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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250820T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250820T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183442Z
UID:995-1755714600-1755720000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-19/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250807T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250807T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20250717T203208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T203208Z
UID:1047-1754591400-1754595000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Ashley Sproul
DESCRIPTION:  \nBio \nAshley Sproul is the Director of Recovery and Empowerment with the Department of Mental Health and a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS). She began her career as a CPS within The Living Room model\, where she was able to provide peer support to individuals experiencing significant emotional distress in a trauma-sensitive setting. Throughout her career\, she has benefited from working in various settings\, including a peer-run Recovery Learning Community and an interdisciplinary treatment team within a Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Her background includes both direct support and supervisory roles\, where she has been passionate about collaborating across roles to support individuals seeking wellness and highlighting the importance and implementation of person-centered care. Ashley has training experience as a former member of the Massachusetts Certified Peer Specialist training team\, where she was responsible for providing education around racism and oppression in the Systemic Racism Module. Outside of her role\, you will find her spending time painting\, playing music\, and finding ways to incorporate artistic creativity into Peer Support spaces.\n \nTitle of Talk: Follow Recovery Road \nDescription of talk: Ashley Sproul will share her recovery story of how she has navigated her own wellness both within and outside of the traditional mental health system\, with an emphasis on what tools\, supports\, and organizations that were helpful on her journey. Ashley will then share more about the Office of Recovery and Empowerment with the Department of Mental Health as well as her personal and systemic vision for DMH. Questions and comments will be welcome! \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-ashley-sproul/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250716T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250716T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183423Z
UID:996-1752690600-1752696000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-18/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20250616T190226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T190226Z
UID:1043-1751567400-1751571000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Lawrence Harris
DESCRIPTION:Bio\nLawrence Harris is a 19-year-old Youth Empowerment Speaker who helps teens and young adults break through limiting beliefs and build lives rooted in confidence\, resilience\, and mental wellness. As someone who is autistic and a survivor of childhood abuse and C-PTSD\, Lawrence brings a raw\, relatable\, and powerful presence to every stage he steps on. His story is proof that no matter where you start\, healing and growth are possible—and worth the work. \nWith four years of speaking experience\, Lawrence has inspired thousands through school assemblies\, youth events\, and mental health panels. His message connects deeply with students\, educators\, and youth advocates alike\, offering practical tools and real hope for anyone fighting internal battles they rarely speak about. \nDescription of Talk: Think Different\, Feel Different\, Live Different\nA practical\, emotionally grounded experience that helps teens and young adults transform their mindset from survival mode to self-leadership. Through the lens of lived experience—navigating trauma\, autism\, and the internal battle of limiting beliefs—I break down how thought patterns affect emotional regulation and long-term decision-making. The talk equips youth with tools to reframe their thinking\, shift their emotional responses\, and take active steps toward personal growth and clarity. \nStructure of the Talk:\n \n\nTHINK DIFFERENT – The first segment addresses internal dialogue\, mental habits\, and the roots of negative self-perception. I introduce common limiting beliefs and provide practical reframing techniques that help young people to disrupt these thought cycles.\n\nFEEL DIFFERENT – This section dives into the emotional weight teens carry\, how it connects to mindset\, and how to build emotional intelligence as well as offering tangible tools to navigate shame\, anxiety\, and disconnection.\n\nLIVE DIFFERENT – The final segment focuses on identity ownership and long-term behavior change. Audiences learn how consistent mindset shifts lead to new actions\, greater self-trust\, and the ability to make empowered life decisions—even when circumstances are hard.\n\n\nTwo References from organizations I’d previously worked with\, attached below: \nRecording of the speech given at New Leash of Life: https://youtu.be/851dkXDIYPM?si=LW1IUa1vJ8_OADcj \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-lawrence-harris/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250618T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250618T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183359Z
UID:997-1750271400-1750276800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-17/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250605T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250605T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20250603T023038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250603T023038Z
UID:1040-1749148200-1749151800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Opening Doors to the Arts
DESCRIPTION:The next National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Boston Peer Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN) monthly speaker series will feature several members of opening doors to the arts telling their recovery story and how opening doors works. We get free and reduced price tix to concerts\, theatre and more!  see www.openingdoorstothearts.org\n\nSpeakers: Hilary\, Michael\, Howard \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-opening-doors-to-the-arts/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250521T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250521T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183342Z
UID:998-1747852200-1747857600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-16/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250501T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250501T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20250413T160421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250413T160421Z
UID:1025-1746124200-1746127800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital’s Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research (COE)
DESCRIPTION:The Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital’s Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research (COE) aims to enhance the lives of those with mental health challenges through community-based projects. The COE focuses on research\, psychoeducation\, and addressing healthcare disparities while implementing psychosocial interventions to improve individual and community well-being. \nIn 2018\, the Peer Specialist Team at the COE conducted a psychosocial needs assessment with mental health service users sampled from across Massachusetts. Listening group participants spoke about the benefits of peer support and a central theme that emerged was the clear need for more programs to include Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) services and better access to CPSs across the state. \nIn response\, the COE peer team organized four listening groups with Massachusetts CPSs to identify the challenges faced by peer specialists in various work environments\, along with corresponding recommendations\, with the goal of improving the working conditions\, effectiveness\, and satisfaction of CPSs across Massachusetts. \nFindings highlighted several areas where CPSs expressed a desire for improvement\, categorized into four key topics: \n\nOrganizational Culture: The values\, beliefs\, practices\, and behaviors that contribute to the overall success of CPSs in their work settings.\nResource Availability: Whether CPSs felt they had the necessary physical resources to perform their jobs effectively.\nTraining and Education: Whether\, after their initial certification\, CPSs felt prepared to fulfill their responsibilities and if they had access to opportunities for further growth through additional training and certification.\nRole Definition: Whether CPSs felt empowered to perform their duties as trained\, in accordance with the CPS Code of Ethics\, and if their non-peer colleagues acknowledged\, respected\, and understood the peer role.\n\nThe COE Peer Specialists will present on this Peer Integration Project\, followed by a discussion about the challenges Peer Specialists face\, and what subsequent recommendations can aid in the integration of Peer Support Specialists into larger healthcare systems and improve access to their services. \nPresenters for this talk from the COE include Valeria Chambers\, Ryan Markley\, Jacquie Martinez\, Anne Whitman\, Sandi Whitney Sarles \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-coe/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250416T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250416T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183252Z
UID:989-1744828200-1744833600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-15/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250403T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250403T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20250319T194213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T194220Z
UID:1022-1743705000-1743708600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Vesper Moore
DESCRIPTION:Biography – Vesper Moore\n \nVesper Moore serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Kiva Centers. As an Indigenous activist and leader\, Vesper is deeply committed to promoting mental health and disability rights through activism\, leadership\, organizing\, public speaking\, and education. Their work focuses on cultivating social movements and raising public awareness to foster lasting social change. \nVesper has contributed to the establishment of mental health organizations worldwide and has been an advocate for civil rights in the United States. Through their advocacy\, they have brought the perspectives of people with mental health challenges and disabilities to both national and international platforms. \nCollaborating with the United States government and the United Nations\, Vesper helps shape strategies around trauma\, intersectionality\, and disability rights. They have been featured on NBC News\, PBS NewsHour\, Politico\, and at The White House. Vesper is at the forefront of legislative reform\, striving to shift the societal paradigm surrounding mental health. \nAbout the presentation \nWe Are the Evidence: Certified Peer Specialists and the Commitment to Community-Based Services \nThis session will explore the role of Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) in shaping and sustaining community-based behavioral health services in Massachusetts. As the commonwealth continues to advance its commitment to accessible and person-centered care\, it is crucial to recognize the momentum behind these efforts and ensure the continued expansion of peer-led and peer-run initiatives. This presentation will highlight the significance of the Certified Peer Specialist profession as well as the state credential and training program that equip individuals with lived experience to support others\, and the integration of CPS professionals into behavioral health teams\, including Mobile Crisis services. \nThe discussion will also focus on the growth and development of peer-run centers and respites\, essential spaces that foster recovery\, autonomy\, and community support. By centering the voices of those most impacted\, peer-run services provide an effective approach to behavioral health care that prioritizes dignity and self-determination. Through this presentation\, participants will gain insight into how Certified Peer Specialists contribute to a more equitable and person-driven system\, reinforcing the commonwealth’s commitment to transforming behavioral health care through community-based solutions. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-vesper-moore/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250319T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250319T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183225Z
UID:987-1742409000-1742414400@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-14/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241219T213052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T215914Z
UID:1014-1741285800-1741289400@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Chris Laureano
DESCRIPTION:Biography – Chris\n \nChristopher Laureano is a Certified Peer Specialist and Director of the Recovery Education and Learning (REAL) Program at Bay Cove Human Services. Christopher is an autistic person who has also experienced anxiety and trauma through various life situations due to having trouble with reading social cues and learning differently from others. He is passionate about both making peer support trainings and the REAL Program equitable and accessible for all\, and including neurodiversity in peer support. Chris will be speaking about the importance of ‘breaking the cycle’ when overcoming anxiety\, trauma\, and life challenges with living as an autistic person\, along with the importance of ‘self-evolvement’ in recovery.\n \nAbout the presentation \nChristopher Laureano will be sharing his recovery story and discussing his work as the Director of the Recovery Education and Learning (REAL) Program at Bay Cove Human Services\, which offers both in-person trainings at the fifth floor of Center Club\, and online trainings through the Zoom app with the purpose of preparing people for the workforce in human services. Christopher will also be sharing information on expansion developments of the REAL Program.\n \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-chris/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T183024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183024Z
UID:985-1739989800-1739995200@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-13/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250115T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250115T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T182958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183139Z
UID:983-1736965800-1736971200@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-12/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241218T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241218T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T182938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183120Z
UID:981-1734546600-1734552000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-11/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241205T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241205T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241204T002238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241204T002238Z
UID:1011-1733423400-1733427000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Justin
DESCRIPTION:Biography – Justin\n \nI grew up in the small town of Duxbury\, located on the South Shore of Massachusetts. I have since moved to Fall River and I am currently the Program Director at the Fall River Recovery Connection Center. I have been in recovery since 2010\, and I worked at the Atlantic Clubhouse in Quincy from 2022-2024 before taking my current position. I have been at the Fall River RCC since June of this year and have been enjoying my time getting to know the peers who make our program so wonderful. I am able to spend time in each of the special groups that our RCC has to offer\, and I have also got to know the amazing staff that we have. I completed my CPS Training through Kiva Centers in the beginning of September and will always value all of the tools and knowledge that I gained from that program. I graduated from Quincy College in 2018 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts with a focus in Behavioral Science. I was drawn to the Recovery Connection Center because of my belief that groups and peer engagement can play a vital role in anybody’s recovery. I enjoy spending time with loved ones\, listening to my favorite music on repeat\, and taking photographs while immersed in nature. \nAbout the presentation \nMy talk will begin with my recovery story to help illustrate the challenges I have faced since receiving my original diagnosis. I will then speak about my transition from working in a clubhouse setting to a recovery setting. I will include the tools I use daily to maintain my positive mentality\, along with the tools and mindset I use while working amongst my peers. I will also talk about the success of our program before I became the program director\, and the steps I am taking to maintain its effectiveness. I will conclude my talk with what I hope to learn and build throughout my time at our Recovery Connection Center and the encouraging effect it has had in my life since being there in June of this year. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-justin/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241120T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241120T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241031T182617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T183104Z
UID:977-1732127400-1732132800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:Compañeros de vivencia pueden mandar un correo electrónico a latinx@namiboston.org o llamar 781-819-3282 para dejar un mensaje.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-10/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20241024T223559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241024T223559Z
UID:973-1731004200-1731007800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Michael Siena
DESCRIPTION:Biography – Michael Siena\n \nI grew up in Connecticut and moved to the Boston area in 1994 to go to school at Tufts University. I left Tufts during my junior year in 1996 due to experiencing emotional distress and extreme states. I returned and graduated in 2004 with a degree in philosophy. \nDue to a lot of work on my recovery that continues on a daily basis\, I have a full and satisfying life today. I continue to experience emotional distress and extreme states at times but they are less frequent\, less intense and last for less time. I also continue to experience personal growth through my recovery\, as well. \nI enjoy many pursuits including skateboarding\, snowboarding\, hiking\, reading\, writing\, connecting with friends and family and watching basketball. I have been working as a peer specialist for about ten years and feel grateful to have a challenging and fulfilling job. I am also pursuing a recovery coach certification. \nLife can still be difficult and painful at times. I seek to overcome the challenges of life as I reach out for support\, use coping skills\, engage in prayer\, meditation\, spiritual reading and practicing spiritual principles. Maybe most importantly\, I try to put one foot in front of the other\, doing the next right thing regardless of how I feel. As I continue to try to do my best each day\, I see life working out and becoming more beautiful. \nAbout the presentation \nMy talk will start with my recovery story followed by an in-depth description of my work within the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community (MBRLC) over the last ten plus years. I will cover working on the Peer Support Line as well as working at the Boston Resource Center\, giving details of the tools\, resources and challenges involved with working in both settings. At the end of the talk\, I will go over some things I have learned over the years working in the MBRLC and as a person in recovery. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-michael-siena/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241003
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241004
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240912T194936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T195022Z
UID:966-1727913600-1727999999@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:**Announcement: No Zooming Speaker Series in October due to holiday**
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/announcement-no-zooming-speaker-series-in-october-due-to-holiday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240905T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240905T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240802T194035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240802T194115Z
UID:959-1725561000-1725564600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Priestess Ziona
DESCRIPTION:Biography\nPriestess Ziona is the CEO of AMRON International Organization and current Outreach Coordinator for Brockton RCC of South East Recovery Learning Community. She is considered a peer in the Mental Health Recovery community and volunteers throughout the peer recovery movement in various organizations. Ziona holds the Howard Trachtman Award\, an Honorary Doctorate\, amongst other accolades. She used her creative writing talent to express her trauma experiences and became a self-published author. She has shared her story and taught suicide prevention in over 30 schools in Massachusetts. For Ziona\, this is the beginning of her making big strides for her career in the recovery field. \nAbout the presentation\nIn her presentation\, she will share part of her story of surviving trauma\, surviving multiple suicide attempts\, and her road to recovery. Ziona will share information about her project\, “Dating With a Diagnosis” ©  which was started to break the stigma on recovery and relationships. DWAD is about better advocating for our needs and building healthy relationships around us with our spouses/partners\, friends\, and family. The series merges various recovery-based tools and skills to accomplish the effort of having healthier social connections. Ziona will talk about her chapter in the America Psychiatric Association textbook of Hospital Psychiatry\, “From within: A consumer perspective of Psychiatric Hospitals”. She looks forward to answering any questions that may arise during the presentation. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-priestess-ziona/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240801T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240801T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240718T203703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240719T002006Z
UID:952-1722537000-1722540600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Mary Phillips
DESCRIPTION:[Click on PSAN Recovery Speaker Series – Mary Phillips for details and Zoom info] \nAbout\nMy name is Mary Phillips and I currently work at the BMC as a peer specialist.  We have support groups that people can come in person or join on zoom.  I am trained in three NAMI programs; NAMI IOOV\, NAMI connections and NAMI peer to peer.  I began my journey to become a peer specialist about ten years ago.  I started volunteering at the NAMI office in the Schraftt building. This led to me sharing my recovery story at NAMI’s advocacy day at the statehouse. \nI currently attend a NAMI support group for myself called NAMIpsan for my own support and to seek out wisdom from its leader.  The BMC where I currently work is staffed by people in recovery from mental health struggles as well as addictions.  We work together to support members in the community who struggle in these areas.  I help facilitate a NAMI connections group there.  It is a very positive community and I am really enjoying my work there. \nMy talk will share who I am\, what happened in my mental health journey\, what helps me and what’s next for me. \n  \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-mary-phillips/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240617
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240618
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240617T194628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T194628Z
UID:946-1718582400-1718668799@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:**Announcement: No Zooming Speaker Series in July due to holiday**
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/announcement-no-zooming-speaker-series-in-july-due-to-holiday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240502T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240502T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240326T160410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240329T033959Z
UID:933-1714674600-1714678200@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Laura Kaponer
DESCRIPTION:About\nLaura Kaponer is originally from New York State. She relocated to South Carolina for the second time in 2015 after a difficult bout of depression.\nWalking into her first NAMI Connections meeting was truly a turning point in her recovery. For the next three years\, her involvement waxed and waned based on where she was in her\nrecovery. \nIn 2018 she was inspired at the NAMI SC State Conference to\npursue public advocacy. She began writing monthly articles for two publications local to her\, the online publication Thought Catalog\, participated in podcast series with PSYCHU\, became a Certified Peer Support Specialist\, and established her own social media presence. \nAt the 2019 NAMI SC State Conference she was one of the recipients of the “Stigma Buster of the Year” award. In August 2021 she was appointed the NAMI SC PLC Rep\, officially elected into the position at the end of\n2022. For her state\, she has helped reestablish the NAMI SC Peer Leadership Council with the generous support of the SC state affiliates.\nOn the national level she was appointed the NAMI PLC Advocacy Subcommittee Chair. \nShe is a trained connections facilitator\, In Our Own Voice Presenter\, and three-time NAMI Walks Team Captain. \nAdvocacy is truly what keeps her heart pumping. Her main passion is to help expand access to mental health services for her peers from healthcare to conferences. \n  \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-laura-kaponer/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240329T140115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240329T140329Z
UID:936-1712255400-1712259000@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - MJ Griego
DESCRIPTION:About\n \nMJ Griego is a certified peer specialist and director of The Hope Center recovery learning center in Boston\, which offers mental health recovery and community groups online and in person\, as well as 1 on 1 support.  They have been interested in mental health and human connection from a young age\, as well as the arts.  They went to school for Sociology and Chinese and then had experience working at a Boston shelter\, as well as community experience with offering peer support\, mediation\, and event organization.  During COVID lockdown they focused on digital community building\, and in 2021 they started at The Hope Center as a peer group facilitator\, then taking over to direct the program in 2022.  Since then the program has added new training and more groups than before COVID\, offering both online and in-person groups and activities as well as starting 1 on 1 support offerings. \nOutside of peer support\, MJ has a passion for painting\, having vended their art many times and having hundreds of paintings as well as over 40 filled sketchbooks of work.  They also love gardening\, and live with their chosen family of 7 in a big communal house.  They are invested in mutual aid\, subversive crisis care\, and using trauma recovery as a tool to support people’s ability to work towards our collective healing and liberation. \nTalk \nI have struggled with mental health since a young age\, one of my first memories being of concerning intrusive thoughts that led to my family getting me therapy at age 8.  My experience with clinical therapists and psychiatrists has been mostly negative\, and unfortunately my first therapy was exploiting my mental health issues for money without providing me support.  After this experience my family didn’t try to get me a different therapist\, so I went untreated for the rest of my youth.  I felt like an alien\, being judged for being quiet and not smiling enough.  I had a few angry outbursts in elementary school towards others\, but quickly learned to turn that anger towards myself and keep my emotional outbursts for when I was alone where no one could see.  I kept to myself and made art my passion\, and continued to struggle with painful intrusive thoughts and depression as well as fatigue.   \nI never had the experience of being a child full of energy\, I would sit with the adults at parties listening to their conversation or drawing. I craved human connection but struggled finding people who understood me.  Unfortunately my mom struggled with untreated mental illness also\, going from idolizing me to angry outbursts and then later acting as if nothing had happened and offered no apology or promise for change.  I also was pressured heavily by my family to go to college and become a financial provider for them\, as we struggled with finances consistently.  At one point I broke a tooth and my dental care was expensive so my mom didn’t try to get me help\, and I was in pain every day for years.   \nIn senior year I had the opportunity to get a full scholarship to study in Shanghai china.  I loved learning Mandarin and being there but unfortunately the program isolated us from the rest of the students\, and being on my own away from home gave me the opportunity to see how hard my home life was back in Vermont. When I returned\, I could no longer keep my emotional meltdowns and depression hidden away.  I found myself anxious and sad almost constantly.  Through all this I was still able to apply to college and scholarship programs\, and was offered a full ride to Tufts University in boston. \nWhen I started college I continued to struggle severely with mental health.  My whole life I experienced violent self loathing thoughts and thoughts of suicide and self harm.  What was especially hard were the violent thoughts towards others\, which are very stigmatized.  Violent thoughts towards ourselves seem to be more socially acceptable to talk about\, but it’s rare to hear people validate that violent intrusive thoughts towards others doesn’t mean we will act on them.  Anyone who knows me will attest that I am a compassionate person who is able to deal with conflict well and treat people with kindness.  Yet every day even crossing the street or being crowded at the grocery store\, I would have very upsetting thoughts that took over my life and made me feel unsafe. \nI couldn’t hide or pretend I was okay any longer\, and my grades suffered enough that I was at risk of losing my scholarship.  For this reason\, I ended up taking a year off of school to focus on my health.  During that time I got a job and my own housing\, because I knew living with my family would make me unable to truly heal.  I raised my own money to finally get my damaged tooth removed\, and get a therapist.  That year was incredibly important and I’m very proud that I prioritized my health.   \nReturning to school I still struggled due to mental illness and chronic pain and fatigue\, but I was able to make it through classes.  This was when I got gender affirming top surgery\, as well as medication that was helpful for my mental health.  I really learned to advocate for myself\, and unfortunately when I tried to do so with my mom she didn’t validate or believe my mental health problems.  I tried to stand up for myself and get her to take some responsibility for her own anger challenges\, and she decided to disown me as she picked me up from my surgery and was supposed to be there helping me recover.  She simply left and went back to our home state. \nThis experience destroyed my sense of self which I had built around being a good child to her\, and eventually a financial provider.  Family was everything to me\, and suddenly I didn’t have that.  I was forced to be distanced from my brother for years due to this estrangement\, and I had PTSD from the experience with chronic nightmares and severe safety concerns for myself. \nThat was 7 years ago\, and it has taken so much time to recover.  Now\, I have found my own chosen family who respects and loves me\, reconnected with my brother\, and I almost never have intrusive negative thoughts.  I never thought I could feel this good being alive\, but it is possible.  Perhaps the most important piece of my recovery journey was not just getting therapy and medication and learning about self-help\, but taking a lot of time for myself and self acceptance.  I had a lot of time where I specifically didn’t say yes to any responsibilities or projects that weren’t necessary\, and focused on joy and seeing my life as good enough as is.  I was so fixated on helping others that I was putting myself last\, and so obsessed with “fixing” myself that I was actually feeling like I would always be broken because of it.  Peer support as a framework was especially helpful in focusing on my autonomy and not trying to “fix” anyone\, including myself.  It also empowered me to value my experience and expertise in my own life.  Me and my perspective have value even if we are not helping others or being “productive” to the world.  I hope you all get to feel that self love and self value no matter if you still have symptoms sometimes\, or if you can’t always be productive or helping others.  We are allowed to prioritize ourselves sometimes\, especially if we have to make up for love we didn’t get from our childhoods. \n  \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-mj-griego/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240307T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240307T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240205T143034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240205T143034Z
UID:930-1709836200-1709839800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Major General Gregg F. Martin\, PhD\, US Army (Ret.)
DESCRIPTION:About\nMajor General Gregg F. Martin\, PhD\, US Army (Ret.)\, aka the BIPOLAR GENERAL\, is a 36-year Army combat veteran\, bipolar survivor\, thriver\, and warrior\, and a retired two-star general. He commanded an engineer company and battalion\, and the 130th Engineer Brigade during the first year of the Iraq War. A former president of the National Defense University\, commandant of the Army War College\, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood\, he is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist\, who holds degrees from West Point\, MIT (two master’s and a PhD)\, and both the Army and Naval war colleges.    He unknowingly lived most of his life on the bipolar spectrum\, which largely enhanced his performance as a leader\, until it went too high and ended his career\, threw him into crisis\, and led to his hospitalization. Now in his eighth year of bipolar recovery\, he is an author\, speaker\, and ardent mental health advocate\, who lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach\, Florida. He has three sons\, two of whom live with bipolar disorder – an artist and a poet/Special Forces veteran – while the third son is an Army Special Forces officer. Gregg’s life mission now is sharing his bipolar story to help stop the stigma\, promote recovery\, and save lives. His new book\, “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”\, is available on Amazon\, and co-published by the Naval Institute Press (Jack Clancy’s first publisher)\, and the Association of the US Army. For more information\, visit www.bipolargeneral.com . \n \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-major-general-gregg-f-martin-phd-us-army-ret/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20240129T182638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T182933Z
UID:926-1706812200-1706815800@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Recovery Speaker Series - Sabine Mautner
DESCRIPTION:“Peer Support in Clinical versus Peer Led Settings”\nWhat are the strengths and challenges of both? \nPeer Support has become an acknowledged and valued addition to traditional mental health services. On the other handF\npeer-led programs (like Recover Learning Communities) have been around for almost 20 years now and offer peer support\nwithout the add-on of traditional clinical services. How do those two settings compare\, what are their strengths and their challenges. \nAbout Sabine Mautner \nSabine Mautner is Service Director of Recovery and Clubhouse Services at Bay Cove Human Services.  She has been sharing her lived experience for the past 20 years.  Sabine is a WRAP trainer\, COAPS trainer\, and Alternatives to Suicide trainer. She is trained in Intention Peer Support and has been supervising peer specialists since 2016 and recovery coaches since 2018.   At Bay Cove\, Sabine supervises Adult Clinical Community Services Peer Specialist\, as well as managing the Peer Support Network\, part of the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community. and the Recovery Education and Learning (REAL) program that prepares people for the Certified Peer Specialist Training. \n  \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345 \nMeeting ID: 969 8487 4345\nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,96984874345# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,96984874345# US (Germantown) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-sabine-mautner/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings,Speaker Series
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240117T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240117T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20231127T053610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231128T202455Z
UID:918-1705516200-1705521600@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Spanish Support Group for Caregivers
DESCRIPTION:Caregivers can send an email to latinx@namiboston.org or call 781-819-3282 for them to leave a message.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/spanish-support-group-for-caregivers-2/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings,Peer Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231226T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231226T124500
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20230510T201523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230510T201523Z
UID:856-1703588400-1703594700@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:PSAN Peer Support Group
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/psan-peer-support-group-28/
CATEGORIES:Peer Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231220T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231220T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20231127T053455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231128T202407Z
UID:915-1703097000-1703102400@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Spanish Support Group for Caregivers
DESCRIPTION:Caregivers can send an email to latinx@namiboston.org or call 781-819-3282 for them to leave a message.
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/spanish-support-group-for-caregivers/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings,Peer Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231220T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231220T200000
DTSTAMP:20260418T155352
CREATED:20230330T163823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230330T163823Z
UID:668-1703097000-1703102400@namiboston.org
SUMMARY:Latinx SAN - Grupo de Apoyo Familiar
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://namiboston.org/event/latinx-san-grupo-de-apoyo-familiar-9/
CATEGORIES:Latinx Meetings
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR