NAMI Austin is is looking forward to connecting with individuals who are passionate about mental health and board service to join our Board of Directors and assist the organization in accomplishing its mission and strategic plan goals for 2019–2021! We currently have two board vacancies, beginning April 2019. Individuals selected to join the Board of Directors will serve an initial term through November 2019, at which time they will be eligible for election to serve an additional two years.

Application Process:

We request that all interested candidates review the NAMI Austin Board Member Description, Board Member Agreement, Strategic Plan and Impact Report  (click on hyperlinks to download and review) and complete an online Board Member Application (click the hyperlink to begin to apply).  After you submit your application, you will be asked to submit a CV or résumé. Once applications and résumé are received, qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Candidates invited to join the Board will be required to sign the Board Member Agreement and submit to a background check. Deadline for submissions: March 15, 2019.

NAMI Austin is proud to recognize the dedication and passion of these mental health advocates.

Community Champion Award:  Sen. Kirk Watson

A person or organization actively supporting NAMI Austin in promoting NAMI Austin principles in a community-wide exemplary manner

Senator Kirk Watson has been serving as the state senator for District 14 since 2006. In 2011, Senator Watson laid out 10 Goals in 10 Years to transform the health and economy of Austin and Travis County. Substantial progress has been made on each of the goals, including the creation of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas and a new modern teaching and safety-net hospital, Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas.

When an assessment of the state psychiatric hospital system reflected the need to expand, renovate and transform that system, Senator Watson quickly led the charge for a community-based effort to change the way our community and our state addresses mental health. In collaboration with a huge range of partners including NAMI Austin, Senator Watson is ensuring that the Austin State Hospital Redesign becomes the cornerstone for an improved system of person-centered brain healthcare delivery, positioning Texas as a leader in brain health system transformation.

Senator Watson actively promotes the values and champions the concerns of people impacted by mental health challenges each and every day.

Harold Scogin Sunshine Award: Ilene Gray

A peer or an organization for peers consistently promoting the quality of life for persons with serious mental illness.

Ilene Gray has worked for nearly 50 years to improve the lives of people with physical and mental disabilities.  She has testified before state and legislative committees, conducted public forums, and given numerous presentations at national conferences.  Ilene has worked as a psychotherapist, program director, consultant to non-profit organizations, and expert witness in federal courts.

As a NAMI Austin volunteer she shares her powerful story of navigating a lifetime of living with serious mental illness. As an In Our Own Voice presenter and now trainer, she has provided mental health training to hundreds of APD and Travis County officers. When we review training evaluations, it is not uncommon for officers to point to her story as key to helping them develop a deeper level of empathy and compassion for persons in a mental health crisis. She shares her story in psychiatric hospitals, college classrooms, places of worship and workplaces, and every time she does, she changes hearts and minds and combats the stigma that people living with mental health challenges face each day. It takes courage to share the most vulnerable parts of your life story with others, and Ilene does it with such grace and eloquence while reminding our community that recovery is possible.

John & Kitty Holman Award: Sheriff Sally Hernandez

A person or an organization serving families or individuals with mental illness in extraordinary measure by providing or promoting a safe environment in which to live.

Elected in November 2016, Sally Hernandez is currently serving her first term as Sheriff of Travis County but she has worked in law enforcement for nearly 35 years.

Sheriff Hernandez began her campaign with a passion and commitment to addressing the criminalization of people living with mental illness. She met with NAMI Austin staff during her campaign to learn how best to address the needs of families and individuals who are impacted. Since her election, she has worked to make our programming available at the jail and ensured NAMI Austin would play a much larger role in the mental health training of officers.

In the last two years, we have seen the impact of her commitment to mental health resonate with her staff at all levels. They regularly attend NAMI Austin events, look for opportunities to partner with us in educating and engaging the community, contact us for our perspective on mental health issues, and serve as leaders in important community coalitions creating change. At the jail and in the community, NAMI Austin is witnessing a change in culture with a more compassionate and empathetic approach to persons living with mental illness and the families who love and care for them.

If you think you or someone you love is in crisis and needs immediate attention, please call 911 or visit our Crisis Resource page for more information and resources. For a list of local mental health and counseling resources, scroll to the bottom of the page.

What are the Holiday Blues?

The Holiday Blues refer to feelings of anxiety or depression during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. They may be associated with extra stress, unrealistic expectations or even sentimental memories that accompany the season. They may include:

• Loneliness and isolation
• Sadness
• A sense of loss
• Fatigue
• Tension
• Frustration

The difference between the holiday blues and clinical anxiety or depression is that the feelings are temporary. They may come and go around specific holiday activities. However, if they are present for more than two weeks, especially every day, the mental health problem may be more serious.

It’s also important to understand that people already diagnosed with a mental illness can feel the holiday blues—and need to take extra care of themselves.

What Causes the Holiday Blues?

Many factors can someone’s mood over the holidays, including:

• Less sunlight (October –March).
• Changes in diet or routines.
• Alcohol is a depressant. Too much alcohol can create or intensify depressive moods, and the holiday season is filled with parties.
• Extra stress comes from holiday preparations or family demands. Buying presents, hosting events, preparing meals and even the pressure of getting holiday cards in the mail on time can wear a person down.
• Unrealistic expectations, such as wanting to attend every gathering you’re invited to or wanting to spend more than your budget allows on gifts.
• Over-commercialization of the season through advertising and store sales.
• Inability to travel or attend family gatherings.
• Feeling a difference between past holidays and the present one—sometimes because of the loss of a loved one or change in your living or work situation.

Avoiding the Holiday Blues

• Stick to normal routines as much as possible.
• Get enough sleep or rest.
• Take time for yourself, but don’t isolate yourself. Spend time with supportive, caring people.
• Eat and drink in moderation. Don’t’ drink alcohol if you are feeling down.
• Get exercise—even if it’s only taking a short walk.
• Make a to-do list. Keep things simple.
• Set reasonable expectations and goals for holiday activities such as shopping, cooking, entertaining, attending parties or sending holiday cards.
• Set a budget for holiday activities. Don’t overextend yourself financially in buying presents.
• Listen to music.
• Remember that holiday blues are short-term. Be patient. Take things week by week and day by day.

How Do You Know When It’s More than Just the Blues?

If symptoms of depression or anxiety last more than 2 or 3 weeks, it could indicate a more serious mental health problem. There are basic steps that a person experiencing symptoms or family members and friends can take. These are steps that can be taken any time of the year.

• Talk with your doctor (or pediatrician). A comprehensive physical exam needs to be part of assessment to rule out some physical causes.
• Get a referral to a mental health professional; a call from your doctor may help you to avoid a long waiting list.
• Educate yourself or recommend a resource to a person. Someone may know that something is off, but not recognize or understand symptoms or how to find help.
• If a friend or relative is showing symptoms, ask them privately how things are going. If needed, use a prompt like “You seem a little sad or frustrated. What’s been going on lately?” Don’t be judgmental or trivialize what they may be feeling.
• Offer to make the appointment for the person and accompany them to the doctor’s office or mental health clinic for moral support. It can make a big difference.

Children and the Blues

Child and adolescent psychiatric hospitalizations peak during winter months, including the holiday season.

Children are perceptive. They pick up on the mood of parents and other family members. They also feel the loss of close family members who may have died with whom they have celebrated in the past, such as grandparents. They can feel loss from other changes, such as a deployed parent or family upheavals such as moving, divorce, etc.

It’s important to keep in mind that children and teenagers also aren’t limited to simply feeling “blue.” Fifty percent of lifetime cases of mental illness show signs by age 14.

Local Resources

NAMI Austin Mental Health Resource Guide
Community Counseling Resources (low cost/sliding scale)

NAMI Blogs from Holidays Past

Beat Back the Holiday Blues
Depression during the Holidays: Helping Family Members
Less Sunlight Means More Blues for Some
Don’t Forget to Share Love and Thanks

Information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org.

Other Holiday Blogs

Beat the Holiday Blues–and Know When They’re Something Major
Coping with the Holidays Survival Guide
Holiday Survival When Anxious or Depressed

On Nov. 1, HealthCare.gov started its annual enrollment period for health insurance. If you don’t have health care coverage or you just need to renew your plan, make time to review your health plan options before open enrollment ends on December 15.

Some health plans may deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or don’t cover mental health care, but there is a way to play it safe and make sure you have mental health coverage in 2019.

Start at HealthCare.gov. All health plans on HealthCare.gov must cover mental health and substance use services at the same level as other health conditions.

Some plans on HealthCare.gov offer better options than others, so review the plans carefully. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people who sign up on HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help, which can lower your monthly premiums by about $50 to $100.

How should you choose your health plan?

Whether choosing insurance for the first time or reevaluating your current plan, keep these factors in mind:

• Affordability. Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and/or co-insurance to make sure you have selected the best option for your health insurance needs. Consider not only how much you will pay each month in premiums but also how much you will pay in co-pays and co-insurance when you use services.
• Availability of mental health professionals. Check to see if your mental health professional(s) and other health care providers are in a health plan’s network. If they are not, find out if the insurance plan will pay for out-of-network providers—and how much they will cover.
• Coverage of prescription medications. Find a plan that covers any medication(s) you need to maintain your wellness.
• Limits on mental health office visits. Check to see if a plan will cover the number of therapy visits you may need. You may also need to consider differences in inpatient and outpatient coverage.

Take action by December 15. Don’t risk not having health and mental health coverage in 2019.

Signing up for new coverage or renewing your plan takes as little as 10 minutes.

Buy safely and get started now by going to HealthCare.gov.

Local nonprofit organizations such as Central Health and Foundation Communities are also available to help with the enrollment process in Austin.

by Kendall Antonelli
2018 NAMIWalks Austin Honorary Chair
President/Co-Owner, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop

One of the most difficult memories I have of that time is thinking about my mom getting the call. The call from a friend that her daughter was in the hospital. And I was half a country away at college.

It’s not that I hadn’t been allowed to talk about my feelings. Quite the contrary, my mother often encouraged me to attend therapy on and off throughout my youth during “episodic” periods. But we hadn’t ever mentioned the “d” word. We hadn’t put a label on it. And by just going through the motions – which we thought were right – we also weren’t really addressing it. Depression. There.

As I sat through mandated therapy behind locked doors in a hospital ward, it was finally out in the open and named. And at the time, naming it was scary. It meant something was wrong. But that was also relieving. To know that I wasn’t making things up, it wasn’t perceived, something was off – and most importantly, there was something I could do about it. Every person must take their own course and find what works for them. For me, it was a lot of counseling, medication, and healthy living habits like good nights of sleep and a regular schedule. I also needed a great support system, and everything else that went into the recipe that helped me recover.

But the second thing I remember most from that period was when I was asked if I had a history of family depression. I responded “no” only to be interrupted by my mother. It turns out my grandfather, Papa, had also been diagnosed with depression and hospitalized almost two decades before. But it was a family secret.

The trouble with secrets is that they imply shame. And my Papa had nothing to be ashamed about, despite him still grappling with those feelings of shame today.  I remember flying home after my hospital stint, arriving at our house in the country, and looking down at my Papa as he sat weeding the garden. Without looking up, Papa said, “It feels like you’re in a deep dark hole all alone and you’re trying to claw your way out. And it feels like you can’t. I know. I’ve been there. But you can.”

In that moment I felt relief. I didn’t feel alone. Depression tricks you into isolation. By my Papa owning his past, he unknowingly helped free my future. He opened up the possibility, a crack of light, that maybe I could get through this. That’s changing the conversation. But we’ve got a long way to go.

Fifteen years have passed since that dark time. And the blessing is that it’s become part of my story today. Since that time, I’ve had a family and started a successful business. Life is good. I know now that depression is not an ugly blemish on my past, but a battle scar of which I’m proud. Today, I own my story and claim it. I do so, in part, because I hope it reaches others currently in that darkest period to let them know they are not alone.

This is also why I work with NAMI Austin, an organization actively changing the mental health conversation in our community through its free classes and support groups for families and individuals impacted by mental illness as well as educational presentations and trainings for schools, workplaces and faith communities. I am proud to create opportunities to talk more openly about mental health by sharing my story and serving as the 2018 NAMIWalks Austin chair.

Will you join me for NAMIWalks Austin on September 29 at 9 a.m. to walk with me, for me, for you, for people like us, for loved ones, for those you can’t understand, for those who are gone, and for those who have yet to battle? Join me for a celebration – yes, a celebration! Bring your kids, your dogs, your strollers. Donate to a people who are walking, build a team, or join a team. If you’re solo, remember that no one is alone, and join my “Curd Herd” team. Together, one story at a time, one step after another, we’ll push the conversation forward and change it forever.

Register or donate today to NAMIWalks Austin today at namiwalks.org/austin. Click here to join Kendall and the Curd Herd!

This piece was originally published in the Austin American-Statesman on September 27, 2018.

The mission of NAMI Austin—the Austin affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness—is to improve the lives of all persons affected by serious mental illness by providing support, education, and advocacy throughout the Metropolitan area of Austin, Texas to individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Does the prospect of being part of a small team that’s experiencing the excitement and challenge of expansion and growth excite you? While founded in 1984, NAMI Austin has been strategically riding a wave of change in the way our community addresses mental health by providing exceptional mental health education, support and advocacy programming, all at no cost to the community. In 2017, more than 17,000 people in Central Texas participated in our mental health classes, support groups, presentations, trainings and community events, and we are well on our way to exceeding these numbers in 2018.

NAMI Austin is currently seeking a passionate, energetic professional to join our team as Development Manager. This position will serve as a key member of the NAMI Austin leadership team and oversee fundraising activities, helping to grow sustainable revenue for the organization as it continues to address the mental health education and support needs in Central Texas.

The Development Manager will have the opportunity to build the development function by partnering with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Robust and successful events are already established, and a focus on individual giving is needed. Key responsibilities include:

• Working closely with Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and maintain excellent relationships with donors and prospective donors
• Securing financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities
• Executing an annual fundraising plan with a focus on individual giving
• Soliciting sponsorships for events and program support
• Partnering with colleagues to enhance existing fundraising events and conduct prospect follow up activities after events
• Representing NAMI Austin to the public and helping spread the message and mission
• Collaborating with staff responsible for grant writing, data entry, and gift processing
• Maintaining meticulous development records for the organization tracking donor activity and interests

Requirements:

The Development Manager reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with NAMI Austin staff and volunteers. This role functions with a high degree of independence and will implement the assigned development functions. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of work experience in fund development, non-profit organizations, or sales experience. CFRE or advanced degree is a plus. Candidates should have an interest in and enthusiasm for improving the lives of all persons impacted by mental illness plus the following:

• Demonstrated excellence in building relationships with donors and colleagues
• Experience soliciting gifts and sponsorships
• Ability to maintain high level of discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills, personal time management, and verbal and written communication skills
• Sense of humor and a desire to work in a team-oriented culture where a commitment to excellence is shared
• Basic understanding of mental health and its challenges a plus

This is a 30-hour/week position with occasional evening and weekend events.

Workplace benefits:

• Located at the historic Austin State Hospital grounds in central Austin
• Collaborative and positive team environment
• Paid time off
• Paid professional development
• Health insurance coverage

We look forward to learning more about you! To apply, please send cover letter, resumé or CV and salary requirements to jobs@namiaustin.org by September 24.

Do you get excited at the prospect of building something new and knowing your work has the potential to have a long-term, tangible impact? While founded in 1984, NAMI Austin is basically a 34-year old “startup,” having hired its first executive director just 4 years ago. Since then, NAMI Austin has been strategically riding a wave of change in the way our community addresses mental health by providing the best mental health education, and support and advocacy programming, all at no cost. To meet the growing needs of the community, we’re looking for someone to propel us to the next level by supporting our program expansion and enhancing our volunteer recruitment and retention. As a volunteer-driven organization with limited resources, this VISTA position has the potential to have a huge impact on the lives of the thousands of individuals and families in the Austin area affected by mental illness.

Located in the heart of the “Live Music Capitol of the World,” NAMI Austin offers a VISTA member a unique blend of opportunity for professional growth in a great location for anyone who loves the outdoors, a thriving music and arts community, and the best food truck tacos in the state. The Donor & Volunteer Relations VISTA has two major roles: developing a new volunteer program structure and identifying and implementing new donor and volunteer management database. The position will allow for a combination of creativity, innovation, and strategic organizational development in an extremely supportive atmosphere with great training and strong teamwork in a city with a large and visible AmeriCorps presence.