NAMI LV CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS OUTREACH

NAMI LV Continues to Expand Its Outreach BY DENNIS GEIGER, PH.D. BOARD MEMBER NAMI LEHIGH VALLEY

As an affiliate of the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons with mental illness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lehigh Valley (NAMI LV) comprises a membership of persons living with a mental illness, family members, professionals and supportive community citizens. A Board of Directors provides governance, direction and oversight to the organization. The mission of NAMI LV is to advocate for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing, education and employment for people living with a mental illness, as well as to provide supportive services to all that are affected by mental illness.

NAMI LV maintains the position that mental illnesses are predominately brain-based medical disorders. As a result, persons experiencing a mental disorder are not to be blamed for the onset of their illness. However, even though individuals may not be responsible for having an illness, they are expected to be responsible for actively managing it by working with their medical providers, following treatment plans and adhering to a healthy life-style. NAMI LV is available to help persons with a mental illness find the resources they need to accomplish these objectives.

Through the work of volunteers, NAMI LV provides ongoing support groups for families and peers with mental health challenges, as well as programs that educate about mental illness to community groups, schools and hospital wellness classes. Family-to-Family and Peer-to-Peer are eight-week courses led by trained individuals and family members with lived experience that aids understanding of mental illness and recovery. NAMI LV also has a team of speakers who provide firsthand accounts of what it’s like to experience, manage and recover from a mental illness. All of NAMI LV’s services and programs are free of charge. Since the onset of COVID, volunteers have been especially challenged to present at community venues. In-person groups and classes have been impeded by social restrictions. Where possible, virtual media resources have been utilized. Despite these challenges, there are current plans to add NAMI’s wellness classes at the Easton campus of St. Luke’s Hospital to presentations already being offered at other St. Luke’s locations and at LVHN.

NAMI LV continues to support the work of professionals to diagnose, treat and support persons with mental illness. Over the past year, a member of NAMI LV, who is a licensed psychologist, has lead training sessions for providers of various supportive behavioral services by reviewing mental illness from the perspective of the DSM-5. Attendees are taught how mental illness is diagnosed using the DSM-5, and how it provides a common language for providers to share treatment information. Importantly, attendees are taught that a diagnosis does not define the identity of a person living with a disorder. In essence, a person is much more than a medical diagnosis.

NAMI LV also has provided support and consultation to Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) training for law enforcement agencies in Northampton County. The enactment of the 988 crisis line is welcomed as a means of connecting persons experiencing a mental health episode with trained staff. It is hoped that this dedicated approach will result in a quicker and safer resolution of problems for all involved. NAMI LV also supports the Restorative Justice Movement which emphasizes “Help not Handcuffs.”

In the area of stigma reduction, several NAMI LV family members participated in a recent documentary: “Give Me Shelter: Suicide.” They told their own stories of experiencing the loss of a loved one by suicide, demonstrating that this is something any family might face, and offering hope for life after such a tragic loss. The program also outlines warning signs that someone may be struggling with depression or suicidal ideation and offered suggestions on how to help.

Lastly, NAMI LV has expanded its information outreach by making available national mental health new stories via its digital newsletter entitled “The Update.” This newsletter helps readers stay informed with current developments in the mental health field. To learn more about the services NAMI LV offers, or to sign up for the weekly “The Update” please visit our website, www.nami-lv.org, email info@nami-lv.org or call (610) 882-2102.

NAMI LV MAINTAINS THE POSITION THAT MENTAL ILLNESSES ARE PREDOMINATELY BRAIN-BASED MEDICAL DISORDERS. AS A RESULT, PERSONS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL DISORDER ARE NOT TO BE BLAMED FOR THE ONSET OF THEIR ILLNESS.