Self-Injury

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

     Email: info@namiorangeny.org
Website: namiorangeny.org
Telephone: 845-956-NAMI (6264)
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ADVOCACY:

Would you be interested in becoming a NAMI Orange board member?
If so, contact our office at 845-956-6264
or email info@namiorangeny.org
to learn about the application process

Upcoming Events/Outreaches

*When registering, please indicate which course, meeting or support group you are requesting

Zoom
NAMI Orange
Education Mtg.
Click here

Mon., April 12,
7 pm

Topic: Seeking Self-Help Safely
(avoiding scams) and also handling the grief of losing a loved one

We welcome our very special guest speaker Ginnie Brown who lost her daughter 11 years ago when she attended a retreat in Arizona and died in a sweat lodge

To celebrate May Mental Health Awareness Month:

"Extra Innings"
2 hour movie
through Zoom
with Q&A

Click here
to view details

UPCOMING COURSES:

Zoom
NAMI Family & Friends

Sat., May 22,
4-6 pm

Click above for details

Zoom NAMI
Family-to-Family

Sat., Sept 11-Oct. 30
8 consecutive Saturdays
10 am-1 pm

On-going Support Groups:

NAMI Connection
Offered online through
NAMI Orange 1st & 3rd Thursdays
7-8:30 pm

Email to register at
info@namiorangeny.org

NAMI Connection
a peer-led support group for adults living with a
mental illness.
No fee, no registration
PLEASE NOTE:
unfortunately these meetings held in Goshen will not be able to resume until a later date, but online is available-
see above

*****

NAMI
FAMILY
SUPPORT
GROUP
(Virtual)

presented by NAMI Orange
Click here for details

1st & 3rd Mondays
6:30-8 pm

with name, phone # and email

NAMI National Conference

June 30-July 3, 2021

NAMI Presentations:

Both programs are arranged by request

Click on links below for details

-Ending the Silence
is an in-school presentation designed to teach middle and high school students about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, how to recognize the early warning signs and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs. Through this classroom presentation, students get to see the reality of living with a mental health condition.
*3 types of presentations are available: for students, for staff and also for families

Click above link for possible ETS ZOOM presentations

-In Our Own Voice
trained presenters who are in recovery from mental illness share compelling personal testimonies about their experiences of living with and dealing with the challenges posed by mental illness.

Self-Injury

Self-Injury Learning Collaborative

The above group promoted in NAMI Rockland Newsletter

Cornell University Resources on Self-Injury and Recovery

H.O.P.E Bags: Hold On Pain Ends
In recognizing the growing incidence of self-injury, the Trauma Institute of Orange County collaborated on a special project with youth in our community who have learned healthy alternatives to managing intense emotions and overcome the urge to harm themselves. The end result of this collaboration was the creation of H.O.P.E bags. The institute was happily overwhelmed with the number of clinicians wanting these free bags. Unfortunately our total supply of these bags was depleted within hours of posting the notice that they were available. As we continue to get requests for the bags, we are sharing our ‘recipe’ for what we used.

These bags included:

Letters of inspiration and inspirational sayings and pictures written by survivors and their families
Handouts on alternative coping and distraction strategies from Cornell www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu
A DBT inspired inspirational booklet named ‘Elf Help’, designed to help people manage and tolerate stress and distress www.dbtselfhelp.com
A list of songs chosen by survivors and their families that have been helpful for them in trying to change their mood and negative focus
Community Resources:
Helpline pamphlet (Helpline #: 1-800-832-1200) and a Text 4 Teens card (Texting #: 845-391-1000), both from the Mental Health Association. These resources are available from the Mental Health Association of Orange County
Items to engage the senses and help one tolerate or distract themselves. Some of these items include: body lotion, bubble wrap, jolly rancher and pop rocks candy, stress balls, slap bracelets, tea bags, markers and stickers for skin, Chinese yo yo’s, Jacob’s ladder game, bendable figures, bracelets with inspirational words, mini games and puzzles (Note: we found that the one pictured was not helpful as it was too difficult and created frustration).

The Trauma Institute was able to distribute 100 bags to youth struggling to recover from self-injury through community providers (i.e. therapists, school social workers, etc.). It is our desire that this project will provide ways for others to work with youth to create their own H.O.P.E bags using the letters and handouts for inspiration.
Kristen Fortuna and Robin Guiney- Co-Chairs of the Trauma Institute of Orange County

Self-Harm NAMI information page
Avoiding self-injury-the Butterfly Project