Transition Newburyport seeks ideas

Transition Newburyport is hosting an open brainstorming session to develop ideas for raising awareness in the community about the issues of climate change and peak oil (fossil fuel depletion). The group would like to include anyone interested in areas such as community building, relocalization, preservation and sustainability in the creation of a plan to make families and the community more resilient and self-reliant to meet the challenges ahead.

The meeting will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon in the Newburyport Public Library program room. The meeting will use an open space format to encourage everyone's participation. The framework for an awareness-raising plan can be viewed at http://transitionmassachusetts.ning.com/forum/topics/awareness-plan.

For further information visit the Web site at http://transitionmassachusetts.ning.com/group/newburyport or e-mail transitionnewburyport@gmail.com

NAMI support group plans meeting

National Alliance on Mental Illness sponsors a support group for family members and loved ones who care for someone who has a mental illness. Members are not professionals but have been trained by NAMI, and all have a family member who suffers with a mental illness. The group has support from the NAMI Mass office to help answer questions, if needed.

The next NAMI Support Group will be Thursday, July 16, at the Newburyport Savings Bank, State Street, Newburyport, There is no charge for any of the NAMI services, including the support group, which meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The group will not meet in August.

For more information or questions, call Ruth and Charlie Lambert, 978-462-2471, e-mail ruthlambert194@comcast.net or Joyce Cejka 978-463-7835.

'Under Our Skin' exposes secrets of Lyme disease

The award-winning documentary film "Under Our Skin," a tale of microbes, medicine and money investigating the untold story of Lyme disease, will be screened Wednesday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St.

"Under Our Skin," which follows the stories of Lyme disease patients as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, was chosen as best documentary at the Tribeca, Houston and Sonoma film festivals, among others.

The film presented by Open Eye Pictures will also be shown at The Screening Room in downtown Newburyport Aug. 7 through 14.

For more on the film, visit www.underourskin.com.

Fundraiser at Flatbread for breast cancer walk

A fundraiser to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure will be held Tuesday, July 21, 5 to 9:30 p.m., at Flatbread Company, Marke Square, Amesbury. For every pizza ordered, Flatbread Company will donate to the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk on behalf of Team Youth Corps Alumni. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and gift basket raffle.

For more information, contact Amelia and Susan Prior, 978-609-7895.

Grief support group at Anna Jaques

Merrimack Valley Hospice is offering a bereavement support group on Wednesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the library at Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland St., Newburyport.

The group runs through July 29. It is led by Terry Holbrook, chaplain, and Ken Gates, social worker, both from Merrimack Valley Hospice. Call 978-552-4040 for more.

Samaritans holding training for volunteers

The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley is holding its next volunteer training on Saturdays, July 11 and 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers reach out to people who are lonely, despairing or suicidal and call the Samaritans' confidential crisis help lines. People from all walks of life are trained to offer support and caring.

Interested volunteers must attend both training sessions. Call Debbie at 978-327-6671 to register or for more information.

Asperger Syndrome Support Group meeting

The Asperger Syndrome Support Group meets Monday, July 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Higgins Conference Room at Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland St., Newburyport. A general discussion is planned.

The support group addresses the concerns of parents of school-aged children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism, or related challenges.

Meetings are open and free to the public. The group is sponsored by the Asperger's Association of New England and serves area families.

Contact Carol Keating at 978-372-2799 or carolkeating@verizon.net or Suzanne Phillips at 978-356-1775 or suzanne.phillips@gordon.edu for more.

Somatic movement class stretches in Amesbury

Dr. Eric Cutting, a local chiropractor for 25 years, leads a spinal stabilization class on Wednesday, July 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Carriage Room at Amesbury Health Center, 24 Morrill Place, Amesbury.

Participants will learn about abdominal bracing, strengthening spinal support muscles, biomechanics of proper lifting and spinal protection under physical stress.

Cutting believes in supportive self-care along with routine spinal checkups to maintain spinal health. Admission is free. Registration is requested by calling 978-388-7133.

Suicide prevention training targets older adults

The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley is offering a free Department of Public Health-funded training this month to help reduce the incidence of suicide among those over age 55. It takes place Tuesday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lawrence.

The training is for "gatekeepers," people who, through their personal, professional or volunteer activities, have regular contact with older adults. It is particularly useful for those who work with the Meals on Wheels program, transportation providers, custodial and personal care attendants and Elder Services volunteers.

The training will help people recognize changes that occur within the aging process and to identify suicide risk factors and resilience factors in older adults.

Space is limited to 20 participants. For more, contact Robert Lapel at the Samaritans at 978-327-6673 or blaprel@familyserviceinc.com. Visit www.familyserviceinc.com for more.

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If you have an item for Health Beat, contact Sonya Vartabedian at 978-462-6666 or svartabedian@newburyportnews.com.