NAMI Rockland

05/06/2026

Please join us in celebrating a wonderful evening of community and recognition! We invite everyone to join NAMI Rockland in congratulating Board Member Rena Finkelstein, as well as the other distinguished honorees recognized at the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center Annual Gala this past Sunday.

Rena was honored alongside several incredible leaders for their collective dedication to serving our community. We are so proud to have her leadership on our board, and it was a privilege to see her hard work celebrated on such a special night.

Please share your congratulations for Rena and all the award recipients in the comments below!

05/06/2026

🌟 Join NAMI Rockland for our May Health Forum! 🌟

Navigating the legal side of healthcare and planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.

This month, we are thrilled to welcome Antonio Smith from Legal Services of the Hudson Valley! Antonio will be sharing vital insights on navigating legal resources, with a special focus on healthcare proxies and estate planning. Ensuring your wishes are documented and your future is secure is a powerful form of self-care and advocacy for both you and your loved ones.

Whether you have specific questions or just want to empower yourself with knowledge, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Via Zoom

👉 Register here: https://namirockland.org/event/may-2026-monthly-health-forum/

Please share this post to help us spread the word! 💙

05/01/2026

URGENT: Location Update for Monday's Film Screening

We have an important update regarding our upcoming screening of My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life this Monday, May 4th at 7:00 PM.

The event location has been changed. We will now be meeting at the Prusmack Center at Dominican University, rather than Rosary Hall. The street address remains the same (470 Western Hwy S, Orangeburg, NY).

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this last-minute change may cause. We are looking forward to sharing this powerful film and engaging panel discussion with you.

If you have any questions or need directions to the Prusmack Center once on campus, please let us know.

04/29/2026

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER!

On May 4th at 7PM, NAMI Rockland is presenting a screening of My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life, the story of the emotional journey of two brothers navigating the challenges of mental illness. This revealing documentary highlights the impact of depression and bipolar disorder and how it affects those living with and those they love.

WHEN: 7-8:30PM
WHERE: Rosary Hall at Dominican University

Register at https://namirockland.org/event/nami-rockland-presents-my-brother-lost-in-time-a-bipolar-life/

The 15-minute film centers on Dan Lukasik, a prominent NY attorney, law professor and mental health advocate and his younger brother, Paul, who struggled with bipolar disorder. Illuminated through the lens of brotherhood, the film is an emotional tale of love and loss, highlighting the helplessness that often accompanies supporting a loved one with mental illness.

His story is a testament to vulnerability and resilience, offering hope and understanding to those who need it most.

04/28/2026

Please contact your legislator today and urge them to reinforce New York’s longstanding commitment to protecting its most vulnerable residents and align our Constitution with the values and expectations of today’s communities.

https://naminys.org/get-involved/advocate/advocacy-in-new-york/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRdnWVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeT7yGzJIvCfhYS8ptF1Pzd9gZnG2-kfqiHQ7y1et5CVD5-o2VVlggcv0yyXI_aem_UplaDocgNX05m-bsbdkisg

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04/27/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to NAMI Rockland Board Member, Maria Vanessa Cipolla! 🌟

She has been officially named one of the 2026 Women of Achievement honorees by the Rockland Business Women's Network (RBWN)! We are incredibly proud of her dedication, leadership, and the vital impact she continues to make in our community.

Please join us in celebrating Maria's incredible work and this well-deserved recognition! Let's show her some love in the comments. 👇

04/22/2026

Join us on May 15th for an exhilarating evening at the Rockland Boulders game, where we are thrilled to partner with Happy Coffee for an inspiring Mental Health Awareness Night!

Register at: https://namirockland.org/event/nami-spark-rockland-boulders-game/

This is not just a game; it’s a celebration of community and connection as we come together to champion mental health awareness. Cheer with us as we throw out the first pitch, and then settle in for an exciting matchup between the Boulders and the Sussex County Miners!

This is not a drop off event, but tickets for parents and children will be provided at no charge. PLEASE NOTE: there is a parking fee that will be required at the stadium parking lot.

Your presence will help foster a sense of belonging and solidarity, reinforcing our commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Together, we can make a difference!

04/17/2026

Hi NAMI Rockland community,

Please note that our upcoming Monthly Health Forum on "Understanding Dementia & Tips for Healthy Aging," originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 29th with the Nathan Kline Institute, has been postponed due to an unforeseen scheduling change.

We know this is a highly anticipated and important topic for many of our families. We are already working with our wonderful presenters to reschedule this presentation for the fall, and we will share the new date with you as soon as it is locked in!

In the meantime, keep an eye out for details regarding our May forum, where we will be partnering with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to discuss Future Planning and Elder Law.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing you at our next event! 💚

04/14/2026

Register today at: https://namirockland.org/event/monthly-health-forum-april-2026/

Join NAMI Rockland on April 29th for a free, educational presentation led by Chelsea Plaska, PhD, and Andrew Orefice, MS, from the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research. This session is designed to demystify dementia, provide clarity on the diagnostic process, and equip you with actionable strategies for maintaining brain health.

Whether you are navigating a recent diagnosis with a loved one, acting as a caregiver, or simply interested in proactive steps for your own health, this presentation will provide accessible, science-backed guidance.

What We Will Cover:

-What is Dementia? Understanding the difference between normal aging and cognitive decline.

-The Diagnostic Process: How clinicians evaluate memory, behavior, and brain health to reach an accurate diagnosis.

-Understanding Risk Factors: Identifying the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors associated with dementia.

-Tips for Healthy Aging: Practical, everyday habits and strategies to protect your cognitive health and support overall well-being.

-Q&A Session: An opportunity to ask our guest speakers general questions about cognitive health and research.-

04/10/2026

NAMI Rockland is presenting a screening of My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life, the story of the emotional journey of two brothers navigating the challenges of mental illness. This revealing documentary highlights the impact of depression and bipolar disorder and how it affects those living with and those they love. The 15-minute film centers on Dan Lukasik, a prominent NY attorney, law professor and mental health advocate and his younger brother, Paul, who struggled with bipolar disorder. Illuminated through the lens of brotherhood, the film is an emotional tale of love and loss, highlighting the helplessness that often accompanies supporting a loved one with mental illness. His story is a testament to vulnerability and resilience, offering hope and understanding to those who need it most. To register please visit our website at www.namirockland.org

For a peek preview, click here:
https://youtu.be/bg39YvQVLmM?si=2XaHM2Nj2xBZgPbd

My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life is a documentary that tells the emotional journey of two brothers navigating the challenges of mental illness. The fi...

04/09/2026

⚽️ Kickoff Fun & Confidence this April!
Looking for a supportive, active environment where your child can thrive? NAMI Rockland is excited to invite you to our next Spark event: Soccer Activities!

👉 https://namirockland.org/event/nami-spark-april-event-soccer-activities/

We’ve partnered with Ramsey Sullivan of Abled Athletes for an afternoon of guided soccer drills designed specifically for children and teens (ages 7–18) with mental health challenges or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In this judgment-free zone, we focus on more than just the game. Our mission is to help participants:

-Boost Confidence through movement and play.
-Enhance Socialization by connecting with peers.
-Develop Skills in a structured, welcoming setting.

📅 Event Details
When: April 21, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Check-in at 4:15 PM)
Where: Pascack Community Center | 87 New Clarkstown Road, Nanuet, NY

Bonus: Stick around for Free Pizza! 🍕

Help your child find their spark on the field. Space is limited—ensure your spot today!

04/01/2026

Dear Friends,

NAMI Rockland is honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!

Now through June 30th vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle
We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to break the stigma of mental illness and provide advocacy, education and peer support to individuals and their families.

Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!

Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the duration of the voting!