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NAMI Main Line PA is hosting a virtual forum in partnership with 1847Financial: Caring For Your Loved One with Special Needs: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023 In this forum, presenter Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC®, will provide an overview of financial & estate planning for families that have dependents with special needs. He will address critical areas of concern, such as navigating and maximizing government benefits through an overview of programs such as SSI/SSDI, Waivers & Social Security. The presentation will also address important estate planning considerations such as Wills, Special Needs Trusts, and [...]

The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for many, with challenges ranging from family conflict to loneliness and isolation. Though challenging, the holidays can still be a time of celebration, community and comfort when we access the right resources and practices. We have included a collection of articles below that will help you plan for a successful holiday season: Crisis Prevention & Management for the Holidays (and year round), from 2017 workshop by Dr. Ellen Berman and Amanda Falivene-Rocco, LPC, CPRP: https://bit.ly/2Tuluaj NAMI’s Ask the Expert: Navigating the Winter and Holiday Blues (with video): https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-s-Ask-the-Expert/2021/NAMI-Ask-the-Expert-Navigating-the-Winter-Holiday-Blues Avoiding Holiday Stressors, by Jessica Maharaj: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI- Blog/December-2018/Avoiding-Holiday-Stressors-Tips-for-a-Stress-Free-Season [...]

Our next Main Line NAMI Forum, “Improving Mental Health Crisis Services: Changes & Challenges in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Counties," will be this Sunday, November 13, from 2-4 p.m. on Zoom. In preparation for the recently launched 988 Suicide & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, counties in southeastern PA have been working hard to improve mental health crisis services and resources. In this webinar, a panel of officials from Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties will present the changes they have been making and any successes so far. They will also discuss the challenges they are facing, along with suggestions for anyone who wants to [...]

We hope you will join us for our Forum: Improving Mental Health Crisis Services:  Changes & Challenges in Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester & Delaware Counties on Sunday, November 13, 2-4 PM on Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/CrisisServicesForum. We are very grateful to everyone who supported our NAMIWalks by participating on Walk day, volunteering, donating, sponsoring, or soliciting sponsors or donations. We are still working to meet our fundraising goal, and we will be accepting additional donations throughout November.  If you haven’t had time to reach out to your contacts and ask for their support, it’s not too late. Please see our Newsletter for more information about our upcoming Forum, Walk, and support groups; other events [...]

Our next Main Line NAMI Forum, “Improving Mental Health Crisis Services: Changes & Challenges in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Counties," will be on Sunday, November 13, from 2-4 p.m. on Zoom. In preparation for the recently launched 988 Suicide & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, counties in southeastern PA have been working hard to improve mental health crisis services and resources. In this webinar, a panel of officials from Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties will present the changes they have been making and any successes so far. They will also discuss the challenges they are facing, along with suggestions for anyone who wants to [...]

NAMIWalks Your Way Main Line PA is on Sunday, October 16, from 9-11:30 a.m. at Wilson Farm Park (500 Lee Road in Wayne, PA) Walk Day Plans We are walking rain or shine!  Our route will be along the perimeter trail. This is a NAMIWalks Your Way event and that means that you get to choose the length of your walk. We invite you to walk 1, 2 or 3 loops - each loop is just over a mile long. The path is relatively flat and is stroller and wheelchair friendly.  Leashed dogs are welcome. Timing: 8:45 a.m. - Walker Check-in, [...]

Our next Main Line NAMI Workshop, “Living with Mental Health Challenges: Maintaining a Positive Approach Even When Times Are Hard,” will be on Sunday, October 2, from 2-4 p.m. on Zoom. Our panelists will describe the challenges they have experienced while dealing with chronic mental illness personally or in their families. They will also discuss what has helped them to maintain a positive approach during difficult times. Our panelists will respond to your questions and comments. During the second half of this workshop, each attendee will participate in a small group discussion. Each person will be invited to describe their successes and challenges in maintaining [...]

Our next Main Line NAMI Workshop, “Living with Mental Health Challenges: Maintaining a Positive Approach Even When Times Are Hard,” will be on Sunday, October 2, from 2-4 p.m. on Zoom. Our panelists will describe the challenges they have experienced while dealing with chronic mental illness personally or in their families. They will also discuss what has helped them to maintain a positive approach during difficult times. Our panelists will respond to your questions and comments. During the second half of this workshop, each attendee will participate in a small group discussion. Each person will be invited to describe their successes and challenges in maintaining [...]

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.  For additional information and awareness resources from NAMI National, click here. Suicide Prevention Resources: If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency: Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to be referred to the closest crisis center or call 911. or call your local crisis line; in Southeastern PA see https://namimainlinepa.org/crisis-numbers/. These crisis lines provide access to staff who [...]

Highlights from Mental Health America's Back to School Toolkit Mental Health America's Back-to-School Toolkit 2022 looks at the issues young people face that are having an impact on their mental health. The toolkit offers tips on how to deal with these issues and the resulting emotions. Several sections of the toolkit are available at https://namimainlinepa.org/highlights-from-mental-health-americas-back-to-school-toolkit-2022/. Specifically, this page links to factsheets on fitting in and self-esteem, tips for processing grief, when home life is hard, social media and mental health, as well as a worksheet on social confidence and connections. NAMI Main Line Upcoming Events Our next Main Line NAMI Workshop, “Living with Mental Health Challenges: Maintaining a [...]

Main Line NAMI President's Message - September 2022 We hope you will join us for our fall events. Workshop: Living with Mental Health Challenges: Maintaining a Positive Approach Even When Times Are Hard on Sunday, October 2, 2-4 p.m. on Zoom NAMIWalks Your Way Main Line PA on the morning of October 16 at Wilson Farm Park Forum: Improving Mental Health Crisis Services:  Changes & Challenges in Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester & Delaware Counties on Sunday, November 13, 2-4 p.m. on Zoom Please see our Newsletter for more information about our fall events, support groups, other fall events, back to school [...]

For information about mental illnesses and treatments, including information about specific diagnoses and conditions, finding and paying for treatment, voluntary and involuntary hospitalization, and more, click here. NAMI Main Line Support Groups Our New Virtual NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month from 4:30-6 p.m. beginning in September. Please contact Sharona Dunoff at (610) 246-6755 or Olga Kobb at olgakobb@yahoo.com for more information about this new group.   Our Bryn Mawr NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group for adults living with mental illness on meets on Tuesday evenings on Zoom.  Please contact Danielle Sulpizio at (484) 880-0660 or Ed Kane at (484) [...]

Many mental health conditions typically begin during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. NAMI National has compiled essential information and useful resources to help young people get the mental health support that they need. We encourage you to explore these resources. The section on Kids, Teens and Young Adults is available at https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults. In this section, you will find general useful information and links to the following subsections: Kids (https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids) - This section has very practical advice for parents of children with mental health conditions, including information on getting accommodations for your child in school because of their emotional disability. Teens (https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Teens) - This section has some information for parents, [...]

We have updated the crisis information on our website. For the crisis numbers, text line and chat, please see https://namimainlinepa.org/crisis-numbers/. For resources to help you cope with, prepare for and/or prevent a crisis, see https://namimainlinepa.org/resources-for-coping-with-preparing-for-and-preventing-a-crisis/. NAMI is calling for a standard of care for crisis services in every community that includes — 24/7 call centers that answer 988 calls locally, mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization programs — that end the revolving door of ER visits, arrests, incarceration and homelessness. For more information, please see https://nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response. To find out more about how you can join NAMI Main Line PA in advocating for the funding and services needed to support 988, please contact Loran or Edie. NAMI Main Line Support Groups [...]

How can I reach 988? You can call 988, text 988 or chat via the Lifeline’s website (988lifeline.org). What happens when I call 988? What information will I receive, or does the Lifeline only offer immediate crisis support? The goal of the 988 Lifeline is to provide free, confidential, immediate crisis intervention and support. When you call or text or chat 988: You’ll hear a message that you’ve reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – you are in the right place! If you are a veteran, you can press “1” to reach the Veterans’ Crisis Line or “2” to reach [...]