By Christine BakterDirector of Development

Get ready for the 12th annualNAMIWalks Mercer County!Planning is well underway, and

with your assistance, let’s make this an-other great event. We will be returning toEducational Testing Service (ETS) inPrinceton for the 5K Walkathon on Sun-day, May 5, and hope to raise $150,000 tosupport the programs and services thatwe offer at no cost to people with mentalhealth issues and their supportive friendsand families. NAMIWalks Mercer Countyis one of 96 similar events scheduledaround the country in 2019.

The nationwide theme for the 2019NAMIWalks events is “Not All HeroesWear Capes.” Participants are encouraged to become a“NAMIWalks Hero” by raising $100 to earn a hero-brandedT-shirt on Walk Day. Our affiliate will participate again inthe Walk Recognition Program, in which participants whoraise $250 to $2,000 are eligible to receive other NAMIWalks-branded items.

NAMI Mercer Board Members Dan Schuberth and Jeri-lyn Angotti, serving as co-chairs for the event, continue tolead by example. Dan, who led our largest community-basedteam in Robbinsville, is focusing his efforts on team recruit-ment and retention. Jerilyn captains a family-based team inmemory of her cousin, Judy Baranowski, and will be assistingin the effort to bring in new corporate sponsors. Our commit-tee meets monthly, and we are looking for new members. Ournext meeting is on February 4.

To kick off the NAMIWalks event, NAMI Mercer held itsfirst NAMIWalks Rally on January 26 at TacoRito Restau-

rant in Robbinsville. The rally enabled the community tolearn more about NAMIWalks, with the expectation of at-tracting new team captains, committee members, supporters,and sponsors.

Team captains will once again be invited to a kickoff din-ner at Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Thursday, March 7. Thisevent is designed to give both new and returning team cap-tains all the information they need to run a successful Walkteam. The complimentary dinner is open to anyone interestedin learning more about the Walk.

We hope you can join us in support of NAMIWalks Mer-cer County! Our website is open for team registration atwww.namiwalks.org/mercercounty. Please note that if youbookmarked this site last year, the bookmark will point tolast year’s closed event until you update your bookmark.

For more information, contact Christine Bakter atwalk@namimercer.org.

MESSENGERFebruary 2019 Published by NAMI Mercer NJ, Inc. www.namimercer.org Vol. 37, No. 1

12th Annual NAMIWalks Mercer County, May 5

NAMI Mercer inaugurated its 2019 NAMIWalks campaign with a Walk Rallyat TacoRito Restaurant in Robbinsville on January 26.

SAVE-THE-DATEWe Love Our Volunteers Celebration

Monday, February 11, 5–7 pmNAMI Mercer Center. RSVP to home@namimercer.org

Executive Director’s Message

Organizational Planning in a Changing WorldThe goal-driven tradition of making New Year’s reso-

lutions dates back more than 4,000 years. It is cen-tered in the wisdom that wanting good things to

happen is not enough; we have to be committed to doingwhat it takes to make them happen. At an organizationallevel, this is why we engage in strategic planning, and I amexcited to share with you the innovative strategic planningprocess in which NAMI Mercer’s board and staff has beenengaged over the last several months.

Recognizing that we live and work in a world where un-expected, chance events are the norm, strategic planninghas evolved to be more flexible and spontaneous, respond-ing to opportunities and challenges as they present them-selves. Under this model, the idea is to identify prioritiesand then create a framework for making decisions, allocat-ing resources, and measuring impact, acknowledging therecan be many different ways to achieve the same goal. Thisis a departure from traditional strategic plans in whichgoals and objectives were very specific and fixed, not so eas-ily adapted to changing circumstances.

In September, the board and staff gathered with KacyO’Brien, a nonprofit facilitator, to identify strategic priori-ties for NAMI Mercer over the next three years. These de-liberations were informed, in part, by the results of a briefsurvey completed by members, program participants, and

community partners. We subsequently identified

four main areas of concentration:community assessment; respon-sive and accessible programming;financial stability; and advocacyboth to effect change in our localcommunity and help individualsbetter advocate for themselves.

The staff then met for two ad-ditional sessions with the same fa-cilitator to create a roadmap toguide us in achieving our goals.The result is a dynamic, adaptablestrategic approach to growingNAMI Mercer. We are looking for-ward to seeing where our new plan will take all of us. Weknow the achievement of our goals will take time, and therewill be some course corrections along the way.

An adaptive approach invites us to wake up everymorning and say, “Today, I am going to be alert and respon-sive to whatever comes along with a view to accomplishingone thing that will move me closer to achieving my goals.”It’s really great strategy!

Then, in the words of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, “Wecan welcome each new day, each new year, full of thingsthat have never been.”

Best regards,

Janet Haag

NAMI MERCER STRATEGIC PRIORITIESFOR 2019-2021

• Community Assessment• Responsive and Accessible Programming• Advocacy at County and Individual Levels• Financial Stability

On October 29, 2018, NAMI Mercer held the firstmeeting of The Parent Support Network of CentralNew Jersey, a peer-led support group for caregivers

of youth (under age 24) who are struggling with anxiety, de-pression, or emotional dysregulation. The program is beingoffered in partnership with the Youth Mental Health Proj-ect (YMHP), a non-profit, charitable organization that edu-cates and empowers families to support the social,emotional, mental, and behavioral health of youth.

“We have a wonderful collaboration with the YMHPthat has been several years in the making,” commentedNAMI Mercer Executive Director Janet Haag. Randi Silver-man, co-founder of YMHP and producer of the film, No Let-ting Go, first came to NAMI Mercer in 2016 to facilitate a

question and answer session following a screening of herfilm. No Letting Go reflects the real-life struggles of Randi’sfamily after her middle son began to manifest early syptomsof bipolar disorder. She returned this past October to lead acommunity education session, “Understanding Youth Men-tal Health.” Of the 57 family members who attended thisevent, held at Notre Dame High School, a number havejoined the Parent Support Network.

Longstanding NAMI Mercer members and volunteersBarbara Eget and Mary Hayes are facilitating the group,which meets monthly and provides a confidential, informalforum for parents to share their experiences and resources.NAMI Mercer was fortunate to benefit from a $10,000grant, solicited by YMHP and delivered to us in the form of

NAMI Mercer and the Youth Mental Health ProjectLaunch The Parent Support Network of Central New Jersey

Page 2 Continued on Page 6

President’s Message

Adopting a New Community-Based Outreach ModelIcontinue to be grateful for the opportunity to serve as

president of an organization that has made a tremen-dous impact in the lives of so many in our community

over the past 30+ years. I want to thank our dedicated andcapable Executive Director Janet Haag, her full-time teamof Christine Bakter and Danita Saunders-Davis, our Boardof Directors, and our army of volunteers for the work theyput in every day to ensure NAMI will continue to thrive andgrow its impact over the next 30 years.

NAMI Mercer began as a support group for severalfamilies coping with loved ones’ mental illness. Graduallyover time, our organization grew to become a robust localaffiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness andbegan to offer a wide range of volunteer-driven programsand services. We’ve increased the number of lives we impacteach year from the dozens to the hundreds since our hum-ble beginnings.

In 2019, NAMI Mercer will continue its long and me-thodical journey to grow our impact from the hundreds tothe thousands that need our support in Mercer County.Board Member and 2017 Pillar Awardee Maddy Monheitand Board Member Leslie Handler stepped up to chair thenewly formed Public Awareness Committee. Their mainfocus will be to spread awareness about NAMI Mercer’s pro-grams and services community-to-community within Mer-cer County, with the goal of making NAMI the trusted,go-to resource for individuals and families seeking support.

Maddy and Leslie have chosenLawrence Township as their fu-ture “first success story” for a newcommunity organizing model.Members of their committee areconnecting with healthcareproviders, educators, religiousleaders, and government officialsin Lawrence to develop referralsources, identify opportunities forpublic education, and forge part-nerships with other community-based organizations. We expectthat these efforts will bring a newwave of families into the NAMIMercer Community, and we hopethe “Lawrence Township Model” becomes one we can repli-cate in the other eleven communities in Mercer County.

If you are interested in supporting the Lawrence Modelor are eager to start something similar in your own commu-nity, reach out to Executive Director Janet Haag atjhaag@namimercer.org.

Best regards,

Dan Schuberth

By Emma Preslar

Ihave been an intern with NAMIMercer since September 2018and will be with the organization

in this capacity through this spring.I am a graduate student at RutgersUniversity, working on my Mastersin Social Work. As an intern, I serveas a Helpline volunteer, Ending theSilence presenter, and a jack-of-all-trades around the office. Sometimes,this means decorating the office forthe holidays; other times it meansdesigning new marketing materials.It’s definitely a varied work environ-ment!

I was drawn to NAMI Mercer dueto both my personal and professionalinterest in mental health. Profes-sionally, once I complete my degree,I hope to work in the mental healthfield, perhaps in a partial hospital-ization program.

The reason that I have chosen this

field is that I have personal experi-ence with mental health. I haveMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD)and Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD).

Struggling with mental illness islike being lost deep in the woodswithout a map. It’s dark, confusing,and sometimes really scary. Butwhen you find other people who havebeen there, it’s like being given acompass, a water bottle, or a flash-light. Getting support or advice does-n’t actually get you out of the forest,but it helps you find your way a lit-tle sooner and makes the journey alittle less miserable.

Even after you’ve made your wayout of the forest, you’re still going towalk into a tree occasionally, butyou’ll have people around to help youup. (This metaphor may have gottenaway from me.) My point is thatmental illness makes life harder,

and, unfortunately, there is no magicyoga pose to make it go away. Whatyou can do is reach out to the com-munity around you for resources andsupport. This is what NAMI Mercerprovides and why I am so proud tobe involved. Our staff, members, andvolunteers have created a wonderfulcommunity where there is alwayssomeone ready and willing to help.

Meet a Student Intern

Page 3

Emma Preslar at the copy machine in theNAMI Mercer office.

Fall into FundingBy Christine Bakter

Director of Development

Last autumn, NAMI Mercerformed a number of partner-ships with new grant funders

and organizations while continuing tostrengthen existing funding partner-ships with longer-term supporters.

Hopewell Presbyterian Churchmade a generous contribution of$2,900 to NAMI Mercer from moneyraised at its Pumpkin Palooza (a festi-val with a pumpkin sale, silent auc-tion, crafts, food, and children’sactivities) held on Saturday, October6. Libby Bartholo mew and John Haagrepresented NAMI Mercer at thisevent, sharing information aboutNAMI Mercer’s programs and serv-ices.

The following Sunday, Janet Haagand Gianna Santoro (a newly trainedEnding the Silence young adult pre-senter) provided a mental health pres-entation for the parish’s adulteducation program.

We are grateful for all the supportNAMI Mercer receives from our faithcommunity partners across MercerCounty.

Lawrence Township Commu-nity Foundation cele b rated a bench-mark in Dec em ber when it reached$1,000,000 in grants to nonprofitsworking to improve life for Lawrenceresidents. Along with staff, NAMIMercer Board President Dan Schu-berth and Just Friends leader DiannePingatore accepted a grant award of$2,500 for Just Friends, our peer-ledsocial support program.

The awards ceremony and commu-nity networking event included pre-sentations from other grantees,including Lawrence Road Presbyte-rian Church, People and Stories, andlocal Dress for Success and Meals onWheels chapters.

On December 19, Investors BankHamilton Assistant Vice Presidentand Branch Manager Jason LaVis-count toured NAMI Mercer officesand presented a $2,500 InvestorsFoundation grant supporting Harvestof Hope 2018.

Along with staff, the grant awardwas accepted by Maddy Monheit,chair of Harvest of Hope and BoardMember Lauren Agoratus. Laurenwas responsible for connecting NAMIMercer to the Nonprofit Community

Banking Division of Investors. Through this connection, NAMI

Mercer was able to secure an addi-tional $2,500 through the Roma BankFoundation, administered by In-vestors. The grant from Roma Bankwill support Ending the Silence in2019.

NAMI Mercer is also pleased to rec-ognize the following grant awards re-ceived during the second half of 2018:

• Curtis W. McGraw Founda-tion: $10,000 for general operatingsupport • Janssen Pharmaceuticals: $10,000 for education and support pro-gramming • Fred C. Rummel Foundation:$8,000 for education and supportprogramming• Otsuka America Pharmaceuti-cals, Inc: $5,000 for education andsupport programming

These generous contributions en-able NAMI Mercer to continue to pro-vide education, advocacy, and supportto Greater Mercer County at no costto recipients.

For more information about grantsfunding or to inform us of other fund-ing opportunities, please contactChristine Bakter, director of Develop-ment, at cbakter@namimercer.org

Investors Check Presentation (l to r) – Jason LaViscount (of Investors Bank), Maddy Mon-heit, Christine Bakter, Janet Haag, Danita Saunders-Davis, Lauren Agoratus.

Libby Bartholomew (on left) of NAMI Mer-cer with visitor at the Hopewell Presbyte-rian Church Pumpkin Palooza.

Page 4

Page 5

Night Out With NAMI raises $84,000On Nov. 17, NAMI Mercer supporters enjoyed an evening of “Disco Fever” at the RoyaleWindsor Club in West Windsor. Dressed in the fashions of the 1970s, participants dinedand boogied to the music of the era. We had a surprise visit from Brian Bergdoll, a JohnTravolta impersonator, who entertained the crowd with his disco dance moves. Thefundraiser brought in more than $84,000 in support of NAMI Mercer’s programs andservices.

Top left: Christine Bakter and Keith Moran of Janssen accepting the NAMIMercer Visionary Partner Award.Center: Bill Wilmot and Danita Saunders-Davis.Right: Pillar Awardees Betty and Bill Wolfe.Middle left: Alan Monheit with Erica and Aaron Silver. Center: Brian Bergdoll, John Travolta impersonator.Right: Betsy and Mike Kuhns.Bottom left: Getting ready to do the Hustle.

Page 6

Ending the SilenceBy Leslie Handler

NAMI Mercer is pleased toannounce that we havescheduled eight Ending the

Silence (ETS) presentations for thefirst quarter of 2019 in response tothe community’s growing interest inthis new early intervention pro-gram. Last year, our trained volun-teers presented ETS to 10 groupsincluding teens, staff, and parentsat Lawrence Middle School and theCounty’s school superintendentsand assistant superintendents.

First developed by NAMI DuPage,IL, ETS was adopted as a signatureprogram by NAMI National fiveyears ago. However, a $1 milliongift by former Second Lady TipperGore, greatly facilitated the pro-gram’s nationwide expansion.

NAMI Mercer was among the firstNAMI affiliates to have volunteerstrain for and present the new ETSProgram. This program includes anengaging slide presentation thathelps audience members recognizethe warning signs of mental healthconditions and take appropriatesteps if they observe symptoms inthemselves or a loved one.

During the ETS presentation, alead presenter provides this infor-mation and a young adult with amental health condition shareshis/her personal journey of recovery.Audience members can ask ques-tions and gain understanding of an

often-misunderstood topic. Through this dialogue, we strive

to end stigma and encourage morepeople to seek treatment.

There is no charge for the pro-gram, which is generally presentedin three forms:

• A 50-minute presentation de-signed for middle and high schoolstudents that includes warningsigns, facts and statistics, andhow to get help for themselves ora friend or family member.

• A 60-minute presentation forschool staff that includes informa-tion about warning signs, facts,statistics, and how to approachstudents and work with families.

• A 60-minute presentation forparents and primary caregiversthat includes warning signs, factsand statistics, how to talk withtheir child, and how to work withschool staff.

One of our young adult presen-ters, Emily McClain, says “My expe-rience with Ending the Silence hasmade me feel capable of making adifference in people’s lives. It bringsme so much joy to share my storywith others and to show them thatit’s okay to struggle with mentalhealth. So many people out therejust need to hear other people’s sto-

ries in order to start making senseof their own mental health journey.”

Emma Preslar, another youngadult presenter comments “I haveloved being an ETS presenter. Ihave been able to meet so many dif-ferent people, and it has been won-derful to share my story in a waythat might be helpful to others. Foryoung people who may have a men-tal illness, and for those who careabout them, I think the most impor-tant thing to hear is, ‘Hey, I’ve beenthere. You’re not alone. I’m okaynow, and you can be too.’”

Currently, NAMI Mercer has fivelead presenters: Leslie Handler,Amanda Buchner, Kathy McLaugh-lin, Sharon Nemeth, Janet Haag;and four young adult presenters:Mindy Hoffman, Emily McClain,Emma Preslar, Gianna Santoro,and Danielle Desantis. More volun-teers are currently in training.Feedback has been excellent. Inparticular, school counselors reportthat students, who have never feltconfident enough to discuss their is-sues before, have begun opening upto them.

NAMI Mercer continues to expandthis well-received program. Volun-teers interested in training to be-come presenters and school officialsinterested in scheduling a presenta-tion should contact Executive Direc-tor Janet Haag at jhaag@nami mercer.org.

Randi Silverman leading a community education programon understanding youth mental health, a precursor to TheParent Support Network.

Parent Support Networkcontinued from Page 2training and materials for this program. We are thrilledto have this new offering to meet the needs of youngerfamilies, helping them to break through the crisis andfear of mental health challenges and to implement earlyintervention and treatment that will make a positive dif-ference in their children’s lives.

For more information and to register for the Febru-ary 18 and/or March 18 meeting, go to namimercer.org/find-support/parent-support-network or call 609-799-8994.

Page 7

NAMI MercerBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan Schuberth M.S., M.P.A.President

Coleen Burrus M.A.Vice President

Stephanee Kammer B.S.Secretary

Jerilyn Angotti C.P.A.Treasurer

Lauren Agoratus M.A.Kathi Barringer B.S.

George DiFerdinando M.D. Dave Doran B.S.

Leslie Handler B.A. Robert Hedden B.S.

Jeremy Mann M.S.H.P. Karen L. Marquis Ph.D.

Catherine McTigue J.D., M.B.A.Madeline Monheit M.S.

Tom Pyle M.B.A, M.S, C.P.R.P.Jason Redd Esq.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Janet Haag M.A.

DIRECTOR of OPERATIONSDanita L. Saunders-Davis B.S.

DIRECTOR of DEVELOP-MENT Christine Bakter B.A.

EDITORS Madeline Monheit Elisabeth Hagen

THE NAMI CENTERof Mercer County

Whitehorse Executive Center1235 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd.

Building C, Suite 303Hamilton NJ 08619

609.799.8994namimercer.org

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Family-to-Family12-session program for familymembers of adults living withmental illness. Thursdays, Feb.21 –May 16, 6:30–9 pm (no classon April 18). NAMI Mercer Cen-ter.

In Our Own Voice andEnding the SilencePresentations to promote aware-ness and instill a message ofhope through personal stories ofrecovery. Call to book a presenta-tion.

COMMUNITY EDUCATIONChasing Away the Blues,Doreen Miri, MA, NCC, LPC,July 25, 6:30–8:00 pm, RWJ Fit-ness and Wellness Center,Hamilton. Check the website foradditional community educationprograms currently in theprocess of being confirmed.

SUPPORT GROUPS

NAMI ConnectionRecovery support group foradults living with mental illness.First and third Wednesdays, 2–3:30 pm. Second and fourthThursdays, 7–8:30 pm. NAMIMercer Center. Walk-ins wel-come.

IFSS/NAMI Support GroupsFor families of adults living withmental illness. Mondays, 5:15–6:45 pm at Lawrence Road Pres-byterian Church. Tuesdays,5:15–6:45 pm at the NAMI Mer-cer Center.

The Parent Support Networkof Central New JerseyFor parents/caregivers of chil-dren and adolescents. Monthly,February 18, March 18. Offeredin partnership with The YouthMental Health Project.

Hearing Voices Support GroupFor adults who hear voices orhave other unusual sensory expe-riences. Mondays, 2–3 pm at theNAMI Mercer Center.

Just Friends Social Support GroupPeer-led group that meets regu-larly for fun activities and goodtimes. (NAMI Mercer member-ship is required along with atten-dance at a Meet and Greet, heldthe first Wednesday of themonth, 3-4 pm). NAMI MercerCenter. Call in advance to con-firm attendance.

Overcoming Social Anxiety WorkshopFor adults who experience fear insocial situations. Wednesdays,March 13 – May 1, 6-8 pm. Of-fered in partnership with FindYour Voice.

ASK THE SOCIAL WORKER

TELECONFERENCEFirst Mondays, 7:00–8:30 pmPhone: 773.231.9226Call ID: 148 068 8345 whenprompted.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONFirst Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 pmNAMI Mercer Center. Call in ad-vance to attend.�

NAMI MERCER PROGRAMS

All NAMI Mercer support groups, workshops and classes are offered at nocost to participants. Registration is required for education classes, Familyto Family, and the Overcoming Social Anxiety Workshop.

The NAMI Center of Mercer County

1235 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd.Bldg. C, Suite 303

Hamilton Township, NJ 08619

ADDRESS LABEL GOES HERE

NON-PROFITU.S.

POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT #257TRENTON NJ

February is Membership MonthWe are who we are because

you are who you are! Whenwe join together, we exert a

collective influence that makes thequality of life in Mercer County andbeyond significantly better for themany individuals and families livingwith mental illness. As we launch our2019 membership campaign, can wecount on you to renew your member-ship or join us for the first time, mak-ing NAMI Mercer and our community“stronger than stigma” and an unde-niable force for good?

As a member, you… • Have access to programs andservices that promote recovery andmental wellbeing.

• Obtain up-to-date informationon policy, research, and news affect-ing all those who are impacted by

mental illness.

• Build relationships and en-hance your capacity to handle diffi-cult situations through the NAMIConnection.

• Receive the following publica-tions: The NAMI National Advo-cate; The NAMI New JerseyAlliance; and The NAMI MercerMessenger.

• Vote to elect the NAMI MercerBoard of Directors, as well as repre-sentatives on the state and nationalboards.

The annual membership fee is:• $40 for Regular membership foran individual • $60 for Household membership(all members living at same ad-dress)

• $5 for Open Door membershipfor an individual with limited finan-cial resources

Joining or renewing your member-ship online is quick and easy athttps://namimercer.org/get-involved/join/. Or, complete and mailthe form below.

At NAMI Mercer, we are all aboutcommunity, emphasizing caring rela-tionships and inviting people to sharetheir gifts and talents, to add theirvoices to hundreds of others in advo-cating for better policies and servicesfor individuals and families affectedby mental illness.

Help us tip the balance in favor of amore compassionate society that pro-motes mental health. Do your partand become a member of NAMI Mer-cer today!

Yes, I want to !join NAMI Mercer, or !renew membership and !volunteer________ $60 Household, _________ $ 40 Individual, _________ $5 Open Door (limited income)

(I/we also wish to make a tax deductible contribution of $________ )

Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________Street: ___________________________ City: _____________________State:______ Zip:__________Phone: ___________________________ Email:____________________________________________

Optional information: Ask your employer about a matching gift. NAMI Tax Exempt ID #22-2587453NAMI Mercer United Way Donor Choice ID 01712

Employer: __________________________________________________________________________Street: ___________________________ City: _____________________State:______ Zip:__________Phone: ___________________________ Email:____________________________________________Race/ethnicity (please check) American Indian or Alaska native " African American " Caucasian "Hispanic/Latino "Native Hawaian or Pacific Islander " Other "

Payment Information: "check or "cash enclosed

Credit card payment: charge my "VISA "Master Card or "American ExpressName as it appears on card: _______________ _____________ Account #__________________ Expiration:______Validation code: ________________ Signature: ______________________________________________________

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

JOIN/RENEW ONLINE at:

www.namimercer.orgNAMI Mercer NJ Inc.

1235 Whitehorse MercervilleRoad, Bldg C, St. 303

Hamilton NJ 08619