The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held their national convention in Washington, D.C., September 3-6. CPNP members were once again involved in a variety of activities at the meeting. CPNP hosted a booth in the exhibit hall to increase awareness of psychiatric pharmacists and CPNP. Additionally, CPNP volunteers so answered questions from consumers at the “Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacist” booth in the exhibit hall.
Consumer Relations Committee chair, Shelly Spollen reported, “It was another exciting year for CPNP members who attended the NAMI 2014 National Convention. The Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacist booth was well attended by consumers and family members who asked questions on a wide range of topics keeping our volunteers hard at work. As one mother stated, “there should be one of you guys everywhere.” We think so too.” The Consumer Relations Committee encourages all members to reach out to their local NAMI chapters to benefit consumers and NAMI chapters in a similar fashion to that accomplished at the NAMI National Convention.
This year the Consumer Relations Committee had two workshops accepted for presentation during the meeting. CPNP members Karen Moeller, PharmD, BCPP, and Heidi Wehring, PharmD, BCPP presented a workshop on September 4th entitled “Medication and Treatment Challenges for the Young Adults.” Drs. Moeller and Wehring provided attendees with tools and strategies to take control of their medication regimens. They also discussed risk of substance abuse and the risks, benefits, and common side effects of medications.
CPNP members Gregory Bogart, PharmD, BCPP, and Jennifer Miller, PharmD, BCPP, presented “New Psychiatric Medications: Knowledge is Power” on September 5th. Drs. Bogart and Miller discussed considerations for the use of new medications, side effects, major warnings and compared them to existing medications. Additionally, they gave attendees tools and strategies to educate themselves about new psychiatric medications.
CPNP’s participation at NAMI would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteers. Members providing their time and expertise as volunteers included: Shelly Spollen, Karen Moeller, Judy Curtis, LaGenia Bailey, Alice Mascialino, Heidi Wehring, Kayla Tegeler, Marcus Ellis, Jerry Overman, and Cassidy Zammit.
The NAMI 2015 Convention is scheduled for July 6-9, 2015 in San Francisco. We hope you will consider participating in this event next year especially if you are in or near San Francisco.