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NAMI FaithNet Newsletter: September 2010

Welcome to the September issue of the NAMI FaithNet Newsletter.

In This Issue:

Opening Windows: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) and Beyond

Learn how you can use the resources available in the new NAMI FaithNet Mental Illness Awareness Toolkit (www.nami.org/faithnet) to engage faith communities during MIAW and in the months ahead.

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Changing Times: Mental Health Awareness in the Jewish Community

Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, of the Union for Reform Judaism shares how congregations, Jewish Family Services and Jewish Federations are creating more opportunities to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the Jewish community.

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NAMI FaithNet Training Modules Update

At the 2010 NAMI national convention in Washington, D.C., NAMI FaithNet advisory group members shared two training modules that are designed to help NAMI affiliates and others connect their local faith communities to mental health resources and NAMI.

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Mental Health in India: Most turn to Faith, not Medicine

National Public Radio (NPR) reports that in India most people seek help for mental illness from faith healers and temple doctors, rather than psychiatrists, who are scarcely available.

While some don't believe in using both approaches, others are more open to adapting medical treatment that incorporates elements of cultural practices.

Mental Illness: Denied or Unidentified?

In Latino Perspectives, Rosa Cays discusses mental illness stigma within the Latino community.

Sept. 23-25: Widening the Welcome, National Conference

The first national Conference jointly hosted by the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries (UCC DM) and the United Church of Christ Mental Illness Network (UCC MIN) will take place at the Drury Plaza Hotel in St. Louis.

Conference goals include:

• educating attendees about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
• developing Mental Health Ministries and A2A (Accessible to All) covenants in your congregation;
• sharing best practices by telling stories, learning from each other and networking and
• offering spiritual support group experiences and worship together.

To learn more or register, visit www.wideningthewelcome.com

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