Do you have a family member or friend with Major Depression? Bipolar Disorder? Schizophrenia?
The Partnerships family education workshop is provided at no charge to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining their own wellbeing. If you would like information on various mental illnesses, resources in your area, coping skills, medications, and much more, we invite you to attend this intensive workshop.
Workshop: April 7th, 2018
9:00AM – 5:00PM United Way Galveston County Mainland Office
2800 Texas Ave. Texas City 77590
Register online at https://namigulfcoast.org/upcoming-events/partnerships/ or call (281) 585-3100
Reservations required as enrollment is limited
The NAMI Gulf Coast Help-line is a valuable tool used by individuals, friends, and family members affected with mental illness. Volunteers will be trained to be able to fully address general level questions about serious mental illness, treatment and publications. Volunteers will also provide individuals, friends, and family members with referrals to local services in regards to their needs.
Volunteer to help keep the NAMI mission of: • Increasing support, education, advocacy and research • Empower each caller • Give Compassionate guidance • Provide excellent service
NAMI Help-line is available Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm
Volunteers are the cornerstone of NAMI Gulf Coast. Helping thousands of families affected by mental illness.
“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to
make a difference in the lives of others.”
- De Ann Hollis
For more information on volunteering and other volunteer opportunities, visit namigulfcoast.org/volunteer
or call (281) 585-3100
April 2018 The Official Newsletter of NAMI Gulf Coast
April 3rd: Galveston support group April 9th: La Marque support group April 12th: Lake Jackson support group April 19th: Alvin Individual support Group April 19th: Phone support group April 26th: #iwillask event August 25th: Summer Luau October 5th: Mental Health Awareness Conference
Inside this issue:
Calendar:
CONTACT US!
281-585-3100
888-554-2264
www.namigulfcoast.org
PO Box 4096 Alvin, TX 77512
2206 N Gordon Alvin, TX 77511
The Voice for Mental Illness in Galveston and Brazoria Counties!
Page 2 - Upcoming Events; Monthly Support Groups and Conference Call Page 3 - Sponsor Thank You’s Page 4 - In-Kind Thank You’s Pages 5 - Psychological First Aid & Provider Education Page 6 - ADHD Coping Skills Page 7 - Second Chance Thrift Shop Sales
The NAMI Gulf Coast Crawfish Boil was a huge success! We want to thank everyone involved in the planning, preparation and execution of this Crawfish Boil! We could not have done it without you! The Alligator Handshake Band was top drawer entertainment. THANK YOU sponsors, supporters, donors, and volunteers! We truly appreciate your support!
National Alliance on Mental Illness
U P C O M I N G
E V E N
T S
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ALVIN INDIVIDUAL GROUP 3rd Thurs Every Month
Thursday, 4/19/18 4:00 - 5:30PM
Westover Cove
2200 Mustang—Alvin
LAKE JACKSON FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL GROUP
2nd Thurs Every Month
Thursday, 4/12/18 6:00 - 7:30PM
CHI St. Luke’s Health Care
100 Medical Drive—Lake Jackson
LA MARQUE FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL GROUP
2nd Mon Every Month
Monday, 4/9/18 6:00 - 7:30PM
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
1601 Lake Road—La Marque
GALVESTON FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL GROUP
1st Tues Every Month
Tuesday, 4/3/18 6:00 - 7:30PM
Moody Methodist Church
2803 53rd Street—Galveston
Looking for help?
Need Support?
Attend our Family and Individual Support Meetings
Topic: Adult ADHD
PHONE SUPPORT GROUP
3rd Thurs Every Month
Thursday, 4/19/18 6:00PM
Dial In Number: (641) 715-3570
Access Code: 453534
The community of Pearland is hosting their 2nd Annual #iwillAsk Suicide Prevention and Awareness Event. The event is held to raise awareness for suicide prevention, mental health, and personal well-being for high school and junior high students! So come out to: • Ask about suicide • Seek more information • Know where/how to refer Event will be held on April 26, 2018, Thursday at 6 PM to 8PM Located at Pearland High School—Searcy Campus Live Music, information booths, mental health professionals & student speakers, door prizes...and MORE!
National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 3
T H A N K
Y O U
We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to our amazing sponsors for our 2018 Crawfish
Boil.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 4
T H A N K
Y O U
We want to thank our in-kind sponsors. Without your donations, our silent auction would not have
been possible.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 5
E D U C A T I O N
NAMI Gulf Coast is currently offering Family & Friends seminars. Family & Friends is program that informs and supports people who have loved ones with a mental health condition. This program teaches about diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation and NAMI resources. This program is only available as a pilot program in few states. This is a single 4-hour seminar. Seminar leaders each have a personal experience with mental illness, either as a family member or as a friend.
NAMI Provider Education introduces mental health professionals to the unique perspectives of individuals living with mental illness and their families in this 4-hour seminar taught by a team consisting of an adult with mental illness, a family member, and a mental health professional. You’ll gain: • Understanding of the realities of living with mental illness • Increased compassion for the vulnerabilities people face when
seeking care • Recognition of your critical role in the individual and family’s
journey towards recovery • Empowered view of the lasting impact your care makes
For more information on these programs, or to schedule a class for
your organization, please contact NAMI Gulf Coast at
[email protected] or call (281) 585-3100
National Alliance on Mental Illness
E D U C A T I O N
Page 6
5 Coping Tips for ADHD and Impulsivity
by: Raven Jacobs
Individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also battle with impulsivity and low motivation to engage in prosocial behaviors. Even though medication is the top treatment for ADHD, Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., who focuses mainly on ADHD patients, designed 5 helpful tips for one can do to tame impulsivity.
Understand how your ADHD functions. No one person experiences the same form of ADHD. It is important to understand your type and the symptoms associated.
Try this: Ask yourself, how does your impulsivity manifest? What negative consequences arise? Gather more information and better understanding by attending support groups.
Be mindful. Bring your attention to the present, without judgement.
Try this: When you notice an urge, name it! For instance, here is anger and wanting to yell at my spouse for leaving his dirty dish. Once the urge Is identified, practice mindful self-coaching.: “Try to stay calm, its just one dish. I can express how I feel without lashing out.” Say this to yourself in a supportive, compassionate, and encouraging voice.
Challenge negative thoughts and take ACTION!
Pay attention to your inner dialogue, especially negativity that encourages impulsive behavior.
Try this: Ask yourself, “What was going on before the impulsive action? Was I pushed by negative thought(s)?” If yes, then break your task down. Add 5-minute breaks in between 30-minute work intervals. Constantly remind yourself how good it will be once the task is completed. Turn your inner dialogue into support and motivation.
Make it harder to act impulsively.
Once you have narrowed your impulsive behavior(s) then you can set up counteractive behaviors.
Try this: If you have the urge to blurt out comments during inappropriate times, then carry a small notepad to quickly write your comments so you can share them when time is appropriate.
Engage in calming activities.
Impulsivity is a product of stress and anxiety. An individual engages in risky behaviors as a coping mechanism to release stress.
Try this: When feeling stressed or overwhelmed, engage in a relaxing activity to help dampen impulsive urges. These activities could include: stretching, walking outside, deep breathing, and listening to music.
Managing ADHD on top of impulsive urges can be a daily challenge for
an individual. Gaining an understanding of your form of ADHD, how impulsive behaviors manifest, and practicing effective coping skills can help establish a form of control and balance in one’s life. So try out these 5 helpful tips!
Tips from Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
T H R I F T
S H O P
Page 7
2206 N. Gordon (Bus . 35)
Alvin, Texas 77511 281-585-3100
Store Hours: Wednesday - Friday 10am - 3pm
New Daily Specials! Wednesday– 50% OFF Boutique Clothing
Thursday– 50% OFF All Shoes & Purses
Friday-$10.00 Fill-a-Bag
Jeans $1.00
GREEN Tags 50% OFF!!
Remaining EASTER ITEMS are 1/2 OFF until they’re gone!!
2018 Board of Directors Dean Price Mary Ferree Andrea Hazlitt Eddie Karbowski Reathea Alexander Shawn Lewis Tricia Garza Regina Lewis Ramona Benton
Executive Director: Jan Melis Emeritus: Carolyn Karbowski Staff: Jan Melis Executive Director [email protected] Amber Torres Director of Finance & Development [email protected] Kyle Funderburk Director of Administration [email protected] Alicia Karbowski 2nd Chance Thrift Shop Manager [email protected] Crystal Lewis Education Coordinator [email protected]
National Alliance on Mental Illness
April 2018
P.O. Box 4096
Alvin, TX 77512
281-585-3100
1-888-554-2264
www.namigulfcoast.org
NON-PROFIT ORG
U S POSTAGE
PAID
Friendswood, TX
Permit #4096
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
It is the mission of NAMI Gulf Coast to provide support, education, and
service advocacy for families and individuals affected by mental illness.
Eliminating the stigma of mental illness is the primary goal for NAMI Gulf
Coast. The hope is that one day mental illness will be treated with the same
compassion and understanding as any other illness.