Photos from NAMI Texas Conference

I'll post captions as I get time.

Artist Shines Light on Mental Health

An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from mental illness. One local photographer is working to raise awareness about their stories. He and others have made it their mission to break down stigmas associated with these disorders.

FOX 34's Jaime Gerik reports.

Mental Health Transformation Report

This report provides an update on mental health transformation accomplishments in FY 2009, including: a new conceptualization of the project, an updated version of the Texas CMHP goals and subgoals, and progress on all project activities; presents priority projects and measures for the remainder of the grant period; describes how transformation will be sustained when federal funding ceases; and presents the MHT Evaluation Plan and how achievement of Texas CMHP goals will be tracked and measured for the remainder of the grant period Posted October 2009.

Via Hope - Partnership with DSHS, NAMI Texas, and MHA of Texas

Via Hope, is Texas Mental Health Resource that will
provide mental health training and technical
assistance for mental health consumers, youth, family
members and other stakeholders. Via Hope is
an effort supported by a partnership with the
Department of State Health Services, Mental Health
America of Texas and the National Alliance on Mental
Illness of Texas to transform mental health services
statewide.
Here's the presentation.

Mental Illness Awareness Week 10/4 - 10/09

Mental Illness Awareness Week: What You Should Know, Including PBS Broadcasts, Oct. 4-10

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is Oct. 4-10, 2009 and as part of its observance, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is calling attention to a program now airing on PBS, Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness.

Observed annually the first full week in October, Congress established MIAW as a time to raise public awareness of serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Other diagnoses include post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder.

* About 60 million Americans experience mental health problems in any given year. One in 17 lives with the most serious conditions. Less than one-third get treatment.
* One-half of all lifetime cases begin by age 14, but 10 or more years may pass between onset of symptoms and getting help.

“The first step in combating mental illness is education,” said NAMI Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick.

click here to see the rest.

NAMI National's Position on Health Care Reform

Public Policy Report

Board Meeting, Sept. 29, 2009



As the leaders of Congress are grappling with Health Care Reform, it is important that NAMI Texas and its affiliates officially support the position that NAMI National has developed on Health Care Reform:

http://www.nami.org/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=August8&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84791



Section 3.1 of the NAMI Texas Board Operating Policies and Procedures states, “All projects, activities, and partnerships of NAMI, its state organizations, and local affiliates must conform to NAMI National Bylaws and policies.”

Individual members might have differing views on Health Care Reform, but they should only put forth those views as individual citizens and not speaking for NAMI Texas or for their individual affiliates. Articles in local affiliate newsletters and/or public statements made by affiliate or state leaders in their capacity as representatives of their organization shall not voice positions differing from NAMI national’s policies and positions.

Submitted by Jackie Shannon, Committee Chair