NAMI Dakota County

Upcoming Events
NAMI Dakota May Education Hour: Medications for Mental Illnesses - May 13
This month's featured speaker at the NAMI Dakota County Education Hour will be Dr. John Luehr. Dr. Luehr is an annual guest and will be providing an update about what's new in the way of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of mental illnesses. Medication can be a complex and sometimes difficult aspect of a person's treatment and Dr. Luehr has the expertise to answer your pressing questions. Dr. Luehr is a psychiatrist based in Apple Valley with experience in both children's and adult mental health and has particular expertise in psychopharmacology. We hope you can join us! Free and open to all, no registration required.

When: Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
Where: Mary Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337

NAMI Dakota June Education Hour: Mental Health & Law Enforcement - June 10
Police are often the first responders when someone experiences a mental health crisis. When law enforcement gets in involved, it's important to have officers who understand the mental illnesses and how to de-escalate the situation appropriately. The Burnsville Police Department is one  of a growing number of police departments in Minnesota who have formed a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). Join us for an engaging panel discussion with two Burnsville CIT officers as well as a parent of two young men who live with mental illnesses. This will be a chance to learn more about the CIT program and how to effectively work with police responding to a mental health crisis. Free and open to all, no registration required.

About our speakers
Officer Dan Anselment is a licensed police officer and has worked for the Burnsville Police Department for nearly 10 years. Dan has been actively involved in their Crisis Intervention Team since 2006.
Officer Dave Luchsinger has been a police officer for 7 years, and has been with the Burnsville Police Department for over 5 years. Dave became a certified CIT officer in 2010.
Lynne Peterson is a parent of two young men who live with mental illnesses.

When: Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Mary Mother of the Church (Assembly Room - Downstairs), 3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337

NAMI Minnesota Presents: Social Services: Myths & Facts - June 18
Are you the parent of child experiencing mental health challenges? Are worried how the social service system will treat your family? Join NAMI Minnesota for an informative workshop that will provide the answers to the most common questions about the children's social service system in Dakota County. Social Workers from Dakota County Child Protective Services and Children's Mental Health Case Management will provide an overview of their roles, how they can support your child and your family and address the common myths and concerns associated with the social service system. This workshop is free and open to all but registration is required.

When: Tuesday, June 18 from 6pm to 8pm
Where: Eagan Community Center (Lone Oak Room, lower Level), 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan MN
Register online at http://cps-eagan-june2013-eorg.eventbrite.com/ or call (651) 645-2948
Childcare available: Contact Jennie Bennett at (651) 645-2948 x300 or jbennett@namimn.org.

Support Groups in Dakota County

Family to Family Support Group: For families of people living with a mental illness.
When: The 4th Monday of each month at 7:00pm
Where: Advent United Methodist, 3945 Lexington Avenue South, Eagan, MN
Contact: Connie Johnson at 952-432-9278

NAMI Connection Support Group: For people living with a mental illness.(Not Currently Meeting; Hopes to Resume Soon)
When: Every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 pm.
Where: Advent United Methodist, 3945 Lexington Avenue South, Eagan, MN
Contact: Cristina at 651-238-7983

Parent Resource Groups: For Parents of children under 18 living with mental health issues. We have several Parent Resource Groups in Dakota County:

Apple Valley/Lakeville
When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Road.
Contact: Jennie at 651-645-2948 x300 or jbennett@namimn.org

Burnsville
When: Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Jo Jo's Rise & Wine, 12501 Nicollet Avenue, Suite 100.
Contact: Jennie at 651-645-2948 x300 or jbennett@namimn.org

Inver Grove Heights
When: Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 7160 South Robert Trail.
Contact: Jennie at 651-645-2948 x300 or jbennett@namimn.org

Important Announcements

NAMI Dakota County Leaders Gary & Connie Johnson Receive Award!
Gary and Connie Johnson were recognized as the "Volunteer Couple of the Year" at the 2012 NAMI Minnesota Annual Conference. Congratulations to Gary and Connie on this much deserved award! Check out a news clip from the Eagan-Burnsville Sun This-Week Newspaper, which can be found below under "Related Files".

Stay in the Know about NAMI
Are you an active member of NAMI Dakota County? Would you like to be? To hear important announcements and learn more about what's happening with NAMI check out the Affiliate Leader Letter published by NAMI Minnesota. You can download the latest edition below under "Related Files".

    

Additional Resources in Dakota County:

Depression Support Coalition
Dakota County Mental Health
Dakota County Social Services Directory
Dakota County Housing Resources