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The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held their national convention in Seattle, WA, June 19-22, 2019. CPNP members were once again involved in a variety of activities at the meeting including hosting a booth in the exhibit hall where CPNP volunteers answered questions from consumers at the ever-popular “Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacist” booth.

CPNP was selected to present a workshop this year after participating in a highly competitive selection process. Michaelene Kedzierski, RPh, CDP, Clincial Professor, University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Seattle, WA, presented a workshop entitled “Mental Health, Opioid Use Disorders and Medication-Assisted Treatment.” Dr. Kedzierski provided participants with an introduction and overview of medication-assisted treatment.

Public Education Committee (formerly Consumer Relations Committee) Chair Dara Johnson, PharmD, BCPP, led the volunteer psychiatric pharmacists visiting the "Ask the Psychiatric Pharmacist" booth answering questions on a wide range of medications and about CPNP. "It was a privilege to meet and engage with the attendees at the NAMI convention. The enthusiasm to be able to ask questions of an expert was felt throughout the conference and confirms the very important role of a psychiatric pharmacist." The NAMI attendees were very thankful for the volunteers.

CPNP’s participation at NAMI would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteers. Members providing their time and expertise as pharmacist volunteers at the booth included Samantha Gonzales, Elizabeth Haake, Fred Jestrab, Dara Johnson, Marija Markovic, Katy Tomisser, and Yuchen Wang.

The Public Education 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 Public Education Committee provides several turnkey resources for CPNP member use including:

The NAMI 2020 Convention is scheduled for July 15-18, 2020, in Atlanta, GA. We hope you will consider participating in this event next year, especially if you are in or near Atlanta.

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