NOVEMBER 2017

Vol. 11

P.O Box 1423 Woodbridge, VA 22195-1423

703-659-9983 www.nami-pw.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Marjorie Antus

“Cities and towns all across America have organizations like this—lots of volunteers taking care of friends and neighbors,” writes Joan Garry in her Guide to Nonprofit Leadership. “It’s what I love about the nonprofit work [of organizations like NAMI Prince William]. At its best, people come together to take care of one another.” (Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2017, 25) Some eighty people came together on a recent cloudy morning behind Novant Health Prince William Medical Center to take care of one another: to register, to don bright green shirts, and to Walk in solidarity with those living with mental illness and their families. NAMI Prince William was at its best that day. Escorted by the City of Manassas Police, citizens from Greater Prince William formed a bright line of Walkers through Old Town Manassas, drawing

favorable attention from passers-by as soon as they saw “National Alliance on Mental Illness” signs held high. It was an optimistic moment. When members and friends of NAMI Prince William come together for a support group or educational course, laughter is never far away; and that joy was noticeable on the day of the Go Green. So when Walkers returned after a 3.2 mile Walk, there was trademark NAMI laughter, upbeat music, and appreciative applause. There were also doughnuts provided by Novant Health just to send everyone home on a sweet note. It seemed to work. Even if you missed the Walk, there’s still time to contribute to our one annual fundraiser. Please visit nami-pw.org and donate.

WHAT A WALK! NAMI Prince William’s Third Annual Go Green for Mental Health Walk

October 14, 2017

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RECENT EVENT

NAMI Prince William’s Third Annual Go Green for Mental Health Walk

October 14, 2017

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RECENT EVENT

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY (AKA) INC., OMICRON CHI OMEGA CHAPTER MEMBERS

JOIN NAMI PRINCE WILLIAM’S 2017 ANNUAL GO-GREEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH WALK

By Pauline Hunter, NAMI-PW Board Member

My introduction to NAMI Prince William, was first as a family member, and later as a Board Member. As my involvement and interest increased from acquiring information and knowledge to pure passion and a sincere desire to spread the good news about the organization’s mission and resources, this drive became my mission.

I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 40 years ago because of its service to the community, lending a helping hand where and when needed.

While serving on the Board, I learned the Sorority has an official Memorandum of Understanding with NAMI. I immediately started sharing all the information I could with the Committee members working with families which is one of NAMI’s areas of focus. When I saw members from the Sorority show up at the Walk, I was so happy. That happiness has now exploded to joy because those ladies who walked promised to bring more sorority members next year.

My objective to sharing information was achieved as well as inspiring the interest of those who did participate to learn more about NAMI. This is the beginning of a beautiful partnership connecting a larger population of Greater Prince William to invaluable mental health resources.

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RECENT EVENT

NAMI Prince William would like to extend it’s sincere appreciation for the community’s generous sup-

port and for making its 2017 Go Green for Mental Health Walk a huge success! A special shout out to

our donors:

Joseph Briglia Dr. Andy Hay

Bonnie Cuppett Darina Karanth

Dorthea Crosby Laura Kimberly

Andy Downey Colleen Rooney

Liz Downey Rita Rowand

Cindy Foulke Mohamed Sankoh

Chris Galindo David Stone

Jennifer Gray Shimon Stone

Cari Hammel

And a big THANK YOU to our Walk sponsors:

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CURRENT EVENT

GENERAL MEETING

The Ins and Outs of Qualifying for Social Security Disability &

SSI Benefits

Social Security Disability, Estate Planning, Elder Law & Special Needs Planning

Attorney, Sheri Abrams will discuss Social Security Disability & SSI benefits, who

qualifies for them (with emphasis on people with mental illness) and how the

application and appeal process works. Sheri will also touch on how Guardian-

ship and Special Needs Trusts interact with these benefits.

Presented By:

Sheri R. Abrams, Attorney at Law

Sheri has been practicing Social Security Disability Law, Estate Planning, Elder Law and

Special Needs Planning for over 20 years.

Monday, November 6, 2017 – 7:00pm

Prince William Medical Center

8700 Sudley Road, 4th Floor, Conf. Rm B

Manassas, VA 20110

NAMI Prince William meetings are free and open to the public.

Please RSVP to 703-659-9983 as light refreshments will be served.

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THINGS TO KNOW

Here is how to successfully celebrate this holiday season and stay sober

Submitted By Caleb Anderson

Image courtesy of Piabay

Staying sober through the holidays can be tough. By following these great guidelines you can fly right through the party season and stay grounded in your sobriety.

Planning and scheduling.

Plan ahead. According to experts at Huffington Post, you will be much better off facing the holiday season with plans in place. Preparation sets you up for success.

Connect. Many experts recommend that you maintain your support networks. Spend more time with groups and attending meetings.

Remember. Remind yourself about the negatives involved with your previous lifestyle. Remember the loneliness and the people you couldn’t be around because you were making unhealthy choices.

Stay busy. Keeping a full schedule gives you structure and eliminates boredom.

People and places.

Communicate. Make sure family and friends are aware you want to stay sober. You can also let them know you are making this choice for your own well-being and not to ruin other people’s fun.

Be picky. Choose carefully who you will spend time with during the holidays. Avoid people who can under-mine your healthy lifestyle choice.

Tap into your tribe. Surround yourself with your tribe. This might not be your biological family members. Spend your time with those people who are close, healthy and supportive.

Pick a partner. Some experts suggest having an accountability partner throughout the holiday sea-son.

Enjoy self-care. Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat right.

Reach out. If you are struggling, let someone who supports your sobriety know.

Limit access. If you know there are gatherings where you will be tempted, don’t go. If you do go, maintain a healthy distance from substances. PsychologyToday.com also has these great tips for getting through parties:

Have an excuse ready. You can use something as straightforward as, “I don’t drink anymore.” If you are more comfortable with a less candid explanation you can say, “I’m on a medication that can’t mix with alcohol.”

Bring your own. Have a non-alcoholic beverage with you. It keeps your hand busy and people are less inclined to offer you something.

Cont.’d on Page 7

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At the bar. Get something fizzy and fun as soon as you arrive - without alcohol.

“Bookend” the event. Attend a support group before and/or after the party.

Dance. You can be the life of the party by just hitting the dance floor and staying there. It’ll also keep your mind more active and positive.

Arrive early. If you have to show up for an especially difficult obligation like a work-related party, get there early. Make the rounds and be seen, then get out.

Allow extra time. According to some experts, a few extra days tacked onto your time off can be helpful. Give yourself some “me time” with an itinerary just for you.

Do something else. You have several healthy options for celebrating. It’s important to avoid situations where you expect difficult triggers. If a gathering is going to be particularly challenging you can make other plans. Some options would be:

Volunteer. Doing something for others keeps you busy and makes you feel good.

Work overtime. You stay busier and make extra money.

Try other traditions. Are you in a chilly area? Build a snowman or go ice skating. Want to get out of town? Plan a vacation to a festive destination, like Salem at Halloween or Williamsburg at Christmas. If staying inside and being close to home suit you better, see a good movie or binge watch some favorites.

Celebrate successfully. You can get through this holiday season and stay sober. Set yourself up for success with good plans and a schedule. Surround yourself with the right people and communicate effectively. If it’s the best choice for you, do something new and different. With these great guidelines in place your holiday celebrations are sure to be successful. DISCLAIMER: The publishing of any articles submitted to NAMI-PW from outside sources in no way indicates endorsement or support of any individual or organization.

NAMI Prince William wishes each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday!

THINGS TO KNOW

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THINGS TO KNOW

NAMI PRINCE WILLIAM FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS

The challenges of mental illness do not only affect an individual's family members but also friends, teachers, neighbors, coworkers and others in the community. “Family member” and “caregiver” refer to anyone giving emotional, financial or practical support to a person with a mental health condition. Whether you're providing a lot of assistance or very little, the information and support you receive from a NAMI Family Support Group can help you better understand the issues that you might face. (Excerpt from: http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers.)

The most important thing to know is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Below are the three NAMI Family Support Groups currently being held in Prince William County:

WOODBRIDGE:

Second Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sentara Potomac Hospital Room "C" in the Hylton Education Center 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA Contact: Jeri Weeks, 703-590-0783

Third Sunday of the Month, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sentara Potomac Hospital Room "D" in the Hylton Education Center 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA (Group focus is families with dependent children – youth through age 26, but open to all.) Contact: Donna Fortunato, 571-437-4579

MANASSAS:

Last Monday of the Month, 7:30 pm to 9 pm Public Works Facility 8500 Public Works Drive, Manassas, VA Contacts: Lois Sirgany, 703-361-6707 and Christine Mendez HAYMARKET:

Third Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Haymarket Gainesville Community Library Community Room 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA Contacts: Liz Downey 561-578-1370 and Bonnie Cuppett

Most family members attend the groups when their loved one is in crisis. When the crisis is over, they stop coming. Get in the habit of attending every month, whether things are going well or not. That way, if a crisis does hit, you know where you need to be. And remember, there are others who are new to this journey, and they need the support you can offer.

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NAMI Membership exists at 3 levels: Affiliate, State & National. NAMI Prince William

(NAMI-PW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization—contributions are tax-deductible

to the fullest extent allowed by law. Together, we can continue to fight for all those affected by

mental illness. PLEASE NOTE: If making a donation, in order for NAMI-PW to receive your

full donation, please send your donation to the NAMI-PW office. Thank you!

CONTRIBUTIONS BENEFIT NAMI-PW, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT TAX EXEMPT

ORGANIZATION, TAX ID 64-0958983. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION

AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF NAMI-PW MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE

VIRGINIA STATE OFFICE OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES, P.O.BOX 1163, RICHMOND, VA 23218.

REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR

RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. NAMI-PW RECEIVES 100% OF EACH

Members are NAMI-PW’s lifeblood; your membership helps us continue to provide

free outreach, support & education. In bringing mental health issues to

wider attention, we advocate for better treatment. As our

membership base grows, our voice becomes

stronger.

Respect, Compassion & Hope … NAMI Works!

I’d like to support NAMI- PW with a donation of: __ $25 __ $50 __ $100

other: $____

P.O. Box 1423 Woodbridge, VA 22195-1423

T 703-659-9983 Email: info@nami-pw.org

Website: nami-pw.org

I’d like to volunteer for NAMI-PW’s 2017 Go Green

for Mental Health Walk.

I wish to receive NAMI National’s solicitations.

Check here for renewal: Date:______________

Name:_____________________________________

Address:___________________________________

City/St:____________________________________

Zip:___________....Phone:____________________

Email:_____________________________________

MEMBERSHIPS: Household $60 Regular $40 Open Door $5

SPONSORSHIPS: Family $55 Professional $65 Corporate $250

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you’d like to share your “journey” with mental illness, do a book review, have topics you’d like to know more about, advise us of any mental health events in upcoming months, please send your input to the Editor at downeylizster@gmail.com no later than the 20th of the month.

THINGS TO KNOW

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE

NAMI Prince William is looking for:

BOOKKEEPER/ACCOUNT - Must be able to provide bookkeeping/accounting services for a min. of 6 hrs. per month. Experience required. DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR - Must have passion for planning and coordinating community outreach and fundraising events. Experience required.

Qualified candidates, please submit your resume by email to info@nami-pw.org