NAMI Massachusetts

January is National Mental Wellness Month! With the post-holiday slump and the cold Massachusetts winter, this month can often feel a bit bleak. That’s why it's so important to nurture your mind, embrace self-compassion, and practice mindfulness. This month, we'll be sharing a new mental wellness tip every Friday to help us all emerge from January feeling refreshed and restored. Stay tuned for our first tip tomorrow!

Happy New Year to our NAMI Mass community! We are so excited to reconnect with everyone in 2025 and continue providing vital services to individuals living with a mental health condition, their families, and their caregivers. No matter where you are in your mental health journey, we are here for you. Cheers to a new year of hope, healing, and growth!

Wishing all who celebrate a Merry Christmas and a happy first night of Hanukkah! During this holiday season of joy and togetherness, remember that it is okay to not be okay. Take time to care for yourself, reach out when you need support, and prioritize your mental health. From all of us here at NAMI Mass, we are sending warm wishes for peace, healing, and happiness this holiday season.

Planned Lifetime Assistance of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN) is a non-profit organization providing professional trustee services for special needs trusts and has been proudly serving individuals with disabilities for over 50 years. We are including a story that exemplifies how a person can use the funds in their PLAN Special Needs Trust to enhance their quality of life. Marty is a 60-year-old gentleman with a mental health diagnosis who had been living alone in the basement of a boarding house. He tended to keep to himself and rarely reached out for help when needed. During his initial meeting with his PLAN Service Coordinator, a Licensed Social Worker, it was noted that Marty’s clothing and shoes were worn out and ill-fitting. Additionally, Marty had been waiting for several months for a response to his Social Security application. After several visits, Marty began to build a trusting relationship with his PLAN Service Coordinator and became open to using funds from his PLAN Special Needs Trust to purchase new clothing and shoes. Within two weeks, Marty accepted the assistance from elder services for homemaking and meals on wheels. Working closely with his PLAN Service Coordinator, Marty was able to resolve his Social Security issues quickly. He began receiving income, and housing applications for congregate and elder subsidized housing were submitted on his behalf. Marty is just one of many whose quality of life has been improved because of their involvement with PLAN. If you believe that you or a loved one is a good fit for the services provided by PLAN, visit https://lnkd.in/eiEv5tAn to learn more.

Shorter days and colder weather can bring more than just a seasonal slump—Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition that affects many people during the fall and winter months. We have included information on the symptoms and useful coping strategies to manage this often-overlooked condition. You are not alone, and help is available.

And the winner of the Celtics ticket giveaway is…Yolanta Kovalko! Thank you to everyone who participated and donated to NAMI Mass over the past two weeks, your support has been instrumental in driving this campaign forward! This holiday season, we invite you to continue your support, as every contribution helps us create a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families throughout our state. Your support is essential to our success! We hope you enjoy the game Yolanta, and go C’s!

The NAMI Massachusetts office and Compass Helpline will be closed from Tuesday, December 24th through Wednesday, January 1st, in observance of the winter holiday and to give our staff a chance to relax, recharge, and spend cherished moments with loved ones. We will reopen on Thursday, January 2nd. We appreciate your understanding and support. We look forward to reconnecting with you in the new year and wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season! If you are looking for resources for yourself or someone else, please contact our Compass Helpline directly for the quickest response. Call 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085 Email compass@namimass.org Schedule a phone call with Compass at www.namimass.org/compass If you or someone you support is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can find resources and ideas for navigating the crisis on our website here: www.namimass.org/crisis You can find resources on additional topics here: www.namimass.org/resources

The holiday season can be a mix of joy and challenges – it’s ok to feel both. For some, it’s a time of cheer and connection, and for others it can mean navigating relationships and asserting boundaries. For still others, it’s just a colder time of year. While NAMI Mass is closed for the winter break, we have included other resources to help you care for your mental health.

Only one day left to enter the Celtics ticket giveaway! Enter to win two lower-level tickets to see the Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets on January 27th at TD Garden. To enter, we suggest a donation of $10. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecmbMrQ4 The giveaway will be open until midnight on December 16, and we will be announcing our lucky winner on December 18. Good luck and go C’s!

Only a few days left to enter the Celtics ticket giveaway! Enter to win two lower-level tickets to see the Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets on January 27th at TD Garden. To enter, we suggest a donation of $10. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecmbMrQ4 The giveaway will be open until midnight on December 16, and we will be announcing our lucky winner on December 18. Good luck and go C’s!