NAMI Pinellas County, FL

Thank you to all our Veterans ????

Mark your calendars: Next week is Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day (October 10)! ??

We're #hiring a new Peer Support Specialist to join our team. Apply today or share this post with your network.

It is with great excitement that we announce our very own, Senior Program Manager, Jessica Kushner is one of 31 outstanding leaders selected for this year's Certificate in Leadership program with the Nonprofit Leadership Center. ?? Please help us congratulate Jessica and all the other phenomenal leaders on the rise and making a difference in our community!

Today, we observe the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks and honor the 2,800+ community members killed in the 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center site, the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93. After more than two decades, nearly 80,000 people have been diagnosed with physical and mental health conditions as a result of the traumatic events and due to their exposure to dust, smoke and debris. Tragically, the number will continue to increase over time. A common mental health crisis after 9/11 was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms vary and include: – Intrusive memories – Avoidance – Negative changes in thinking and mood – Changes in physical and emotional reactions – Increase in intensity of symptoms If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms of PTSD, seek help through the NAMI helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email us at [email protected]?any time Mon-Fri from 10 A.M. – 10 P.M. ET. Or reach out to the Crisis LifeLine by calling or texting 988 any time (24/7). Find free resources, information on our advocacy efforts, and our open-to-all support groups at our website: https://nami-pinellas.org #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport #nonprofit #notalone #NAMIPinellas #September11 #WeRemember

??

??????

We are happy to recognize Mia Schwartz as our Volunteer Spotlight for August. Mia is a 46-year-old disabled Coast Guard Veteran, Recovery Peer Support Specialist, and Certified Mental Health First Aider. Her journey with NAMI began after receiving trauma treatment through the VA, where she was profoundly impacted by the peer support she received. This experience inspired her to earn her Recovery Peer Support certification. Since then, Mia has facilitated Adult Connection meetings and volunteered at NAMIWALKS. Her work with others has ignited a passion for maintaining her own stable recovery, and she credits NAMI and its community for this continued drive. Mia’s motto is, “It only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life, so why not be the difference?” #LetsBeTheDifference Find free resources, information on our advocacy efforts, and our open-to-all support groups at our website: https://nami-pinellas.org #NAMI #Volunteer #Nonprofit #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #VolunteerSpotlight #MentalHealthFirstAid

Upcoming Pinellas County Certified Recovery Peer Specialist Training! Are you a Pinellas County resident or employee dedicated to enhancing recovery support services? Join our upcoming training to become a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist! ?? Dates: Weekdays, August 23rd to August 30th ?? Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ?? Location: 13830 58th St North Suite 413, Clearwater, FL 33760 In addition to comprehensive training, participants will receive mentorship and assistance throughout the application and certification process. Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/eiuM7qkN

Siomara Bridges-Mata, the Executive Director of NAMI Pinellas County, FL, stopped by our facility to offer an in-person, heartfelt "thank you" for our support in the NAMI Walk 2024. We were honored to host her and enjoyed being a part of continuing mental health support in our community. It was exciting to learn of the 357% growth in participants and the 195% increase in funds raised for NAMI Pinellas this year compared to last year. We look forward to future collaborations. We also host the NAMI Adult Connection Recovery Support Group on the first Monday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! This is a no-cost, in-person group open to adults in the community, regardless of diagnosis, registration is encouraged at https://lnkd.in/g9kwnha. Pictured from left to right are Liz R., Business Development Representative; Siomara B-M., Executive Director of NAMI Pinellas; Amanda Marker, LMHC, Director of Business Development; Joshua Rodriguez, CEO; Devan S., Veteran Community Liaison; and Erik G., Business Development Representative.