
(Formerly known as the MADI Resource Center.) The NAMI-Mass and the Mass. Public Health Association
Massachusetts General Hospital Schizophrenia Clinical (MPHA) asks that you vote NO on Questions 1,2,& 3 on
and Research Program November 2nd. Our community is already reeling from
Sponsored by: The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation the massive budget cuts of the past several years. We can-
Target Audience: This free educational program is not afford any more and we need housing. Yes, the afford-
intended for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, as able housing law is flawed—we need to fix not repeal it.
well as their families and friends. No on 1: No Special Tax Break for Alcohol
Topics: Alcohol is not a necessity and does not deserve a special
• New approaches to drug development in schizophrenia, tax exemption. The only goods exempt from the sales tax
including the use of genetics to individualize treatment are necessities like food, clothing, and prescriptions. Rev-
• Factors that influence medication adherence such as enues from the alcohol tax – over $100 million per year –
side effects, patient-doctor communication, and provide dedicated funding for healthcare services for
patients' feelings and attitudes about medication more than 100,000 residents with behavioral health needs.
• The influence of social factors including race, sex, and Massachusetts has some of the highest rates of alcohol
culture on both adherence and response to medications and drug abuse in the country. The alcohol tax saves lives
• Health-promoting strategies to reduce serious medical by reducing teen drinking and funding treatment services
conditions in patients with schizophrenia to help people beat addictions and get their lives back on
track. Learn more: http://www.NoOn1Ma.com
A panel of patients and their family members will share
personal experiences of living with schizophrenia. All No on 2: Don’t Repeal the Affordable Housing Law
presenters, including members of the patient and family Massachusetts is an expensive place to live. Good health
panel, will be available to answer questions from those depends on decent, stable, and affordable housing for all of
attending the program. us. The affordable housing law is the primary law
responsible for creating affordable housing across the
Cost: The program is free and open to the public. state - over 80% of the affordable housing created over
Registration: Seating is limited and pre-registration is the past decade, outside the major cities, is due to this law.
required. To register or learn more about the program, visit The law allows seniors to stay in the communities where
http://www.moodandanxiety.org or call 617-724-8318. they built their lives, young people to stay in the commun-
ities where they grew up, and working families to afford to
Contact Information:
own a home near where they work. Learn more:
Email: educationprogram@partners.org
http://www.ProtectAffordableHousing.org.
Telephone: 617-724-8318
No on 3: Don’t Decimate Local Services
Rolling back the state sales tax from 6.25% to 3% would
SEE http://www.spedchildmass.com cost the Commonwealth more than $2.5 billion every year,
decimating funding for public health and human services.
for the following articles
We all want good public health, schools, police and fire pro-
• Making Cent$ of Healthcare Financing for Disabilities tection, safe roads and bridges, clean water, and quality
• Are You The Next Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts? health care. Cutting the sales tax by more than half would
• Free Halloween "Cones For Kids" benefits Easter Seals deprive our communities of the revenue to pay for them.
• Hearing & Vision Impairment Conference at Perkins Learn more: http://www.VoteNoQuestion3.com.
• Brain Development in Teens - Where Things Go Wrong For further information, see:
• “Riding The Waves of Change" - Mental Health Con- http://www.namimass.org/vote-no-on-questions-1-2-3
vention for All Ages
• Aspergers and Autism Workshops For Parents in Water-
town and Needham
• What Does The New Health Care Legislation Mean for
My Special Child?
• Our Exclusive Doug Flutie Interview – Coming This Week
• Mental Health Support Throughout Massachusetts
6
Report on the social worker. They both have a good understanding of
Advocacy and what the shortcomings and needs are in the area of
Public Policy mental health, and described improvements already made
Meeting held on including Mental Health Parity and Health Care Reform.
September 28th in Rep. Sullivan pointed out that “in these times we have to
Cambridge fight for common sense” and cited an example of almost
losing Fall River Mental Health to the 9C cuts even though
Submitted by Lynda the actual revenue was positive. He stressed that local
McCumber, reps really can make a difference, changing things in the
Co-President of NAMI community.
Central Middlesex Rep. Hecht said, “educate me”. With no prior mental health
experience, he has relied on his constituents to guide him.
NAMI Central Middlesex co-hosted a well attended program
on September 28th with our neighboring affiliates, NAMI
When the 9C cuts came up, he very quickly began to hear
Cambridge Middlesex and NAMI Newton Wellesley. We about their impact on providers, including PACT Teams,
had the opportunity to learn about the backgrounds and Edinburg Center, Police Interventions and Jail Diversion.
views of five of our local state representatives as well as ask He went on to stress how devastating it will be to the budget
questions and voice our concerns. and services if either Ballot Questions 1 or 3 on sales taxes
pass in November, and asked us all to vote no on both.
Representative Alice Wolf, 25th Middlesex, acted as mod-
erator for the panel. Also attending were Rep. Jon Hecht of Mr. Villaruz spoke for Rep. Kahn and touched on many of
29th Middlesex, Rep. David Sullivan from 6th Bristol in the issues she has worked for. They included homelessness,
Fall River, Rep. Ruth Balser of 12th Middlesex, and Darryl mental health, sexual predators, circles of support and
Villaruz, Chief of Staff for Rep. Kay Khan of 11th Middle- accountability. She would like to improve the correctional
sex. All of these representatives are members of the Massa- facilities, including preventing suicides and providing assess-
chusetts Legislative Mental Health Caucus. ments coming into and leaving the facilities. He empha-
Alice Wolf spoke briefly about the Legislative Mental sized that “Sharing [personal] stories and thoughts on a
Health Caucus, which includes over 80 legislators and regular basis speaks volumes.”
focuses on the need for improved mental health services. The overriding themes of the evening were to educate the
She also talked about the supplementary budget which is legislators and the staff so they know what to put forth.
being held up and contains money for mental health. Staff can be your biggest advocates. Advocacy – even for
The first two speakers have backgrounds in mental health. Rep. controversial issues – can make a huge difference in form-
Balser is a psychologist, and Rep. Sullivan a psychiatric ing and changing peoples’ minds.
Changes to Criteria for Mental Disorders Input Needed
From Mike Fitzpatrick, NAMI executive director
Social Security Administration Proposes Changes to Criteria for Mental Disorders - On August 19, 2010, the Social
Security Administration (SSA) published a proposed rule revising medical criteria for evaluating mental disorders for
purposes of determining eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI). These include proposed changes to the criteria for evaluating mental illnesses in adults and mental health
conditions in youth. In conjunction with NAMI’s Scientific Advisory Council, we will be carefully evaluating these
proposed changes and submitting comments to the SSA. All comments are due by November 17, 2010. If you are
interested in reviewing the proposed changes, they can be accessed at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-20247.pdf
We would like to hear your views and those of your grassroots membership. All comments should be sent via email
to Bianca Ruffin, BiancaR@nami.org. We will carefully consider these comments in preparing our own, and will send
guidance out to the field prior to the November 17th deadline.
7
Members’ Corner MPOWER 23rd Annual Meeting and
Our affiliate’s sympathies are extended to An Appreciation Ceremony for Karl
member Margaret Abells and family on their Ackerman's Contributions to the
recent loss. Peer Movement
Our affiliate’s sympathies extended to the family MPower’s 23rd Annual Meeting and a Karl Ackerman’s
of Charles Freed, long-time member of our Appreciation Ceremony will be held on Saturday,
affiliate. November 13TH at the Unitarian Universalist Church,
90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01601, from
Best wishes for a speedy recovery is 1:00-5:00 p.m.
extended to affiliate member, Patricia Wood.
RSVP, rides & more info, call 617-442-4111
.
Carry On
By Mike Bearce NAMI-Mass FUNraiser
What burns inside you Join the fun, including light refreshments,
holiday art, gifts, and wine sale as well as live
Is the gift of giving music, entertainment, a professional sommelier, a
Which feeds the desire silent auction, and an opportunity to sample 48 dif-
To keep on living. ferent wines at the NAMI-Mass Wine Tasting and
You can help those Holiday Sale on Sunday, November 14, 2010
from 6-8 pm, at The Wine Gallery, 375 Boylston
Who are in need Street, Brookline. Call NAMI-Mass at 781-938-4048
By being unafraid for $20/tickets. Parking is free.
To take the lead.
Unhappiness you will
Always rise above NAMI Blog: NAMI Peer-to-Peer:
By remembering
An Intersection
To show your love.
The official NAMI Blog is now up and running. NAMI
As each day Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick has penned ten
Brings a new dawn thoughtful posts so far. Read "NAMI Peer-to Peer:
e choice is there An Intersection" written by guest blogger Sarah O'Brien,
To carry on. director of the NAMI Peer-to-Peer program and other
timely issues.
Add your comments at http://blog.nami.org
Recovery Resources and Support's
Personal Stories Collection Project
Recovery Resources and Support believes strongly in
the power of a personal story of recovery. Because these Social Security and Financial
testimonials are proving to be invaluable resources for Planning for Families
individuals dealing with illness, Recovery Resources NAMI Cambridge-Middlesex will be hosting this
and Support is starting a collection of personal stories educational meeting on Tuesday November 9th
dealing with mental illness and substance abuse addic- from 7-9 p.m. at the Macht Auditorium, Cambridge
tion recovery to be made available on their public web- Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge. (Free
site and they want to hear your story! Send in your own hospital parking with vouchers obtained at the
personal stories, making sure to include what your chal- meeting)
lenges were, when you realized recovery was possible The speakers will be: Bob Smith, the statewide
and what you do to help maintain your wellness. Stories Benefits Specialist at DMH; Tim Loff a Newton
will be published on: lawyer fielding questions on guardianships and
http://www.recoveryresourcesandsupport.com financial planning; and Pat Freedman, head of
Send your stories by Monday, Nov. 21, 2010. Please Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN of
contact Niki by phone at 804-314-6316 with any Mass) covering her organization's program for wills
questions or comments. and trusts.
8
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
November 2 – Tuesday: Massachusetts Elections (See page 5 for details.)
November 6 – Saturday: Forum on Schizophrenia (See page 5 for details.)
November 7 – Sunday: Rosaylnn Carter at JFK Library (See page 4 for details.)
November 9 – Tuesday: Social Security and Financial Planning (See page 7 for details.)
November 13 – Saturday: MPower annual meeting (See page 7 for details.)
November 15 – Monday: NAMI CMSX education meeting (See page 1 for details.)
November 17 – Wednesday: Deadline for input on changes to criteria for Mental Disorders (See page 6 for details.)
November 20 – Saturday: Family Support Group, Stow (See page 2 for details.)
November 21 – Monday: Deadline for Personal Stories Collection project (See page 7 for details.)
November 17 – Sunday: NAMI-Mass FUNraiser Wine Party (See page 7 for details.)
November 30 – Tuesday: Family Support Group, Bedford (See page 2 for details.)
December 5 – Sunday: NAMI CMSX holiday get together
December 18 – Saturday: Family Support Group, Stow (See page 2 for details.)
December 27 – Tuesday: Family Support Group, Bedford (See page 2 for details.)
July 6-9, 2011: The NAMI-National Convention is scheduled at Chicago Hilton Hotel. Early registration has reduced prices.
For more convention information and to register, go to http://www.nami.org/convention.
SEE PAGE 2 FOR DETAILS ON AREA SUPPORT GROUPS
Deadline for the next Bridge is: Please remember that all submissions
must be emailed as attachments in
Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 the Microsoft Word (.doc) format.
Affiliate Officers & Board of Directors
Co-President Ivy Pompei 978-667-4543 ivypompei@comcast.net
Co-President Lynda McCumber 978-250-1509 LMcCumber@comcast.net
Vice President Judy McKendry 978-897-9541 jdmckendry@verizon.net
Secretary Liz Watson na liz@lizwatson.com
Treasurer & Support / Resource Coordinator Claire Boudreau 978-772-0402 cboudreau@verizon.net
Auditor Brown Pulliam 781-275-0090 brown.pulliam@verizon.net
Community Education Outreach Coordinator Judy McKendry 978-897-9541 jdmckendry@verizon.net
Legislation Coordinator Rita Sagalyn 781-538-5102 ritacs0174@gmail.com
Programs Coordinator Billie Drew 781-799-4744 drew.billie@gmail.com
Board Member At-Large Francine Stieglitz 781-862-9171 fstigeli@bu.edu
Board Member At-Large Pam Andrews 617-484-7938 pandrews@bu.edu
DMH Board Area Meeting Reporter Erna Greene 781-777-2328 esgreene2328@comcast.net
Legislative and Consumer Issues Gail Rosensweig 781-275-0523 gracie0410 @netzero.net
Walk Coordinator Tom Scurfield 978-618-7521 garlandhome@comcast.net
Veterans Outreach Coordinator Tom Raposa 508-326-3220 traposa443@aol.com
Membership Coordinator Dee Febba 978-697-3441 deefebba@comcast.net
Special Projects Nancy Willet, Don Willet, Duncan Brown, Ralph Fleischman
Special thanks to Joe McKendry for creating the bridge drawing on this newsletter’s cover!
NAMI of Central Middlesex Membership Form (Jan.1 through Dec. 31)
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