Family and Friends

💚 Join us for our 20th Anniversary NAMIWalks NYC + Mental Health Street Fest! 💚

Step up for mental health and let’s break the stigma together. Sign up today and be part of a day filled with community.

📅 Date: Sunday, May 17

📍 Location: The Seaport

🔗 Sign up now: namiwalksnyc.org

#MentalHealth #FamilyAndFriends #MentalHealthAwareness

It is Mothers Day here in Australia. A day of very mixed emotions for many. Today we remember, Conrad, the son we lost and Tobias, the son our daughter lost. And we remember the amazing women who over the years have nutured and inspired us.

For the mothers who are knee deep in family life, we salute you and marvel and applaud at your incredible ability to love and nurture your children on good days and bad days.

For the mothers who have lost a child, I send you love, you are so very brave.

To the women who no longer have their mother, this day can be a heart-breaking reminder of your loss. May you find comfort today.

To the women who have not made it into motherhood even though you desperately wanted to, I acknowledge today can be very challenging for you. May you know peace and comfort today.

To the women who mother another child, you are a brilliant example of humanity and love. You are to be celebrated. You are giving an amazing gift to those in need.

To all Mothers today, you are seen, you are to be celebrated, you are amazing!

As I drove to church this morning a powerful memory came to mind. About 15 years ago a guy at church came up to me and said, “I have no idea if this will make any sense to you but God has repeatedly said me, “God is going to take you back to the playground”. He was very tentative and a bit nervous.

He asked, “Does that make sense to you?” He was shocked and relieved when I said it made perfect sense. The guy was a leader in our church and are man I trusted so I explained what it meant.

Being born in the 60’s meant photos were expensive and not taken often. I have a photo of me aged 3, in a playground with a beaming smile. I was a very happy kid then.

Photos taken from age 4 onwards show a different child. They show a child who is carrying something of pain. I was 4 years old when my Dad first molested me. The abused child was very different to the playground child.

After receiving the message from that guy it took a lot of therapy and prayer but God did indeed restore the simple joy and sense of wonder of the child in the playground.

It didn’t happen quickly or instantly. The things I learnt in that process were valuable and transforming lessons. I am so grateful that guy was obedient to deliver a message that made no sense to him and I am grateful for God taking me by the hand and leading me gently back to the playground.

He will do the same for you if you ask.

My Mother in law is a text book narcissist. Her husband once said to my daughter that “his life was a living hell”. After he died she left Sydney without warning to be closer to her siblings. After this her siblings would phone us and accuse us of financially taking advantage her. We tried to explain she was living in a home we purchased, rent free.
That we were giving her significant direct financial assistance. They didn’t believe us.

Since then her siblings have advised us she has borrowed in excess of $100,000 off them, all of which has gone to romance scams. She even sent large amounts of money to “Hollywood star Liam Neesom” because he was coming on his private jet to marry her.

Last year her siblings reached out and apologised for believing the lies said about us and asked for our help in relocating her as they were tired of her abuse and lies.

Turns out she has been living there rent free for ten years. She has been uncooperative since we started the process of finding her alternative accommodation. We are offering to help her financially but still she won’t do anything. So tonight I told her my assistance was paused until she started working with us and not against us.

That might sound harsh but somehow we need to get her attention. It goes against my nature to be harsh but for my Wife’s sanity and the wider family I must draw this line. #l

Oftentimes, we vent because we think it'll make us feel better. But have you ever stopped to notice how you actually feel after the vent session is over?
Now, this does not mean you shouldn't vent or share problems with a trusted person who can help you problem solve or listen. I just wanted to share a helpful tip I learned in therapy. Since I stopped "venting" as much, my emotional reactions are better and I'm not as upset as often. I hope it helps you today. 🙂
#Addiction #AddictionRecovery #AutonomicDysfunction #Agoraphobia #Anxiety #AnorexiaNervosa #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #MentalHealth #BipolarDepression #BipolarDepression #BackPain #Blindness #CeliacDisease #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Epilepsy #EatingDisorders #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Endometriosis #FamilyAndFriends #Fibromyalgia #Gastroparesis #Grief #Headache #JointHypermobilitySyndrome #HearingLoss #HemiplegicMigraine #Insomnia #ADHD #BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #Trauma

Our amazing education team at NAMI-NYC came together for a strategic planning retreat – taking time to reflect, collaborate, and dream big about the future of mental health education. We are so excited for what’s ahead! Check out our current programs: naminyc.org/find-support

#MentalHealth #FamilyAndFriends

First the first time in 5 months I managed to mow my lawns. It’s been a long recovery after shattering my tibia. A wonderful couple from church have been doing a great job of looking after the whole garden. I am very grateful for their help but it’s good to be back doing it myself.

I was in a huge amount of pain last night. I knew it would be taxing but I am glad to be another step closer to life getting back to normal.

There is hope.

🌷 Choose to bloom 🌷

Take one of NAMI-NYC's free mental health classes this spring and gain valuable coping skills. You will learn how to prioritize your mental health, express your needs, and navigate NYC’s healthcare system.

Whether you are living with a mental illness or are supporting a loved one who deals with mental health challenges, these classes are for you. Sign up today: naminyc.org/classes

#MentalHealth #classes #FamilyAndFriends

¡Padres y cuidadores, esto es para USTEDES! ✨

Únanse a NAMI-NYC para una presentación especial en línea de Hablemos el martes 5 de mayo, de 6:00 a 7:00 p. m. Escuche al Dr. Ezequiel Lafont compartir herramientas para ayudar a la salud mental de su hijo, y a Mariana Pinanez compartir su experiencia con los desafíos de salud mental durante su juventud. Regístrense aquí: www.eventbrite.com/e/hablemos-lets-talk-tickets-1986451037527

✨ Parents and caregivers, this one’s for YOU! ✨

Join NAMI-NYC for a special Hablemos presentation online on Tuesday, May 5, 6-7 PM. Hear from Ezequiel Lafont MD share tools to help your child’s mental health and Mariana Pinanez share her experience with mental health challenges as a youth. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/hablemos-lets-talk-tickets-1986451037527

#MentalHealth #FamilyAndFriends #Caregiving

I cant imagine the anguish and fear that the disciples must have felt after the events of good Friday. Jesus had been killed in the most cruel and violent way. Their hopes and dreams were shattered. The plans they had had been shredded. Where do they go now?

Sometimes we can have our own Friday experience. And there seems to be no hope anywhere. But hang onto hope, because Sunday is coming. The pioneers of all the worlds major religion had this in common, they all died. And stayed that way. Christianity though is centred around the death AND resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday assures us we have a well founded expectation and hope. Happy Easter.

#Depression #Hope #Relationships #FamilyAndFriends #Anxiety #MentalHealth