"Stronger Together" Award Nominations, Speakers & More
To recognize the leadership and contributions of our NAMI affiliates, NAMI Illinois is launching two new competitive awards, each of which comes with a $2,000 grant to support a project or priority of the winning affiliate's choice. Nominations are due October 6, with winners to be announced at the conference.
Click this link to apply for NAMI Affiliate Innovation Award, which recognizes an original, affiliate-created project or initiative to address community mental health needs and/or significantly improve the performance of a program or the affiliate as a whole. Apply here for the NAMI Program Excellence Award, which recognizes affiliate achievement in the delivery of national NAMI Signature program(s).
A big THANK YOU to our affiliates and their members and volunteers being a part of, and helping to promote, the 2023 Stronger Together conference! We ask that you share information about the conference on your websites, in your newsletters and emails to members, and on your social media platforms. You'll find cut-and-paste promotional copy below for web, social, newsletters, etc.
Learn from expert presenters across Illinois, such as ...
• Keynote speaker Chief Officer of the Governor's Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative Dr. Dana Weiner: "Blueprint for Transformation: A Vision for Improved Behavioral Healthcare for Illinois Children" (10:50 a.m. Friday).
• NAMI IL Board Member and Heritage Behavioral Health Center Director Mary Garrison: Bridging mental health gaps for rural communities with
• Tekkli DeyKoontz of NAMI IL/NAMI Champaign: Youth and young adult voices.
• Sertoma Centre staff: Suicide prevention training.
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Who's In?! New NAMI Collaborative to Support Youth/Young Adult Mental Health
For years, NAMI affiliates have worked tirelessly to support the mental and emotional well-being of young people in our communities. We now have an opportunity to come together to expand local work and join forces to bring NAMI youth and young adult programming to all of Illinois. Several affiliates have already signed on the help shape the new initiative, with support from NAMI Illinois.
If your affiliate would like to be part of this collaboration, please complete a brief form to share basics about your current programs, capacity, and ideas. Completing this form automatically makes your affiliate eligible for the next round of small (or not-so -small) grants administered by NAMI IL. An initial round of ‘ramp up’ grants were awarded this week, out of a seed fund of $250,000 to directly support NAMI affiliates and community partners who will plan and co-lead the initiative with coordination from the statewide team.
The new collaborative focuses on these objectives:
· Pilot regional training hubs (North/Central/South)
· Expand the age range we serve.
· Strengthen the focus on suicide prevention and crisis response.
· Grow the NAMI pipeline of young adult, parent, and peer/community leaders.
· Increase public understanding and reach new audiences.
This project is part of a larger partnership with Prevention First, a statewide organization working to prevent substance misuse, foster healthy behavior, and with federal funding provided by the IDHS Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, as well as resources appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.
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"Stronger Together" Marketing Copy
WEBSITE/LINKEDIN POST & NEWSLETTER BRIEF FOR PRESENTERS:
NAME/ORGANIZATION am/is getting excited to present at NAMI Illinois Stronger Together: Transforming Mental Health in Illinois Friday-Saturday, Oct. 20-21 at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hill. I'll be talking about YOUR WORKSHOP NAME as one of 30 impactful workshops and presentations, including the keynote address from Chief Officer of the Governor's Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and Chapin Hall Child Welfare Senior Policy Fellow Dr. Dana Weiner, who will present "Blueprint for Transformation: A Vision for Improved Behavioral Healthcare for Illinois Children" during the morning session Oct. 20.
Registration is discounted for people living with mental health conditions. For more information or to register, go to namiillinois.org/strongertogether2023/ or email conference@namiillinois.org to learn more.
EVENT CALENDAR POST:
REGISTER TODAY FOR NAMI IL STRONGER TOGETHER CONFERENCE
What: Stronger Together: Transforming Mental Health in Illinois
When: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Oct. 20-21
Where: Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills IL
Cost: $140 for both days, CEUs available at no cost. ($70 for people living with mental
health issues & students)
Reg. &
SOCIAL MEDIA COPY (Tag @namiillinois)
The Stronger Together NAMI IL 2023 conference is almost here! Join us in Palos Hills for 30 impactful workshops, a keynote by Chief Officer of the Governor's Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and Chapin Hall Child Welfare Senior Policy Fellow Dr. Dana Weiner, free CEUs and a Friday reception. We've also added discounts & scholarships to make the event accessible. Register for two days for as little as $70. We’re excited to see you! Event Page & Registration: namiillinois.org/strongertogether2023/ Questions? email conference@namiillinois.org #NAMIIL #StrongerTogether
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NAMI IL Board Elections Underway
Members in good standing of any Illinois NAMI affiliate are eligible to vote. If your membership has lapsed, please log into your account on the national website prior to voting to renew your membership. All membership inquiries should be directed to NAMI national. The deadline to vote is 5 p.m. Oct. 15.
The slate of current Board members up for re-election can be found here. Cast your vote here.
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NAMI to Host Film Screening, Panel Discussion
Join NAMI for an evening of film, awareness and empowerment centered on mental health beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago. The powerful and groundbreaking film, PERDIDO, will be shown, and a panel discussion will be held, featuring Chris V Rey (International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc), Muhammad Bilal (Founder/CEO of Bilal World Entertainment), Tasnim Sulaiman (Founder/CEO Black Men Heal), Dr. Sheldon Jacobs (Board Member, NAMI), Tansy McNulty (Founder/CEO, 1M4), and Dr. Obari Cartman (Moderator). Limited seats are available, so don't miss out on this transformative event.
Visit www.Perdido.eventbrite.com to secure your spot and join us on this inspiring journey towards a more inclusive and empathetic society.
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Introducing The NAMI Teen & Young Adult HelpLine
NAMI's new Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine is now live! This free, nationwide peer-support service provides a safe space for young people to connect with peers who understand their challenges and can offer the resources to help. The NAMI T&YA HelpLine Specialists are young adults who are experienced, well-trained and available by phone, text or chat 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET), M-F to provide resources and guidance so no one needs to go through their mental health journey alone.
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NAMI IL is Hiring! Apply Today!
Please share within your affiliate networks! Candidates who wish to be considered for NAMI Illinois careers are asked to join the NAMI IL Talent Bank by sending a resume and an email outlining your interests and qualifications to engagement@namiillinois.org. Visit namiillinois.org/get-involved/joinourteam/ for more information, including job descriptions.
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Research Opportunity Announcements
To increase awareness of ongoing mental health research, NAMI National created "Research Opportunity Announcements" to ensure our grassroots leaders are aware of both clinical trials and social sciences research relevant to the mental health community. Promoted research may be conducted by government, academic or private industry partners, or any other entity that has secured IRB approval/exemption for their study. Learn about the new and current opportunities here.
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Share Your News!
Share your news about programs, initiatives, new additions to your team, job postings and collaboration opportunities that are likely to be of interest to others in our NAMI in Illinois community. We encourage short blurbs that have links embedded. Items may be edited for space. Send items to affiliates@namiillinois.org.
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Thank you for your commitment and dedication to NAMI and NAMI IL! See you in a few weeks at "Stronger Together!"
Yours in Good Mental Health,
Andy, Lachell, Teklii, Linda, Teri, Arielle & Darcie
