National Alliance on Mental Illness
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September 29, 2006
Mental Illness Awareness Week and Beyond
Faith community activities abound in October
Mental Illness Awareness Week kicks off Sunday, October 1. Local NAMI organizations from coast-to-coast, along with other concerned groups, will be tapping into the faith community to hold prayer services and vigils, and educational and awareness-building events.
In addition, one protestant denomination is calling on all of its churches to sponsor a Candle Lighting for Mental Illness in October. And at the end of the month, California hosts a major conference on spirituality and mental health.
Local MIAW Events
Below is a sampling of the many faith-based activities around the country planned for this year's Mental Illness Awareness Week (and beyond).
Also, as a reminder, Tuesday, October 3 has been designated as National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding. Learn more
Alabama
NAMI Shoals
Presentation by family members of people with mental illness
Weeden Heights United Methodist Church, Florence
October 8, 11 A.M. service
Contact: Betty Robertson (namishoals@juno.com)
California
NAMI Shasta County
Candlelight Vigil
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church – Grotto,
October 1, 7:00pm - 8:00 pm
Contact: Marjorie Hall (marjhall1@aol.com)
Florida
NAMI Florida Inc.
First Coast Prayer Service for Mental Illness & Recovery to launch the First Coast Faithnet Initiative
Jacksonville Public Library Main Branch (Hemming Plaza) in the lower lever multi-purpose room. To confirm attendance please call Dawn Williams at Quality Life Center (904) 398-2020.
Tuesday, Octover 3, 2006, 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Contact: Marion Moore (namijaxfl@yahoo.com)
Day of Prayer service for Mental Illness Awareness; also ongoing support group for parents and caregivers of Mentally Ill individuals
Mary Esther United Methodist Church Mary Esther, FL
Thursday, October 5, 2006 7 p.m.
Contact: Joanna Amunds (djamunds@cox.net)
NAMI Charlotte County
Candlelight Vigil
The Haven Drop In Center and Trinity United
Friday, Octboer 6, 2006, 7:30 pm
Contact: Ana M. Romillo (ana_romillo@cchomelesscoalition.org)
Illinois
NAMI-Vermilion County
"Shadow Voices" screening and candlelight ceremony
Public Library. Danville, Illinois
Monday, October 2, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Janet Martin (bobjan44@aol.com)
Kansas
NAMI Johnson County
Candlelight Vigil
October 7, 2006 at CSS.
Contact: Shannon Craig (sanyand3@yahoo.com)
Maryland
NAMI- Metropolitan Baltimore
Presentation about NAMI
Govans-Boundary United Methodist Church
October 8, 2006, 9:30am
Michigan
Catholic Diocese of Lansing Michigan
"Healthy Minds - Yours, Mine & Ours" Resource Day on Mental Health Issues. (Friday, October 20)
Christians Concerned About Mental Illness (CCMI) monthly meeting (Tues., October 24, 12:00-3:00pm)
Both events at Diocesan Center 228 N. Walnut Street Lansing, Michigan 48933
Contact: Joann Davis (jdavis@dioceseoflansing.org)
North Carolina
NAMI-NC, NAMI Wake County, NAMI-SC
Mental Health Conference for Clergy and Laity
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Raleigh
November 7, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
More info: www.nccmentalhealth.org
Ohio
NAMI of the Van Wert Area
Conference " LIFE Beyond the LABEL: Pastoral Care for Persons with Mental Illness"
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Jennings Road, Van Wert, OH
Thursday, October 5th, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Dorothy Gleckler (namivw@msn.com)
Oregon
NAMI Lane County
Candlelight Vigil
First United Methodist Church, Eugene, Oregon
Tuesday Oct. 3
Contact: Shirley Trimble (twinkles.97405@yahoo.com)
Texas
Educational and awareness event
Seventh Street Baptist Church 1749 7th Street Port Arthur, Texas
Date/Time: TBD
Contact: Annie H. Barkers ((409) 985-8946)
Virginia
Good Shepherd Catholic Church Adult Faith Formation Program
Screening of Shadow Voices and an open discussion about serious mental illnesses and faith
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, Virginia, 22309
Tuesday, October 3, 7:30 p.m.,
Contact: William Zaccagnino (wzaccagnino@cox.net)
Washington
NAMI Eastside
Interfaith Prayer Service for Mental Health Recovery and Understanding
St. Brendan Catholic Church 10100 NE 192nd Bothell, WA 98011
Saturday, October 7
Contact: John Radoslovich (johnrad147@hotmail.com)
American Lutherans Sponsor Candle Lighting
An All-Lutheran Candle Lighting for Mental Illness will be held during the month of October. On a Sunday of their choice, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) are encouraged to light a candle and pray for people with mental illness and their families.
The Lutheran Network on Mental Illness/Brain Disorders, a joint program of the ELCA and LCMS, sponsors the candle lighting and offers a downloadable (PDF format) bulletin insert for congregations which includes a litany prayer. The network addresses issues of mental illness and supports congregations in their efforts to be inclusive and supportive of families living with mental illness. Consult their press release for full details.
Spirituality and Mental Health Conference in California
On Thursday, October 26, a conference entitled "Spirituality and Mental Health: New Horizons, New Directions" will be held in Burbank, California. The conference, sponsored by Pacific Clinics, will bring together mental health practitioners and clergy in hopes of developing a dialogue that will lead to more effective strategies for both groups in working with persons suffering from serious emotional problems.
Speakers include Herbert Benson, MD, Founder and President of Harvard University's Mind/Body Institute, and William Miller, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Mexico. Workshop topics include "Spiritually Oriented Cognitive Therapy," "Pastoral Care: Creating a Mental Health Ministry," and "Building a Movement: Spirituality and Black Women's Mental Health Advocacy."
The cost of registration is $100 before October 13, and $125 afterwards. For more information, visit www.pacificclinics.org
Shadow Voices airs on Hallmark Channel October 8
Looking for a way to open up discussion about mental illness in your faith community?
Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness, a one-hour documentary produced by the National Council of Churches, through Mennonite Media, is a helpful tool for stimulating discussion about mental illness, both inside congregations and as part of broader civic education programs.
It will air on Hallmark Chanel on Oct. 8, 2006, at 7 a.m. ET/PT, 6 a.m. CT. Encourage your faith community to tune in.
Videos and DVDs are also available for purchase. Read more…