Are you an experienced program manager with a passion for mental health and education? Come join NAMI Mass and lead a team dedicated to creating and delivering impactful presentations and workshops on mental health that emphasize raising awareness, fostering understanding, promoting hope and recovery, and actively working toward destigmatization.
To apply, email careers@namimass.org. Please include a cover letter stating why you are interested in this position and your salary expectations, your resume, and two writing samples.
Join us for NAMIWalks Massachusetts, where every step taken is a step towards hope. Be the change, fuel awareness, and show support for Mental Health for All. Together, we are NAMIWalks!
For sponsorship inquiries, email our Development team at fundraising@namimass.org.
Day 1: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Day 2: Sunday, March 24, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Trainers: Dee Febba, Diane Delaney and Sharon Kautz
Location: NAMI Massachusetts, 331 Montvale Ave, Suite 200, Woburn, MA 01801
Interested and able to attend both days of the training? Email Ilya Cherkasov at icherkasov@namimass.org to register.
At this time, we do not have any available Basics courses. You can add your name to the general registration waitlist and, once we have available Basics courses on our schedule, we will be in contact with you regarding the next steps in the registration process. Please register early, as your registration date serves as your priority date for admission to the next class.
If you have any questions, please reach out to programs@namimass.org.
21 February
22February
26 February
Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Contact: Katerina Georges at katgeorges@icloud.com; Yolanta Kovalko at kovalkoyolanta9@gmail.com
23March
Otoño
Contacto: NAMI Western Mass en information@namiwm.org o 413-786-9139
5 February
Day: 1st Mondays of the month
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Contact: Ingeborg at namisiblings@yahoo.com
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Zoom / Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., 268 Central Street, STE A, Gardner, MA 01440
Contact: Cortney at 508-331-2921
Support increased access to behavioral health care through insurance! Act now and let the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services know that commercial insurance should be required to provide community-based care for those experiencing psychosis.
Contact: monica@mhpolicy.org
NAMI is proud to introduce the Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine: A free nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults. Our T&YA Specialists are young people who understand what you’re going through because they have been through stuff, too. They are experienced and well-trained. They care and want to help you find a way forward. Reach out by phone, text, or chat.
- Text “Friend” to 62640 to immediately connect with a HelpLine Specialist trained to provide resources, information, and support.
- Chat at nami.org/talktous to connect with a HelpLine Specialist on NAMI.org.
- If you are a teen or young adult with questions about mental health, call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) to speak with a NAMI HelpLine specialist now.
Available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET
At NAMI Massachusetts, we’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and community impact. Our Small Business Ally Initiative, launched in Summer 2023, is a way for local businesses to support the mission and programming of NAMI Mass while tapping into our vast network of people and resources.
Plus, get your goodies and make an impact by shopping at one of our Founding Members of the Small Business Ally Initiative. A portion of every sale goes to NAMI Mass at these existing Small Business Allies:
Major General Gregg F. Martin, PhD, US Army (Ret.), aka the BIPOLAR GENERAL, is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor, thriver, and warrior, and a retired two-star general. He commanded an engineer company and battalion, and the 130th Engineer Brigade during the first year of the Iraq War. A former president of the National Defense University, commandant of the Army War College, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood, he is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point, MIT (two master’s and a PhD), and both the Army and Naval war colleges. He unknowingly lived most of his life on the bipolar spectrum, which largely enhanced his performance as a leader, until it went too high and ended his career, threw him into crisis, and led to his hospitalization. Now in his eighth year of bipolar recovery, he is an author, speaker, and ardent mental health advocate, who lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He has three sons, two of whom live with bipolar disorder – an artist and a poet/Special Forces veteran – while the third son is an Army Special Forces officer. Gregg’s life mission now is sharing his bipolar story to help stop the stigma, promote recovery, and save lives. His new book, “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”, is available on Amazon, and co-published by the Naval Institute Press (Jack Clancy’s first publisher), and the Association of the US Army.
We have openings for parents and siblings to attend the Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative on Thursday, March 7, 2024! This free program focuses on building sibling resiliency, decreasing trauma and strengthening families of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disabilities and/or Mental Health Issues.
Date: First Thursdays; March 7, 2024
Sibling group: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Parent/caregiver group: 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Follow-up parent discussion group: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Contact: Emily Rubin at (857) 523-1145 or emily.rubin@umassmed.edu
What is the program about?
For Siblings it is an opportunity to meet peers that understand what it’s like to have a brother/sister with behavioral issues, express their feelings and process their experiences in a safe setting, and learn coping strategies.
Parents & caregivers join an information session on how to decrease trauma and increase resiliency among siblings. We discuss the experience of siblings, strategies for parents to best support siblings, information on why it is important to support siblings, and resources for the family. Once caregivers have attended the first session, they are invited to join a follow-up discussion group offered on subsequent Thursdays.
Who is eligible to participate?
- Parents & caregivers, regardless of the age of the children. This includes all adults in a caregiving role, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles.
- Siblings between the ages of 6–18 that are able to engage appropriately and independently in a group setting.
- The child with challenging behaviors is not eligible to participate; this program is designed to support the family members of that child.
- Parents/caregivers can participate if siblings do not, and vice versa.
This is a rigorous training for people preparing for a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) role in the community or service system. CPS is not an entry-level position and the training is designed for people who have some knowledge and have their own experience with mental health peer support. A CPS has been trained to share their experiences of healing with trauma, a mental health diagnosis, services, and support and to carry the message that “Healing is a Self-Determined Process.”
In sharing our wisdom, strength, and hope with others (including people using services, mental health professionals and policy makers) CPSs can significantly impact peoples’ beliefs about their own capacity to heal and the capacity of others to heal with the experiences they’ve lived through. The CPS program includes classes that covers 24+ modules, small group activities and homework. The course supports students to inspire hope in people they support and work with. After completing the class, students are eligible to take a written examination in order to become certified. Application process is open until March 8, 2024 at 5pm.
CPS Eligibility Requirements
- 18 years of age or older
- Live or work in Massachusetts
- High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, etc)
- Have your own lived experience with significant life impacts like trauma, receiving a mental health diagnosis.
- Willingness to share your own mental health recovery story in the context of peer support
Class 6 (Summer)
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays; April 30, 2024 – June 4, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Western MA; location TBD
Class 7 (Summer)
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays; April 29, 2024 – June 3, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Contact: cps@kivacenters.org
The Recovery Education and Learning (REAL) Program Training is a 4-week training that covers information on what goes into working as a Peer Specialist and what goes into working as a Mental Health Provider in human services. Upon graduation from the training, the REAL Program also offers 4-week Peer Support & Mental Health Provider Internships in order to begin getting experience in human service work.
When: Week of March 11, 2024 – April 1, 2024
Zoom Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Zoom Time: 5:30 – 8:00 PM
In-Person Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
In-Person Time: 11:00AM – 3:30 PM
Contact: Chris Laureano at claureano@baycove.org; or (617) 379-5275 or (508) 243-8460
Making plans for college while living with a mental health condition.The College and Your Mental Health webinar prepares students & parents for transition and success in a college environment. Panelists include a student currently balancing college life and mental health challenges and administrators from Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, and Boston University.
Date: March 18, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Contact: nami.cmsx@gmail.com
Topics include:
- Mental health-friendly signs to look for when applying to colleges
- Disclosing a diagnosis
- Life skills to master before the 1st term
- Family communication plans
- Privacy laws surrounding adult students
- Communicating with the support services office
- Types of support on campus
- Organizing telehealth appointments
- Managing a daily college schedule
- Planning self care options
- Thinking about living arrangements
- Alternate paths to a degree
- Coping with a medical leave
Our panelists:
- Maxwell Passarelli – Peer Presenter, Current College Student
- Melissa Wall – M.A. Director Prevention & Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Jonathan White – M.A. Interim Director, Disabilities & Access Services, Boston University
- Jaimie March – M.Ed. Director Student Access & Support Services, Middlesex Community College
In an effort to respect safe spaces, this event will not be recorded.
Date: April 3, 2024
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St, Chicopee, MA 01020 [Map]
Contact: information@namiwm.org or (413) 786-9139
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts (NAMI-WM) will hold an opening reception for its 13th Annual Art and Poetry Show featuring the work of artists and poets living with mental health conditions. Taking place on Wednesday, April 3rd from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St. The reception, and parking adjacent to the library, are free. The show will feature art and poetry works, some for sale to the public, with all proceeds going to the artists. Complimentary refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend this very special event. The exhibit runs the entire month of April.
Join us for an evening of raising awareness and funds for mental health.
There will be performances, a DJ and a delicious buffet put on by the Century House. A silent auction, 50/50 and basket raffle offers something for everyone!
Bring an art supply or fidget toy to donate to the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Sensory Rooms to be entered into our door prize raffle.
Can’t wait to see you there!
Date: April 5, 2024
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Century House Inc, 107 South Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743
Admission: $50
Contact: mnbt24mom@gmail.com
Our team at Tufts Interdisciplinary Evaluation Research (TIER) at Tufts University is working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) on a project to understand the experiences of people with disabilities in Massachusetts, specifically in Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts. These projects will help MDPH improve services and supports throughout the state.
Participants will have the opportunity to join a focus group to talk about their experiences during the pandemic and accessing health and social services.
Focus groups will be held on Zoom.
Contact: Florette Willis at florette.willis@tufts.edu or 617-468-8798
We are recruiting residents who:
- Identify as Black adults (18 years or older)
- Have a mental health condition or have experienced trauma (i.e., painful life events, a difficult childhood, witnessing violence)
- Live in the Greater Boston area or Central Massachusetts
Estimated Time Commitment: 90 minutes
Compensation: $50 gift card
Our study seeks to understand barriers to engaging in mental health care related to mental illness stigma, trust, or discrimination for Black adults.
Who can participate:
- If you identify as Black American or Black immigrant
- If you are ages 18-45 years
- If you own a smartphone with internet access
- If you have not seen a psychiatrist or therapist in the last 12 months
- If you are English speaking
Estimated Time Commitment: Over 45 minutes
Compensation: Payment up to $100 may be offered
Project activities may include:
- Group discussion (e.g., focus group)
- Survey
- Office visit
Contact: SRC Research Study Team at stigmalab@mgh.harvard.edu or 617-724-7964 or 617-724-4587
Join us for NAMIWalks Massachusetts, where every step taken is a step towards hope. Be the change, fuel awareness, and show support for Mental Health for All. Together, we are NAMIWalks!
For sponsorship inquiries, email our Development team at fundraising@namimass.org.
Join us for NAMIWalks Massachusetts, where every step taken is a step towards hope. Be the change, fuel awareness, and show support for Mental Health for All. Together, we are NAMIWalks!
For sponsorship inquiries, email our Development team at fundraising@namimass.org.