It is with deep sadness to let you know that our dear friend and board member, Laurel Landon, passed away Wednesday, May 6th.
She has been involved with NAMI Western Massachusetts for over 11 years and on
the NAMI Massachusetts Board for over 3 years.
She was a NAMI Connection group facilitator, In Our Own Voice presenter, Veterans Coordinator, Affiliate Advocate Rep and very, very excited to meet her Great Granddaughter.
She believed that “I cannot keep what I have if I do not give it away.”
Her life proved this and she will be greatly missed.
Click here to see our video in memory of Laurel
Please consider making a donation in memory of Laurel to NAMI Western Mass
Please go to our news page for the full memorial.
We are actively in communication with your state and national leaders and we will provide more details as they become available. Please stay tuned.
We appreciate your patience as we move through this together and beyond.
Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
From the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 >> Click Here for more information on Mental Health and Coping from the CDC
A letter from the President:
Mental Health during the Coronavirus
As President of NAMI-WM I realize that the people we are serving need us more than ever. We have made it possible for people to still attend groups in a different way. Those who have access to a computer and internet may get involved with groups online. Those who do not may get on conference calls, use the warm line or use the telephone to talk to their therapist.
Reactions during this outbreak can include:
*Fear and worry about their own health and their loved ones
*Changes in sleep or eating patterns
*Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
*Worsening of chronic health problems
*Increase use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
People with mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans and monitor any new symptoms. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. Connect with family, friends, and others in your community. Take care of yourself and each other, and know when and how to seek help.
If stress reactions interfere with your daily activities for several days here are things you can do to support yourself.
*Avoid excessive exposure to the media
*Take care of your body. Eat healthy, exercise, meditate, get plenty of sleep
*Connect with others. Maintain healthy relationships
*Maintain a sense of hope
This is a difficult time for everyone but we know we can all help each other get through this. Compassion and Empathy go a long way.
Respectfully,
Bernice Drumheller, President
Congratulations to the newly elected NAMI-WM Board of Directors
Bernice Drumheller, President
Donna Bunn, Vice President
Donna Roundy, Treasurer
Natasha Mercado-Santana, Secretary
Kenneth Barnett, Jr.
Michelle Caron
Sue DiVenuto
Tricia Fitzgerald
Phylis Gedeon
Jim Haughey
Laurel Landon
Jennifer Moore
Kateri M. Walsh
NAMI Western Massachusetts approved bylaws on 3/31/2020
Because of the current health crisis NAMI Western Massachusetts has not been able to hold our regular winter/spring fundraisers and we will not be recipients of any stimulus funds. Like many others you may be doing a major portion of your shopping online. Please consider using Amazon Smile for a portion of your purchases and designate NAMI-WM as your non-profit of choice.
At this time the smallest of donations will be a help, they do add up. We do hope that all of our members and their family and friends are staying safe and are healthy. As we have been saying, we are all in this together. We are doing our best to help you and yours, please give thought to helping us, but only if you can. As Always, Thank You for Your Support.
For details on NAMI-Western Massachusetts programs and additional information please download
our "Open Your Mind" brochure.
Based in Agawam, Massachusetts our volunteers, board members, and staff, are dedicated to spreading mental health awareness and various support and educational programs across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. Our office, located at 324A Springfield Street, serves as a resource center for those affected by mental health issues and their family and friends. Please stop by and visit with our staff and volunteers to discuss how we can help you or those you love. As one of twenty-one NAMI affiliates in Massachusetts, we maintain a resource library, literature on various mental illnesses, and treatment options. We welcome you to browse our website for events in the area, up to date legislative and news information, area resources and more.
Thank you to Pioneer Valley GTO for their generous support at our 2019 Walkathon.
Please click on the logo below for more information.
Pioneer Valley GTO
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Are you living with mental illness and looking for support from others who have lived experience with mental illness and recovery? NAMI-Western Massachusetts offers FREE Peer support groups in Agawam, Easthampton and Palmer. Our groups are not therapy groups; they offer a casual and relaxed approach to sharing the challenges and successes of coping with mental illness. Individuals with any mental illness are welcome. Our support groups are run by trained NAMI Connection facilitators who are in recovery themselves and use the guidelines of our successful national program. For schedules and more information, please call our office at (413) 786-9139, email us at information@namiwm.org or visit our support page for more information.
Better Business Bureau
We are thrilled to announce that in 2011, NAMI was included in a select list of charities that meet the Better Business Bureau’s “Wise Giving Alliance” standards and was featured with other charities in a full-page ad in USA Today. Along with our recent upgrade to a four-star rating (the highest score) from Charity Navigator, this is a wonderful testament to our efforts to be good stewards of donors’ dollars.
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). NAMI Family to Family Intervention Summary.
