Author: Namieastbay

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Speaker Meetings What's New

Peer Support Specialist Training and Role Explanation with  Ivan Ayebale, Assist Director, FERC

Peer Support Specialist (PSS) – training and role
   July 22, 2026, 7:30-9:00 pm, zoom

   Ivan Ayebale, Assist Director, FERC (Family Education and Resource Center)
   The PSS role is a relatively new one in the county and is that awarded to an individual with lived experience in areas of mental health and substance abuse.  Having faced and moved on from those challenges and having comprehensive training,  the PSS helps others facing similar challenges.  Ivan, himself a PSS, will be giving us an update on the training and role PSSs are taking on in the county.

Join us for a casual and interactive evening.

Time: Jul 22, 2026 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82909665891
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82909665891
Meeting ID: 829 0966 5891
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Speaker Meetings What's New

Autism and Mental Health 4th Wednesday June 24, 7:30-9:00 pm

Our June speaker will be Professor Alison Morantz from Stanford Law School.  As Director of Stanford’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law and Policy Project, she teaches mental health law.  We have found an increasing mention of the autism diagnosis coming up in our support groups for families with a relative with mental illness and this poses questions about diagnosis, resources and further exploration. 

We also have a genetic researcher on board next month who will discuss her area as it applies to mental illness and autism.  Because of time differences with the East Coast, that will be presented in a different time format.

Zoom Meeting Recording and Speaker Notes can be found below:

 https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/wVh3Tx-JuyZCJ2bdc5P3lnqXEe57r9UDjK8fqZIEkLwvVhfO3xJej0hdFklmzo7C.WBv55cwBHf697M45
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Autism_and_Mental_Illness,Alison_Morantz,062426Download
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Speaker Meetings What's New

FASMI – Efforts to understand and avert imminent county funding priorities Wednesday, May 27, 7:30-9:00pm

FASMI (Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill) is a local county organization dedicated to improving services for our loved ones with a mental illness.  Join us for our regular 4th Wednesday zoom  presentation on Wednesday, May 27, 7:30-9:00 (link below) when leaders Katy Polony, Alison Monroe, and others will share with us the changes they envision happening in the county under the provisions of Proposition 1.  We will be discussing efforts to counter and deal with the major cuts proposed by Alameda County Behavioral Health Care staff under the new guidelines.

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82181225100

Meeting ID: 821 8122 5100
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• 82181225100@zoomcrc.com

Link to Recording of Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zCeFdApFr-QFRDtoqK28fQVIrF9UYDCsQSpdWTWfkJnJB9SjCsRXPnPv1sGNEjIi.MfJQmVZ2Vwxhuf7X

Passcode: Q%2gqj#r

Speaker Notes Below

Change_in_County_Funding,FASMI,052726Download
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What's New

How Can We Help You?April 22, 7:30-9:00, Zoom

Major budget cuts are underway in the state with each county determining Proposition 1 priorities for funding in fiscal year starting July 2026.  We have devastating news that our beloved Family Educational Resource Center (FERC) is on the cut list, among other programs of note.  The loss of FERC is particularly relevant to the county’s NAMI affiliates since it was a variation on the theme of being a resource of support and information for families with loved ones who have diagnoses of  mental illness.  FERC was well funded and well staffed – NAMI affiliates are not, depending heavily on volunteer help. We cannot replace FERC but we want to help our families. 

You have two options here:
1.  Alameda County residents are invited to contribute public comment for the Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2029. Help shape and impact Alameda County’s behavioral health system. The opportunity to leave Public Comment is available now through April 20, 2026.

Click here to read: BHSA Integrated Plan FY2026-2029 (DRAFT)Click here to leave a Public Comment: Public Comment form For additional details about the Behavioral Health Services Act, please visit: BHSA – Mental Health Services Act – Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services

For questions, please email: bhsa@acgov.org

2.  Join us on the April 22nd for a panel and group discussion around the issue of meeting families’ needs.  We will have some local experts and experienced volunteers present and ask for your input regarding what has helped you in terms of services you will  miss most.  What can we offer that the system does not?   This will be your chance to impact the services we offer and will consider developing.   

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87876740105

Meeting ID: 878 7674 0105

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Speaker Meetings

A Unique Perspective on Mental Illness, Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 – 9:00 pm, Zoom

A Unique Perspective on Mental Illness, Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 – 9:00 pm, zoom

 
Every journey through a mental health diagnosis is uniquely personal, yet many shared themes emerge – and above all, Hope.  Join us to hear from  George Lausten, a young man whose story offers a powerful and unique perspective.  

 George is a medical student at Baptist Health Sciences in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in a small town in Minnesota before moving to California for college, where he was diagnosed with Bipolar I during his freshman year.

 In the years that followed, he experienced multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. With ongoing treatment and support from loved ones, he has been free of a manic episode for over five years. In addition, he graduated from Stanford with an honors degree in psychology and is pursuing a career in psychiatry to help those without access to medical or social support systems.

Wednesday, March 25, 7:30-9:00

Recording can be found here

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Q8U-J4tsK-2D7Tc1WKmazei6my6kyuR8Ui0_ixr7Wewev7QZerBsAdlI80x84Nam.0kUf_n0kdgNkJHOl

Passcode: WR@ZnZz8

Speaker Notes can be found below

Unique_Perspective_on_Mental_Illness,George_Lausten,032526Download
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What's New

Planning for the Future – Group Discussion

Wednesday, Feb 25, 7:30-9:00, Zoom

As we age, we have a great deal of worry about our ill relative when we’re no longer available to love, support and protect.  There are absolutely no simple answers but it may help to brainstorm, discuss the options and maybe get a new idea or two.  At the least, it will help to know we share the same concerns.  

    Join us for an interactive loose agenda session as we discover what we know and don’t know about the resources out there.  We’ll round up some local folks who are familiar with specific resources and options.  

Link to watch recording here

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/WihximtAx1rDv7RER-G3zeYIbtvhm4JptDe7nacgPYRjwuuN66g50Y8HK7NgV83d.re48MXk3hG2cYc3O

Passcode: **956QV#

Speaker Notes down below.

Planning_for_Future,Group_Discussion,022526Download
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What's New

FAMILY TO FAMILY CLASS, tentative dates February 5-April 2

see details under What We Offer

Categories
Speaker Meetings

January 28, 4th Wednesday presentation by Kumar Vedantham, MD on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, 7:30-9:00 pm, zoom link below.

Dr. Vedantham’s interest and work in how trauma affects the brain will be his main focus,  but he will also address issues around Attention Deficit Disorder.  He has been the PTSD psychiatrist at the VA Oakland Behavioral Health Clinic since 2000, is a Clinical Associate Professor at UCSf and has a local private practice which includes serving  those with chronic serious mental illness.  His website is www.sciencewithkindness.com.

Time: Jan 28, 2026 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Recording can be found below.

 https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/3DrfpqRrtwR5J5C4w5dvdWac1GDfxLLDi_8T6tMflrisVnk-v7nl-UF_1G5eZI1J.n0UhHc1L5fIv1aOe
Passcode: 9.0kXm.Y


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Speaker Meetings

 Mental Illness 101 resources, part B – Ryan Gardner

     Wednesday, November  19, 7:30-9:00 zoom

“The world of mental illness involves so many different areas of need for family members, such as financial/legal, housing, levels of care and providers.  Join us as our friend Ryan Gardner, LCSW, and CEO/President of Peninsula Counseling and Consulting (www.peninsulacounselingandconsulting.com) takes on the ambitious role of giving us a practical overview and an understanding of options. “
    The above was the introduction to our July presentation, which is posted on our website www.namieasrbay.org under What’s New.  Ryan’s talk was so informative and helpful that it’s hard to imagine he has more to share, but we’re  thrilled to announce Part B as our November 19 educational event.  (Because of the holiday, we’re moving our November and December presentations to the 3rd rather than 4th Wednesdays).  
    Some of the topics to be covered  will include local nonprofits, fiduciaries, representative payees, MediCal, MediCare, Enhanced Case Management, conservatorships, power of attorney etc.  Again, Ryan know the territory backwards and forwards and we’re so grateful that he’ll share his expertise.  Zoom link below:

Zoom Meeting Recording can be found: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/q-HGAxy46epe-g3KgIIibjwrcYexxDrGufMmOlVXjmJmkm9GxmXe5gmrAHM-4fAY.RSxJyRoM1DgYUqWB

Passcode: h8Vi!qYw

Speaker Notes can be found below.

More_on_Mental_Illness_Resources,Ryan_Gardner,111925Download

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Speaker Meetings

Wed, October  22,   Mackenzie Stuart,  Psychotropic Drugs, zoom 7:30-9:00 pm

Join us for an important overview of the world of psychopharmacology from a professional whose perspective and expertise have been praised as informative and accessible.   MacKenzie Stuart (she/they) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adults, couples, partners, and families. She is a member of core faculty at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and leads a group psychotherapy practice in Alameda, CA. She has lived experiences of mental health challenges and loves connecting with the peer community and their loved ones. MacKenzie is a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision at Palo Alto University.  There will be time built-in for Q and A.

Zoom Meeting Recording
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xU84BHoPE9Y2bIrbkCePevj5W_Q7v1ls8Yd9XVBnJy85KOx7vLP4rKSljiY7RJ3I.KdowS18RxY8_ghBT

Passcode: ?@hkm0N2

Speaker Notes

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