Berks County, PA NAMI overview on Sept. 20, 2017

1. What is NAMI? A virtual tour from the
National to Pennsylvania to Berks
by the Berks NAMI Board of Directors
General Membership Meeting
September 20, 7-8 p.m.

2. Who We Are
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the
nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization
dedicated to building better lives for the millions of
Americans affected by mental illness.
National NAMI

3. We educate
We advocate
We listen
We lead
What We Do

4. We educate - our education programs ensure
families, individuals and educators get the
support and information they need.

5. We advocate - shaping national public policy for
people with mental illness and their
families.

6. We listen - providing free referral, information
and support.

7. We lead - public awareness events and
activities, successfully fighting stigma and
encouraging understanding.

8. How we are governed

9. Board Of Directors
16 people of whom 75 percent (12 members) must
be “persons who have or have had lived experience
with serious mental illness, or parents or other
relatives, including civil partners, thereof.”

10. Councils
NAMI’s work is informed by people living with a
mental health condition or their loved ones. Four
councils advise the board.

11. NAMI Keystone was formed in 2017 after the
previous Pennsylvania NAMI was decertified.
By the consensus of National NAMI and
Pennsylvania NAMI affiliates, NAMI of
Southwestern Pennsylvania took over the role of
the state organization in July 2017 because it
was the strongest NAMI organization in PA.

12. There are 25 recognized NAMI chapters in PA.
We are here
http://www.supercoloring.com/silhouettes/pennsylvania-map

13. EDUCATE
ADVOCATE
SUPPORT
LISTEN
We are here to help Individuals, Families, and Supporters of those experiencing Mental Illness.
(610) 685-3000 berksnami@gmail.com

14. NAMI of Berks County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
membership organization governed by a board
of directors.

15. We received our non-profit status
on March 16, 2016.

16. WE ARE
People affected by mental illness who are
involved in educating, advocating and
supporting others like ourselves. We are family
members, friends and people who daily deal
with mental illness and daily overcome the
obstacles mental illness tries to put in our way.

17. For me, mental illness is a gift with a price. It has
given me much, but has come with a cost. No gift is
free. It comes with conditions. The challenge for me
and others like myself is to accept those conditions
and thrive, letting our gifts shine as we give to our
communities and our world.
Richard Gardner
President Berks NAMI

18. “NAMI Berks County, PA’s mission is to
champion justice, dignity and respect for all
people affected by mental illness (biological
brain disorders). Through education, advocacy
and support, we strive to eliminate the
pervasive stigma of mental illness, affect
positive changes in the mental health system,
and increase the public and professional
understanding of mental illness.”
From our bylaws

19. “Recognizing that many of the people affected
by mental illness are often gifted and talented
members of society, we will strive to gain
recognition for those so gifted and seek ways to
use their gifts for the betterment of them and of
society,”

20. “Actively work to remove the stigma mental
illness often carries with individuals, families,
friends and society in general.”

21. We are WELLNESS oriented. We want to
help people integrate the eight
facets of wellness –
emotional,
environmental,
financial,
intellectual,
occupational,
physical,
social, and
spiritual
– so we can each be complete and whole people.
(https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/wellness/what-is-wellness)
physical
financial
social
spiritual
complete
person
occupational
environmental
intellectual
emotional

22. At this time we are providing two
programs and one class:
Connections
Family Support
NAMI Family-to-Family

23. Connections – “peer-led support group for
adults living with mental illness. You will gain
insight from hearing the challenges and
successes of others, and the groups are led by
NAMI-trained facilitators who've been there.”
Thursday evenings 6:30-8 p.m. at this location.

24. Family Support Group – “a peer-led support
group for family members, caregivers and loved
ones of individuals living with mental illness.
Gain insight from the challenges and successes
of others facing similar circumstances.”
Second Wednesday evening of every month
7:00-8:30 p.m. at this location.

25. NAMI Family-to-Family - a free, 12-session
educational program for family, significant others
and friends of people living with mental illness. It
is a designated evidenced-based program.
Research shows that the program significantly
improves the coping and problem-solving abilities
of the people closest to an individual living with a
mental health condition.
The next class is still to be determined depending
on community interest and available trained
facilitators.

26. Our immediate goals:
1.) Continue growing our Board of Directors.
2.) Getting members trained to facilitate and lead
the various NAMI programs.
3.) Offer Mental Health First Aid and Question,
Persuade, Refer trainings (QPR, suicide
prevention).
4.) Develop a directory of local resources covering all
aspects of mental and physical health such as
wellness coaches, dieticians, housing
advocates, psychologists, psychiatrists,
doctors, …, with the input of the membership.

27. 5.) Develop networks, working relationships and
alliances with other mental health, wellness and
community groups.
6.) Offer social events for members, their families
and friends to interact with each other.
7.) Develop a list of social and support opportunities
in the local communities.

28. We need you to participate to make Berks
NAMI a great organization.

29. The most important way for you to participate is to
attend our programs.

30. Now we want you to tell us your expectations
and what you want from Berks NAMI and our
Board of Directors.

31. NAMI National programs:
NAMI Basics – a 6-week education program for parents and family caregivers of children
and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been
diagnosed. NAMI Basics is offered in a group setting so you can connect with other people
face-to-face.
NAMI Ending The Silence - Helping middle and high schoolers understand mental illness
makes a big difference. We can teach them about the warning signs for themselves and
their friends. NAMI Ending the Silence helps raise awareness and change
perceptions around mental health conditions.
NAMI Family-to-Family - a free, 12-session educational program for family, significant
others and friends of people living with mental illness. It is a designated evidenced-based
program. Research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-
solving abilities of the people closest to an individual living with a mental health condition.
NAMI Homefront – a 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of
military service members and vets with mental health conditions.
NAMI In Our Own Voice - is presentations which change attitudes, assumptions and
stereotypes by describing the reality of living with mental illness by people with mental
health conditions sharing their powerful personal stories.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer - a free, 10-session educational program for adults with mental illness
who are looking to better understand their condition and journey toward recovery.
NAMI Parents & Teachers As Allies - empowering teachers and school personnel to make a
lasting difference in the lives of their students, opening the door for schools to make a
difference.
NAMI Provider Education - introduces mental health professionals to the unique
perspectives of individuals living with mental illness and their families. You’ll develop
enhanced empathy for their daily challenges and recognize the importance of including
them in all aspects of the treatment process.

32. NAMI Pocono NAMI Delaware NAMI Erie
NAMI Washington NAMI Lancaster NAMI Mercer
NAMI Blair NAMI Lehigh Valley NAMI Centre
NAMI Cumberland / Perry NAMI Main Line NAMI North Central Pennsylvania
NAMI York NAMI Montgomery NAMI Beaver County
NAMI Berks NAMI Greater Philadelphia NAMI Luzerne / Wyoming
NAMI Chester NAMI Schuylkill NAMI Scranton and Northeast
NAMI Bucks NAMI Butler
NAMI Dauphin NAMI Crawford
Recognized PA NAMI chapters

33. Contact Information
Office Hours
M,T,Th, and Fri- 9:15am to 1:15pm
Wed- 5:00 pm to 8:00pm
Calvary United Church of Christ
640 Centre Avenue
Reading, PA 19601-2827
http://www.namiberkspa.org/
https://www.facebook.com/NAMIBerks
berksnami@gmail.com
(610) 685-3000
We are here to help Individuals, Families, and Supporters of those experiencing Mental Illness.
(610) 685-3000 berksnami@gmail.com