BLAIR COUNTY NAMI RECOGNIZES MAY MENTAL
HEALTH MONTH
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Blair County (BLAIR NAMI)
is a sponsor for the upcoming program “Mental Health Treatment
- Worth Your While,” scheduled for Thursday, May 15th at The
Ramada in Altoona from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The doors will open at 6:00
PM and refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM. The keynote speaker
for this event will be Dr. Joseph Antonowicz, Medical Director for
the Altoona Regional Center for Behavioral Health Services. Dr.
Antonowicz will discuss the benefits to seeking help for mental
health issues, drug and alcohol dependencies, and the treatment
options that exist in our community. Joining Dr. Antonowicz in the
discussion will be consumers and family members who have derived
benefits from the services they have received. For additional information,
please contact Peggy Thatcher, Director of Blair County NAMI at
942-4779 or Behavioral Health Services at 889-2706.
May is Mental Health Month and Blair County NAMI is fully committed
to providing support and education to consumers, family members,
caretakers and practitioners with the goal of achieving quality
of life for all who suffer from mental illness and devastating brain
disorders. For that purpose, NAMI of Blair County meets every first
Tuesday of the month to further the cause through community enlightenment,
elimination of stigmas, healing and recovery. Meetings are open
to the community and take place at 701 Quail Avenue in Altoona,
PA. More information regarding these meetings is available by calling
942-4779 (BLAIR NAMI).
Blair County NAMI is also active in sponsoring free viewings of
the award winning movie, CANVAS, which depicts a family’s
struggle to cope with a mother suffering with schizophrenia. It
is a truly compelling story of pain and compassion, which many people
face every day of their lives. Showings will be at 6:00 PM at the
following locations:
May 1 Martinsburg St. Matthews Church May 14 ARC of Altoona
May 6 Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church May 29 Tyrone Public
Library
In addition to the showing of CANVAS, NAMI is a sponsor for a PBS
Premiere on May 21, 2008 called “Depression: Out of the Shadows.”
The 90 minute documentary provides a portrait of the disease never
before seen on American television. Following the film, broadcast
journalist Jane Pauley will host a 30-minute roundtable discussion
which includes NAMI medical director Ken Duckworth, M.D. Log on
to http://www.nami.org for additional details or check your PBS
listings for air times.
This article was written by Pamela J. Lindsay, A.L.M., a consumer,
advocate, researcher and prior clinician. April 29, 2008
