Volume 3| Spring 2020

NAMI Capital RegionNews

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Message from NAMI CapitalRegion NY Board President

May this edition of the NAMI Capital RegionNY newsletter find you well and healthy.We are facing challenges none of us haveever faced before. Children home fromschool, working from home, socialdistancing, and financial strains andconcerns about the health of ourselves andloved ones . These additional stresses cantrigger or lead to new onsets of mentalhealth conditions. NAMI Capital Region'svolunteers and program leaders areworking to be there for you. Online peerand family support groups are in place andhave begun meeting, the helpline is takingcalls and online education courses are inthe works. I hope you find some help andhope in NAMI CR's offerings. Please don'tforget the value of good self care duringthese times. You can't pour from an emptycup!Spring time is upon us, take some

time to smell the flowers!All My Best,Robin Cole

Covid-19 Response AND ResourcesVisit nami.org for A COVID -19 Resource and Information Guide,important updates on Covid-19 and media coverage interviews with DrKen Duckworth.

NAMI Capital Region's President,Robin Cole was interviewed bySpectrum News Albany onsuggestions on how to cope duringthis time of social isolation.

See the full interview here: MentalHealth Experts Give Tips to GetThrough Pandemic

Click on your county for more information from your CountyDepartment of Health

Albany County Department of HealthGreen County Department of Health

Rensselear County Department of HealthSaratoga County Department of Health

Schenectady County Department of HealthOr

New York Department of Health

Meals AND Mental Health SupportMeals AND Mental Health Supportfor Our Communityfor Our Community

NAMI Capital Region and NAMI New York State are working with Feed Albanyto reach those need in our community with food and mental health supports.

Feed Albany provides at-risk and in-need individuals in Albany, New York andthe Greater Capital Region with access to prepared & packaged meal solutionsby utilizing commercial kitchens, unemployed restaurant workers, volunteersand the use of donated vehicles to produce, package and distribute preparedmeal solutions.

Flyers with information on how to access NAMI CR's weekly onlineConnections Peer Recovery Group and Family Support Group meetings alongwith events and activities to promote connection, health and well being fromNAMI NYS are being distributed along with the meals.

If you’ve lost your job in a Capital District restaurant as a result of thecoronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are willing to donate your time tohelp prepare, package and distribute prepared meals to people in needthen we might be able to provide you some limited financial assistance.For more info and see if you qualify, please click hereIf you are able to DONATE, please click hereIf you are interested in volunteering please, complete the form hereIf you are in need of food, please click here

SUPPORT NAMI CR's Off the MaskModel

Mary Beth HonsingerMary Beth HonsingerI'm raising money for NAMI. It is important to me

because of all the support and education itprovides about mental illness. I will be proudly

walking down the catwalk in November to unmaskmy own battles with depression and anxiety.

I need to raise $2500 by November 6th, the date ofthe Off the Mask Event.Donations will be used to provide more support, education, and advocacy forindividuals and families affected mental illnessThank you for helping me, reach my goal.I'm selling car magnet I'm selling car magnet ribbonsribbons to for to for Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health Awareness Month (May) as(May) aswell as for my commitment to Off the Mask. I will be modeling as a peer with awell as for my commitment to Off the Mask. I will be modeling as a peer with amental illness. This will allow me to unveil my face mask on stage, amental illness. This will allow me to unveil my face mask on stage, arepresentation of me unveiling my diagnosis to the world. representation of me unveiling my diagnosis to the world. The The ribbonsribbons cost $5.75 including postage. You may contact me through my cost $5.75 including postage. You may contact me through myemail: email: mbhonsing@aol.com or message me on the Messenger App at Mary or message me on the Messenger App at MaryBeth Honsinger.Beth Honsinger.

Click Here to Donate

Off the Mask UpdateOff the Mask Update

As we continue to practice socialAs we continue to practice socialdistancing, we have decided to postponedistancing, we have decided to postpone

our Off the Mask event. our Off the Mask event.

New Date: November 6, 2020 New Date: November 6, 2020 New Location: Desmond HotelNew Location: Desmond Hotel

Same Time: 5:30 pm. - 9:30 pm. est.Same Time: 5:30 pm. - 9:30 pm. est.

FAST FACTS:Spring is here. Let's get growing!

Gardening is good for our mental health. Even something as simpleas having a plant on your desk can reduce stress and make you feelmore energized and able to think more clearly, and many that sufferfrom anxiety or depression have found gardening and caring for plantsto be incredibly beneficial. But did you ever stop to wonder why thatis?

Read more here

Problem GamblingAwareness

NAMI Capital Region has partneredwith The Northeast ProblemGambling Resource Center to raiseawareness about connectionbetween mental health disordersand problem gambling.What is Problem Gambling?Problem gambling is when gamblingcauses problems in someone’s life.

In some cases, gambling becomes an addiction called gambling disorder. which can betreated with counseling. Problem gambling can cause personal, family and careerproblems. These problems could be arguments over money and gambling with your lovedones, missed deadlines at work, or feeling depressed or anxious because of yourgambling. 5% of the adult population in New York State are struggling with a gamblingproblem. . (2006 OASAS Adult Problem Gambling Household Survey)Mental Health and Its Connection to Problem GamblingMental health refers to our emotional and mental wellness. How we think and feel canattribute to the behaviors we display. Many individuals struggle with their mental health ona daily basis. A variety of factors come into play, but have you ever thought about problemgambling as a source of emotional distress for someone?Nearly 668,000 New Yorkers have experienced a gambling problem in the past year. Thatis a lot of family, friends, and colleagues having trouble. Problems from gambling caninclude sleep issues, strains on relationships with loved ones, and struggles at work.Each person struggling with problem gambling affects 6-10 of those closest to them. Astudy found that 9 out of 10 people affected by someone else’s gambling problems feltemotional distress. This means that between the people struggling with problem gamblingand the people closest to them, nearly 6.7 million New Yorkers are affected and maystruggle with mental health issues.People who struggle with problem gambling are also at a higher risk for struggling withother mental health disorders. Two out of three gamblers reported that their mental healthsuffered as a result of their gambling problems. In addition to struggling with gamblingthey may be struggling with mental health problems such as a mood disorder likedepression, a personality disorder, and anxiety. On top of that, problem gambling has thehighest suicide rate among all addictions. About 50% of those struggling with a gamblingproblem have either thought about or attempted suicide. That’s a frightening statistic.

Warning Signs� Gambling to escape or avoid worries, frustration or disappointments.

� Neglecting other responsibilities to concentrate on gambling activities.� Increasing the amount of money bet in an effort to win back losses.

� Gambling with money needed for necessary expenses, such as groceries ormedication.

� Relying on others to get out of debt.� Feeling desperate, depressed or even suicidal because of gambling.

Ask Yourself1. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?

2. Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?

If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling, help is available.Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center

NortheastPGRC@NYProblemGambling.org (518) 801-1491NYProblemGamblingHELP.org

May isMental Health Awareness

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CONNECTIONS Recovery Support GroupONLINE

Click here to learn more

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group: is arecovery support group for adults living with mentalillness. People learn from each others experiences,share coping strategies, and offer each otherencouragement and understanding. Groups areconfidential, open, and free of charge.

Family Support Group ONLINE

NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for family members, significant

others and friends of people with mental health conditions.

Click Here to Learn More

We're pleased to announce that REGISTRATION IS NOWOPEN for the following sessions*:

Eastern Daytime: April 6 – May 11Mondays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST (9:00am CST, 8:00am MST, 7:00am PST)

Eastern Evening: April 6 – May 11Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST (5:30pm CST, 4:30pm MST, 3:30pm PST) Pacific Evening: April 7 – May 12Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 8:30 pm PST (7:30pm MST, 8:30 pm CST, 9:30 pm EST)

Central Evening: April 8 – May 13Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm CST (5:30pm MST, 4:30pm PST, 7:30pm EST)

*Please note the TIME ZONE listed for each class time NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session program for family, friends andsignificant others of military Service Members and Veterans. The classhelps families understand what the Service Member/ Veteran isexperiencing related to trauma, combat stress, civilian life transition,PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The program is designed to help family members understand andsupport their Service Member/Veteran while maintaining their own well-being. NAMI Homefront leaders have personal experience with mentalhealth conditions impacting their Service Member/ Veteran. The class isfree but you are expected to attend all six sessions. You must haveaccess to a laptop, PC or tablet with a stable internet connection toparticipate. To hear audio, you will need to call in via telephone. Werecommend you use a headset or headphones.

An application process is required to ensure this program is a good fit.Space is limited.

Click here to register

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