NAMI Marion/Polk

*|MERGE1|*, Make an Impact on 🙌Donate Today! - https://mailchi.mp/namimarionpolk/make-an-impact-on-givingtuesday-donate-today

Friend, Make an Impact on #GivingTuesday 🙌Donate Today! Your support helps NAMI maintain our critical, life-saving programs and support, which millions of people nationwide rely on. During our Matching Gift Challenge, your gift will help bring these vital programs to twice as many people affected by mental illness.

Make a donation to NAMI Marion/Polk today for !

#GivingTuesdy - NAMI Marion/Polk Your support helps NAMI maintain our critical, life-saving programs and support, which millions of people nationwide rely on.

🍁Fall is here Friends, so is our Newsletter! - https://mailchi.mp/namimarionpolk/fall-is-here-so-is-our-newsletter

Reimagine Crisis: A week of Action - NAMI Marion/Polk REIMAGINE: A Week of Action to Reimagine Our National Response to People in Crisis Throughout the week of November 15-19, REIMAGINE will bring together leading organizations to discuss how to create a mental health and su***de crisis response system that works for everyone. Free, virtual events will...

Now it's easier to send NAMI Marion/Polk a message.

“You can't have a conversation about the health and well-being of children and teens without being mindful of the mental health effects of the pandemic as well,” said Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director of NAMI. “We urge Congress to take action this year and invest in mental health care of kids to increase access to services and resources.”

📅 Join us for NAMI Oregon's Annual Conference - https://mailchi.mp/namimarionpolk/join-us-for-nami-oregons-annual-conference

💉🎉 TODAY!

Vaccination clinic at Chinook Winds Casino Friday, May 14

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is having a COVID-19 vaccine event at Chinook Winds Casino on Friday, May 14, from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. This drive through event is open to all Oregon residents ages 18 and up. Pre-registration is required. No insurance information needed. Spanish interpreters available on-site.

To register call 541-444-9636 and leave a message. We will call you back to schedule. This call back number may say ‘potential spam’. Or you can text 541-819-4322 to register via text.

Join our team for NAMI Walks this year!

NAMI Marion/Polk - Salem Area Team fundraising page for NAMI Marion/Polk - Salem Area

WTG! Have YOU signed up to walk with us yet? We have two teams for Marion/Polk this year and would love for you to join us - feel free to message us for more info!

Over the last few days, walkers have raised more than $12K! Help us keep up the momentum: invite your friends, family, coworkers and others to help us raise awareness and keep NAMI programs free for those who need them. Sign up at www.namiwalks.org/northwest NAMI-Clackamas NAMI Central Oregon NAMI Columbia County, Oregon National Alliance on Mental Illness Beacon Clubhouse - a project of NAMI Oregon NAMI Mid-Valley NAMI Marion/Polk NAMI Multnomah NAMI Southwest Washington NAMI Washington County Oregon NAMI Southern Oregon

Vaccination Events this week!

💉 Vaccine Opportunities

It's getting easier to find a COVID-19 vaccine in Marion County. The following vaccination events are happening this week and are open to anyone 16 years and older:

• Keizer City Hall •
Thursday, May 6 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Appointments are required. To sign up, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4daba629aaface9-covid27

• Woodburn Drive-Thru Clinic at Centennial Park •
Thursday, May 6 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required. To sign up, enter the access code "2021" at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0848aaa72eaaff2-05062021

• Salem Health Walk-In Clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds •
Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment needed.

For a list of providers currently administering vaccines in Marion County, please visit: https://www.co.marion.or.us/HLT/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx

Now that so many folks are choosing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, people are wondering what the benefit is since they still need to take precautions.

COVID-19 is still spreading in Oregon, so it’s important to continue wearing a mask, limiting gatherings and taking other precautions, but there are some other advantages to getting the vaccine.

When you’re vaccinated, you’re contributing to building a safer community because when more people are vaccinated, it’s harder for the virus to spread. Another benefit is that you might feel a little less worried about becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 if you’re vaccinated.

- Update from Oregon Health Authority

Are you looking for a support group? Don't forget, we are on Zoom! Join us and several NAMI Oregon affiliates, check out the various times you can join at our website =D
https://namimarionpolk.org/project/nami-oregon-online-support-groups/

The vaccine will not make you sick with COVID19 - you may experience some mild flu like symptoms and this is GOOD! This is a sign that it’s working! Please ask if you have any questions or concerns, we want you vaccinated!

There’s been some speculation on social media that taking the vaccine can make you sick with COVID-19. Here's what our experts had to say about this concern.

Hello friends! Appointments have opened up at the Fairgrounds, we have extra vaccinations available! Schedule your appointment to get it ASAP

https://mhealthcheckin.com/covidvaccine?clientId=1618601161475®ion=Portland_-_7&urlId=%2Fvcl%2FSalemFairgrounds

Service Dashboard mHealthCoach, Employee Screening Solution

Walk Your Way! Join Us May 22nd Invite your friends and family to participate.

If NYC can do it, so can we!

🎉🎉🎉HUGE NEWS. ⁣
⁣
After 6 months of pilot testing here in NYC, the city just announced that ALL mental health calls in New York are being removed from the NYPD altogether. ⁣
⁣
It will take some time to implement this, but last year over 154,000 mental health calls went to the NYPD. ⁣
⁣
That’s 421 calls a day that won’t be going to the NYPD anymore. ⁣
⁣
That’s less brutality. ⁣
That’s thousands fewer arrests for people who actually need treatment. ⁣
⁣
Now, that funding and staffing should no longer be needed by the NYPD. ⁣
⁣
Move the funding they would’ve had for this over to social services. ⁣
⁣
This is all we mean when we say Defund the Police. ⁣
⁣

From Oregon Health Authority -

Along with the CDC, we're closely monitoring variants of concern: Variants that have mutations in the virus genome that alter the characteristics and cause the virus to act differently. For example, a variant of concern may cause more severe disease, spread more easily between humans, require different treatments and change the effectiveness of current vaccines.

While we are seeing one variant of concern, B.1.1.7, become more prominent in Oregon, people also seem to be relaxing their precautions. Much of the increase in cases we’re seeing is in younger people and is due to social gatherings where people are not wearing face coverings. The fact that variant B.1.1.7. has become Oregon’s dominant strain is intensifying the spread at these events.

The good news is that we know how to turn this around. At this point, it appears that the COVID-19 vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7.

The same precautions that we have been taking throughout this pandemic are what will slow this spread – wear a face covering and keep gatherings small and outdoors. And get vaccinated if you’re eligible. The best way to end the pandemic is by vaccinating enough of the population to keep the virus from being able to spread easily.

📢 CALL TO ACTION - Fund Mobile Response Units for Salem - https://mailchi.mp/namimarionpolk/call-to-action-fund-mobile-response-units-for-salem

At your vaccination appointment, you may be asked for ID, but you are not required to provide it in order to receive your vaccination.

NAMIs signature program Peer-to-Peer is coming to Marion/Polk soon! In the meantime, if you’re interested you can sign up for an upcoming class in Zoom beginning May 15th.

NAMI Southern Oregon will offer its confidential NAMI Peer-to-Peer Education Program to all Oregon residents beginning Saturday, May 15.

When: Every Saturday for eight weeks at 1:00-3:00pm

Where: Online via zoom, no account needed

For questions or to register: contact Doug at 541-261-7640 or [email protected]
https://www.nami.org/Find-Your-Local-NAMI/Affiliate/Program-Details?classid=a2u1Q000001lDZUQA2&state=OR

Stable housing is su***de prevention!

Salem Housing Authority is accepting applications for the Salem Emergency Mortgage Assistance program. Funded by a HUD $100,000 COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant, this program provides mortgage assistance to qualified City of Salem homeowners whose mortgage principle payments, interest, tax, and insurance are in arrears due to hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grantees may receive assistance up to $2,500 per month for up to three months, or $5,000, whichever is less. Income limits and other restrictions apply. More information is available at

www.salemhousingor.com/mortgageassistance. City will have assistance available in multiple languages.

Mortgage Assistance — Salem Housing Authority Mortgage assistance is available to low-income households within Salem, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stay safe amoung the variants found in our communities! Vaccinations are now available to all Oregonians 16+. These are FREE

The spread of COVID-19 is accelerating throughout the state, driven by more transmissible variants and our actions.

“A fourth wave is upon us,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist.

If COVID-19 continues to spread at this rate, Oregon hospitals risk being swamped by virus-stricken patients, and counties could return to higher risk levels.

Several times during this pandemic Oregonians have stepped up to turn back a resurgent tide.

We all know how to make the safest choice: wear a mask, limit indoor gatherings, keep our distance and get vaccinated as soon as it’s available to us. The more we reduce the spread today, the closer we’ll be to the day when we can return to more ordinary activities.

🧠Getting your vaccine: Know before you go🧠

If you have a vaccination appointment coming up, you may be wondering what it will be like and how to prepare for it.

Here’s what you can expect at the appointment:

🙌THE VACCINE IS FREE!🙌

👏You, and the person who is vaccinating you, will need to wear a face covering that covers your mouth and nose. 👏

💪The shot will be given in your shoulder so it’s helpful to wear a short sleeve shirt. 💪

✌️You are not required to show identification or to give them a social security number. ✌️

🤌If you have health insurance, you may be asked to show your insurance card so that the clinic can bill the administration fee to them. 🤌

⏲After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you will be monitored on site for at least 15 minutes. ​ ⏲

✍️You should receive a vaccination card with the CDC logo on it. Hold onto that card. You may also want to take a picture of your vaccination card in case you misplace it. ✍️

🤝Schedule your second dose from the same site where you received your first. 🤝

This week has been emotionally difficult for people in Oregon and all over the country. Not only do we have COVID-19 exhaustion, but we are facing difficulties together as a collective. We are talking to, learning from and creating change together, but the work is tiring. We are learning to heal from the historic trauma that have hurt marginalized people. The highs and the lows of the news can feel like riding a roller coaster, and it is easy to forget that we need to pause and reflect on what we need to be well.

Here are some ways to take good care of yourself:

Talk to someone who will listen with care.

Play some favorite music.

Take some deep breaths.

Practice a hobby that you enjoy.

Read a good book.

Cuddle with your pet.

Unplug for a while if you need to.

And remember that taking precautions to keep yourself and your community safe from COVID-19 is also a way to take care: wear your mask, watch your distance, limit your gatherings and wash your hands frequently.

It’s okay to give yourself this moment to believe that things can be okay.

Oregon Health Authority | NAMI Oregon

😷 COVID-19 Vaccination Update! - https://mailchi.mp/namimarionpolk/covid-19-vaccination-update

Now, everyone in Oregon who is 16 and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. If you’re 16 or 17, or the parent/guardian of someone who is, here’s what you need to know:

Pfizer is the only vaccine that is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by people under the age of 18.

Sixteen and 17-year-old people should look for appointments in locations that have access to the Pfizer vaccine.

Not all vaccine websites tell you what kind of vaccine is available. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is working to increase information about the type of vaccine that’s available. VaccineFinder.org does allow you to search for locations that provide the Pfizer vaccine.

There are some areas of the state where the Pfizer vaccine is not readily available. OHA is working to expand the availability of Pfizer throughout the state.

Under Oregon law, minors 15 and older may give consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, provided by a physician, physician assistant, naturopath, nurse practitioner, dentist or optometrist, or others operating under the license of these providers, without the consent of a parent or guardian.

It is OHA’s understanding that most locations where COVID-19 vaccinations are provided have oversight by a medical provider who would meet the definition of the provider types listed above, and therefore consent of a parent or guardian should not be required for a 16- or 17-year-old who wishes to get the Pfizer vaccine. Providers administering COVID-19 vaccinations to 16- or 17-year-old people should make it clear at the time a vaccine appointment is made whether consent from a parent or guardian will be required.

The vaccine is free. You do not need to have insurance to use it. If you do have insurance, you may be asked for an insurance card so that an administration fee can be billed to the insurance company.

You do not need to bring proof of eligibility, identification, social security number or health insurance. Vaccine providers may ask if you live in Oregon or what kind of work you do.

For more information on vaccination for 16 and 17-year-old people, see the FAQ on OHA’s webpage.

We know that it’s been a hard year and we’re missing the people we love but we need to stay vigilant - even if you’re fully vaccinated, stay vigilant in your efforts to reduce the spread of COVID

With the arrival of unseasonably warm and dry temperatures this weekend, you may be planning to do some outdoor activities.

The good news is that outdoor activities are a low-risk way to enjoy yourself during the pandemic.

However, much of the spread we’re seeing throughout the state has been caused by large social gatherings where people are not physically distant and are not wearing masks.

We all know how to make the safest choice: wear a mask, limit indoor gatherings, keep our distance and get vaccinated as soon as it’s available to us. The more we reduce the spread today, the closer we’ll be to the day when we can return to more ordinary activities.

As Dr. Dean Sidelinger, State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist, pointed out at yesterday's media availability, “This is not forever – just for now.”

Dr. Dean Sidelinger also shared:
- Daily cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled in just over a month.
- The largest increased illnesses in Oregon are in people in their 20's.
- The second biggest increase is in people in their 30's.

According to the CDC, hospitals around the U.S. are seeing more people in their 30's and 40's who've been admitted with severe cases as the virus continues to mutate.

"We find ourselves at another inflection point. Our actions over the next few weeks will determine when and whether we are able escape the pandemic. We have worked diligently since March to protect ourselves, loved ones and communities. We have stayed home – moved celebrations online, missed mourning with our families, some have lost jobs – and all have made tremendous sacrifices.”

(You can watch a replay of yesterday's media availability here: youtu.be/7VsxUhFNyRk)

Access to Vaccinations

Governor Brown, OHA provide update on vaccinations in vulnerable communities and spread of COVID-19

Today, Governor Brown and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) held a news conference to give updates about COVID-19 in Oregon. Below are some of the main topics covered. You can watch a recording of the conference in English or Spanish.

Access to vaccination

OHA Director Patrick Allen acknowledged that, while OHA has worked to create equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines, we have not succeeded.

“The numbers are stark and clear,” said Director Allen. “For too many people, race and income are predictors of whether you can access a COVID-19 vaccine – or not. Yesterday, I heard the leaders of organizations who serve the Latino/Latina community voice their legitimate frustration at the inequitable disparity in vaccination rates for the Latino community. I share their frustration. As a state, we can and need to do better.”

Despite state efforts to prioritize vaccination of Latino community members, vaccination of Latinos/Latinas in Oregon remains low. As the state opens eligibility to everyone who is 16 and older on Monday, April 19, OHA pledges to focus efforts on those who have been most vulnerable to COVID-19 by working with community leaders.