The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held their national convention in San Francisco, July 6-9. CPNP members were once again involved in a variety of activities at the meeting including hosting a booth in the exhibit hall to increase awareness of psychiatric pharmacists and CPNP. Additionally, CPNP volunteers answered questions from consumers at the ever-popular “Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacist” booth in the exhibit hall.
Consumer Relations Committee Chair Julie Kissack reported “Although the San Francisco weather was chilly, the pharmacists staffing the CPNP booth at the NAMI 2015 National Convention enjoyed a warm reception from and lively discussion with NAMI attendees who stopped by the booth. People attending the NAMI convention appreciated the ability to ask questions at the Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacists booth. Several questions were asked about pharmacogenomic testing with one father sharing that "he was happy that his child received a change in medication after such testing which has contributed to an improved quality of life.”
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. To facilitate that possibility in an easier fashion, the Consumer Relations Committee freely shares slides prepared for any CPNP provided workshops at the NAMI Annual Meeting. This year CPNP members Karen Moeller, PharmD, BCPP, and Brantley Underwood, PharmD, MBA, presented a workshop entitled “Technology and Medications: Making Technology a Snap to Enhance Medication Outcomes.” Drs. Moeller and Underwood addressed how to evaluate websites and mobile applications for reliable information, how to review websites and mobile applications to obtain information on medications and adherence, and how to recognize security and safety issues when sharing personal data on websites and mobile applications.
CPNP’s participation at NAMI would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteers. Members providing their time and expertise as volunteers at the booth included: LaGenia Bailey, Reisel Berger, Judy Curtis, Patrick Finley, Michelle Geier, Hai-Au Luu, Julie Kissack, Karen Moeller, Caroline Tsai and Daina Wells.
The NAMI 2016 Convention is scheduled for July 6-9, 2016 in Denver. We hope you will consider participating in this event next year especially if you are in or near Denver.