Sherry Cusumano, RN, LCDC, MS
May 2020
Hello NAMI North Texas Members and Friends of NAMI!
I hope that you are doing well. It really seems like “forever” since I have seen you! I know that some of you are tuning in to our virtual offerings though, and I’m happy to see that happening. Honestly, I really wish that all of you were able to do that. We miss you when you don’t tune in! I do like having the “virtual” tools as another method to stay connected. I look forward to the day when we can meet virtually AND in person. In the meantime, I hope that you are taking good care of yourself, staying home as much as possible, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer between hand washings, and, of course maintain social distancing.
We have been featuring some of our volunteers on Monday evenings. I hope that you have enjoyed getting to know them. We appreciate all our volunteers and want you all to know that they are the people that keep us going! The thing that we have that really makes a difference is “lived experience”. The evidence-based programs provided by people with lived experience provide such experience, strength, and hope for new people coming into NAMI North Texas. That is what recovery is about, right?
I hope that you enjoyed hearing from my friend Sharyn Fein. Sharyn is such a terrific advocate! Sharon, Raymond Castilleja, Jr., and Naomi Green had a lot to share with us about the importance of meeting the mental health needs of people form the LGBTQ community. We at NAMI North Texas know the importance of paying attention to the needs of all people who are living with a mental health condition. We wanted to make sure that you were aware of the needs of this vulnerable group and the continuum of care available to provide the needed help. That’s what we are about, right? We’re about acceptance and recovery, through awareness, advocacy, support, and education.
A lot has been happening in our community this year. Next month is minority month and we will have some interesting virtual events relevant to that as well.
Some of you undoubtedly remember Chip Rosenson (of Chip and Jeanine fame). Chip and Jeanine were faithful volunteers and NAMI North Texas advocates for many years and beloved by EVERYONE who knew them. Chip recently passed away in his sleep and went to join his adored “Queen Jeanine”. Although we will greatly miss Chip, it’s comforting to know that he will now be back with his “Queen”. He had wonderful nicknames for people he cherished! He was a deeply spiritual person and had written a book telling of his spiritual journey. If you knew Chip, please join me as I pay homage to him and remember him fondly with gratitude for all his contributions to NAMI North Texas, his Temple, and his cherished community of friends.
We will soon be moving into a legislative session and it’s time to start thinking about what you would like to see happen. A survey is being circulated by the NAMI Texas Public Policy committee as we create our platform for the next session. If you have thoughts you would like to communicate, feel free to contact me. I would very much like to hear what you have to say. What do you want that you can’t get now for your recovery or for your loved one’s support or recovery? What are the challenges you are encountering with the current system? How could it work better? What is currently being offered that you don’t like or find helpful? We want to stand WITH you to advocate for improving the system.
Please take care and STAY CONNECTED!
Sherry Cusumano
President of NAMI North Texas
I hope that you are doing well. It really seems like “forever” since I have seen you! I know that some of you are tuning in to our virtual offerings though, and I’m happy to see that happening. Honestly, I really wish that all of you were able to do that. We miss you when you don’t tune in! I do like having the “virtual” tools as another method to stay connected. I look forward to the day when we can meet virtually AND in person. In the meantime, I hope that you are taking good care of yourself, staying home as much as possible, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer between hand washings, and, of course maintain social distancing.
We have been featuring some of our volunteers on Monday evenings. I hope that you have enjoyed getting to know them. We appreciate all our volunteers and want you all to know that they are the people that keep us going! The thing that we have that really makes a difference is “lived experience”. The evidence-based programs provided by people with lived experience provide such experience, strength, and hope for new people coming into NAMI North Texas. That is what recovery is about, right?
I hope that you enjoyed hearing from my friend Sharyn Fein. Sharyn is such a terrific advocate! Sharon, Raymond Castilleja, Jr., and Naomi Green had a lot to share with us about the importance of meeting the mental health needs of people form the LGBTQ community. We at NAMI North Texas know the importance of paying attention to the needs of all people who are living with a mental health condition. We wanted to make sure that you were aware of the needs of this vulnerable group and the continuum of care available to provide the needed help. That’s what we are about, right? We’re about acceptance and recovery, through awareness, advocacy, support, and education.
A lot has been happening in our community this year. Next month is minority month and we will have some interesting virtual events relevant to that as well.
Some of you undoubtedly remember Chip Rosenson (of Chip and Jeanine fame). Chip and Jeanine were faithful volunteers and NAMI North Texas advocates for many years and beloved by EVERYONE who knew them. Chip recently passed away in his sleep and went to join his adored “Queen Jeanine”. Although we will greatly miss Chip, it’s comforting to know that he will now be back with his “Queen”. He had wonderful nicknames for people he cherished! He was a deeply spiritual person and had written a book telling of his spiritual journey. If you knew Chip, please join me as I pay homage to him and remember him fondly with gratitude for all his contributions to NAMI North Texas, his Temple, and his cherished community of friends.
We will soon be moving into a legislative session and it’s time to start thinking about what you would like to see happen. A survey is being circulated by the NAMI Texas Public Policy committee as we create our platform for the next session. If you have thoughts you would like to communicate, feel free to contact me. I would very much like to hear what you have to say. What do you want that you can’t get now for your recovery or for your loved one’s support or recovery? What are the challenges you are encountering with the current system? How could it work better? What is currently being offered that you don’t like or find helpful? We want to stand WITH you to advocate for improving the system.
Please take care and STAY CONNECTED!
Sherry Cusumano
President of NAMI North Texas