Happy New Year! We hope you had a healthy, happy holiday season and are doing well.
As we settle back into our everyday routines, the combination of the cold weather and lack of daylight can be quite challenging for some individuals.
With this in mind, this month's newsletter includes an informational article on Seasonal Affective Disorder, and some resources for how to combat the winter blues; we include resources to help combat food insecurity and we list our upcoming events.
From the NATIONAL INSTITUTE of MENTAL HEALTH
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Many people go through short periods of time where they feel sad or not like their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter (also called “winter blues”) and begin to feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.
In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression.
In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Some people may experience depressive episodes during the spring and summer months; this is called summer-pattern SAD or summer depression and is less common.
Below is a short list of articles that offer strategies to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a podcast entitled Hope Starts with Us.
About the series from National Alliance on Mental Illness
One of our latest initiatives to do just that is through starting NAMI’s national office’s first-ever podcast, which I have the sincere honor of hosting. The podcast will focus on one of NAMI’s essential values — hope. It is also a call to action and unity…hope starts with all of us, together — sharing our stories, offering practical advice, breaking the stigma.
We hope this podcast encourages you, inspires you, helps you and brings you further into the collective to know: you are not alone.
Episodes will air every other Wednesday and will be available on most major directories and apps.
Lastest Episode 12: Setting 2023 Intentions
From National Alliance on Mental Illness
For NAMI’s first podcast episode of 2023, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with world-renowned motivational speaker and former Ohio State Representative Les Brown about how listeners can set mental health intentions for the new year by pursuing healthy relationships, speaking positive affirmations into their life and accessing wellness tools and resources for growth.
To listen to the podcast, visit this link: http://bit.ly/3IKADzj
Community Resources for Food Insecurity
Food insecurity affects us all. We either experience it first hand at some point in our lives, or we know someone who has. It is a frightening feeling to not know where your next meal is coming from.
This month we would like to highlight some local resources which may help in times of need.
New Jersey Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) - To apply, visit this link
If you need assistance applying for SNAP benefits contact the Northeast New Jersey
Legal Services in Jersey City at (973)523-2900 or through their website
Spread The Love 2023 Event
This year the Coalition for Food and Health Equity is hosting "Spread the Love" in partnership with 3 Acres and Doordash. The Spread the Love event provides meal delivery to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity across the Greater Hudson community. Individuals can register to get customized bags of Love delivered directly to their doorsteps or drop by our event location and pick up your Spread the Love meal bag!
Register by February 2nd, 2023 for meal pick up or delivery:
Meals On Wheels - Hudson County
Meals on Wheels offers nutritious meals for homebound older adults and people with disabilities. The delicious frozen meals are easy to heat and are delivered directly to your home each week by caring and compassionate staff and volunteers.
Please contact the North Hudson Council of Mayors at (201)-866-4004
St Matthew's Lunchtime Ministry
Four days a week, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, St. Matthew Trinity’s parish hall becomes an oasis for those who need a nourishing meal and a place to sit with friends. Located On 8th & Hudson Streets, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Hudson County Food Pantries - Find the current list of Hudson County pantries below
Community Food Banks of New jersey - Locate Food Assistance Near You at the following link:
We Want to Hear From You - About Local Events
NAMI Hudson County attends community events throughout Hudson County. At the events, our volunteers provide mental health materials, share information about our support groups meetings, and offer guidance to those in need. Last year we attended 15 events* and would like to see our participation grow! If there is a community event happening near you, please let us know as early as possible and we will try to be there.
You can email us details at namihudson@gmail.com or call us at 201-283-8776.
* List of 2022 events that NAMI Hudson County attended
NAMI Family Support Groups are free, peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Attendees gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
NAMI Consumer Connections Support Group are free, peer-led support groups for adults living with mental illness. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others experiences.
Groups meet on Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
REGISTER HERE for the January 17th meeting.
BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF NEW JERSEY
Did you know that individuals with brain injuries are more at risk for mental health concerns?
On January 24 at 7pm, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey will speak about how concussions and brain injuries impact hundreds of thousands of people each year.
In this workshop, they will provide an overview of brain injury, identify the relationship between brain injury and mental health, explore the issues and treatment barriers related to the two, and review resources for individuals impacted by brain injury.
To attend this presentation, please REGISTER HERE
We Want to Hear From You - About Speaker Series Presentations
NAMI Hudson County is scheduling its Spring 2023 speaker series and we would like to hear your ideas for topics. Please share your thoughts by completing the community interest survey.