Sherry Cusumano, RN, LCDC, MS
April 2020
Hello NAMI North Texas Members and Friends of NAMI North Texas!
I want you to know that we at NAMI North Texas have been working hard to think of creative ways that we can continue to connect with one another throughout this challenging time. I do hope that you are following the suggestions of your local elected officials and health department. We are in uncharted territory with this Coronavirus and the spread has happened rapidly due to the fact that we have no vaccination for this and not real evidence-based treatment for it. Since it is a new virus, we have absolutely no immunity either which leaves us vulnerable if exposed. So, I hope you are practicing social distancing staying at least 6 feet away from others and frequently washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds each time (I sing the ABC’s but some people sing happy birthday twice). And shelter in place, right? Only go out for essentials such as groceries and medications. You can go outside for a walk as long as you practice good social distancing—it might even lift your spirits to do that!
I was listening to a morning news show and overheard one of the guests say that social distancing is not emotional distancing. I liked that! As human beings, we need a certain amount of social engagement. Without any connection to others, we get isolated and for those of us who are living with a mental health condition, isolation is not healthy. So, we’ve worked on ways that we can offer virtual support groups an classes online. Through zoom we can even see each other!!! Being able to hear from those we care about and even see them can be such a boost during these times of challenge. Also, think about that mobile phone that you use to surf the web and text your friends. Have you forgotten that it also can be used to call someone and tell them that you were thinking of them? What a gift you could give to someone just by doing that simple task.
Another task that we’re working on is providing the general membership meetings virtually. Think of how easy it would be to attend two meetings a month right from your living room! The first Thursday of April, we are planning for Dr. Guillory and Joe Powell, LCDC and CEO of APAA, to provide an educational talk about the history of recovery. Many of you know Joe Powell and now you will also meet Dr. Guillory who is a terrific speaker. He’s a true NAMI family member with an unbelievable sense of humor. He just finished his residency in psychiatry and is now a Fellow at Children’s Hospital and is working to become a Child Psychiatrist. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Guillory on our board! When he told his story at the NAMI Texas convention a couple of years ago, he received a standing ovation. Now you can meet him without even leaving your home!
The third Thursday in April you will hear Phyllis Finley the Community Outreach Coordinator for Denton County MHMR as part of a panel. She will be talking about what is happening right now and the impact it is having on our mental health services. Phyllis is also a new board member to NAMI North Texas. She is full of energy and great ideas. We feel so fortunate to have her on the board. I can’t wait for all of you to meet her. I promise that you will be pleased and impressed as you meet your new board members. Tune in the third Thursday for the panel discussion to reconnect with NAMI North Texas.
You’ll be hearing more about our virtual NAMI North Texas NAMIWalks event which is planned for May 30th. I do hope that you will plan to participate in that. Just think, you will be able to participate in a Walk in Texas at the end of May without having to worry about the heat! We’ll make it easy and fun for you. We have lots of things planned and we’ll keep you informed. Check our website by clicking on NAMINorthTexas.org for more details!
In addition to maintaining connections during this “indoor time”, try to keep some structure in your life if you can. Get up and dressed just as you would have before the pandemic. Read a book that you’ve purchased but not gotten around to reading yet. Watch a movie that makes you laugh. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. Do some form of exercise every day. Connect with the people you love. And don’t forget your Family of Families here at NAMI North Texas. We have not forgotten you.
Hope to see you soon,
Sherry Cusumano
President of NAMI North Texas
I want you to know that we at NAMI North Texas have been working hard to think of creative ways that we can continue to connect with one another throughout this challenging time. I do hope that you are following the suggestions of your local elected officials and health department. We are in uncharted territory with this Coronavirus and the spread has happened rapidly due to the fact that we have no vaccination for this and not real evidence-based treatment for it. Since it is a new virus, we have absolutely no immunity either which leaves us vulnerable if exposed. So, I hope you are practicing social distancing staying at least 6 feet away from others and frequently washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds each time (I sing the ABC’s but some people sing happy birthday twice). And shelter in place, right? Only go out for essentials such as groceries and medications. You can go outside for a walk as long as you practice good social distancing—it might even lift your spirits to do that!
I was listening to a morning news show and overheard one of the guests say that social distancing is not emotional distancing. I liked that! As human beings, we need a certain amount of social engagement. Without any connection to others, we get isolated and for those of us who are living with a mental health condition, isolation is not healthy. So, we’ve worked on ways that we can offer virtual support groups an classes online. Through zoom we can even see each other!!! Being able to hear from those we care about and even see them can be such a boost during these times of challenge. Also, think about that mobile phone that you use to surf the web and text your friends. Have you forgotten that it also can be used to call someone and tell them that you were thinking of them? What a gift you could give to someone just by doing that simple task.
Another task that we’re working on is providing the general membership meetings virtually. Think of how easy it would be to attend two meetings a month right from your living room! The first Thursday of April, we are planning for Dr. Guillory and Joe Powell, LCDC and CEO of APAA, to provide an educational talk about the history of recovery. Many of you know Joe Powell and now you will also meet Dr. Guillory who is a terrific speaker. He’s a true NAMI family member with an unbelievable sense of humor. He just finished his residency in psychiatry and is now a Fellow at Children’s Hospital and is working to become a Child Psychiatrist. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Guillory on our board! When he told his story at the NAMI Texas convention a couple of years ago, he received a standing ovation. Now you can meet him without even leaving your home!
The third Thursday in April you will hear Phyllis Finley the Community Outreach Coordinator for Denton County MHMR as part of a panel. She will be talking about what is happening right now and the impact it is having on our mental health services. Phyllis is also a new board member to NAMI North Texas. She is full of energy and great ideas. We feel so fortunate to have her on the board. I can’t wait for all of you to meet her. I promise that you will be pleased and impressed as you meet your new board members. Tune in the third Thursday for the panel discussion to reconnect with NAMI North Texas.
You’ll be hearing more about our virtual NAMI North Texas NAMIWalks event which is planned for May 30th. I do hope that you will plan to participate in that. Just think, you will be able to participate in a Walk in Texas at the end of May without having to worry about the heat! We’ll make it easy and fun for you. We have lots of things planned and we’ll keep you informed. Check our website by clicking on NAMINorthTexas.org for more details!
In addition to maintaining connections during this “indoor time”, try to keep some structure in your life if you can. Get up and dressed just as you would have before the pandemic. Read a book that you’ve purchased but not gotten around to reading yet. Watch a movie that makes you laugh. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. Do some form of exercise every day. Connect with the people you love. And don’t forget your Family of Families here at NAMI North Texas. We have not forgotten you.
Hope to see you soon,
Sherry Cusumano
President of NAMI North Texas