NAMI Mercer CalendarFor regular support meetings, see Page 8

PU B L I C ED U C A T I O N ME E T I N G S

A T T H E NAMI CE N T E R

Sept. 21 (Tuesday), 7:30 to 9 p.m.D e p r e s s i o n

Barry Jacobs, PhDDr. Barry Jacobs has been at PrincetonUniversity for over three decades, where heserved as director of the program in neuro -science. He is a member of the PrincetonNeuroscience Institute.

Oct. 19 (Tuesday), 7:30 to 9 p.m.Current PharmacologicalApproaches to Treating

Schizophrenia and BipolarD i s o r d e r

Karen Marquis, PhDDr. Marquis is former director of InVivo

Pharmacology at the Pfizer NeurosciencePsychiatry Drug Discovery Group. Nowretired, Dr. Marquis participates in pro -grams sponsored by the NeuroscienceNetwork and other activities that connectlife science professionals of the CentralNew Jersey research corridor.

Nov. 16 (Tuesday), 7:30 to 9 p.m.ADHD and Related Disorders in

Children and Adults.Jagwinder Sandhu, MD,

In addition to being a general psychia -trist, Dr. Sandhu specializes in assessmentand management of ADHD and relateddisorders for children and adults. Untreat -ed ADHD can lead to significant academ -ic, occupational and social dysfunction inindividuals.

NAMI Mercer will host its secondannual Harvest of Hope confer-ence on Saturday, Oct. 9 from

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Presby-terian Church of Lawrenceville. Thiseducation event is open to consumers,their families, and the general public.

Our theme this year is “Keeping JoyAlive,” inspired by “Transforming Men-tal Health Care in America” (2004), areport of the U.S. Substance Abuse andMental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA), that names “recovery” asthe single most important goal for men-tal healthcare. The report identifies 10fundamental components of recovery;we will focus on the holistic component:

Recovery encompasses an individual’swhole life, including mind, body, spirit,and community. Recovery embraces allaspects of life, including housing, em -ployment, education, mental health andhealthcare treatment and services, com -plementary and naturalistic services,addictions treatment, spirituality, cre -ativity, social networks . . .

Lizzie Simon, freelance writer, con-sultant, and public speaker, will deliverthe opening address. Diagnosed withbipolar disorder as a young adult, shetraveled across the country to interviewpeople who had successfully managed

their bipolar disorder. Since the publica-tion of her popular memoir “DETOUR”(Atria Books, 2002), Lizzie has spokenat more than 70 universities and confer-ences. She is currently finishing work ona new memoir, tentatively called“Soldier’s Heart.”

The conference then will offer atten-dees a choice of concurrent wellnessworkshops, with one session in themorning and another during the after-noon. The $10 registration fee includesl u n c h .

Workshops will provide a variety ofinteractive and hands-on wellness expe-riences. Topics include stress manage-ment, communication, employment,nutrition, journaling, art therapy, spiri-tuality, exercise, reiki, caregiver self-care, humor, meditation, and massage.

Michelle Zechner, MSW, LSW, CPRP,faculty member from the UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions(SHRP) and Family-to-Family instruc-tor, will conclude the conference with amessage of hope.

NAMI Mercer will mail a conferencebrochure to all members shortly. Formore information, call us at 609-799-8994 or see our website at www.nami-m e r c e r . o r g .

September 2010 Published by NAMI Mercer NJ, Inc. www. n a m i m e rc e r. o rg Vol. 28, No. 3

H a rvest of Hope ConferenceOur Mission

NAMI Mercer is a nonprofit organization of individuals

and families working to improve the lives of those affected by mental

illness through education, advocacy and mutual support.

9th Annual Night Out with NAMI 2011January 9, 2011, at 3:00 p.m.

The Music Building, The College of New JerseyTickets: $49 for concert; $165 for concert and dinner

The Bill Charlap Trio will present the music of well-known American jazz composersaffected by mental illness. Charlap, widely considered one of the world’s best jazz

pianists, has earned two Grammy nominations for his CDs “Somewhere” and “The Bill Charlap Trio Live at the Village Vanguard.”

In early July, four representatives ofNAMI Mercer went to the NAMINational Convention in Washing-

ton, DC. Tom Pyle (Board member andFamily-to-Family teacher), Cara Mar-cano (Multicultural Outreach andAdvocacy Coordinator), Erika Reading(Consumer Program Coordinator), andI attended the gathering of about 2,000people from all 50 states and theDistrict of Columbia. Each of us chosesessions according to our individualinterests; we brought home informationon a wide variety of topics.

A major theme for this year’s eventwas the implementation of healthcarereform and its potential impact on men-tal healthcare now and in the future.With huge policy changes coming onthe heels of the new mental health par-ity law, NAMI National is calling on allNAMI members to be vigilant advo-cates. With the convention offering aperfect opportunity for advocacy, par-ticipants spent an entire day givingbriefings and visiting Capitol Hill tospeak with legislators.

New Jersey had about 20 attendeesfrom the state organization and otheraffiliates. Several congressional repre-sentatives and their aides visited us.Reps. Rush Holt (D-NJ12) and LeonardLance (R-NJ7) addressed the group,and we visited with the chief of staff forRep. Chris Smith (R-NJ4). We sharedour concerns with our representatives.In particular, we emphasized that men-tal health continues to be a major focusof healthcare reform implementationplans, that inappropriate and harmfuluse of restraints and seclusion bereduced for children and adolescentswith mental illness, that mental illnessbe decriminalized, and that funding forhousing for people with mental illnessbe expanded. We also stressed theimportance of federal funding forMedicaid matching for states and theexpansion of the Mental Health BlockGrant, especially as NJ (and all states)weather such difficult budgetary crises.

Here are some highlights of the con-v e n t i o n :

• A three-year research project on

F a m i l y - t o -Family foundthat the coursereduces distress,depression, andthe subjectiveburden of familymembers as wellas improvesfamily function-ing and empow-erment. The pro-gram is now rec-ognized as an evidence-based practice.

• We were pleased that Sen. RobertMenendez received an award fromNAMI National for his sponsorship oflegislation for expanded funding forsupportive housing for people withmental illness.

• NAMI National has worked for thepast three years on Standards ofExcellence for all levels of the organiza-tion, specifying minimal requirementsfor affiliation with NAMI.

• Representatives from the NationalInstitute of Mental Health’s RAISEStudy reported on its research explor-ing the effectiveness of early andaggressive treatment for schizophreniain preventing the gradual deteriorationof functioning.

• Martha Silva, director of NAMI NJen Español, won the Multicultural Out-reach Award from NAMI National forher work in spreading De Familia aFamilia, (Family-to-Family) in NJ andthroughout the United States.

• “Ask the Doctor” sessions are favor-ites at all conventions. Renowned psy-chiatrists and psychologists providespecific answers to individual ques-tions, while also offering descriptions ofsymptoms and the most inspiring infor-mation about treatments and recoverythat I have ever received.

The convention closed with a pre-Fourth of July banquet attended bymedia and celebrity headliners. Actressand family member, Glenn Close, washonored for her work in the “BringChange 2 Mind” campaign againstmental health stigma.

Our group from NAMI Mercer was

inspired by the broad range of learningopportunities, the breadth of the NAMIorganization, and the affirmation of ourown affiliate here in central NewJersey. We look forward to implement-ing many of the ideas that we discussedin Washington as we get up and run-ning for our exciting fall programs!

S i n c e r e l y ,

Sally OsmerExecutive Director

Executive Director’s Message

Sally Osmer

NAMI National Convention: a report

Page 2

Volunteer VoiceWithout a doubt, we need to extend

enormous thanks to ALL the volunteerswho came out and assisted in makingour 3rd NAMI Mercer Walk a wonder-ful success. More than 80 men, women,boys and girls supported the Walk insome manner.

In the near future, we will be lookingfor volunteers for two special events:our 2nd Annual “Harvest of Hope”Conference, scheduled for Saturday,Oct. 9 and “Night Out with NAMI” onSunday, Jan. 9. Night Out alwaysrequires a large number of volunteers.

We also need committed volunteersfor our regular educational and supportprograms. “Just Kids” leaders are look-ing for help with monthly activities. Weare looking for new volunteers for our“ H e l p l i n e,” which we are planning toexpand this year.

NAMI Mercer’s community outreachprograms are growing. We need volun-teers to attend community events tomake presentations and represent ouro r g a n i z a t i o n .

As volunteers drop from the active listfor a variety of reasons, we require newvolunteers to assist with mailings, officefiling, data input, advocacy, and othertasks. Please consider helping us toachieve our mission.

Tom To m p k i n sVolunteer Coordinator

t t o m p k i n s @ n a m i m e r c e r . o r g

Unlike cardiovascular diseaseand other medical conditions,psychiatric disorders have few

evidence-based primary prevention andtreatment strategies based on dietarymodification. Previous studies thathave looked at a potential link betweendiet and depressive illness have focusedon individual nutrients or food groups;they have not traditionally looked atthe impact of a whole diet.

A review of close to 200 studies pres-ents strong evidence of the protectiveeffect of an overall Mediterranean diet

on risk of coronaryheart disease(Archives ofInternal Medicine,Apr. 13, 2009).This diet is charac-terized by vegeta-bles, fruit, wholegrains, and fish.

I’d like to reviewthree recent epi-demiological stud-ies that found thatwhole diets simi-lar to the Mediter-ranean diet helpprevent depression and anxiety.Conversely, new research suggests thata Western diet high in refined orprocessed foods and saturated fats mayincrease the risk of depression.

In Oct. 2009, the Archives of GeneralPsychiatry published a study of 10,000Spaniards by Dr. Martinez-Gonzalezthat found the risk for depression to beabout 30 percent lower in participantswith higher adherence to the Mediter-ranean diet. The research also foundthat very low consumption of fish was arisk factor for depression. Fish is ourmajor source of omega-3 fatty acids.

In Nov. 2009, the British Journal ofPsychiatry described a population-based study of 3,486 civil servants inLondon (ages 35 to 55). Scientists foundthat participants who consumed a typi-cal Western diet high in processed foodshad increased odds of depression. Thisfinding was observed after adjusting forother factors such as age, socioeconom-ic status, education, marital status,total energy intake, health behaviors,and health status.

The third was a cross-sectional studypublished by investigators at theUniversity of Melbourne, Australia(American Journal of Psychiatry, Jan.2010). It concluded that individualswho regularly consume a Mediter-ranean-like diet were more than 30 per-cent less likely to have major depres-sion, dysthymia, and anxiety disorderscompared with their counterparts whoconsume a Western diet. In addition,

the Western diet was associated with a50 percent increased likelihood ofd e p r e s s i o n .

Many nutritionists have called the“Standard American Diet” SAD. Basedon epidemiological evidence, I wouldadvise eating a Mediterranean-stylediet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts,whole grains, and fish to optimize youroverall health and potentially decreaseyour risk of depression and cardiovas-cular disease.

In addition, studies have suggested arole for omega-3 fatty acids in BipolarDisorder and Major Depression. Anexciting result, published last Februaryin The Archives of General Psychiatry,found that fish oil may prevent thetransition from a subthreshold psychot-ic state to full-blown psychosis. Thefinding was based on a small random-ized, double-blind, placebo-controlledtrial of 81 patients (ages 13 to 25) atrisk for psychosis. At the end of the 12-month study, researchers found thatthe cumulative conversion rates to psy-chotic disorder were 4.9 percent forthose taking 1.2 grams of omega-3FAfish oil supplements versus 27.5 per-cent in the placebo group.

The study suggests that fish oil maydelay, but probably not prevent, theonset of schizophrenia. Subjects did nottake antipsychotic medications or moodstabilizers during the study but couldtake antidepressants.

This study adds to a growing body ofevidence pointing to the protectivequalities of fish oils in mental health.This result should be interpreted cau-tiously and regarded as a supplementalstrategy rather than a primary treat-ment. My recommendation is to eat aMediterranean-style diet for your phys-ical and emotional health. In combina-tion with exercise and stress manage-ment practices, this type of diet willoptimize your recovery and keep youw e l l .

William P. HayesM.D., F.A.A.C.A.P

P r e s i d e n t

President’s Message

Bill Hayes Jr.

Page 3

Mediterranean diet reduces risk of depression

Bill Hayes, i n t e r nBill Hayes III is the

son of NAMI MercerPresident WilliamHayes Jr., a psychia-trist in practice in theMercer County area.Bill is a graduate stu-dent, working towardsthe prerequisites formedical school. Hisbachelor’s degree wasearned at PhiladelphiaUniversity.

Bill’s work for NAMI Mercer focuseson graphic design and communications.In the past, he worked for the JohnHancock Company as a graphic design-er, producing promotional materials andfinancial reports.

He heard about our organization fromhis father, started at the NAMI Centerin the beginning of the 2009 springsemester, and put in eight hours a weekat first. Now, he does four hours a week,mostly on graphics. Among other proj-ects, he produced the Walk brochure, forwhich he downloaded some design ele-ments from the national NAMI website.He uses Adobe’s Illustrator andPhotoshop software packages.

Bill’s skills have been valuable toNAMI, since design and typesettingservices are extremely expensive and outof reach for most small non-profits.

Bill enjoys working at the NAMICenter. “They’re nice people,” he said.He also values the experience of workingwith people who actually need help.

Bill Hayes III

Page 4

The NAMI Walk: May 22, Washington Crossing State Park

Top left: The “For the Love of Akira” team at the starting line. Right: BobDemers with Phil Lubitz, associate director for NAMI NJ.

Middle left: NAMI Mercer founder and long-term director Chomy Garceswith Executive Director Sally Osmer. Right: Sakiko Ono and her daughter,Keiko at the registration table. Below right: the littlest walkers join thecrowd.

Bottom left: Carol Kivler with Bob Powers and Debbie Smyth.Bottom right: Vince Peloso and Maddy Monheit.

Page 5

By Madeline Monheit

More than half of all prison andjail inmates, including 56 per-cent of state prisoners, 45 per-

cent of federal prisoners, and 64 per-cent of local jail inmates, were found tohave a mental health problem, reporteda press release issued on Sept. 6, 2006by the Justice Department’s Bureau ofJustice Statistics (BJS).

According to Philip Lubitz, associatedirector of NAMI New Jersey, “. . . pris-ons have replaced hospitals as the prin-cipal institutional setting for peopledealing with mental illness.”

For almost a year, NAMI MercerExecutive Director Sally Osmer hasbeen teaming with Greater TrentonBehavioral Healthcare (GTBHC) andcounty police, prosecutors, correctionsofficers, mental health administrators,mental health agencies, and theCapital Health emergency psychiatricscreening center to reverse this trend.The team’s strategy is to provide CrisisIntervention Training (CIT) for policeofficers, whose initial attitudes andactions are so critical when dealingwith a psychiatric emergency.

NAMI Mercer will play an importantrole on the CIT team by training agroup of family members to share per-sonal stories of their interactions withlaw enforcement. “Our involvement inCIT is part of our outreach in the com-munity and our advocacy to improveservices for all who are affected by men-tal illness,” explains Osmer.

Goals of CITIt is estimated that 350,000 persons

with serious mental illness are living inthe community in our state. Since 7 to15 percent of police responses involvesomeone affected by mental illness,there is an urgent need to educate firstresponders about interacting with thisp o p u l a t i o n :

• To defuse confrontational situa-tions and limit injury to themselves,the person with mental illness, andthe public;• To change the misconception thatmost individuals with mental illnessare dangerous. In reality, they areusually victims and not perpetratorsof crime;

• To encourage police to use the serv-ices of psychiatric screening centersinstead of taking the person directlyto jail;• In lieu of arrest for minor offenses,to expedite the person’s access tomental health resources;• To reduce the number of personswith mental illness in our prisonsand jails.

Background on CIT in NJPolice Chief Thomas Garrity of

Collingswood, NJ has been champi-oning CIT for the past several years.His town in Camden County, in collab-oration with its local NAMI affiliate,was the first in the state to pilot CIT.Since 2007, more than half of the town’spolice officers have been trained to rec-ognize mental illness, to de-escalatepotentially violent situations, and totake advantage of mental healthr e s o u r c e s .

“The officers become advocates forthe mentally ill,” commented Garrity ina recent interview for The Examiner.

John Monahan, founder and CEO ofGTBHC, is largely responsible forbringing the CIT initiative to MercerCounty. Working on a grant to promotejail diversion, Monahan invited allcounty police chiefs and sheriffs depart-ments to a luncheon last summer, atwhich Garrity was the speaker. As anoutgrowth of that meeting, a steeringcommittee was formed and groups ofabout 20 Mercer County law enforce-ment officers and mental health profes-sionals attended training in Januaryand June of this year.

Content of Tr a i n i n gThe 40-hour CIT training for police

officers consists of three modules:• An introduction, lectures on thevarious forms of mental illness, treat-ments and medications, substanceabuse and post traumatic stress dis-o r d e r ;• Practical first aid and ways to de-escalate a situation;• Visits to the county correctionalcenter and mental health agencies,presentations by consumers, meet-ings with consumers about medica-tion, question and answer session.

Mercer County CIT Steering Committee

The Mercer County CIT SteeringCommittee has been meeting monthlysince October 2009. Until recently, thechair was Trenton Police DirectorIrving Bradley Jr. Monahan is confi-dent that Ernest Williams, Trenton’snew police director as of July 2, willsupport the CIT mission.

“It’s a great project,” said Monahan.“I am concerned in case it loses steam.”

In the interim, committee leadershiphas passed to Captain Veldon Harrisand Hopewell Township Police ChiefGeorge Meyer.

Other members include CountyMental Health Administrator MichelleMadiou; Elaine Candelori of CamdenCounty; Mary Lynn Reynolds, a formerpolice officer; Vince Haba of the Asso-ciation for Advancement of MentalHealth; Jeff Robbins of Family Guid-ance Centers; Brian Eig, a psychiatristat the Mercer County Correctional Cen-ter; Joe Politi of Capital Health Sys-tems; Charles Ellis, a warden at theMercer County Correctional Center;Detective Alexis Derlacher; Dr. StanMalkin, also of the MC CorrectionalCenter, and Sally Osmer, executivedirector of NAMI Mercer.

Monahan has not yet met withTrenton’s new mayor, Tony Mack, buthe is hopeful that over the next fiveyears as many as 100 officers (out of atotal force of 300) will receive trainingand that many other municipalities willbe included.

CIT initiative: keeping people with mental illness out of jail

SAVE the DATE

NAMI Mercer WALK

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Please write it downand plan to participate!

Page 6

NAMI Mercer’s board of directors, 2010

By Liz Hagen

Cara Marcano was appointedMulticultural Outreach andAdvocacy Coordinator for NAMI

Mercer, a part-time paid position, inApril 2010. She will focus on the Latinocommunity, although her position cov-ers all minority groups across MercerCounty.

Cara has reported on business andeconomics for the Washington Post,New York Times, Bloomberg Magazine,Newsday, International Herald Tri -b u n e, and for the Associated Press. Sheholds a master’s degree in Journalismand a bachelor’s degree in Latin Amer-ican Studies and English from Colum-bia University.

Cara is actually Italian-American,born in Pennsylvania. Her husband,Kleibeel Marcano, is from Venezuela.The Marcanos are joint founders andowners of Reporte Hispano, a bi-weeklySpanish-language newspaper circulat-ing in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth,Somerset, Hunterdon, Union, andOcean counties. Cara and Kleibeel havea 20-month-old daughter namedO r i a n a .

Cara’s twin brother has schizo-affec-tive disorder. She took NAMI’s Family-to-Family course about five years agoand has been volunteering for NAMIMercer ever since, doing writing and

public relations.At this year’sNAMI Nationalconference inWashington, D.C.,she was inspiredby the overwhelm-ing need to deliverNAMI’s messageto local Latino andAfrican Americangroups.

In the inner cityTrenton area, she

notes, the population is 25 percentLatino and 60 to 65 percent AfricanAmerican. Most recent immigrantscome from Guatemala and Mexico, lessrecent ones from Puerto Rico. The bestway to approach many of these peopleis through their churches.

In collaboration with AAMH and thePrinceton HealthCare System, Cara isworking on “Sharing Hope,” an infor-mational presentation to be deliveredon October 3 at the St. Anthony of Pad-ua Catholic Church in Hightstown.

She is also in touch with two localLatino psychiatrists and is developing“Ask the Doctor,” a presentation specif-ically for families with members whoare in treatment.

Under Cara’s leadership, the NAMIMercer Multicultural Outreach Com-mittee meets in the NAMI Mercer

Center at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wed-nesday of the month. Cara hopes cur-rent NAMI Mercer members will con-sider joining her group to help with out-reach, research, and information deliv-e r y .

“We need fresh blood,” she said.Latinos have relatively slower metabo-lisms and a higher incidence of nega-tive drug reactions compared withother ethnic groups, so proper informa-tion is especially crucial to both con-sumers and families. Cara already hastranslated a great deal of NAMI mate-rial into Spanish. Her committee willstaff a table at a major health fair onAugust 14 at Trenton High SchoolW e s t .

If Spanish-speakers call the NAMIHelpline, they can be routed to Cara’scell phone. “We desperately need volun-teers who speak Spanish and can trans-late. One of our goals is to offer a 12-week Family-to-Family (De Familia aF a m i l i a) course in Spanish,” she said.NAMI Mercer co-founder and long-term director Chomy Garces, a Cuban-American, has offered to teach thecourse as soon as there is anothertrained, bi-lingual teacher to partnerwith her.

At the present time, we have only oneSpanish-speaking In Our Own Voicepresenter. Cara hopes to find others assoon as possible.

Cara Marcano reaches out to the Latino community

Cara Marcano

Front row, from left:Robbi Alexander, Maddy Monheit,Karen Marquis, Caryl Chambers, IvyMinely, Sally Osmer, Bill Hayes, TomPyle, Lauren Agoratus, Inge Eriks,Laurie Russell.

Back row: Joe Irenas, DamonVigiano, Jeremy Mann, Kurt Baker,Jules DeGraff, John Marsland, CarolKivler.

Not shown: Andrew Hendry,Elizabeth Leach, Valerie PowersSmith.

NAMI MercerBOARD OF DIRECTORS

William P. Hayes M.D.P r e s i d e n t

Laurie A. RussellVice President

Madeline Monheit M.S.S e c r e t a r y

Damon Magnes VigianoT r e a s u r e r

Lauren Agoratus, M.A.Robbi K Alexander RN, B.A.

Kurtis BakerCaryl Chambers, M.P.A.

Jules DeGraffInge Eriks, Ph.D.

Andrew Hendry, M.P.P.Hon. Joseph E. IrenasCarol A. Kivler, M.S.

C. Elizabeth Leach, M.S.W.Jeremy Mann

John E. Marsland, Jr.Karen L. Marquis, Ph.D.

Ivy Minely, Esq.Tom Pyle, M.A.

Valerie Powers Smith, Esq.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSally T. Osmer, L.C.S.W.

OFFICE MANAGERDanita L. Saunders

E D I T O R SMadeline MonheitElisabeth Hagen

Page 7

By Madeline Monheit

NAMI Mercer congratulatesCarol Kivler on the recent pub-lication of her second book,

“Will I Ever Be the Same Again?Transforming the Face of ECT (ShockTherapy).” Carol will generously do-nate 15 percent of the proceeds fromthe sale of her book to our organization.

Carol is a long-time member of theExecutive Board and inspiring motiva-tional speaker in the NAMI Mercer InOur Own Voice (IOOV) program. Likeher presentations, Kivler’s book is astory of hope and a celebration of life.She does an outstanding job of demys-tifying and destigmatizing ECT, whichsucceeded for her when medicationfailed. “Will I Ever Be the SameAgain?” inspires us to believe thatrecovery from depression is achievablefor ourselves and our loved ones.

Carol opens her book with thesewords: “It is my heartfelt desire thatyou, my reader will be encouraged andenlightened by my personal journey . . .I pray that if you are a consumer youwill choose to rebuild your life, no mat-ter how many times you get knockedd o w n . ”

NAMI Mercer Executive DirectorSally T. Osmer thanks Carol “for open-ing our eyes to the transformation ofher life from illness to recovery withthe healing power of ECT.”

Osmer continues, “I look forward tohearing of the many people whose liveswill also be transformed through read-ing this book.”

In her professional life, Carol is thepresident of Kivler Communications, acompany that provides customized cor-porate training, development, andexecutive coaching. Carol later foundedCourageous Recovery “to raise aware-ness and remove the stigma of mentalillness and to instill hope in those wholive with it.” She often addresses med-ical and other professionals, some ofwhom have never met a person inrecovery.

Carol has a master’s degree fromFordham University and a bachelor’sdegree from The College of New Jersey.She is a member of the NationalSpeaker’s Association, where sheserves as president of the Mid-AtlanticC h a p t e r .

“Blessings: My Journal of Gratitude,”published in 2003, was Carol’s firstbook. It teaches readers to preservetheir recollections, remember theirblessings, and move more deeply intoself-reflection with inspiring words,captivating watercolors, and differenttextures.

To learn more about Carol’s newbook or to place an order, go to http://c o u r a g e o u s r e c o v e r y . c o m / b o o k s / h t m l .

Will I Ever Be the Same Again?

Carol Kivler

A Story of Service“A Story of Service” is a compilationof 11 articles about NAMI Mercerthat appeared in The Times ofTrenton from February toDecember 2009. Written byMadeline Monheit and ElisabethHagen, the articles tell the story ofour grassroots organization and thededicated individuals who havecarried out its mission for morethan 25 years. The articles also arefilled with courageous stories ofrecovery.

Call 609-799-8994 to request a copy.

H O W TO REACH US

THE NAMI CENTERof Mercer County

Lawrence Commons3371 Brunswick Pike

Suite 124Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(609) 799-8994fax (609) 799-8996

h o m e @ n a m i m e r c e r. o rgw w w. n a m i m e r c e r. o rg

Directions: From southbound Rte. 1,pass Province Line Road and make aright at the Office Depot sign. LawrenceCommons is a white building, second onyour left. Drive to the rear of the building.The NAMI Center is in Suite 124 on theground floor.

NAMI Mercer Support GroupsNAMI For adult consumers, run by consumersCo n n e c t i o n 1st through 4th Mondays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

No registration required. NAMI Center of Mercer County.

W R A P A wellness/recovery action program for consumers2nd Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.Registration required. NAMI Center.

Weight For adult consumers and families Ma n a g e m e n t 4th Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.

Visitors welcome. NAMI Center.

I F S S / N A M I For families of adults with mental illnessMondays, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church a n dbiweekly Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.NAMI Center.(Contact NAMI at 609-799-8994 for Tuesday dates.)

BOOK 3rd Thursdays at 12:00 noon (bring lunch).GROUP Call 799-8994 for book selection. NAMI Center.