On Tuesday, April 3, from 6 – 7 pm, Leslie Gaidi, M.A. will be presenting a talk on Affordable Housing for the Mentally Ill in the Asheville Area. Leslie has worked with various housing groups in Asheville and will be able to give a full overview of the current situation as well as some information on what may be in the works for the future.

This presentation is a part of the new first Tuesday of the month NAMI WC education program. Please keep an eye out for future education programs.

If you or your organization have an idea for an education program which would be of interest to the mental health community, please send your suggestion with contact information to namiwnc@yahoo.com. Programs are generally a 45-minute presentation with time after for Q&A.

JUST CONFIRMED!!

COMING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 at Pack Square, Noon – 4 pm – “The Greatest Show of Courage”, a Carnival and Parade fundraiser for NAMI WC.  Show your support for NAMI Western Carolina’s services by organizing a team and raising money from sponsors and donors – similar to the Walk! Food, entertainment and fun. SAVE THE DATE! More information forthcoming on our website and in the July (Summer) newsletter as committees work out details. Want to join a committee to work on the Carnival? Send your name and contact information to Christine at namwnc@yahoo.com or call 828-505-7353.

Plan to come to Pack Square in front of City Hall September 23!

Elizabeth Burgess, Training Specialist for Western Highlands Network, has generously offered to hold a “Hearing Voices Training” for NAMI WC. The two-hour class allows you to have the experience of trying to do everyday tasks or play a game while wearing earbuds and listening to voices talk to you, perhaps give you orders, in the way that some people with a mental health problem hear voices. The training will give you a first-hand understanding of how distracting and difficult it can be to focus on the things you need to do. No negative messages will be given.

This training is part of  Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) which educates police officers and first-responders on how to work with those with mental health issues when they receive a 9-1-1 call.

Class is limited to ten people. A date will not be set for the free training until we see how much interest there is. Elizabeth is available in the evenings or on Saturdays. For more information or to register call us at 505-7353 or email namiwnc@yahoo.com. Use the phrase “Voices” in the subject line.

Thanks to everyone who came to our St. Paddy’s Potluck last Friday! We had a great turnout, Irish music and lots of yummy (and some green) food. The decorations were fantastic with a pot of shamrocks on each table. Thanks to Paulette and Judy for all their hard work and planning.

Next potluck — Cruise theme. So get your Gilligan or Love Boat on and we’ll see you there. Friday, June 15, 2012 at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Avenue @ Gracelyn Avenue, Asheville. For more info call Paulette 828-581-0080 or Judy 828-772-1745.

We’d love to have you volunteer to help plan these potlucks!

Come Join Us and Have Your Say!

You are invited to a Town Hall Meeting on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Services, sponsored by The Coalition.

The Coalition, 40 organizations advocating together to meet the needs of North Carolinians living with the developmental disabilities, the disease of addiction, & mental illness, will host a series of town hall meetings on MH, DD, & SA services across the state. These listening sessions will:

·        Provide a briefing on the current budget cuts and future budget outlook
·        Offer an opportunity to share your opinions about MHDDSA services and supports
·        Update you on how to make a difference on these issues

LOCATION: Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC – Behind TGIFriday’s and the Doubletree Hotel

TIME:  All meetings are from 6:30-8:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm)