NAMI CARES
Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
JUNE 2011
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How California Can Comply With Supreme Court Order to Release 33,000 Prisoners
by DJ Jaffe Founder, Mental Illness Policy Org. as written in the Huffpost Los Angeles
Much of the country is in a dither over the Supreme Court decision (Brown v. Plata) that requires California to release up to 33,000 inmates in order to reduce prison overcrowding. Rather than dither about it, Mary Ann Bernard wrote a passionate and thoughtful piece in the National Review Online on how to comply with the court order while improving care for people with mental illness and keeping the public safer. After noting the high percentage of inmates who have mental illness she states, "The solution [to reducing prison overcrowding] lies in returning treatment of the mentally ill to the mental-health system." She quotes Dr. E. Fuller Torrey's The Insanity Offense on how due to the best of intentions, persons with mental illness were kicked out of hospitals and left to fend for themselves. That led to a "highly visible homeless population, of whom 30 to 50 percent are estimated to be mentally ill. These people often then commit crimes, with prison the inevitable next step." Recognizing that treatment can prevent incarceration, she then argues for three reforms... Read more about the three reforms that she suggested and find a link to the original article by Mary Ann Bernard
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NAMI DKK Offers Course
Free Classes for Parents 
NAMI Basics
The fundamentals of caring for you,
your family, and your child with mental illness
Six week education course taught by parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness.
Classes include:
· Introduction - it's not your fault
· The biology of mental illness
· Treatment works
· Problem solving skills
· How to work within systems (school, juvenile
justice, mental health)
· Shared stories
Classes will be held on Saturdays
September 17th - October 22nd 2011.
9:00 a.m - 11:30 a.m.
in the Buckley Room at Provena Mercy Medical Center
1325 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora
Registration is required.
To register call Karen: 630-664-9103 or NAMI DKK office: 630-896-6264
NAMI DeKalb, Kane South & Kendall Counties
400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, IL 60506
630-896-6264
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Kane County Seeking Funds to Study Alternative Treatment Court
Please support this project
Kane County for over twelve years, with the help of many county organizations has been developing the Kane County Mental Health Protocol. This protocol is a guide for first responders and others to use when they encounter a person with mental illness in a crisis. For five years Kan e County has had a Treatment Alternative Court (TAC) to help those with mental illness get treatment and avoid jail time by following specific guidelines set up by the court. Kane County Judiciary recently applied for a grant from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) which would provide funding to expand the Treatment Alternative Court (Mental Health Court) and the Drug Rehabilitation Court and study its effectiveness at reducing the cost of incarceration. Keeping those with mental illness out of jail and in treatment makes even more sense now when our state is desperately trying to reduce spending. Unfortunately it is often difficult for us to convince legislators that spending dollars now on treatment and other social programs is cost effective in the long term. The Honorable F. Keith Brown, Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, as a supporter of the TAC is requesting the funding at the urging of NAMI DKK. NAMI DKK is hopeful that this grant will be the next step in treating those with mental illness with the respect and understanding that they deserve. This SAMSHA grant will allow Kane County to save your tax dollars and at the same time provide treatment and an opportunity to make positive changes to those that are in desperate need due to budget cutbacks in Illinois funding. Please contact the people listed below to let them know that as a citizen of Kane County you are in full support of this opportunity for our county to be on the cutting edge of a practical and effective way of dealing with persons with mental illness: U. S. Senator Richard Durbin 711 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 phone: 202-224-2152 fax: 202-228-0400 To email Senator Durbin
U. S. Senator Mark Kirk
387 Russel Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
phone: 202/224-2854 fax: 202-228-4611
To email Senator Kirk U. S. Representative Randall M. "Randy" Hultgren
427 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2976 Fax: (202) 225-0697
To email Rep Hultgren
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Corner of Conversation
YOUR turn to tell us what YOU think
The article below from the NAMI Blog gives us information, but has some obvious problems. The term "top" here is very vague so the list that was generated doesn't really mean much. Were they "top" because they were deeply moving, educational, or funny? Were they "top" because they depicted mental illness in a realistic way? Were they "top" simply because they were the names of movies that people remember the most about mental illness?
I would rather get a little more information about why these movies were picked. So, here is your chance to help us pick out a movie the next time we sit down with a bucket of popcorn. Give us the name of the movie about mental illness which helped you to see mental illness in a new light, the movie that seemed very much like your own experience with mental illness or the movie that sticks in your memory for some other reason. Don't forget to tell us why you picked the movie. I will give you a couple of weeks to respond and then the next month I will give you results. I may not be able to print all of the responses, but I will do my best to pass on the opinions of our readers. Please email your responses to: ninef@aol.com or send a note to: NAMI DKK, 400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, IL 50506. Please send them in by July 1st.
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The Top 10 Movies about Mental Illness
By Brendan McLean, Communications Coordinator from the NAMI Blog
There will always be disagreements and discrepancies among Top 10 lists, no matter what the topic. Everybody has an opinion. When we asked our NAMI Facebook page fans what movies made the biggest impact on them when it came to films that put mental illness in the spotlight, we received a wide array of answers.
(If you haven't read the article above please read that so that you understand why I have included this article in our newsletter. Here is the number one movie in his list, along with comments by Mr. McLean. Below that is a link to the rest of the movies in the list along with comments. NF)
1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Telling the story of John Forbes Nash, Jr. (Russell Crowe), a brilliant mathematician, A Beautiful Mind, captures the difficult life that an individual first experiencing schizophrenia faces. Beginning in the 1950s, A Beautiful Mind follows the path of Nash from a promising career, being recruited by the CIA to help in code-breaking activities, to the powerful delusions that he begins to experience and change his life forever. Although the film does romanticize mental illness, it does reveal the ambiguous nature of mental illness; it can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, prominence or any other personal trait.
Read the names of the other 9 movies and comments about each
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Coming Events
NAMIDKK Board Meeting - The next meeting will be August 8, 2011. Save These Dates June 23, 2011 - 7:00 pm - Strategic Advocacy Training (See details below)
June 25, 2011 - NAMI Saturday Coffee Details
July 6-9, 2011 - NAMI National Conference to be held at Chicago Hilton (See details below) August 23, 2011 - NAMI Family-to-Family Course Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9:30pm through November15, 2011
August 30, 2011 - Cougars VS Chiefs Baseball Game and Picnic Fundraiser (See details above) September 17, 2011 - NAMI Basics Course Begins Saturdays 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Details |
June Fast Fact
About 25% to 30% of victims of significant trauma develop PTSD, according to a Dec. 15, 2003, American Family Physician report.
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Cougars Baseball and Picnic
A Fund-raiser for The Friends of Mental Health Treatment Alternative Court
Kane County Cougars
vs
Peoria Chiefs
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Picnic and Game Begins at 6:30 pm
~All-you-can-eat Pre-Game Picnic located on the Center Field Patio Deck from 6:30 - 8:00pm
~The group will help lead the crowd in the singing the 7th inning stretch!
~Stick around and run the bases after the game!
~Randomly selected member of the group will throw a ceremonial first pitch!
~Order deadline is August 9
$30 per ticket or 4 for $100 (includes ticket and picnic)
Please make checks payable to NAMI DKK
Send name, address, phone # and check or credit card # with expiration date to:
NAMI DKK - Cougars Outing
400 Mercy Lane, Aurora IL 60506
For more information contact Shawn Touney at (630) 232-8811 or stouney@kanecountycougars.com
Elfstrom Stadium
34W002 Cherry Lane
Geneva, IL 60134
630-232-8811
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Free Strategic Advocacy Training
How to Get the Most For Your Child at Your Next IEP/504 Meeting
Thursday, June 23, 2011
7:00 pm
Hampton Inn Yorkville
310 E. Countryside Parkway
Yorkville, Il., 60560
Due to limited seating, reservations are required.
Contact Rachel at:
ph. 630.553.8444
Rachel@langstonpediatrictherapy.com
This presentation will focus on the key advocacy strategies that will allow you to make effective arguments for your child at your next meeting. The presentation will cover topics including:
-pre-meeting and post-meeting documentation
-writing measurable and meaningful goals and present levels of performance
-transition planning
-behavioral planning
-assistive technology
This presentation should allow the participants to negotiate with the school to achieve a better IEP and more meaningful outcomes for your child. Charles P. Fox, of the Law Offices of Charles P. Fox, has been practicing in the area of special education law for 16 years. He has successfully represented hundreds of families to achieve their advocacy goals for their child. He is also the primary author of the blog specialedlaw.blogs.com that has many resources to supplement the presentation. Event Sponsored by: Langston Pediatric Therapy Back to Top
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2011 NAMI Convention in Chicago!
NAMI returns to the heartland for its 2011 convention
 The Midwest--where NAMI originally coalesced as an organization--continues to be a vital source of new ideas, new energy and new hope for families living with mental illness. Our 2011 convention will feature: ~Top-notch researchers and clinicians providing ~information and tools to advance and sustain recovery from mental illness. ~The country's keenest minds and savviest policymakers offering strategies and tactics to effectively advocate for changing the mental health system in our nation. ~Abundant networking opportunities so we can learn from each other on how to make change on the local level. ~Inspiration, innovation and an exhilarating four days in one of America's great cities.
The NAMI Convention is packed with information, chances to network, leadership development opportunities, and lots more. View the schedule
Events will fit many areas of interest, such as:
~Becoming more familiar with NAMI's leadership
~Obtaining tools to enhance my leadership skills
~Learning about programs and resources for me and/or my family member (CE credits available)
~Finding out about new services, research, and treatment (CE credits available)
~Looking for an entertaining change of pace and/or a chance to connect with other attendees
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Family Experiences with Primary Care: New Report and Brochure
Important Reports Tell the StoryNAMI released The Family Experience with Primary Care Physicians and Staff, a report on family experiences with primary care doctors in treating children and adolescents living with serious mental illness, exposing a broad gap between family needs and practitioner knowledge and resources. The report also summarizes comments from doctors that families have found most helpful in addressing their concerns, resources families would like to see in primary care offices and recommendations families have on how doctors can follow-up with mental health concerns. The 15-page survey report, along with a brochure for doctors and staff on how to communicate and partner with families, are available online. Discover more resources about the mental health materials that you can share with primary care physicians and staff to help them address youth with mental health needs. Back to Top
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Help Researchers Study Learning Disabilities
Why is learning so difficult for some children?
The researchers use fMRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to study how a child's brain reads, does math and how it changes as they develop.
Children are asked to participate in:
~standardized testing of reading, math and IQ
~Practice sessions to learn math and reading tasks
~MRI sessions of brain structure and function
Testing takes place after school or on weekends at Northwestern University (Evanston) and the center for advanced MRI (Chicago)
The entire project takes about 8 hours your time and participants who enroll will be paid
Who is invited to participate?
~Children ages 8 to 13 years old
~Typically developing children
~Children with dyscalculia (math disability)
~Children with dyslexia (reading disability)
~Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
If you are interested please contact:
(847) 4676842 or dcn@northwestern.edu
www.dcn.northwestern.edu
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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 provide support education and advocacy for persons, family members and communities dealing with mental health issues
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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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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 currently not 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:
DeKalb(NIU): Meets Monthly the last Saturday at 12 noon in Immanuel Lutheran Church on Russell Rd.
Follow signs. Easy parking
Contact person: Charles Smith Phone: (815) 398-9628 Fax: (815) 398-5995 Email: mrsippy1d@comcast.net Website: www.grouphope.org
Fox Valley: Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at:
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
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 can click on this link. |
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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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 Walter Deuchler - Treasurer Mary Ihnenfeld - Secretary Suzanne Deuchler Denise Edwards Regina Harris Jack Hazel Jim McNish Elaine Mulligan Betty Schoenholtz Legal Advisor: Alschuler, Simantz & Hem, LLC - Jan OPittman, Legal Assistant Accountant: Borhart, Spellmeyer & Co. Back to Top
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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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Ways to donate to NAMI-DKK:
 By phone: Call 630-896-6264 By mail: Click here to fill out a form that you can print out and mail to our office. At your workplace: An easy way to double - even triple - the value of your contribution to NAMI-DKK! Thousands of companies (of all sizes, in all industries) have Matching Gift programs that "match" their employees' contributions (often Board members and spouses too) to their favorite charities. To learn more about how to match your donation to NAMI-DKK click here. Planned Giving: You can plan the giving from your estate with the help of an attorney using a number of legal mechanisms, such as a charitable remainder trust, that may enable you to maintain your estate, provide for yourself and your family, and leave a lasting legacy. Sponsorship of Events or NAMI-DKK Programs: Opportunities to donate to NAMI-DKK include sponsoring events such as our Dinner/raffle and our annual Run/Walk. You can designate funds for specific programs. NAMI-DKK programs include Family to Family classes, Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement, adult and student based educational programs, family support groups, a monthly newsletter, printed informational materials and a help call line staffed by volunteers.
To find out more about these and other programs contact NAMI-DKK office at 630-896-6264. Buy Raffle Tickets: Call our office for more information about buying raffle tickets for our annual Dinner/Raffle. They are usually available in January and the first week of February of each year. Drawing is at our annual dinner. You do not need to be present to win. Memorial and Honorary Giving: Memorial Giving: Your memorial gift to NAMI-DKK is a personal remembrance that honors the life and memory of a friend or loved one, and offers the gift of hope for the future.
Honorary Giving: Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Mother's or Father's Day, or the arrival of a new baby are special moments that we can help you celebrate. A gift to NAMI is a wonderful way for individuals, organizations, businesses, and groups to honor these special occasions in our lives and pay tribute to a friend or loved one. Based on the information you provide, NAMI-DKK will send a letter to the family of the memorialized or to the honored person, notifying them of your thoughtful gift. NAMI-DKK is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
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Employer Matching Donations How do I secure a matching gift for my donation to NAMI-DKK? Contact your Human Resources Department to find out if your company has a Matching Gift Program. If they have a matching gift program, your company likely uses one of two ways to secure your additional matching gift to NAMI-DKK: (Most common) Obtain your company's matching gift form, fill out the "Donor" section, and mail it to NAMI-DKK when you send your donation. NAMI-DKK will complete the "Charity" section of the form, and mail it back to your company. This will confirm that we received your gift and request their matching gift. (Less common) Make your donation to NAMI-DKK through the mail or phone. Upon receipt of your gift, NAMI-DKK will send a letter acknowledging your contribution. Bring this letter to your Matching Gift program coordinator who will distribute your company's matching gift to NAMI-DKK. Why should I give a matching gift to NAMI-DKK? Matching gift programs allow you to allocate your company's charitable dollars to the cause nearest and dearest to you heart, greatly increasing your donation's value to NAMI-DKK. What's more, NAMI-DKK considers your corporation's matching gift as part of your total contribution. Therefore, your $50 gift can become a $100 or $150 gift to NAMI-DKK. So please -- go ahead and make a donation to NAMI-DKK today!
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