FOCUS ON FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH

 

P.O. Box 3240, Beverly, MA 01915 • namigreaternorthshore@yahoo.com • 1-877-221-6264

November 20, 2011

On behalf of the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater North Shore (NAMI GNS) requests your participation in a focus group session to be held on Monday, December 12, 2011, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm, at Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development, 10 Church St., Lynn. Pizza and soda will be served and all participants receive a gift of appreciation.

About the Tower Foundation:

The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation was formed December 31, 1990. Initially the Trustees chose this Foundation's primary focus to support scientific research into the causes, cures, treatments, and prevention of severe mental illnesses, primarily the schizophrenias and the depressions, especially as they relate to younger persons.

The Foundation’s four key areas of interest are mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities. The Foundation’s highest priority is ensuring children, adolescents and young adults facing these obstacles achieve their full potential.

The Foundation has recently expanded its funding reach to several of the communities where Trustees reside.  Foundation support is given to non-profit organizations in Erie and Niagara Counties in Western New York and in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex and Nantucket Counties in Eastern Massachusetts. With current assets of over 72 million dollars, the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation distributes over 2.5 million dollars annually and anticipates this figure will increase in the years to come.

About the Foundation’s Grants:

The Tower Foundation has adopted strategic grant-making, the focused attempt to accomplish specific outcomes, as the primary means of making grants. The Foundation has four primary funding categories: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Learning Disabilities and Intellectual Disabilities.  Another category, Organizational Capacity Building, provides support to eligible organizations that offer programs and services in our primary funding categories. Learn more at www.thetowerfoundation.com.

About the Focus Groups:

Drawing on the Results-Based Accountability approach developed by Mark Friedman, the Foundation board and staff have established a set of community goals related to mental health and children, youth, and young adults (to age 26). At this time, the Foundation is asking local community experts to review these goals and to help us identify indicators to track progress on them. The Foundation is also seeking suggestions about possible strategies to address mental health issues in our community.

Focus groups will be run by a facilitator trained in Results-Based Accountability. Participants will be given an opportunity to share their thoughts on five results statements developed by the Tower Foundation including:

1.      Children with mental illness are identified early and treated.

2.       Youth and young adults with mental illness are self-accepting and able to manage their conditions.

3.      Families understand mental health conditions and are committed to helping members to live happy and productive lives.

4.      Communities are inclusive, responsive, and equipped with adequate supports for youth and families.

5.      Stigma related to mental illness is eliminated.

Following this discussion, participants will be asked a series of questions and will participate in a facilitator-led discussion to help identify possible strategies that may include program models and educational and community-based approaches. The Tower Foundation board and staff will consider these strategies for possible future funding opportunities.

The Tower Foundation needs your feedback!

Please help us to better understand mental health-related concerns in our community and shape future funding decision-making through your participation.

Limited seats available.

Two groups will be held simultaneously: Youth (to age 26) and Parents

Registration is required - call or email if you would like to participate.

Lisa Rose: 781-710-5923 or  namigreaternorthshore@yahoo.com

Please be sure that you will keep this commitment as we have a specific number of seats available and we intend to fill them all. More importantly, your knowledge, experience and input are invaluable.

Thank you in advance for your participation.