Connect with us! @namineworleans NAMI New Orleans News

NAMI
New Orleans
News
NEW ORLEANS’ VOICE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
Visit our website at www.namineworleans.org
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:
IN OUR OWN
VOICE PRESENTS
TO LAW
ENCFORCEMENT
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
REGISTER FOR
NAMI SMARTS
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH DAY
ONGOING
SUPPORT GROUPS
For family members,
peers, and survivors of
loss due to suicide
ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP
MEETING
FUNDRAISER AT
THE CARS OF
YESTERYEARS
MUSEUM
SAVE THE DATES:
NAMIWALKS 2016
NAMI LOUISIANA
ANNUAL STATE
CONFERENCE
SPRING 2016
LAW ENFORCEMENT LEARN FROM
THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a best-practices model for training
law enforcement officials to improve police response to people in a mental health
crisis. CIT programs enhance communication, identify mental health resources for
assisting people in crisis, and ensure that officers get the training and support that
they need.
Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office (JPSO) and the New Orleans Police Department
(NOPD) include the NAMI Signature Program In Our Own V oice in their week of
CIT training. In Our Own V oice is a 90-minute presentation given by two people
who share their personal stories of living with mental illness. During CIT training
NAMI New Orleans’ presenters make sure to discuss interactions they have had
with law enforcement in the past and
what those officials did or should have
done to better help them when they were
in crisis. Law enforcement officials
regularly report that the presentation was
the most eye-opening portion of the
40-hour training.
Here are a few things they have said:
 “I will take more time to listen and
understand people with mental
illness.”
 “I learned to never ignore the
possibility that an individual may
deal with a mental illness.”
 “All police officers should see this.”
Learn more about NOPD’s CIT program
implementation at NAMI New Orleans’
annual membership meeting on
Wednesday, March 30th. Turn to page 3
for more information.
Jessie Smith III tells JPSO officers and cadets about being
confronted by police while in crisis.
Connect with us!
@namineworleans
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Several years ago I learned of NAMI’s existence when my family member was in a
crisis situation. That was in California. Upon my return to New Orleans I contacted
NAMI New Orleans and was assisted by Family Support Group Facilitators in
learning more about mental illness. I am indebted to NAMI New Orleans not only
because of how they assisted me and my family but also the many individuals and
families that are affected by mental illness. NAMI offers excellent educational
programs, advocacy, and counseling throughout the Greater New Orleans Area.
Mental illness does not discriminate. Nor are there geographic
boundaries. I am honored and pleased to serve as President of
NAMI New Orleans this year and expect to carry on the
excellent work that NAMI New Orleans is doing. There is
much on our agenda and I ask you to become involved. Renew
your membership or become a member. Support our activities
such as the annual NAMIWalk. Join us at the annual
membership meeting, attend our first spring event at Cars of
Yesteryears. With your support and participation, we hope to
reduce the stigma of mental illness and respect the dignity of
life of all individuals.
Vince Petreikis
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH DAY
NAMI Smarts for Advocacy workshops
build your knowledge and confidence to:


FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
A monthly support group for family
of people living with mental illness.
It is offered at four locations:
 Every second Monday 5:30 7:00 p.m. at Sojourner Truth
Neighborhood Center, 2200 Lafitte
St. in New Orleans
 Every first Wednesday 6:30 8:00 p.m. at 1538 Louisiana Ave.
in New Orleans
 Every third Tuesday 6:30 8:00 p.m. at 2051 8th St. in Harvey
 Every fourth Thursday 6:30 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth
Israel, 4004 West Esplanade Ave.
in Metairie
NAMI CONNECTION PEER
SUPPORT GROUPS
A weekly peer-led recovery support
group. Anyone living with mental
illness is welcome to attend.
I look forward to serving you,

ONGOING SUPPORT
GROUPS
Write and deliver short and
compelling personal stories that
have an "ask"
Create an impact with focused
emails and phone calls to legislators
Advocate effectively at Behavioral
Health Day at the State Capitol on
May 3rd
Friday, April 15th
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Rosa F. Keller Library at 4300 S. Broad
Avenue, New Orleans 70125
Free to attend but space is limited!
To register, contact
Shannon at 504-896-2345 or
[email protected].
Wear white and join advocates, family
members, and people living with mental
illness from all across the state to show
the legislature how important it is that
they protect funding and support bills
that advance mental healthcare in
Louisiana. NAMI New Orleans can help
you secure a personal meeting with your
legislators as well.
Tuesday, May 3rd
10:30 a.m. on the Capitol Steps
900 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge 70802
Register for your free spot on our
bus to and from the event!
(Lunch will be provided.)
Contact Shannon at 504-896-2345 or
[email protected].
DROP-IN IS HOPPIN’ MUSIC
SERIES CONTINUES
NAMI New Orleans Drop-In Center celebrated St.
Patrick’s Day in style with a wonderful performance
from the Gregory Agid Ensemble.
Special thanks to Jeremy Thomas, Gregory Agid,
and our friends at the New Orleans Musicians’
Clinic and Assistance Foundation for helping make
Drop-In Hoppin’!
It is offered at two locations:
 Thursdays 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at
1538 Louisiana Ave. in New Orleans
 Fridays 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at
2051 8th St. in Harvey
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS
SUPPORT GROUP
A free, peer-led support group for adults
whose lives have been impacted by the
loss of a loved one to suicide, whether
recently or in the past. The group meets
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the second and
fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Meetings are held at NAMI New
Orleans, 1538 Louisiana Ave. in
New Orleans.
Please contact the volunteer
facilitators before attending your first
group at 504-410-7025 or
[email protected].
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR
SUPPORT ALLIANCE
For people living with these disorders
and their loved ones. Adults only. Meets
first and third Tuesdays of each
month, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at TulaneLakeside Hospital, 4700 South I-10
Service Road in Metairie.
Enter via the main hospital entrance,
cafeteria to the left. Contact Eileen or
John, at 504-286-1916, evenings or
weekends. www.dbsaneworleans.org.
NAMI NEW ORLEANS ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Wednesday, March 30th
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lakeview Christian Center
5885 Fluer De Lis Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70124
Meet our newly elected Officers and Directors and learn more
about the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Implementation with Guest Speakers:
Cecile Tebo, LCSW, Director Officer Assistance Program, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)
Sergeant Marc Hedgmon, NOPD CIT Commander
Danny Murphy, NOPD Consent Decree Compliance Manager
A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a model for community policing that brings together law enforcement,
mental health providers, hospital emergency departments, and individuals with mental illness and their families to
improve responses to people in crisis. CIT programs enhance communication, identify mental health resources for
assisting people in crisis, and ensure that officers get the training and support that they need.
Join us on Friday, May 20th at the
Cars of Yesteryears Museum
For a Fundraiser to Benefit NAMI New Orleans
Friday, May 20th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cars of Yesteryears Museum
4625 Fairfield St., Metairie, LA
AUCTION WINE BEER
FOOD
$60 - Individual $100 - Couple
All donations are 100% tax deductible
View over 155 Vintage Cars, Classic Toys,
Pontchartrain Beach Memorabilia, Live Music and More!
Purchase tickets online at
www.namineworleans.org
or call 504-896-2345
ANNUAL NAMI LOUISIANA
STATE CONFERENCE
Friday and Saturday,
April 22nd and April 23rd
Save the date for
NAMIWalks New Orleans!
First United Methodist Church
930 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Saturday, October 15th
Audubon Park
Featuring Keynote Speaker Hakeem Rahim,
Ed. M, M.A (Mental Health Awareness
Speaker), Senator Bill Cassidy, Dr. April
Foreman, Dr. Brian Turner, and more!
Register your team today by visiting:
www.namiwalks.org/neworleans
Visit www.namilouisiana.org to
learn more and to register!
Join or Renew Your Membership Today!
Make a Difference
We rely on you, our members and supporters, to sustain our many support, education and
advocacy programs which are offered at no cost to people with mental illness and their
families in the Greater New Orleans area. We could not do it without you!
You can donate online at www.namineworleans.org (click on Get Involved, then Donate) or make checks payable
& mail to: NAMI New Orleans ▪ 1538 Louisiana Avenue ▪ New Orleans, LA 70115
Benefits of membership include the NAMI New Orleans Bonjour Newsletter, the National NAMI Advocate Magazine, a
copy of the NAMI New Orleans Family Guide: A Roadmap to Resources and Support, and invitations to special events and
the Annual Membership Meeting featuring a guest speaker.
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