NAMI CARES Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
AUGUST 2010 |
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"While the
spirit of
neighborliness
was
important
on the frontier
because
neighbors
were so few,
it is even
more
important
now because
our neighbors
are so many".
~Lady Bird
Johnson | COMMUNITY RESOURCES*
There is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to providing mental health services and supports. It is therefore essential that a diverse array of services exist to meet the unique needs of each individual. NAMI recognizes these needs and provides links to many community resources. Here are a few guides to local resources listed by county. Please see articles below for more internet resources.
Kane County Resources:
www.kanecountyguide.org/:
Kane County Guide to Community Services is a Searchable website which helps people find community services in the Kane County area. See more details in the article below.
www.kanecountymentalhealth.org/:
Kane County Mental Health Council's tips on finding services in Kane County.
www.kanesheriff.com/:
List of Substance Abuse Services, Mental Health Agencies, Psychiatric Hospitals, and
Shelters in Kane County.
Kendall County Resources:
www.co.kendall.il.us/faq.htm:
List of answers to common questions about where to find help in Kendall County.
www.co.kendall.il.us/foia.html:
Kendall County Health Department handles many community services including both individual and group mental health counseling. This site lists all of the services provided by the Health Department and also other departments in Kendall County. Phone: (630) 553-6314
DeKalb County Resources:
www.dekalbcountynonprofits.org/results.asp:
This is the DeKalb County list of nonprofit organizations.
www.niu.edu/women/resources/index.shtml:
The Women's Resource Center of Northern Illinois University provides this list of resources with information about on-campus departments and local community organizations that can offer students (and others) support in finding answers to issues and concerns. Phone: (815) 753-1000
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* Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by NAMI or NAMI-DKK. We do not evaluate the quality of services provided by websites or those organizations included in the lists on the websites and we assume no liability for
information contained in this list or the services provided as a result
of referral.
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Editor's Note
I am constantly coming across resources, especially internet ones as I find information for this newsletter. Even as I am finalizing this month's newsletter I am finding other resources that I would like to include. It is tempting to say I must include them all because people with mental illnesses and their families need all the support they can get. However, at some point I have to stop and say, maybe I can include that in a later issue.
If you have other resources that I have not listed, please feel free to send them to me. I will continue to look for more and include them when I can. Possibly it will become a new feature for the newsletter.
To those of you who get a reprint of the newsletter by mail rather than reading it by email, I apologize that I have concentrated so much on the internet resources. I have included phone numbers for some of the resources. There are also many brochures and booklets at our NAMI-DKK office. Please call 630-896-6264 for more information about what is available and how these written resources can be sent to you.
Sincerely,
Nina Finch
ninef@aol.com
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General Resources*
Internet Resources for advocacy, legal questions, and general health
www.bazelon.org/: Legal and policy advocates www.congress.org/communicate: Tips for writing to Legislators http://www.congress.org/: How to contact Illinois Congressmen www.cpsc.gov:
Consumer information (SLMA**) www.goaskalice.columbia.edu: General Health Information www.healthcare.gov/: Public and private health care options http://www.pslegal.org/: Free legal services to those who qualify Telephone: (630) 232-9415 and (800) 942-4612
www.votesmart.org/index.htm: Identify Your Elected Officials |
Family & Caregiver Resources*
Resource Information for families and caregivers
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 Kane County Guide
to Community Services
 Searchable website helps people find community services in the Kane County area
CommunityPoint is a comprehensive guide to the community resources in Kane County. It includes an overview of social services, how to obtain community services, and some examples of major service providers. A Service Index is provided classified according to service specializations (see below for a list of the specializations). Agency profiles include address, phone numbers, web, and email addresses, hours, disability access, fees, eligibility requirements, and service descriptions.
Basic Needs
Consumer Services
Criminal Justice and Legal Services
Education
Environmental Quality
Health Care
Income Support and Employment
Individual and Family Life
Mental Health Care and Counseling
Organizational/Community/International Services To search for resources go to http://www.kanecountyguide.org/ or click on this link. To see their inclusion/exclusion statement click here. back to top
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NAMI 2010 CONVENTION, WASHINGTON, DC
A Report from the President of NAMI-DKK
I spent the first 3 days of July at the annual NAMI National
Convention, where my big problem was deciding which session, workshop, or
symposia to attend-I wanted to choose them all. Topics included:
Implementing Federal Health Reform, Integrating Mental Health and
Primary Care, Veterans and Military Mental Health, Borderline Personality
Disorder in Adolescents, and two important NIMH (National Institute of Mental
Health) research projects. The
first is the new NIMH RAISE Study:
"Altering the Course of Schizophrenia, a large-scale research project to
explore the effectiveness of early and aggressive treatment." The second NIMH study is ongoing:
"Genetics Research: Brain Biology
and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia."
FAMILY TO FAMILY STUDY: A CONVENTION HIGHLIGHT
Are family members who take NAMI's Family-to-Family class
better able to function and cope with their family member's illness than family
members who have not taken the class? Yes, according to a just-concluded 4 year study, which met
evidence-based practice standards. The final report is due this month.
NAMI CONVENTION AWARD FOR SCIENCE AND HEALTH REPORTING:
Judith Warner, author of "WE'VE GOT ISSUES: Children and Parents in the Age of
Medication," was presented with this award at the NAMI Convention Banquet. She signed my copy "To NAMI DKK-with my
very best regards." It will be in our office library. Warner admits that before writing this book she believed
that children were medicated so parents wouldn't have to deal with school or
family problems. Warner did a
complete about-face as she did the research for this book, and she now writes
about the necessity for treatment and the problems parents face in finding appropriate care for their
children. Her criticisms now are
of doctors who accept money from the pharmaceutical industry, misleading
advertising by drug companies, the necessity for more government regulation,
and even some examples of drug companies influencing research studies. She has a large section of personal
stories from families she interviewed regarding their struggles in finding
appropriate doctors and treatment for their children. Where do these families start? In addition, some families do not even seek treatment
"Because to have a kid with mental health problems is to be a bad parent." Warner documents and explains the
stigma surrounding mental illness. Warner's final chapter "Moving Forward" tries to give a more upbeat
conclusion, with examples of progress in research and mental health care for
children, but the overall impression remaining with the reader is of the
scarcity of help for parents seeking treatment and doctors for their children.
Phyllis Graeser
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Coming Events
September 13th, 2010 - Monday 5:30 pm
NAMIDKK Board Meeting
Location: M H Board Room, 400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, IL
Time: 5:00PM Meal/Committees, 5:30 Meeting
Please call the office for more information (630) 896-6264
February 15, 2011 - Tuesday 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Family-to-Family Classes begin, continuing weekly on Tuesdays for 12 weeks to May 3, 2011. See information above for more details.
Save These Dates:
October 3 through 9, 2010 Mental Health Awareness Week This year's theme is "Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives." October 9, 2010 - Walk/Run in Batavia: RUN FOR MENTAL HEALTH (Previously called the Bat Run) 9:00am
Go to the website: nami5k.com for more details and to register.
October 15 - 17, 2010: NAMI Illinois Educational Conference - Learning Together...Changing Minds in Peoria, IL. You can find more information at the NAMI Illinois website.
November 9, 2010 8:00am to 4:00pm: Suburban-Chicago Interfaith Mental Health Coalition Conference
Mental Health Needs of Your Faith Community, How to Recognize, Respond, and Refer (more info next month)
February 5, 2011 - Annual Dinner/Raffle in Geneva
July 6-9, 2011 - NAMI National Conference to be held at Chicago Hilton
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Research Study Opportunity
Patients and Family Members Needed to Help Solve the Puzzles of Bipolar
Disorder & Schizophrenia
Researchers are looking for participants for a project called Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP). The B-SNIP project is funded by the National Institute of Health to learn about risk for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder and their associated biological and behavioral
traits (called intermediate phenotypes).
The goal of this research is to help better understand the causes of
these illnesses so that better treatments may be developed.
Those eligible are:
~individuals between 15 and 65 years of age, who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder and
~With at least one first-degree relative, i.e. brother, sister, mother, father or child, also between 15 and 65 years of age, who may or may not have a psychiatric disorder, or have history of mental health problems.
For more information or to
enroll contact:
B-SNIP Research Study LineCenter for Cognitive Medicine, Suite 235, Department of Psychiatry
University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center912 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612Phone: 312-355-5549 Email: bsnip@psych.uic.eduAll procedures are
noninvasive and monetary compensation is provided. There is no cost to participants
You can find out about other research opportunities at nami.org.
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August Fast Fact
The term counselor has numerous meanings. Most often it is used to describe someone who is a therapist, which could mean a licensed clinical social worker, a marriage and family counselor (MFC or MFCC), a psychologist or even a psychiatrist who conducts regular therapy sessions. Counselor is also a term used to describe lawyers, who advocate for others in court or give legal advice, a person working as a consul or representative of a state, a person working at a children's camp, at a school to give academic advice, or for a church.
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Family-to-Family
Now Evidence Based
By Hugh Brady
President, NAMI Illinois
This letter from the new president of NAMI Illinois appeared in News from NAMI Illinois, a free email newsletter. Mr. Brady has been president of the NAMI Barrington affiliate and has written other articles published in this newsletter. Here are some comments from the article and then below is a link to the entire article.
"Those of us who have taken or taught Family-to-Family know it works,
but a new research study, which was reported at this year's NAMI
National Conference in Washington DC, confirms it."
"The researchers' hypothesis was that Family-to-Family will improve
coping and problem solving, increase access to resources, decrease the
subjective burden on family members - such things as distress and
depression - and improve family functioning. To test their hypothesis, Dixon and Lucksted worked with several NAMI
chapters in different parts of Maryland. They began with about 1,600
people who contacted the NAMI chapters about taking Family-to-Family."
To view the entire article click on this link to rest of article.
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Media Corner
National Video Contest: Ending Aug 15th
 SAMHSA(Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) and the U.S. Ad Council are sponsoring What a Difference a Friend Makes Contest to help educate and inspire young adults 18-25 years old to support friends and family they know are experiencing a mental health problem. Entries must be received by August 31, 2010. The winning video will be showcased at the Voice Awards in Los Angeles on October 13, 2010, and you and a companion will win a paid trip for two to attend the event. Two runner-up winners will each receive a new Flip MinoHD™ camera. Submissions will need to demonstrate meaningful stories about friends helping another through recovery from mental health problems or during a particularly hard time in their lives. Stories can be drawn from real life or be fictional. Please be discreet about the true identity of the friend with mental health problems unless he/she agrees to participate. Read the complete rules and guidelines. http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/contest/rules.php Website is a Resource for those with Mental IllnessesSAMHSA's What a Difference a Friend Makes site is here for people living with mental illness-and their friends. You'll find tools to help in the recovery process, and you can also learn about the different kinds of mental illnesses, read real-life stories about support and recovery, and interact with the video to see how friends can make all the difference. |
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Take Control of Your Health Care
Online Health Care Tool Now Available to Consumers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a new online tool to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage. Known as HealthCare.gov, the web site provides consumers with information on both public and private health coverage options tailored to their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. The site has a central database of health coverage options, combining information about programs ranging from Medicare to the new Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan, including information from more than 1,000 private insurance plans. |
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NAMI Illinois Training Classes
The following training classes will be offered by NAMI Illinois from Nov 12 - 14, 2010:
NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training
NAMI Family Support Facilitator Training
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator
Training
NAMI Basics Teacher Training
There is an application process for these classes. If you are interested in taking any of this training please contact NAMI-DKK at 630-896-6264.
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Educational Programs
Helping schools reach out to children with mental illness
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PARENTS AND TEACHERS AS ALLIES:
Parents
and Teachers as allies was created to help families and school
professionals identify the key warning signs of early-onset mental
illnesses in children and adolescents in our schools. The program is
intended to provide an educational tool for advancing mutual
understanding and communication between families and school
professionals. This program is designed for two-hour teacher
in-services, parent PTA sponsored evenings, and mental health
professional classes.
RED FLAGS:
Red
Flags is a depression awareness program for middle school students. It
is generally taught in health classes and takes 3-5 class periods. The
teacher can choose between 2 DVD's: "Claire's Story," or "Thick'n
Thin," a more recent story of teenage depression. Two additional DVD's
go with the program, as well as suggested class activites, information
on mental illness and discussion topics.
ENDING THE SILENCE:
Ending
the Silence is a high school health class presentation, typically
presented during the mental health portion of the curriculum. This
interactive program teaches the basic signs and symptoms of mental
illnesses in teenagers, presents personal stories to reduce stigma, and
provides many resource materials for students.
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NAMIDKK
Vision Statement
VISION: NAMI-DKK is dedicated to the eradication of the stigma of mental illness by
improving the quality of life of all those striving for mental health wellness.
NAMIDKK
Mission Statement
MISSION: The mission of NAMI-DKK is to advocate, educate
and support persons, family members and communities dealing with mental health
issues
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NAMI-DKK
Family-to-FamilyScheduled for February 2011
Tuesday, Feb 15, 2010 6:30 - 9:00pm
continuing weekly for 12 weeks through May 3, 2011
Provena Mercy Medical Center
1325 N Highland Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
Classes are free
Registration is required
To register call Denise at 630-405-9336
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Support Groups
NAMI-DKK FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
(No charge, no reservations needed)
These support groups provide relevant information, valuable
insight, and the opportunity to engage in support networks. The groups are led by family members
that have been trained in classes provided by NAMI Illinois. Family members are invited to join more than one group to provide more frequent
support.
Aurora:
3rd Tuesday of
the month,
from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The McDermott room, Provena Mercy Hospital (lower level),
in Aurora.
630-761-6971 (Buzz Hays)
DeKalb:
This support group is not currently meeting. Please contact
our NAMI-DKK office at (630) 896-6264 for the latest information.
St. Charles:
1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
The Congregational
United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. St. Charles, IL. (To get there, go west on Route 64 to
Fox Mill Blvd. and turn left. The
church is south of Fox Mill on the left. The entrance is on the south corner from the parking lot.)
630-584-7481 (Lynette Niequist)
Elgin (NAMI Kane County):
2nd Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
St, Joseph Hospital
(St. Mary's Room lower
level)
Call Laurie 847-695-7957
NAMI CONNECTIONS RECOVERY GROUPS
(No charge, no reservations needed)
Currently the NAMI-DKK Connections Recovery Groups are not
meeting.
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OTHER AREA SUPPORT GROUPS
KENDALL COUNTY SUPPORT GROUPS:
The Kendall County Health Department provides the following
support groups lead by mental health professionals. For further information please contact the KCHD Admissions
Coordinator, Rhonda at (630) 553-9100 X8053
· Life Strengths: Peer
Support for those dealing with chronic mental illness.
· Understanding your
Diagnosis: Family support and for those individual(s) working towards mental
health recovery.
. Dual Diagnosis Group: Treatment for those individuals
addressing both substance abuse and mental health issues.
DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE - Fox Valley
Meets:
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
Behavioral Health Services Bldg.
Campus of Central DuPage Hosp.
27 W 350 Highlake Rd.
Winfield Rd., Winfield, IL.
Contact person: Judy Kramer, Pres.
Phone: 630-466-4851
Email: Judykramer@MCHSI.com
Website: www.DBSAFoxvalley.org
NAMI KANE COUNTY ELGIN SUPPORT GROUP:
CARES Support Group - led by and for individuals working towards recovery
Monday
mornings 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Ecker Center, Elgin - 2nd Floor
for information: NAMI -
847-426-4594
NAMI DUPAGE COUNTY SUPPORT GROUPS:
NAMI DuPage has several support groups that are open to
anyone no matter where you live. There is no charge for these groups. To find out more about these groups and where they meet you
can go to: http://www.namidupage.org/support/support-groups
NAMI BARRINGTON SUPPORT GROUPS: NAMI Barrington has two family support groups that are open to
anyone no matter where you live. There is no charge for these groups. To find out more about these groups and where they meet you
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Consumers' Corner
Calling all consumers!
We would love to have contributions for our newsletter from Consumers who would like to share personal stories, poetry, ideas that have helped you make it through the rough times, or any creative work. If you would like to contribute visual art please contact Nina for details on how to do that.How do you feel about the word "Consumer"? That is the word used by NAMI to indicate a person with a mental illness. Does that word work for you? Do you have an idea for another word that might indicate who you are, yet do it in a positive way? Let us know what you think. Please send your ideas to Nina and she will pass that information on to our Board for consideration. Back to Top |
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Resources
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Volunteer Opportunities
Do you want to help?
NAMIDKK would love to be doing more but there is just not enough time in our days to do everything we think of. If you have an hour or more to help us out we would be glad to hear from you. For some things you do not even need to come into our office to help. If you can help us returning phone calls we will provide training and resource materials. If this is something you would like to do, please contact Elaine at 630-377-1563 or epmulligan1@gmail.com.Your help as volunteers would increase our ability to help improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families. We need: a grant writer, a publicity coordinator, speakers bureau volunteers, help line call takers, dinner/raffle help, more people for our educations programs, someone to join NAMI National's Stigma Buster Alert program, people to help update resource information, as well as newsletter submissions. |
Membership BECOME A MEMBER OF NAMI DEKALB, KANE SOUTH & KENDALL COUNTIES
NAMI DKK is a nonprofit organization affiliated with NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Membership includes: Membership in Illinois and National NAMI
NAMI National's publication Advocate (quarterly)
NAMI Illinois' publication Stateline (quarterly)
NAMI DKK CARES email Newsletter (monthly) New members receive a welcome packet and our NAMI-DKK Handbook (when available). Please complete the information below and mail your check or money order to NAMI-DKK 400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, Illinois 60506 Name:___________________________ Address:_________________________ City:_____________Zip:_____________ Telephone (s):_____________________ Email (s): ________________________ Individual: $30/year _______ Advocate: $100/year _______ Lifetime: $500 _______ Written Newsletter Only _______ ($10 suggested donation) Open Door $3/year _______ (Those with limited means/fixed incomes are invited to join at this reduced rate) Donation Only $ _______ Total Enclosed: $ _____________ Note: Membership and donations are tax deductible. Back to Top
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Forward This Newsletter
PLEASE PASS THIS ON
If you know someone that might benefit from getting this newsletter you can use the link below to forward this newsletter to them. If they enjoy it and want to get it all the time they can subscribe, but only if they want to. They will not be automatically put on our mailing list.
The newsletter is a great way to keep up with what is going on with NAMIDKK, find resources, and learn about ways you can help.
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About Us
NAMIDKK can be reached by
phone: 630-896-6264
fax: 630-896-6365
email: info@namidkk.org
mail: 400 Mercy Lane
Aurora, IL 60506
website: namidkk.org
NAMIDKK is an affiliate of a national network of NAMI groups all over the world. The national website
has many resources for both consumers and families, educational
information about mental illness and treatments, and the latest news
concerning our issues. NAMI Illinois is the state organization
that can direct you to local events and groups as well as keeping us
updated about what is happening in our state. The state website also has resources and links to other organizations.
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NAMIDKK Board of Directors
Phyllis Graeser - President Nina Finch - Vice President Jack Hazel - Vice President Walter Deuchler - Treasurer Mary Ihnenfeld - Secretary Suzanne Deuchler Denise Edwards Bethany Genenbacher Regina Harris Jim McNish Elaine Mulligan Betty Schoenholtz Jennifer Wilcox Legal Advisor: Alschuler, Simantz & Hem, LLC - Jan OPittman, Legal Assistant Accountant: Borhart, Spellmeyer & Co. Back to Top |
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