x
  1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Speaker visits Vernon Woman's Club

| 30 Apr 2015 | 03:36
    Surrounded by a wealth of materials about services for families and individuals affected by mental illness, Marjorie Strohsahl from the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs speaks to the GFWC Vernon Township Woman's Club about the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
    Surrounded by a wealth of materials about services for families and individuals affected by mental illness, Marjorie Strohsahl from the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs speaks to the GFWC Vernon Township Woman's Club about the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
    Vernon Township Woman's Club President Judy Filippini, right, and First Vice President Lisa Mills, center, join Marjorie Strohsahl following her presentation about the programs and services offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
    Vernon Township Woman's Club President Judy Filippini, right, and First Vice President Lisa Mills, center, join Marjorie Strohsahl following her presentation about the programs and services offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

VERNON — Marjorie Strohsahl of the N.J. State Federation of Women's Clubs recently spoke to the Vernon Township Woman's Club about the extensive programs and services for families affected by mental illness available through the National Alliance on Mental Illness and its New Jersey affiliate.

Raising awareness and support of NAMI New Jersey is a the two-year-long special state project of the NJSFWC which represents 200 woman's clubs statewide, including the Vernon Township Woman's Club.

Strohsahl, a Sparta resident, chairs the special state project for the NJSFWC Highlands District in the northwest corner of the state. She provided an overview of NAMI New Jersey's mission and efforts to serve the community. Educational programs such as "Family to Family" and "Hearts & Minds" provide critical information to help families gain knowledge and skills for living successfully with mental illness. "NAMI Homefront" raises awareness of the unique needs of veterans. As a voice for those with mental health issues, the nonprofit organization advocates to obtain community support, achieve fairness with health insurance, eradicate stigma and encourage additional research into the causes and treatment of brain disorders. NAMI also sponsors support groups, a toll-free HelpLine, public awareness events, and fundraisers such as NAMIWalks on May 16 in Seaside Heights.

The Vernon Township Woman's Club is doing its part to increase community awareness. The club purchased adult and children's books about mental illness for the Dorothy Henry Library, and filled backpacks with personal care items for mental health patients who were leaving the hospital to help them start a new chapter in their lives.

NAMI NJ is headquartered in North Brunswick, and the Sussex County affiliate is based in Sparta. For more information, visit www.NAMI-sussex-nj.org or call (973)214-0632. For details about the Vernon Township Woman's Club, visit www.vtwc.org.