NAMI Hillsborough

Important Numbers:

Medical Emergency - 911

Mobile Crisis -
(813) 272-2958

Community Services and Volunteer Opportunities Information - 211

Mental Health Care, Inc.
(813) 272-2244

Veterans National Hotline
(800) 273-TALK

U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

http://www.samhsa.gov
1-877-SAMHSA-7

ATTENTION

Hot off the Press

NAMI Hillsborough Newsletter First Edition

Click Here to Open Newsletter

Join us on November 8th for the NAMI Florida Walk

NAMI WALKS for the Minds of America is a nationwide fundraising and mental health awareness program that is being held in more than 70 communities around the country in 2008, including Jacksonville, Florida. All funds collected by walkers will be used to fund NAMI’s programs here in Florida such as support, education, research and advocacy involving schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe anxiety disorders.

We have the following teams from our area participating:

	Mind Fitness supporting NAMI Hillsborough Team Captain: Rita Mockett rmockett@mhcinc.org Website
	Plant City Pacers supporting NAMI Hillsborough Team Captain: Frances Moon fmoon@tampabay.rr.com Website

Money raised will directly benefit the designated group you choose

All participants are encouraged to collect donations from family members, friends, co-workers and business associates. You can even participate on line and be a “virtual walker”. We believe that persons with severe and persistent mental illness can recover and lead productive and meaningful lives within their community.

If you would like to join our efforts, please donate today. Donations can be made using a credit card on the NAMI Walk website or by mailing a check to NAMI Florida. All donations are tax deductible. Please include the team name you are supporting. If you would like to become a sponsor, please complete the Sponsorship form (word document).

Location: Friendship Fountain Park, Jacksonville, FL
Date: November 8, 2008
Distance: 5 K
Check-In: 8:00 a.m.
Start Time: 9:00 a.m.

Website: www.NAMIfl.org

For more information about this event, please contact any of the Team Captains or:

Judi Evans
jevans9062@aol.com
Phone: (850) 671-4445
Fax: (850) 671-5272

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week was recognized by various activities in our community.

On September 22, Plant City presented their proclamation at the City Commission meeting to some of our board members. Below is Garry Stall and Walter Hersey with the proclamation.

Tuesday, October 7, is recognized as National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding. A Candlelight Vigil event took place at the First United Methodist Church in Brandon. Celia Hersey opened the ceremony by providing an overview of NAMI and our organization and spoke about the importance of National Day of Prayer. Pastor Carlos Irizarry gave us an inspirational speech about faith and recovery. Rita Mockett spoke about the power of eagles and what they represent. Garry Stall and Wanda Dobrogowski shared their journey with mental illness and how faith and hope have helped them in their recovery. It followed by a solemn lighting of the candles while the songs “On Eagle’s Wings” and “You Raise Me Up” were played. After the ceremony, refreshments were served. Click here to view Program and lyrics.

Thursday, October 9, is recognized as Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day. A group of board members, veterans and community leaders were presented a proclamation by City of Tampa’s Mayor Pam Iorio. Click here to view City of Tampa Proclamation

The Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners also gave us a proclamation to recognize the importance of MIAW.

We thank everyone that made these events possible and come join us next year in our celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week.

About NAMI Hillsborough:

NAMI Hillsborough is an organization affiliated with NAMI Florida and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our mission is to bring awareness to the general public about mental illness, facilitate educational programs, provide free support to our families and consumers and advocate for better services to the mentally ill.

Our organization is composed of:

Individuals with mental illness
Family members with loved ones who have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or any of the serious mental illnesses.
Individuals recovering from brain disorders.
Caring individuals who support the efforts of NAMI.

There are several Support Groups in the County. These groups meet on a regular basis to provide support to family members and consumers. For times and meeting locations visit our Events page.

Consumer
Support Groups:

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
Project Return

Consumer/Family Support Groups:

NAMI Hillsborough
St Joseph Hospital

Family Support Groups:

Eastern Hillsborough

We are also involved in providing educational programs such as:

Family to Family training is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained family members All instruction and course materials are free to class participants

Peer to Peer training is a nine-week course for people with mental illness, to assist them in understanding brain disorders, symptom management, relapse prevention, coping skills, and advance directives.

For more information about NAMI Hillsborough and the services we provide. you can reach us by visiting our Contact Us page.

Some recent events:

2008 NAMI National Convention:

Several of our members attended the National Convention in Orlando during June 13-June16. They participated in various seminars and activities. To see pictures of the event Click Here

May Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration:

A dinner was organized by NAMI Hillsborough to celebrate recovery as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. Advocacy for legislation, raffles, community resources and information were some of the events. To see pictures of the event Click Here.