HOW NAMI_BALTIMORE OFFERS FREE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SIGNATURE PROGRAMS! (2082 hits)
For Immediate Release From NAMI-Metropolitan Baltimore!
YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE
Are you interested in mental health education? We are excited to share our experiential workshop, NAMI Virtual Voices!
About NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore
Who We Are
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore is a NAMI affiliate serving Baltimore City and County. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore and dedicated grassroots leaders work together to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones.
Mental Health Conditions
A mental health condition, or mental illness, is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental health conditions can affect persons of any age, race, gender, religion, s*xual orientation or income. Mental health conditions are not the result of personal weakness, character flaw or poor upbringing.
Mental Health by the Numbers
1 in 5 adults experience a mental health condition in a given year. Approximately 175,000 people in Baltimore City are living with a mental health condition. 20% of children and adolescents aged 13-18 live with a mental health condition. 50% of lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.
Approximately 8.4 million Americans experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the United States, specifically major depressive disorder.
Effect of Untreated Mental Illness
Only 43% of adults with a mental health condition received treatment in the past year. A Harvard Medical School study showed that untreated mental illness costs the United States a minimum of $105 billion in lost productivity.
Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. Adults in the United States with a serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, the 3rd leading cause of death for people aged 10-24, and the 2ndleading cause of death for people aged 15-24.
Wellness and Recovery
Mental health conditions are treatable and recovery is possible. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individualized treatment plan. Finding the right treatment plan, with the help of mental health professionals, is an important step in the recovery process.
There are many resources and services in Baltimore City and County to support your or a loved one’s recovery, including NAMI’s education programs and support groups.
Education Classes
NAMI Metro Baltimore’s Signature education classes provide invaluable information and support for people living with mental health conditions and their family members.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an 8-week course for individuals with mental health conditions. NAMI Family-to-Family is an 8-week course for family members and loved ones of an adult living with a mental health condition.
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore recognizes the importance of establishing a base of operations in communities across Baltimore to provide sustained access to mental health education and support programs. Our Mental Health Hubs host education classes, support groups, and community forums to support individuals living with mental health conditions and their families. Learn more HERE!: https://namibaltimore.org/find-support/men...
NAMI Family-to-Family
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness. It is a designated evidence-based program that includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises. Research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to an individual living with a mental health condition. Learn more and REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/t...
NAMI Basics
NAMI Basics is a free, 6-session education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing mental health issues. You’ll learn the facts about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school and when they’re getting medical care. Learn more HERE!: https://basics-backend.nami.org/users/crea...
Young Adult Volunteer-led Zine!
Did you know that NAMI Baltimore has its very own Young Adult Volunteer-led Zine? We're looking for fresh ideas and new faces to join our team this season! We are looking for artists, designers, writers, creative thinkers, collaborators, or thought leaders who can consistently volunteer to contribute and brainstorm original content to raise mental health awareness for our seasonal Zine! To get involved, please submit a writing or art sample for consideration to Nova Getz at ngetz@namibaltimore.org.
