Showing posts with label National Association of Mental Illness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Association of Mental Illness. Show all posts

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Returning Veterans Conference

Returning Veterans Conference
Paving the Road Home: The National Behavioral Health Conference and Policy Academy on Returning Veterans and Their Families
Conference Date: August 11, 2008

Location: Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, MD
Registration begins June 16, 2008
This national conference and policy academy sponsored by SAMHSA will help Federal, State, and local partners improve and enhance mental health and substance abuse services for returning veterans and their families. The conference/policy academy will facilitate nationwide sharing of information on mental health and substance abuse services and supports across multiple health care delivery systems. Attendees will be provided science-based information to assist veterans and their families in building resiliency and preventing and/or treating complex conditions, including mental disorders (e.g., TBI, PTSD) substance use disorders, suicide, homelessness, domestic violence, and co-occurring disorders.
Visit the Conference Web site and Register

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Senator Martinez what are you doing for veterans and mental illness?

Thank you for the links Senator but what about helping the veterans? What are you doing about the fact Florida is now 49th in the nation on taking care of the mental health needs of our citizens?


I went to a NAMI meeting last night so that I could find out what this state was doing for veterans with PTSD. After all, we are the second largest veterans population in the nation. I introduced myself and immediately I was greeted with news that the VA was asking NAMI what they had for PTSD veterans. Needless to say, I volunteered for whatever they needed me to do.

Central Florida's Orlando NAMI is doing fantastic work on behalf of the people and their families dealing with mental illness and homelessness. Just like all NAMI chapters, they are dedicated because they have family members they live with and feel so much compassion for others they dedicate the rest of their lives to others suffering the same issues and problems they face.

The question is, what are you Senator doing about any of this in Florida? What is Senator Nelson doing about any of this?

Naturally my passion is with our veterans and my heart is tugged by our homeless veterans because I know first hand what these veterans and their families go through. I also know that no matter how hard I work to get these veterans to understand what PTSD so they decide to go for help, I cannot make sure the help is there for them. You can. Not only can you Senator, you have to do it. You have to stop talking about what you've done and start talking about what you need to do and what needs to be done especially here in Florida and then do it!

There would be no need for all of these organizations across the state killing themselves working to fix what Florida refuses to do if you did what you are supposed to do along with the rest of the elected.

The only thing I agree with you is that these organizations need support from us. The veterans however, especially those dealing with PTSD need support and emergency action from you. So Senator, what are you going to do? Try getting informed on what is going on in your own state and the devastation being laid on the families of these soldiers you want us to support when they come home wounded and are not taken care of.

Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com







Supporting Our Military Families This Holiday Season
As we gather with our families and friends during the holiday season, let us remember the sacrifices by the brave men and women serving our nation overseas. By giving up their time to defend our freedom and bring freedom to others, many of the more than 190,000 soldiers serving our nation abroad have also given up their ability to be the main provider for their family. In no time of the year is their absence felt greater than during the holiday season. In the spirit of the holiday season – a time for generosity and goodwill toward others – consider the financial and emotional strain lengthy deployments can have on America’s military families. During their time of need, please consider sending a donation to one of the service organizations listed below – or a military support organization of your choosing – serving our service men and women, their families and our wounded veterans.


These organizations help to ease the financial distress of the holiday season for military men and women and their families. They do this by providing interest-free loans and grants for emergency needs such as food, rent and utilities. They also provide assistance in the form of grants and no-interest loans for educational purposes. Military families already suffer the stress of having a loved one deployed overseas. During this time of year, there is perhaps no better way to honor the families of our bravest Americans than by donating to a military service organization.
Sincerely,


Senator Mel Martinez

Military relief organizations:
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society http://www.nmcrs.org/
Army Emergency Relief http://www.aerhq.org/
Air Force Aid Society http://www.afas.org/
Coast Guard Mutual Relief http://www.cgmahq.org/
Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.com/