Every Wednesday - PLEASANTON - Tri-Valley BiPolar Support Group, 7:15-8:45pm at St.Clare's Episcopal, Room 1, 3350 Hopyard Road - Krista Radojevich 925/560-0842

In the Shadows of Euphoria and Despair - Check us out if you suffer from mood disorders, bipolar, depression, or just want to learn. Friends and family are welcome. Chapter of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (web site requires IE or NS7). No Cost. Just show up.

March 20 - PLEASANTON - “In Our Own Voice” Presentation - Third Mondays -7:30-8:30pm - St.Clare's Episcopal, Room 1, 3350 Hopyard Road - Krista Radojevich 925/560-0842

For Families:

April 18 - OAKLAND - Alameda County Mental Health Board, Third Tuesdays (except August), 6:00 to 8:30pm, at Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS), 2000 Embarcadero Cove, Grab a chair along the wall.)

April 24 - PLEASANTON - NAMI Family Support Group, Fourth Monday 7pm-8:30pm at St.Clare's Episcopal, 3350 Hopyard Road - Russell/Donna White 925/455-6901

May 1 - LIVERMORE - NAMI Tri-Valley Educational Meeting, First Mondays, 7pm-9pm - Livermore Library Civic Center Public Library (Community Room B ), 1188 South Livermore - Hwy 580 North Livermore exit - Marsha McInnis (Chair) 925/606-7314

May 3 - OAKLAND - "Adult/Front Door" committee of Alameda County Mental Health Board, First Wednesdays (except August), 1-3pm - Marsha McInnis (Chair) 925/606-7314

May 8 - LIVERMORE - NAMI Family and Caregiver Support Group, Second Monday 7:15pm-9pm, Civic Center Public Library (Board Room), 1188 South Livermore - Hwy 580 North Livermore exit, SOUTH four miles to other side of town on left past City Hall and Police. Just inside, turn sharp backwards LEFT to Board Room - Contact: Marsha McInnis 925/606-7314 - Click for Poster/ Handout (pdf) or for Past Topics

May 10 - PLEASANTON - Valley Council on Mental Health, Second Wednesdays (except December), 4 pm - Valley Community Support Center, 3730 Hopyard Rd - Marsha McInnis 925/606-7314.

Council is comprised of family members, Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) staff - (click here) for their IE or NS7 web site - and community leaders who are working to better mental health services in Tri-Valley area. Get involved! Help eliminate stigma and ensure that those who struggle with mental illness are entitled to quality lives.

May 11 - CASTRO VALLEY- County-Wide FAMI Educational Meeting, Second Thursday 7:30pm - Conference Room A (southeast side of hospital - on left as you enter grounds), Eden Hospital, 20103 Lake Chabot Rd - Info: 510/835-5010

7:30pm, Speaker: Rebecca Woolis, Ideas for fam,ilies coping with mental illness. She is author of "When Someone You Love has a Mental Illness" = Bring your questions!

6pm, FAMI Steering Committee, Eden Hospital cafeteria. The Steering Committee guides FAMI and, for example, selects educational meeting topics and speakers. Any interested family caregiver is invited. Details: Steve, 510/835-5010

May 2006(Third Saturday) - BERKELEY - Richard York Memorial Walk for Mental Health (Goal: $10,000)- 5K Walk to benefit FIRST (Families Info & Referral Services Telephone) - Ceasar Chavez Park. Walkers need to collect a minimum of $30 in pledges - Send money to sponsor a walker or sign up as a walker by May 21 - Info: 510/835-5010 or e-mail Debbie

May(?)(Third Saturday) - SAN FRANCISCO - NAMI Walk San Francisco Bay Area 2006, Golden Gate Park

Sponsored By: Dixon Financial Services, Crestwood Behavioral Health, United Behavioral Health, The California Wellness Foundation, The Cakery - Chet Watson, Chair, (916)774-6363. Alameda County Info: E-mail

May(?)(Last Thursday) - SACRAMENTO - Mental Health Advocacy Day, Thursday, 10am-6pm at State Capitol Building (bring your picnic fixings, rally on lawn at west-end steps) - $7 Parking in three-story lot (across from northwest corner of Capitol grounds) on '10th' (one-way going north) at 'L' (one-way going west) - The one-way streets are hard to navigate but it is important to have a good turnout due to State Budget competition. Events info, call 510/835-5010 or e-mail Steve or see www.mhaac.org

June(?) - OAKLAND - "Family Caregivers Planing for the Future" - Educational conference for family caregivers of persons with a partially disabling mental illness, 8:30am- 4:30pm, $25, Limited funds to offset registration fee if you need help to attend, held at Summit Health Education Center, Event Agenda: 510/835-5010 or www.mhaac.org

Keynote Speaker: Don Perata, State Senate Majority Leader - Additional Info

August 11 - OAKLAND - Annual County-Wide NAMI/FAMI Summer POTLUCK (in place of normal August meeting)- 6-9pm at St.Joh's-in-Montclair Church, 1707 Gouldin Road (off Thornhill)

Get to know others in FAMI - No program ... relax and share good food and socialize - Spouses, siblings, children, parents, and friends of mentally ill persons are invited - Please call or e-mail Debbie for info and to let us know you are coming and what food dish you are bringing at: 510/835-5010

August 19-20, Irvine, NAMI California Annual Conference - On-Line registration - Irvine Marriott, 2005 Theme: “The Many Faces of NAMI California: We’re All One Family”.- Friday & Saturday, $170/person (if register after mid-July) , 916-567-0163

September - LIVERMORE and BERKELEY - Thursdays 7pm-9:30pm - NAMI "Family to Family" Educational Program

"Family to Family" is a 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe brain disorders. Taught by trained family members. Focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Discusses clinical treatments and teaches knowledge/skills to cope effectively. Course instruction and materials free to participants.

LIVERMORE- E-Mail Russ/Donna White 925/455-6901 for location

BERKELEY- NAMI East Bay, Thursdays - 510/524-1250 leaving name and phone

Castro Valley- Steve Bischoff - 510/835-5010

December - SAN LEANDRO - Annual Wrap Gifts for Patients - Second Thursday 6pm-9pm - Courtroom Building, John George Pavilion 2060 Fairmont Drive (right hand entrance as climbing hill from freeway) - Parking behind hospital. At crest of hill is courthouse, continue past that to get to parking lot - Call 510/835-5010 if you can participate

FAMI will wrap holiday gifts for patients at John George. Drop off gifts at MHAAC Office. This meeting devoted to wrapping them. All items must be new or unused and unwrapped. Size large or x-large (too big is better than too small). No breakable items. Similar gift items needed for men/women: socks, underwear, t-shirts, slippers, slipper-socks, windbreakers, sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc. - Wrapping paper provided - Need many hands - If unsure whether an item is appropriate, call 510/835-5010

NEXT YEAR - 2007:

January - OAKLAND - Mental Health Association Annual Awards Dinner 7:30p - No-host Reception 6:30pm - Program 8:15pm - Oakland Airport Hilton, Map sent with reservation - Call 510/835-5010 or e-mail Debbie for info

Join in acknowledging recipients of Mental Health Achievement Awards for 2005. Come hear about and help celebrate their achievements. Dinner seating pre-assigned. You can attend Awards Program without dinner but still must reserve seat. Dinner($37.50) reservations closes on January 21.

Begins February 2- PLEASANTON - FREE 12 week course - . NAMI "Family to Family" Educational Program - Contact Doris Watson: 925-682-7165 or F2F E-Mail

"Family to Family" is a 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe brain disorders. Taught by trained family members. Focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Discusses clinical treatments and teaches knowledge/skills to cope effectively. Course instruction and materials free to participants.

February 2007 (last week)- HAYWARD - "Institute for Mental Health and Wellness" Symposium, 8am-4pm - Cal State University, Hayward

TOPIC: "Promoting Mental Health in Multi-Cultural Settings". Limited funds to offset registration fee if you need help to attend. Check with registrar. Symposium Coordinator: Dee Roshong, 925-462-4306. Registrar: Dr. Melany Spielman, 925-885-4710

Chet Watson, President, NAMI CA writes: "Cal State, Hayward has done an outstanding job on presenting these symposiums over the years. As a former Board member, I highly recommend it." Art Tenbrink, Counseling Faculty at Las Positas College, Livermore, also recommends it highly.

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