Friends of NAMI Central Iowa,  

If you have ever listened to my personal story and journey with NAMI you have heard me use the phrase "I am a voice for the voiceless". 

What do I mean when I say the phrase "be a voice for the voiceless"?  

Almost 20 years ago, while sitting in our small town church with my husband and three young (and squiggly) boys ages 6, 4 and 10 months old, a husband in our congregation became a voice for his wife and family.  This brave husband shared about the mental health crisis their entire family was experiencing.  His wife was in the hospital receiving help for her diagnosis of bipolar disorder disorder.  While the wife was in the hospital, this young husband needed help with their children while she was receveing treatment.  And, he knew they needed help once she returned home. 

Our small church was educated and empowered learning about mental illness in a positive and compassionate light all because of the bravery, trasparency and voice of this young loving husband.  

Because of his voice, I was given a window of opportunity to speak out about my own mental health symptoms that had reached a point where I had suicidal thoughts.  As this wife healed, she used her voice to help me find the professional treatment I needed to understand the tourmoil I had been experieincing for over 20 years of my life.  

Is being a voice easy?  No, not at first.  I have found most of us are afraid of what others will think.  Stigma is real.  

Is being a voice empowering?  YES, every step of the way.  By talking about mental illness in a positive, constructive, very real and transparent way, others are empowered to seek help for themselves or for someone they love.  

Friends of NAMI Central Iowa, if you or your loved one have felt led to use your experience with mental illness for good, NOW is the time!  Only twice a year NAMI Iowa provides no-cost trainings for individuals to become NAMI Certified presenters, trainers and facilitators. This fall all of the trainings will be held virtually.  And, NAMI Central Iowa needs MORE individuals trained to help us share NAMI signature, evidence-based programs across Central Iowa.  The need is great and our trained leaders are few.  Please consider this opportunity to "be a voice for the voiceless".  You will not regret it!  Space fills quickly, so please contact me for the registration form ASAP!

Sharing help - sharing hope,   Angela Tharp 

UPCOMING TRAININGS FOR YOU!  

SUPPORT: 

NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator Training: Sept. 19-20  |  Register by Sept. 4

NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator Training: Sept. 12-13 | Register by Aug 28

EDUCATE:  

NAMI BASICS Teachers Training: August 29-30  |  Register by August 14

NAMI Peer-to-Peer Teachers Training TBD in October  | Inquire ASAP 

NAMI Family-to-Family Teachers Training TBD in October  | Inquire ASAP 

ADVOCATE:  

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenters Training:  August 22  |  Registration by July 29

NAMI Ending the Silence Presenters  Training:  On-going  |  Register ASAP 

JULY is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 2008 to start changing this.

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.

Taking on the challenges of mental health conditions, health coverage and the stigma of mental illness requires all of us. In many communities, these problems are increased by less access to care, cultural stigma and lower quality care.

NAMI Central Iowa will highlight these stories in our e-newsletter and Facebook page sharing stories of courage, culture and community.  If you are ready to share your story, or would like to learn how, contact Angela Tharp at NAMI Central Iowa today.  The more we talk about it, the more we can help empower others to seek help and hope.  

Strength Over Silence

Stories Of Courage, Culture and Community

In this ongoing docuseries, NAMI highlights perspectives on mental health across backgrounds and communities. Through candid and courageous stories of lived experience, these mental health champions share their resilience and recovery, emphasizing the importance of culture and identity in the mental health movement. 

From Secrets to Strength

Pooja Mehta, a rising leader in the Asian American/Pacific Islander mental health community, shares her story of recovery and her focus on amplifying the voices of people who are underrepresented in their communities. She is currently a student at Columbia University working toward a master’s degree in public health and sits on the NAMI New York State Board of Directors.  Click the arrow on her photo to hear her story.  

VIRTUAL ZOOM CONNECTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

Every Monday   4:30 - 6:00 pm

Every Thursday 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Every Saturday  5:15 - 6:45 pm 

NEW:  FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS
CONNECTIONS SUPPORT GROUP HARDIN COUNTY

1st & 3rd Wednesday beginning in July

Iowa Falls / Alden High School Library

6:30 - 8pm

RSVP by emailing info@namicentraliowa.org

NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led group for adult family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.  Call 515.292.9400 for more information. 

STORY COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP - ZOOM & In-Person

Time: 7:00 pm           When: 1st & 3rd Thursday's 

WILL RESUME IN SEPTMEBER 

HARDIN COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP - ZOOM & In-Person

Time: 7:00 pm           When: 3rd Tuesday

Where: Friendship Club, Iowa Falls 

JASPER COUNTY  FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP 

NOT MEETING AT THIS TIME 

BASICS ON DEMAND:  Do you have a child under 22 years of age with mental health conditions and you are not sure what to do?  Join the online class and learn at your own pace and at your own time!  www.namicentraliowa.org/BASICS

MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

From top to bottom & left to right

Wayne Clinton, Co-President  |  Marty Chitty, Co-President  

Bill Ehler, Treasurer  |  Leah Beman, Secretary 

Tim Denger, Member-at-large  |  Gail Loy, Peer Advocate 

Jody Eaton, Member-at-large |  Andrew Westlake, Member-at-large

Tyler Gotto, Member-at-large  |  Hannah Moldovan, Member-at-large

Julia Ringhofer, ISU NAMI on Campus Representative |  JD Deambra, Member-at-large

Paul Daniel, Member-at-large  |  Kenia Fountain, Member-at-large 

Dawn Bowker, Member-at-large  |  Anthony Wubben, Member-at-large 

Thank you to these amazing individuals dedicated to the vision and mission of NAMI Central Iowa which is to inspire better lives for Central Iowans affected by mental illness. They are hard at work to achieve this goal through support programs, educational outreach, and advocacy on local, state and national levels.

Saturday | July 25 | 5:15 - 6:45pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday | July 27 | 4:30-6pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday | July 27 | 6:30-9pm | Family-to-Family Class #6

Tuesday | July 28 | 6:30 - 8:30 | Peer-to-Peer Class #6

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenters Training:  August 22  |  Registration by July 29

Thursday | July 30 | 2-3:30pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM 

Saturday |August 1 | 5:15 - 6:45pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday | August 3 | 4:30-6pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday | August 3 | 6:30-9pm | Family-to-Family Class #7

Tuesday | August 4 | 6:30-8:30pm | Peer-to-Peer Class #7

Wednesday | August 5 | Hardin Co. Working Professionals Connections Support Group | Iowa Falls\Alden HS Library 

Thursday |August 13 | 2-3:30pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM 

Saturday | August 15 | 5:15 - 6:45pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday |August 17 | 4:30-6pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Tuesday | August 18 | 6:30-8pm | Hardin County Family Support Group | Iowa Falls 

Wednesday | August 19  | Hardin Co. Working Professionals Connections Support Group | Iowa Falls\Alden HS Library 

NAMI BASICS Teachers Training: August 29-30  |  Register by August 14

Thursday | August 20 | 2-3:30pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM 

Friday | August 21 | Pathways of Hope Virtual Conference | Register Here 

Saturday | August 22 | Pathways of Hope Virtual Conference continues 

Saturday | August 22 | 5:15 - 6:45pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Monday | August 24 | 4:30-6pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM

Thursday | August 27 | 2-3:30pm | NAMI Connections via ZOOM 

NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator Training: Sept. 12-13 | Register by Aug 28

Thursday | September 3 | 7-8:30pm | Story County Family Support Group resumes

NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator Training: Sept. 19-20  |  Register by Sept. 4

Monday | September 14 | Story County Mental Health Expo | Click for more info

Wednesday | September 16 | Story County Candidates Forum on Disability Issues | Hosted by The Ames Public Library, The Arc & NAMI Central Iowa  | Ames Library | 6:30pm

Thursday | September 17 | Story County Family Support Group | 7-8:30pm 

Saturday | September 26 | NAMIWalks | Click here for more info

NAMI Ending the Silence Presenters  Training:  On-going  |  Register ASAP 

NAMI Central Iowa Wellness Center | Open Monday - Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm 

NAMI Peer-to-Peer Teachers Training TBD in October  | Inquire ASAP

NAMI Family-to-Family Teachers Training TBD in October  | Inquire ASAP 

WAIT!  KEEP READING!  

Be sure to open this newsletter completely!  

If you don't . . . you will miss very important upcoming event information! 

SAVE THE DATE & SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE! 

Every year, amazing individuals from NAMI Central Iowa join thousands at the NAMIWalks.  More than ever, this annual fundraising event is key to supporting mental health programming across Iowa.  More than ever, we must unite to be the voice for the voiceless.  We want YOU to join us!  We want your dog to join us!  We want you to join us in spirit!  Please visit our NAMIWalks page HERE.  

Date:  Saturday, September 26th

Location:  Terra Lakes Park in Johnston, Iowa 

Kick-Off Your Morning with NAMIWalks Iowa and Get Coffee on NAMI Iowa!

We couldn't be more excited to announce that our Kick-Off Event for NAMIWalks Iowa 2020 is right around the corner - and we'd love for you to be there.

Now happening virtually, "get together" with other NAMIWalks Iowa supporters and get ready for our upcoming Walk this fall, all from the comfort of your own home or office!

Tuesday, August 4 from 8-9am 

RSVP here for the VIRTUAL KICK-OFF!  

From 8-9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, the Kick-Off Event will teach you how to be an All-Star Walker. And you'll be able to connect with other Walkers and get the inside scoop on what the Walk will look like this year!

Please join us!

It's free and open to all - the only thing you need is an internet connected computer, tablet, or mobile device to enter into our Zoom meeting...and your cup of coffee! We will email you the day before with details for the event.

If you RSVP prior to July 31 & attend the kick-off and receive a $5 Casey's Gift Card!

Pathways to Hope is a free (VIRTUAL) conference bringing together mental health professionals, social workers, educators, the judicial system, law enforcement, faith community leaders,caregivers, and individuals living with a diagnosis to help improve the mental health care system on August 21 & 22. 

Goals of the Conference
Reduce the stigma of mental illness​

Activate and engage faith communities to help support families and individuals
living with a mental health disorder​

Bring faith community leaders and mental health practitioners together to
provide better community-wide support​

Provide information on resources for community members​

Promote community inclusion.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR REGISTER TODAY!  

Candidates' Forum on Disability Issues 

Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave., Ames

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Iowa (NAMI-CI) and The Arc of Story County are both non-profit agencies providing support, information, and advocacy.  The Arc supports individuals and families affected by developmental and intellectual disabilities.  NAMI-CI works with individuals and families affected by mental illness.Our members are active in legislative issues on a local, state and national level.  We feel that elected officials need to have an understanding of their constituents, and we have found this format to provide a good means for communicating ideas and information.

NAMI CI Members - please submit your questions for the candidates to info@namicentraliowa.org prior to August 10.

UPDATE:  THE EXPO WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY . . . More details to come.  

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Every membership matters at the local, state and national level.  

Clik on the 2020 MEMBERSHIP / DONATIONATION FORM to 

read about your member benefits and why MEMBERSHIP MATTERS! 

Annual Memberships begin at $5 per person! 

NAMI CENTRAL IOWA NEWSLETTER

The NAMI-CI Newsletter is e-published monthly printed as requested by NAMI Central Iowa. NAMI-CI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Our mission is to provide them with support, education, and advocacy.  NAMICI is a United Way partner agency and is an affiliate of NAMI Iowa and NAMI, National.To make changes to your contact information, to receive your newsletter by email/mail, or if you no longer wish to receive the NAMI-CI newsletter you may unsubscibe below.  

SUPPORT US:  NAMI Central Iowa is a charity registered with Amazon Smile and the Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Giving Program.  NAMI Central Iowa is a Partner Agency of the United Way of Story County.  NAMI Central Iowa's Educational Endowment is with the Story County Community Foundation.  (Click on any of the names listed to learn more!) 

424 5th St. Ames, IA 50010

info@namicentraliowa.org    |    515.292.9400    |    www.namicentraliowa.org