By TR Robertson
The September meeting of the Youth Enrichment Services group heard a detailed presentation from members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness about the Apps offered to assist with assistance and support about a variety of issues surrounding mental illness and related subjects. The free Apps offered are known as Oscer, Oscer Jr. and alfrEDU. Accessible on your phone free of charge or they can also be reached at www.Oscer.com, www.Oscerjr.com or www.alfrEDU.com. NAMI began in 1970 as a parent support group and by 1979 had become a National Organization. Today NAMI is the largest in the nation of the 600 similar groups. Alexander Ball and Faeth, NAMI members, explained that the NAMI mission statement centered around Support, Education and Being an Advocate. Both Alex and Faeth told of the journey they had personally been on that took them from first dealing with different mental illnesses, the effect it had on their families and the path that took them through a variety of treatments and finding NAMI to not only assist in their issues and to eventually working for NAMI.
Alex explained that the Apps were created to assist individuals and families as a tool and guide to resources to assist, support, educate and direct people to finding out more about mental illnesses and where and how to get help. NAMI is funded by San Diego County. All three apps come in a variety of languages. Oscer Jr. is designed for issues concerning individuals 18 & under. There is also a section called Elevate Youth California Training for 12–26-year-olds. Each has sections on how to deal with Before Crisis Information, During Crisis Information and After Crisis Information. The Aps also have a Substance Disorder Section, a Resources Section. Each has a section listing Help Agencies and Clinics, maps and locations, phone numbers, email listings and much more. They also contain information about Community Advocacy and Peer Support. NAMI lists Support Groups that offer Education Classes. In the alfrEDU App information is available for parents dealing with Family Rights & Education and Due Process issues. Presentations on all of this information is available for schools and organizations and can be specifically designed according to the needs of the group. For more information go to www.nami.org.
Mission: The mission of YES is to be instrumental in creating a positive environment and safety net for young people in Carlsbad and the surrounding community to flourish and grow by collaborating with agencies and organizations that help young people thrive and resist negative influences. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, 8:30-9:30 am, at Pine Avenue Community Center 3209 Harding St., Carlsbad CA 92008
