May is National Mental Health Month and in observance the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Clackamas County will be observing it with a Stand Up Comedy show put on by people who have been impacted by mental illness at Marylhurst College.
Stand Up for Mental Health shows look at the lighter side of taking meds, seeing counselors, getting diagnosed, and surviving the mental health system. By doing stand-up comedy, something that most so-called “normal” people would never want to attempt, the Stand Up For Mental Health comics, all of whom have been impacted by mental health issues, fight stigma and discrimination. The comic’s acts look at the lighter side of their mental health journeys, and spread a message of hope and empowerment. Because this message is delivered with humor, people want to hear it. Stand Up for Mental Health puts a human face to mental illness and addictions.
Tickets can be purchased at www.strangertickets.com or by contacting the NAMI-Clackamas County office at 503-344-5050 or nami.clackamas@gmail.com
“Most people think you have to be nuts to do stand-up comedy. I do it as a form of therapy!” says Stand Up for Mental Health graduate and current instructor, Dave Mowry. Mowry’s comedy routine can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBO2MfYPQdI.
Stand Up for Mental Health Oregon was made possible by a generous grant from the Regional Arts and Cultural Council.
Other Mental Health month events include the Discovery to Recovery seminar series and the NAMIWalk on May 19, 2013.
Discovery-to-Recovery will take place each Wednesday of May: 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Sessions will run from 7:00pm until 9:00pm at Providence Willamette Falls Community Center, 519 15th Street, Oregon City, OR 97405. All sessions are open to the public.
Topics will include:
May 1st, Discovery: Understanding Mental Illness. Featured speakers: Ally Linfoot and Nina Danielsen, CPS, of Clackamas County Behavioral Health, and Hazel Barrett, LPC, of Clackamas Health Share. Speakers will present a comprehensive introduction to mental illness, challenges, and local solutions.
May 8th, Treatment: Available Options and Current Research. Featured speakers: Rupert Goetz, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Oregon State Hospital; Christopher J. Lockey, MD Psychiatrist; William A. Newbill, PhD, Psychologist. Returning guests from the leading state hospital will discuss an array of specific clinical treatments, philosophies, and procedures.
May 15th, Coping: Caring for someone (youth or adult) with a serious mental illness. Featured speakers: Dr. James Mol, Executive Director of Behavioral Health at Providence Portland, and Debbie Zwetchkenbaum Assistant Director at Lines For Life.. During this session, presenters will discuss coping mechanisms for day-to-day living applied to those struggling with mental illness, as well as family and friends.
May 22nd Recovery: County and Community Support. Featured speakers: Amber Hambrick and Matt Wood of Centerstone, Amy Penkin, LCSW, of Lifeworks NW, and Corbett Monica, Founder of Dual Diagnosis Oregon. Representatives of local services will present information about the services they provide, along with insight on how these services are often interconnected with one another
May 29th, In Our Own Voice – A NAMI Signature Presentation. Featured speakers: Volunteers of NAMI-CC. A truly unique experience, this session features members of NAMI-CC speaking about their own experiencing living with mental illness. This powerful and inspirational program is an excellent opportunity to learn and ask questions.
From Discovery to Recovery lecture series is open to anyone interested in learning about mental illness. Registration is requested but not required. To register or for more information about any of the events, call or email NAMI-CC at 503-344-5050; nami.clackamas@gmail.com.
The NAMIWalk will take place on Sunday, May 19th at the Vera Katz Eastside Esplanade. Registration is at noon with the 5 K walk beginning at 1 pm. Attended by thousands of people, the walk is a way to bring awareness to the issues of mental illness, fight the stigma associated with it and earn money to support NAMI’s mission to improve the lives of all who have been impacted by mental illness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Clackamas County (NAMI-CC) is a 501(c) 3 organization that was established in 1979. It is the county’s largest grassroots source of support, education and advocacy on mental illness. Affiliated with the national NAMI organization, NAMI-CC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all whose lives have been affected by mental health issues through education, support, outreach and advocacy.
