Category: Speaker Meetings

Unfortunately, among all the other issues, too often we family members need to also deal with the court system.  Join us for our monthly 4th Wednesday educational session with Alameda County Deputy District Attorney David Cook.  He’ll be giving us an overview of court processes, decision points and the Behavioral Health  Court, Drug Court and mental health diversion.  He will also discuss the Incompetent to Stand Trial process.  The topic of Care Court is another department’s process and is not part of his presentation.

Recording of Meeting and Speaker Notes below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/KmBVR74DC9yKSrcl3eDui4OCoWYB7omXYneMy6SQTG5DNkjNn4iWZjfj0j3KB2Mi.X0Cq-j7oAoQ295l1

Passcode: *+Yi42?e

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.

Link to recording of the Meeting and Speaker Notes can be found below.

 https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/vLcey3c34ccWYGOSB2s7D2L-4Yng-_4KAw7Ep3VmRok_NbSyHPMlnfyhAOWvh0re.j1YmOlfSW319hGMf

Passcode: LCS2#Jjq

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 Passcode: b?C^uL1w

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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82181225100

Meeting ID: 821 8122 5100
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Link to Recording of Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zCeFdApFr-QFRDtoqK28fQVIrF9UYDCsQSpdWTWfkJnJB9SjCsRXPnPv1sGNEjIi.MfJQmVZ2Vwxhuf7X

Passcode: Q%2gqj#r

Speaker Notes Below

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

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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https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/87169527817/invitations?signature=HXsSCSg4I_ym783SwiNH8mbbjwuQl91hOZKEB9y2kME

     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.

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