NAMI Antelope Valley

cover design contest no.6: DSM-5/DSoM at 40, american psychiatric association/pink floyd [2013]

2011-02-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hey designers: check out this Dark Side of the Moon/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders cover contest...

The wonderful art & literary blog Venus febriculosa has announced it's new book cover design contest. This time it is asking for a cover design inspired by two classic tomes of our culture.

One of them is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health (DSM-5) as it is preparing for its 5th publication in 2013 to replace the current edition last published, according to amazon.com, in 1994. FINALLY. Also included in this cover design contest is Pink Floyd's album Dark Side of the Moon which will be turning 40 years old in 2013 - Woah.

Follow this link to the complete info and rules:

cover design contest no.6: DSM-5/DSoM at 40, american psychiatric association/pink floyd [2013]

NAMIWalks Kick Off!

2010-08-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NAMIWalks Kick Off Luncheon was held yesterday at the beautiful California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities. We had a delicious lunch and got everyone amped up for team building and fundraising. Heidi Lennartz, CEO of Mission Community Hospital spoke about motivating her community and fellow business leaders to rise to the call of raising awareness and raising funds. We also heard Marvin Southard D.S.W. and Anand Pandya M.D. speak.

Mari Ledergerber of NAMI Westside was recognized for her efforts in team building and made a grand entrance with a violinist playing "The Yellow Rose of Texas" to emphasize her inclusion of friends and family in Houston. Debbie and Tim Watkins from NAMI Pomona Valley were recognized with as the "Most Inspirational" for their team efforts in team building and fundraising. They were able to double their affiliate's income from with NAMIWalks funds! It was an inspirational event and great to see everyone excited to start team building!

Here are Team Captains Vanessa (Team CSU Northridge) and Krystal (Team L.A. Lujah.)

Let's make NAMIWalks 2010 the #1 walk in the country!

Gearing up for NAMIwalks!

2010-07-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

NAMI Antelope Valley is gearing up for NAMIwalks. We are looking for sponsorship and more walkers to join us in Santa Monica on walk day (October 2, 2010.) If you are interested in becoming donating or becoming a walker, please visit the website to sign up!

We hope to see you there!

Thank you to The Sound LA!

2010-06-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

We have a media sponsor for the 2010 walk!

100.3 The Sound will be partnering with us with over 40 PSA's an on air interview, on line links and walk day promotion.

Also, take a listen to the New Directions Choir on this week's America's Got Talent in the video below. This Choir amazed our Team Captain Kick Off Luncheon Crowd in 2008! Such a powerful and inspirational group.

Pathways to Wellness - Sunday June 13, 2010

2010-06-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

DR. MICHELLE GOLLAND Keynote Speaker "THE MEDIA, MENTAL ILLNESS AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS" Sunday June 13, 2010 Conference Times 12:15PM - 5:00PM Doors Open at 11:30AM American Jewish University 15600 Mulholland Dr. Bel-Air, California 90077 Open to Everyone
Hear keynote speaker, clinical psychologist, writer, personal coach and television personality Dr. Michelle Golland plus a collection of talented guest speakers... For more information and to register, click here.

Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity

2010-03-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

Robert Gupta, violinist with the LA Philharmonic, talks about the redemptive healing of music through his friendship with Nathaniel Ayers on the renowned lecture series. TEDtalks:

Christoher Payne's Photography of State Mental Hospitals

2010-02-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals By Christopher Payne

Reviewed by William Wiles - 04 February 2010

Christopher Payne's book, released October 2009, with an introductory essay by Oliver Sacks reveal "These vast, decaying buildings were part of a grand experiment in health care that lasted for over a hundred years."

Purchase the book here.

Visit christopherpaynephoto.com.

2010-02-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

Via Steve Lopez at The LA Times:
Mr. Ayers -- Recording Artist

Congratulations, Mr. Ayers! We look forward to hearing the fruit of your labors.

How Are You?

2010-01-30T08:54:00.000-08:00

Rachel and Lauren share how their friendship deals with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder:

View the video here.

Visit halfofus.com for more stories from people dealing with their life situations.

No Kidding, Me Too!

2010-01-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

Check out the trailer for a documentary from No Kidding, Me Too! (founded by actor Joe Pantoliano)

For more information go to http://nkm2.org/

Debate over cognitive, traditional mental health therapy - latimes.com

2010-01-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

From the LA Times

By Eric Jaffe

January 11, 2010

"I don't care what psychotherapy the person is getting," Lambert says. "I care whether they're responding."

Debate over cognitive, traditional mental health therapy - latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | Helpline

2009-10-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

How does flu season effect people with mental illness? The National NAMI website answers these good questions about flu season and you:

Why is this flu season important for people with mental illness?

What about hand-washing? Is that still a good idea?

I got the flu but I am now getting better. How long do I need to stay away from others?

How risky is the flu for people with mental illness?

Is my psychiatric medication a reason not to get the vaccine or vaccines?

The CDC has made changes to its recommendations regarding the flu vaccine. What do the changes mean for people with mental illness?

go here for the full article and answers to the above questions

2009-10-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article about how far NAMI has come that appeared in the Huntington Post on October 6. Primarily interview Sharon Dunas a leader in LA County NAMI and president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for the Westside of Los Angeles. Congratulations to Sharon Dunas and to Robert David Jaffee, a warrior for writing about NAMI and bringing light to the topic of mental illness!

Who do you call?

2009-10-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

NPR's Morning Edition had a report on mental health issues on college campuses this morning. Besides the lack of psychologists and peer support groups, they also discussed the community wide problem of "Who Do You Call?" One student recounts her story of being woken up & interrogated by the police after talking to her family about her depression. Why is it that the police are the first responders to mental health crisis? What kind of buffers or safety nets can we build to fight the fear and stigma of dealing with a mental illness appropriately and safely?

Listen to the whole story here.

My AV Online

2009-10-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Check out this community site set up by Samara Hart called "My AV Online." A community network and blog space specific to the Antelope Valley. I posted some of the NAMI info there, but check out the other members. There is even a blog that lists all the local menus courtesy of AVMenus.com. It's good to see an active community in the AV!

See you at The Square!

2009-10-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

This is a late newsbreak! I just got the news myself on Thursday. NAMI Antelope Valley is participating in a community event at the Ponticlon Square in Palmdale from 10AM until 4PM Today, October 24th. The square is located near the Chimbole Center on Palmdale Blvd. at Sierra Highway. Stop by and see us at the NAMI Information table. We will have information to hand out and someone to answer questions about NAMI. Se habla espanol.

See you at The Square!

Denise Boehlert
President, NAMI Antelope Valley

2009-10-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Check out what Glenn Close is doing to fight stigma!
For more information and videos visit bringchange2mind.org

Job Fair

2009-10-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

Next week the South Antelope Valley Worksource will be holding a job fair.

October 22 / 10am-Noon
Job Fair, 1817 E. Ave. Q Ste A-12, Palmdale
South Antelope Valley Worksource
(661) 265-7421
map

While you are there, check out what FREE services they have to offer for job seekers. From the website:

One-on-one Career Counseling

Employment Preparation Workshops
Special Training Programs
On-the-Job Training Opportunities
Entrepreneurial Assistance
Access to the latest Job Leads

Plus free use of tools you need including:

Computers and Printers

Internet Access
Phones, Fax and Copy Machines
Assistive Technology for individuals with disabilities

Join us for a FUN-RAISER!

2009-10-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

I know its a cheesy title, but it got your attention didn't it?

Wednesday October 14th, 2009, between 5-8pm
Souplantation in Palmdale
is donating 15% of sales generated to NAMI Antelope Valley!

Just print out this flier and present it at the register with your dinner purchase. Print out a couple and pass them along to your friends!

Congrats NAMIWALKS 2009!

2009-10-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 3 filled the Santa Monica Promenade with over 1300 walkers! Thank you to everyone for your support! NAMI Antelope Valley had a great team and it was beautiful weather for a walk by the beach. The really special part for me was when a couple walking by stopped to ask what the walk was about. When I told them we were walking to raise awareness and end stigma while fundraising for NAMI programs, they were so excited and wished us luck. We are spreading the word!

It is not too late to donate! You can still donate to an online walker page or send your checks to: NAMIWalks PO Box 741029 Los Angeles, CA 90004.

A $100 donation is a entry in our two-day stay in the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas courtesy of Archer Travel.

2009-09-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hello NAMIwalkers!

October 3, 2009 is less than a month away! We will be sending out more information as the day approaches about a meeting place and time.

Since we are brand new at the LA County NAMIwalks this year, we are going to wear our pride with specially designed Antelope Valley NAMIwalks t-shirts!

While you can still recruit Walkers to join us, we should focus our energies on our fundraising efforts. Below are some ideas on how to reach those goals. Our affiliate has set a goal of $2,500.00. So far we have raised $420.00. If each of our six teams raises an additional $500, we have exceeded our goal!! Remember, people can't donate if you don't ask them...

How to raise $500 in 7 days:

1. Sponsor yourself first.

$25.00

2. Ask 4 family members to sponsor you for $25 each.

$100.00

3. Ask 6 coworkers to contribute $15 each.

$75.00

4. Ask 5 friends to contribute $20 each.

$100.00

5. Ask 6 neighbors to sponsor you for $15 each.

$75.00

6. Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50.

$50.00

7. Ask 3 businesses you frequent for a $25. donation.

$75.00

Please don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions. Thank you for being part of the LA County NAMIwalks!

Family-to-Family

2009-09-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

We have some important dates coming up, so get ready to mark your calendars!

photo courtesy of freakpower

Family-to-Family classes

English Family-to-Family classes start Thursday, September 17, 2009, 7:00PM - 9:30PM. For more information about the English class, contact (661)951-4606.

Spanish Family-to-Family classes start Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 7:00PM - 9:30PM. Para más información sobre la clase española, contacto (661)533-0715 or (661)285-5397.

Both classes will be held at the Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Ste. G, Palmdale, Ca 93550.

This a FREE series of 12 weekly classes structures to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family member volunteers who know what it's like to have a loved one struggling with one of these brain disorders.

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NAMI AV Family-to-Family Reunion

NAMI Antelope Valley Family-to-Family Reunion! On September 26, 2009 at 2PM ALL former Family-to-Family graduates and those presently enrolled in classes are invited to spend an afternoon in the park to relax and meet other caregivers of individuals living with mental illness.

The Family reunion will take place at George Lane Park, 5520 W. Avenue L-8 in Quartz Hill. Look for the FtF signs. As we did last year, we ask that you bring a main course for yourself and a pot luck dish to share with others. Bring lawn chairs, games, etc. that would make your day more relaxing. We had a great time last year! We hope to see more of you this year! For more information and RSVP call (661)951-1757.

NAMI On the Airwaves!

2009-08-28T20:55:00.000-07:00

Bob & Denise Boehlert along with Beth Arnold from NAMI San Fernando were featured on local talk radio show the Broad Perspective (AM 1380) last Friday morning talking about NAMI. They discussed how they came to find NAMI and the services and resources that NAMI offers. They answered some great questions from callers and discussed places to go for help.

Listen to the archived show here. (Duration: 00:50:02)

Thank you Vivian of the Broad Perspective and thank you High Desert Broadcasting!

Also:

El próximo mes comenzará NAMI AV el primero Familia-a-Familia clase en español! Siga revisando los detalles ...[Next month NAMI AV will start it's first Spanish language Family-to-Family class! Keep checking back for details…]

NAMIwalks - I walk because...

2009-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

As we gear up for this year's Los Angeles County NAMIwalks, happening Saturday, October 3, 2009 I want set some goals for our affiliate for teams and fund raising. I challenge NAMI AV to have at least 5 teams and raise $5000.00!

We are still looking for sponsers, team captains, and most of all, WALKERS! If you would like to join a team or create one of your own, you can sign up online. If you or your business would like to sponser NAMI AV, perhaps be a kilometer sponser, honoring a love one, please contact Denise Boehlert by emailing president@namiav.org.

"I walk because" is the theme of this year's NAMIwalks. This is the first year NAMI Antelope Valley is participating and it is important to remember why we walk. Personally, I walk to raise funds for more NAMI programs and events in our community. I walk to raise awareness of mental health issues, especially right now as our nation struggles with health care reform. Most of all I walk to fight the stigma of mental illness for my friends and family.

Here are some of the NAMIwalks Walk Managers (including LA County's own Wayne Baldaro from Glendale NAMI) telling us why they walk:

Happy Friday!