Classes are free

 

Registration is required 

To register call Denise at 630-405-9336
or NAMI DKK office: 630-896-6264 

Don't miss out - Sign up now!

Run for Mental Health

Join us in downtown  

Batavia, Illinois  

on October 1, 2011  

for the 6th Annual NAMI 5k.  

You'll have a great time as you run along the shores of the Fox River. Proceeds to benefit NAMI of Kane, DeKalb and Kendall Counties.

Race day registration available at 7am!

Our race this year features:

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

I was particularly interested in the latest research on the causes of mental illness presented by Dr. Thomas R. Insel, Director of NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health.  Some notes:  

1. Genetic signals don't map onto the DSM - "Nature never read DSM."

2. 100 disease genes were known in 2001 -  2,500 known in 2011.

3. Rare mutations are ten times more common than in other illnesses.

4. Early intervention is a research priority, with treatment very different from chronic, advanced illness.

5. Costs of treating cancer and mental illness are equal, but costs do not count  the mentally ill who are jailed or homeless or their lost earnings.

6. Majority of suicides in the military occur before deployment.

It was inspiring to be at this convention, surrounded by people dedicated to the treatment and well-being of persons with mental illness.

Brian attended the ASK the DOCTOR session at the convention.  He reported that he learned about the high rate of recovery for those with mental illnesses when medications are taken the right way with proper care and adjustments.  In order for the consumer to benefit the most from treatment there needs to be a cooperative effort from consumers, doctors and mental health professionals.  Although the mental health community has come a long way over the years with better medications and treatment, there is still room for improvement and the most responsibility falls on the consumers to work with their doctors and therapists and to take their medications.  Help from supportive friends and families who care  is also very important to the consumers. 

From Richard and Marlene Salazar

Marlene and Richard attended the Bipolar session.  They learned that due to the poor economy there are no new blockbuster medications coming soon.  It costs around $1 billion to bring a new medication to market.  Right now Lithium is a medication that works well for bipolar patients who are suicidal.  For schizoaffective patients, Clozoril is often the recommended antipsychotic medication which reduces suicidality.  A high rate of substance abuse co-ocurs  with Bipolar Disorder and that wrecks havoc on families and friends.  Therapy is an important part of treatment for the patient and even the family of a person with Bipolar Disorder.  People with Bipolar Disorder need forgiving, loving and accepting people in their lives.

Brian, Richard and Marlene want to thank NAMI DKK for sponsoring their attendance at the convention.

Save The Date

February 4 ,2012 - NAMI DKK Dinner/Raffle  

Cougars Baseball and Picnic

A Fund-raiser for The Friends of Mental Health Treatment Alternative Court 

of Our Mentally Ill

By the way, did you know that when you get convicted of federal crimes, you have to serve 85% of the time?