NAMI Contra Costa
P.O. Box 21247
Concord, CA 94521

(925) 465-3864
xnamicc@aol.com

In Our Own Voice


Learn about Mental Illness
from People Who Have Been There


In Our Own Voice is a free, 60 - 90 minute presentation by people living with mental illness. The program broadeens people's knowledge of mental illness, replacing misunderstanding, fear and judgment with insight, awareness and acceptance.


Pairs of NAMI - trained presenters talk to diverse audiences, such as:

  • Community and civic providers.
  • Law enforcement professionals.
  • Faith communities.
  • Human resource departments.
  • Consumer groups.

To arrange for a presentation, contact Alita VanHee, In Our Own Voice Coordinator, at 925.324.9844 or alitavanhee@gmail.com.


The presentations are about hope, recovery, and stigma.

  • Hear from people who have struggled with disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and other severe mental illnesses. These presenters offer insight and hope by their example and testimonials of their experiences.
  • The brief video features consumers speaking about the topics of Dark Days, Acceptance, Treatments, Coping Skills, Successes, and Hopes and Dreams.
  • The presenters also provide opportunity for discussion about each section to enrich the audience's understanding of living with mental illness.

The Audience

  • Any community or civic organization that may be interested in learning more about mental illnesses and recovery.
  • Health care providers who desire strengthened communication with their clients and improved outcomes.
  • Law enforcement officials to increase awareness of and sensitivity to behaviors triggered by mental illness.
  • Faith communities to increase responsiveness to people with mental illnesses who may first turn to their spiritual community for guidance.
  • Students of various age levels, who wish to expand their knowledge of living with mental illness.
  • Consumers in day programs, inpatient settings, support groups, and other community settings who can share, learn, and find hope for successful living.
  • Family and friends who may need further reassurance of the possibility of recovery for their loved ones.

Program Goals:

  • To meet the need for consumer-run education initiatives.
  • To set a standard for quality education about mental illness from those who have been there.
  • To offer genuine work opportunities for consumers.
  • To encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in presenters.
  • To focus on recovery and the message of hope.

Presenter Training:

Presenters are people who have overcome great obstacles against great odds, and are now living successful lives, achieving their goals. They've chosen to help spread the word that people with severe mental illness get well and stay well. They give people information about recovery, and also inspiration and hope.

During the training, presenters will practice telling their personal stories, develop facilitation skills, develop story points that will be relevant and meaningful to specific audiences, and develop a professional presentation that they could take to their communities.

It is our hope that individuals will send us possible venue ideas.
Contact the coordinator, Alita Van Hee via the NAMI CC Office at namicc@att.net.


Please click on each header for more information.

Family to Family Classes


Click on each class location for more details.


Family to Family,
Pleasant Hill



Check back often as other classes may be starting soon!



Smoking Cessation Class:
SMOKE ZERO

Smoking cessation classes forming


Interested parties please contact Steve Gallion at:
sgallion@dnix.net or
925-691-5673


NAMI-CC Care and Support Group


The Tuesday Support Group and the 3rd Monday Support Group have combined into a new group. The group is facilitated by Sharon Madison and Kay Derrico.

For more information,
e-mail xnamicc@aol.com or call 925.676.5771.


Location:
John Muir Hospital,
Walnut Creek Campus
Epstein Conference Room
1601 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek
(Enter from La Casa Via St. side of campus for parking garage.)

Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm


Peer to Peer Classes
Starting January 28, 2012

The next Peer to Peer class starts on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Pleasant Hill. Application deadline is Friday, January20.

For information or to get an application for the next available class, please contact

Stacey Hoskins
(925) 497-4712

Michael Aiman
(925) 497-0711

The NAMI CC Office
(925) 942-0767
namicc@att.net


NAMI FaithNet

NAMI FaithNet is a new information resource for faith communities, NAMI members and community partners and for clergy and congreations of all faith traditions who working together to create welcoming, supportive faith communities for individuals and families living with mental illness.

Contact: Kay Derrico
(925) 933-4012
kayderrico@comcast.net

NAMI Office
(925) 942-0767


NAMI-CC Writers' Group

1st thursday of each month
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

You may drop in or attend regularly. All are welcomed. All writing levels welcomed.

Crestwood Healing Center, far back room by back parking area. Call for room location, as it can be tricky to find.

550 Patterson, Pleasant Hill
Contact: Susan Medlin
(925) 957-5104 or
smedlin@hsd.cccounty.us


New Hope Support Group

New Hope Support Group -

Offering support, education and resources to parents/caregivers of older teens and young adults diagnosed with a mood disorder, (bipolar, depression, anxiety and more). Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at the Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive in Lafayette from 7-9pm.

Contact Annette 510-733-0577 or
Cyndy 925-362-9434 for more information.

Membership in the support group is free and open to the community.


Dual Recovery Anonymous

Dual Recovery Anonymous is a 12 Step self-help program that is based on the principals of the Twelve Steps and the experiences of men and women in recovery with a dual diagnosis. The DRA program helps us recover from both our chemical dependency and our emotional or psychiatric illness by focusing on relapse prevention and actively improving the quality of our lives. In a community of mutual support, we learn to avoid the risks that lead back to alcohol and drug use as well as reducing the symptoms of our emotional or psychiatric illness.

Tuesdays 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm
John Muir Center for Recovery Classroom B
2730 Grant Street, Concord
Contact: 925.212.2241




Special Events

Check back soon