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Welcome to the website for the National Alliance on  

Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts  

 


  

What NAMI Means to Our Family...


family

           N...never alone 

           A...among people who care   

           M...meaningful discussions 

           I...I will not give up 

 

From NAMI Voice, Fall 2011 issue. Join NAMI today and receive NAMI Voice, the Massachusetts NAMI newsletter, and the NAMI Western Mass. newsletter.  

 

 


 

 

uneven_feetNAMI-WM 2012 Walkathon:

 

'A Journey of Hope and Recovery'

 Save the Date -- Sunday, May 20, 2012

11:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m.

King Philip's Stockade, Forest Park

Springfield, Mass. 01108

 

To find out more about to walk, get the flyer here.

To be a walkathon sponsor, get the form here.

 

See our Events Page for full details!

 


For information on how to become a sponsor, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 


 

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Are you the parent or caregiver of a child living with mental illness? Would you like to learn more about treatment, get support from other parents, and learn about self-care? NAMI-WM can help! Contact us today to register for our next Family to Family program, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 413-786-9139 or toll-free at 800-295-2121.

 

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program 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
  • Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this national program

 Visit the NAMI National site to learn more here.

 


 

A letter from NAMI-WM President Bernice Drumheller

 

The Family-to-Family course is a free program offered by The National Alliance on Mental Illness that provides extensive help for families of the mentally ill. NAMI-WM granted 21 participants their Certificates of Achievement for completing the 12-week program this spring. Course facilitators Robin Gottardi, Bonnie Pueschel, and Bernice Drumheller are very proud of the families that recently completed the course. NAMI-WM knows that knowledge is power for these families and that they are not alone. Many congratulations to the 2012 Family-to-Family course participants!

 

Where do family members turn when they are faced with the daily challenges and heartaches from caring for family members living with mental illness?  Every spring, NAMI of Western Massachusetts offers the Family-to-Family course to help parents, spouses, siblings, and friends and significant others learn about and get support for the issues they face living with a loved one who has been diagnosed with one of three major mental illnesses:  schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

 

The Family-to-Family program has literally have saved lives and empowered families to better understand mental illness and gain awareness, support, and resources. We’d like to share what people who have completed the course have shared about their recent experiences in the program at NAMI-WM:

 

“This is a revelation!”

“Why hasn’t anyone explained this stuff before?”

“The most positive aspect to me was learning about what my mentally ill relative feels and experiences. I have so much more understanding now of so many of his actions and reactions.” 

“I know now this is not my fault and I have less guilt.” 

“The course was terrific and I liked best and needed most self-care and communication.” 

“This was a super workshop.” 

 

The best gift you can give your loved one living with mental illness is to get educated and to receive support for yourself. My heartfelt thanks to my co-facilitators, without whom I would not have been able to conduct the classes. They are seasoned teachers who gave generously of their time and talents.

 

Congratulations again, 2012 Family-to-Family participants!

 

Bernice Drumheller, Family Facilitator

 


 

NAMI Western Massachusetts Presents

 

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A 6-week, FREE educational program for parents and


caregivers who have children with mental illness.


Please contact us if you are interested in joining
an upcoming Basics class!

 

(413) 786-9139 or (800) 295-2121

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Pre-Registration is Required--Space is Limited

Please see our Events Page for more information.

 

* Sponsored by NAMI Massachusetts *



 

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We are thrilled to announce that NAMI was included this year in a select list of charities that meet the Better Business Bureau’s “Wise Giving Alliance” standards and was featured with other charities in a full-page ad in USA Today on November 29, 2011. Along with our recent upgrade to a four-star rating (the highest score) from Charity Navigator, this is a wonderful testament to our efforts to be good stewards of donors’ dollars.



     
Based in Agawam, Massachusetts our volunteers, board members, and staff, are dedicated to spreading mental health awareness and various support and educational programs across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. Our office, located at 324A Springfield Street, serves as a resource center for those affected by mental illness and their family and friends. Please stop by and visit with our staff and volunteers to discuss how we can help you or those you love. As one of two (out of 22) NAMI affiliates in Massachusetts with a full-time staffed office, we maintain a resource library, literature on various mental illnesses, and treatment options.


We welcome you to browse our website for events in the area, up to date legislative and news information, area resources and more.

 Thank you,


Bernice Drumheller

President, NAMI Board of Directors

 

 

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