Asheville-based Mother Bear CAN has partnered with PracticeRecovery.com and Family Outreach and Response to form an online mental health education program called Families Healing Together. NAMI Western Carolina is not part of this endeavor but we wanted to help spread word that the first class from this collaborative begins tomorrow.

From Emily DeSerio, Family Education Specialist at Mother Bear:

“Recovering Our Families” is an interactive online course that uses a strengths-based recovery approach to help families move from distress and suffering toward hope and wellbeing. The course combines interactive support and affirmation with recovery-oriented content.

Tomorrow, May 8, is the last day to register. For more info or to sign up, visit their website.

As more people hear about our peer-run office, we’ve received calls inquiring how to get trained as a peer support specialist (PSS). NAMI Western Carolina does not offer this course but collaborates with a local training provider, Andrea Morris Consulting. The next course is scheduled for the second week of June. Below is a description of the training, from Andrea.

Peer Support Specialist Training is designed for individuals who have personal lived experience with mental illness and/or addictive disorders and are interested in helping others achieve their goals through recovery and wellness. Job descriptions for PSS vary according to the employer, but roles may include: working on interdisciplinary teams; one-on-one support with consumers; outreach; and/or community-based services.

Applicants shall be self-defined as in recovery, which may include demonstration via self-report and references indicating their readiness to proceed with training and work while maintaining personal wellness. It is preferred that individuals possess personal insight, have knowledge of or have completed maintenance and wellness plans, and generally be prepared to focus on work-related tasks and/or personal growth. This training meets the minimum requirements set forth by the N.C. Behavioral Health Resource Program and the Division of MH/DD/SAS as a necessary prerequisite for N.C. Peer Support Specialists Certification. Training certification track is MH/SA.

For more information or to apply, visit http://www.amorrisconsulting.com or call (828) 551-4540.

Saturday, April 6
Registration: 8:30–9:00 a.m.
Program: 9:00–5:00 a.m.
MAHEC Education Building
121 Hendersonville Rd in Asheville
Registration is available onsite and costs $15 for members or $20 for non-members

As NAMI North Carolina strives to uphold its mission of promoting recovery and optimizing the quality of life for those affected by mental illness, it is only fitting that we base our 2013 Western Regional Conference on this concept.

“Visions of Recovery: For Individuals, Families and the System” will offer workshops covering myriad aspects of recovery, including stories of personal recovery, supports for families, what steps are being taken by the system to make treatment and supports recovery-based and available to individuals, and new models being offered in the western part of the state.

PROGRAM SPECIFICS:
Recovery Initiatives in Western North Carolina – A panel of speakers will provide information on their recovery programs and supports that are available across the western part of the state as well as address plans for recovery initiatives from the state.

Legislative Lunch – We’ve invited legislators to hear several advocates share their stories, as well as attendees’ questions and concerns. NAMI NC will also share its public policy platform for 2013 during this session.

From Zero to Sixty in Six Months: My Recovery from Anxiety – Hear Laura Ann Middlesteadt tell her story of how she achieved recovery from Generalized Anxiety Disorder and embraced a second career as an advocate for those living with mental illness.

Opportunities for Our Mental Health System and Our Communities, Post Sandy Hook – We are still reeling from the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Hear from a panel of experts about how your community is working together to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening in North Carolina.

For more information, visit naminc.org or contact Brenda Piper (919) 788-0801 x4. See you there!

Looking for connection, inspiration, or just plain entertainment (that will likely be anything but plain in style)? Firestorm Cafe is hosting a special event this evening at 6:30, a multimedia presentation of personal experiences with mental health and illness, organized by the Asheville Radical Mental Health Collective. Firestorm located at 48 Commerce St, off of Coxe Ave. downtown near the Patton Ave. intersection. This event is free and open to all.

The new Spring 2013 Newsletter is now available!

NAMI WC Spring 2013 Newsletter

Included is the announcement of NAMI WC’s new peer-run office. We’re also excited to bring you news of the upcoming NAMI North Carolina Western Regional Conference, “VISIONS OF RECOVERY: For Individuals, Families and the System” in Asheville on April 6th. We’re thrilled to announce the Ariadne Theater Project – a series of FREE creative drama, storytelling, and poetry workshops open to all people affected by mental illness led by Griffin Payne. We also have a welcome to our new board members, an explanation of Mobile Crisis Units, an invitation to the upcoming Creativity Potluck (June 7th), and two “Catch-Ons” cartoons by 2013 Volunteer of the Year, Decarlos Trey Mourey. As always, find an updated support calendar on page 7.

Starting with this issue, paper copies of NAMI WC newsletters will only be sent to non-members by special request. This move will reduce the printing of each issue by 500 copies (16,000 pages each year!), saving money and trees.