Thursday, April 8, 2021
5 p.m., Zoom
Unprecedented Circumstances
Previous participants of the NAMI@UMB Journey Through Schizophrenia event hosted in collaboration with local nonprofit SeizingPsych, Inc., can testify that one of the special components of this event is an honest, interactive discussion about mental illness and family and professional responsibilities and decisions. As COVID-19 closed the globe last year, events like this were postponed and canceled everywhere, including here at UMB. In-person interaction was not an option, remains unsafe, and yet with every passing month, it becomes harder to log in to Zoom happy hours and events.
Interactive, Important, and Now Online
During this time, NAMI@UMB and SeizingPsych realized the importance of continuing their endeavors to promote wellness, educate the community, and generate spaces for open and honest conversation. As such, the organizations engaged in strides to repurpose and rediscover this journey so it could be delivered in a safe way. The key to this process was maintaining the interactive exercises and sincere and empathetic conversation and experiences the event is known to foster while offering participants the opportunity to engage safely from their home or workplace. Finally, a year after the pandemic, this goal has been realized and will kick off during National Public Health Week as a part of the Wellness Hub programming initiative.
What Can You Expect?
This year, "Journey Through Schizophrenia: Families Living with Mental Illness Pre- & Post-COVID" will be offered through Zoom but will retain the interactive exercises and discussion that participants return for year after year. In addition to a directed exercise in empathy and understanding psychosis; educational information about schizophrenia, mental health, and the lived experience of mental illness; and open discussions that have been foundational components of the workshop, this year will provide participants insights into the impact of COVID on families living with mental illness. While COVID has been a stressful life experience for most of the world, the stress of the fear of illness, the necessity of immunosuppression, and isolation impacts individuals and families living with severe mental illness in its own way. These stresses can rattle even the most treatment-compliant clients while posing dangerous risks for the mental wellness and health of many people with no previous risks. This year’s event will feature a special focus on the role of COVID in mental health, and the hosts look forward to hearing your stories and experiences.
How Can You Be a Part of it?
Join NAMI@UMB on April 8 at 5 p.m.! Register through the Elm Calendar or this link.
You can also follow NAMI@UMB and SeizingPsych on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the events!