NAMI CARES
Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
June 2012
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Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy
Inez Toledo, an Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Attorney and Diana Law, an elder law attorney from Law Elder Law, spoke to astounded listeners at the June 2nd General Meeting of NAMI DKK. They were astounded because they could not believe that they had never been told about the different options that are available in Illinois to help them deal with situations of loved ones with mental illness who are in crisis. They discovered that many people that should know about these options don't know, including mental health professionals and lawyers. The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission was created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities through three programmatic divisions: 1. Office of State Guardian (OSG) will assume guardianship of an adult with disabilities, if appointed, when alternatives to guardianship have been exhausted; the appointment of a guardian is necessary; and family or friends are incapable or unwilling to serve as guardian. The purpose of adult guardianship is to provide substitute decision making for medical treatment, medication, residential replacement, money management and direct care planning. 2. Legal Advocacy Service (LAS) was created so that eligible children and adults, who have a disability, could obtain legal advice and representation to protect and enforce their rights guaranteed by Illinois' mental health laws. 3. Human Rights Authority (HRA) of the Commission is actually nine separate authorities. Each of these regional authorities has nine volunteer members appointed by the Commissioners. The HRA investigates complaints of alleged violations against disability laws. The Authority offers a free forum that permits negotiation with providers and avoids the confrontation of a court room. Issues that are not amenable to the legal process can also be addressed. The Authority serves eligible children and adults who have a disability. When reading the following information please keep in mind that the advice and information were created to assist you with general issues, not specific situations, and do not serve as substitutes for the advice or representation of an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. Because this information is so important this issue of NAMI DKK newsletter will be dedicated to providing some basic information. It will be divided into four separate articles below. If you need further explanation or have other questions, the contact information for both of our speakers is listed below. A website is also available that includes some of this information and forms that can be used to begin the process for these options. Attorney Inez Toledo Address: 160 N. LaSalle St., Suite S-500, Chicago, IL 60601-3155 phone: 312-793-5900 Attorney Diana Law Address: Law ElderLaw, 2275 Church Road, Aurora, IL 60502 phone: 630-585-5200 email: diana@lawelderlaw.com
web: www.lawelderlaw.com Web site for Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission: http://gac.state.il.us
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Petition for Hospitalization
One Option for Helping Those in Crisis
Anyone over 18 years of age can sign a petition to have someone hospitalized. After someone signs the petition the person being considered for hospitalization is evaluated by police and/or hospital staff. They are looking for:
1. Whether the individual is taking care of his or her basic physical needs; and/or
2. Whether he or she is a harm to self or others; and/or
3. Whether the individual is deteriorating when not taking medication
Sometimes the person being considered decides that he or she will voluntarily go into the hospital for treatment. If that person goes to the hospital voluntarily, the petition is dismissed. If that person does not, then he or she must be seen by two professionals:, one of them being a psychiatrist within 24 hours. The Psychiatrist fills out a certificate. The case must then go to court within 5 days.
This process is adversarial because people are saying things that the person being considered does not like to hear about him or herself. It can be very hurtful. There are other options if the person being considered has at least some insight into his or her situation.
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Agreed Care and Custody Order
An Alternative to Forced Treatment
An Agreed Care and Custody Order allows the person being considered to agree to a custodian. The court then assigns custody to another person (family member, friend or possibly an agency). The positive side of this is that there will be no trial. The person being considered agrees to treatment for up to 180 days. It can be difficult to get the agreement of the person being considered because the custodian will have access to all medical records including counseling and psychiatrist sessions. If he or she does not follow through with treatment or terms spelled out in the agreement the custodian can contact the state's attorney's office to enforce the hospitalization provision. This option is not automatically offered by the state's attorney. In Kane County they are rarely used. The family member can ask that an Agreed Care and Custody Order be considered. Family members may consider hiring a private attorney that is familiar with the process. A Care and Custody Order (not Agreed) can be used after a trial is over.
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Guardianship
An Option for Those with Dementia, Mental Illness and Developmental DisabilitiesGuardianship is another option for those that want to make sure that someone with a mental illness or other disabilities such as dementia will get necessary treatment.
There are three kinds of guardianship:
1. temporary, for acute issues, which could be a matter
of life or death; or
2. limited, meaning that the guardian has control over
some but not all decisions; or
3. Plenary which is complete or total
All three of these types of guardianships can be either guardianship of the estate or guardianship of the person (health care). Guardianship can be contingent on a specific event such as the death of a parent or a specific age.
If a parent, relative or friend wants to make sure that the person with a mental illness is able to inherit money without affecting SSI or Medicaid payments a Special Needs Trust should be considered.
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| Advanced Directives
Options for Those that want to Appoint a Surrogate and for Those that Don't
Advanced Directives allow a person (the "principal") to state their wishes for medical and financial decisions before the principal finds themselves in a crisis situation where they are no longer able to articulate their wishes. People often use the Power of Attorney for Health Care (HCPOA) to say what measures they want used if they are in a coma or vegetative state. Advanced Directives can appoint another person to make decisions for them or they can specifically say which treatment or medication is preferred in the case of a crisis.
Advanced Directives include:
1. Power of Attorney for Property (dealing with assets
and the estate)
2. Health Care Power of Attorney (for medical decisions
of the principal)
3. Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
4. Living Will - these are not often used any more and
will not be discussed here
Power of Attorney for Property and Health Care Power of Attorney
A Health Care Power of Attorney can be used to allow another person (the "agent") to make decisions for you (the "principal") if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It can be tailored to fit your needs and specific situations. The agent can require you to take medication, be hospitalized or to be given treatments such as ECT. A Guardian can't necessarily require these treatments without prior court approval. However, you can state in the document that you do not want certain treatments or medications or that you prefer certain medications. You can revoke a Health Care Power of Attorney (but not for the Power of Attorney for the Property) at any time even if you are in crisis, incapacitated and otherwise not making good decisions. A clause can be added stating that the Power of Attorney can't be revoked unless a Psychiatrist declares you competent.
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
A Declaration for Mental Health Treatment is only valid for three years which is different than a Power of Attorney for Health Care or Property which stays in effect unless it is revoked by the Principal. The Declaration for Mental Health Treatment has the option of whether or not to appoint an agent to make decisions. It can be used to state which treatments or medications are preferred or must not be used.
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NAMI-DKK Family-to Family
Classes starting in Dekalb
in August The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses.
The course is taught by trained family members
All instruction and course materials are free to class participants
Over 115,000 family members have graduated from this national program
NEW CLASS ADDED IN DEKALB: Starts Tuesday Aug 28, 2012 continuing weekly through Nov 2, 2012 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Ben Gordon Center 12 Health Services Drive DeKalb, IL 60115 THE NEXT KANE COUNTY CLASS BEGINS IN FEBRUARY IN ST. CHARLES
Classes are free
Registration is required
To register call Denise at 630-405-9336
or NAMI DKK office: 630-896-6264
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Connection Recovery Support Groups
For People living with Mental Illnesses such as Depression, Bipolar, OCD, etc. Now meeting TWICE WEEKLY! I want to say that I appreciate the support of NAMI Support Groups. NAMI Connections is helpful because people share their experiences with insight about how they recover. That gives each of us hope for a better future. We gain comfort and respect for others from the friendships that we develop in the groups - Brian Hanson
NAMI Connections Support Group for People with Mental Illnesses is a weekly recovery support group in which people learn from each others' experiences, share coping strategies, and offer each other encouragement and understanding. Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Provena Mercy Behavioral Health Building 1325 North Highland Ave Aurora, IL 50506
Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at Association for Individual Development
1230 N. Highland, Aurora, IL 60506
Please call Denise at 630-405-9336 or NAMI DKK at 630-896-6264 for more information or if you are interested in joining the group. Back to Top
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False Claims About Medications!
From NAMI Barrington Newsletter a medication update by Hugh BradyFor a year or more now, comments and reviews of Robert Whitaker's controversial 2010 book, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America have been circulating around the Internet. Whitaker's book argues that the widespread use of anti-psychotic medications, far from treating mental illnesses, has actually increased the incidence of these illnesses, and that most symptoms of schizophrenia are actually caused by these medications. Schizophrenia, he writes, is a "drug-induced epidemic of disabling mental illness." It is an astounding claim and has been used by some state legislators to sponsor legislation aimed at reducing or even prohibiting the use of these medications. Recently Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, a renowned expert on mental illness has written a very solid rebuttal of Whitaker's claims. Torrey looks at the very sources and studies that Whitaker uses to support his thesis and finds that most of them have since been retracted or modified, or that they actually say the opposite of what Whitaker says they do. Read more about Whitaker's book
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Yorkville's Support Group
NAMI DKK adds another support group for families
~For family members/loved ones of someone living with a mental illness ~Meets once a month "Using the support group model is so essential to the success of our family support groups. Without the training, networking, and support of the group members I fear that support groups would become nothing more than "cry" sessions or "gripe" sessions. As a group the collective wisdom covered a lot of possibilities towards the issues." 2nd Tuesday of the Month 7:00 to 8:30 pm Yorkville Congregational Church 409 Center Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560 If interested call Carrie 630-779-4933
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Coming Events
NAMIDKK Board Meeting -
The next meeting will be August 13, 2012.
Wednesdays: NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm at Provena Mercy Center (details)
Thursdays: NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Association for Individual Development details
July 5, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in St. Charles 7:00 pm (details)
July 10, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Yorkville 7:00 pm (details)July 10, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Elgin 7:00 pm (details)July 17, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Aurora 7:00 pm (details)
June 30, 2012 - NAMI DKK Saturday Coffee 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Provena Mercy August 28, 2012 - Family-to-Family Classes begin in DeKalb (details) Save the Date: June 27-30, 2012 - NAMI National Convention in Seattle, WA Scholarships available. (details) October 6, 2012 - NAMI DKK 5 K Run for Mental Health |
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Other Events in the Area
Events of Interest in our Communities
June 27, 2012 - Consumer Family Forum
Mental Health Recovery Conference in Rockford.
To Register contact:
Julie Jones, Assoc. Director of Recovery Support Services, Division of Mental Health
(309) 693-5192 or
Deadline to Register is June 22, 2012
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July 20-21, 2012 - Sibs in the City Event (See below for details)
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September 12th - 13th, 2012 - Supportive Housing Conference and Supportive Housing Bus Tour September 11th Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Minnesota
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NAMI 360
NAMI has a new online system to update your membership and demographics
Want to renew your membership early so you don't forget to do it later? Want to change your email address, mailing address, phone number or other information so that your local NAMI affiliate can contact you? Want to do it online? Now you can! All you need to do is go to the NAMI National website: nami.org. Once there, either sign in or register to get a username and password. This will automatically open up a page that is your personal home page. In the middle of the page is a row of words starting with: "myHomePage" and ending with: myBio. Click on: "myInformation". It will bring up a page that shows you how long you have been a member, when you are due to renew and all of your demographic information. If you want to make changes you can click on the bright blue list of choices on the right side of the page near the top. You can edit your name or demographics. You can add an address, phone number, etc. The changes will take place immediately. In the row that gives your membership information is a bright blue word: "renew". If you want to renew just click on that and it will take you through the process of renewing your membership. Right now the only way to pay is by credit card. If you renew before your renewal date it will automatically add one year to the end of your membership. So for example, if you renew in June, 2012 but are not really due to renew until August, 2012 it will make your new renewal date August, 2013. If you want to renew through your local affiliate, of course you can still do that by check or credit card.
This is just the beginning of changes that will help us keep our information more organized and make it easier for you to update your information. We will keep you informed when we learn more. |
Siblings Event in Chicago
Second Annual Meeting for adults who have siblings with disabilities on July 20-21, 2012This unique event is organized for siblings and their guests from Illinois and Wisconsin by SIBS (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters) and FVSSN (Fox Valley Sibling Support Network). Siblings from Michigan will be joining us this year. Siblings who participated in the first Sibs in the City last year found it to be lots of fun and a wonderful opportunity to network with other siblings who share their unique issues. On Saturday morning, July 21, you'll join other siblings for our Food for Thought Seminar on the topic of what happens when siblings take over once parents are no longer in the picture. Tamar Heller, sibling and one of the co-founders of the Sibling Leadership Network will lead the discussion. (A $10 donation will be collected at the event to help cover breakfast.) Then off to see the parade...the Disability Pride Parade, that is. More than 40 floats and groups march in the parade ending with a big celebration at the Daley Plaza for music, performances, exhibits and fun. For details about the Sibs in the City eventBack to Top |
June Fast Fact
For Guardians of a person:
A report form detailing the ward's condition, living arrangement, and services provided should be filed annually with the court. The form may be attached to the most recent care plan.
The form is available at: http://gac.state.il.us/fmannual.htm
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Consumer Family Forum
Mental Health Recovery Conference IDHS / Division of Mental Health / Region 2 West annouces forum in Rockford
Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., RockfordJune 27th, 2012
9:00 am -3:00 pm
"Mental Wellness Recovery Journey
through the Healing Arts" Keynote: BethAnn Burazin presents:
"The Art of What Matters."
~Journaling ~Art Exhibit and Sale ~Happiness Club ~Musical Performances ~Zentangles Seminar ~Door Prizes ~Drum Circle ~Music ~Open Microphone To Register contact: Julie Jones, Assoc. Director of Recovery Support Services, Division of Mental Health (309) 693-5192 or Julie.K.Jones@illinois.govDeadline to Register is June 22, 2012
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NAMI BasicsNew Session of NAMI Basics starting this fall 
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness
A FREE 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
Please call us to sign up for our upcoming class
Provena Mercy Medical Center
1325 North Highland Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
Registration is required
To register please call Carol: 630-947-4430
or Karen: 630-664-9103 or
NAMI DeKalb, Kane South & Kendall Counties
400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, IL 60506
630-896-6264
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Say It Out Loud Campaign Fights Stigma in DeKalb
An article in the DeKalb Chronicle on June 7, 2012
http://www.cedu.niu.edu/cahe/counseling/say_it_out_loud.shtmlDeKALB - A newly launched website encourages the community to "Say It Out Loud" when it comes to mental illness. Northern Illinois University's counseling faculty secured a grant last winter to create a Web resource for anyone who wants information about mental illnesses. The site includes a guide to talking about mental illness, breaking social stigmas and information about recovery.. Charles Myers, assistant counseling professor at NIU, said the mental illness stigma stems from misconceptions, such as believing mental illness is a choice. He said mental illness is no different than having a physical illness. "They go through a lot of guilt and shame because they don't understand it initially," Myers said. Common phrases, such as calling something or someone crazy, trigger negative views of mental illness, Myers said. The stigma that mental illness is a choice, especially when it comes to substance abuse or an eating disorder, also perpetuates feelings of guilt and shame. He said biological components, not life choices, lead to mental illnesses. Justin Lauka, clinical director for NIU's counseling program, said stigmas create barriers because they make people more reluctant to seek help. "It's still seen as a hidden illness," he said. "It's much more common than we think." A little more than a quarter of the American population - 26.2 percent - will have mental health problems in a given year. The most common mental illness is anxiety, followed by major depression and substance abuse. Others are bipolar, have eating disorders or schizophrenia. The website was launched May 25 with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership - an organization that has promoted good mental health through Say It Out Loud campaigns since 2008. The grant is awarded to 10 organizations each year. Myers secured the grant with another counseling faculty member at NIU, Toni Tollerud, who could not be reached for comment. The website provides links to other sources of information, such as The Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 and information about discrimination against people with mental illnesses. The grant also will be used to fund Say It Out Loud activities at NIU, most of which will be held during Mental Health Awareness Week starting Sept. 17. As the website builds up, there's room for people to share their stories about recovering from a mental illness. Another link leads to information about assessing suicide risk and how to prevent it. The week includes an open mic night with stories and performances about mental illness, a panel discussion, keynote speaker and artist installation. "The best way to treat mental illness is through community support as opposed to sweeping it under the rug," Lauka said. Back to Top
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Supportive Housing Conference
September 12th - 13th, 2012
and
Supportive Housing Bus Tour
September 11th
Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Minnesota
Visit www.csh.org/centralregion, for more information!
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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 Support Groups are sponsored by Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership
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)
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) Yorkville:
2nd Tuesday of the Month
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Yorkville Congregational Church
409 Center Parkway,
Yorkville, IL 60560
630-779-4933 (Carrie)
2nd Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
St, Joseph Hospital
(St. Mary's Room lower level)
Call Laurie 847-695-7957
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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.netWebsite: 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: click here
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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Lazarus House offers housing
Housing Resource for Kane County
If you know someone in mid Kane County who needs a place to stay, encourage them to call Lazarus House at 630-587-2144 about shelter services.
If it's rent or utility help that they need, have them call 630-587-5872 for a confidential appointment to see if they qualify for assistance. Lazarus House grants help low-income persons in Kane County who struggle to make ends meet. Pass out our number. We are here to help!
Lazarus House
214 Walnut Street, St. Charles, Illinois 60174
Main number (shelter) 630-587-2144
Outreach (rental assistance) 630-587-5872
Email: Info@LazarusHouseOnline.com
Web Site: lazarushouseonline.com
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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, librarian, 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.
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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 Jim McNish Glenn Tredinnick Advisory Board
Regina Harris Elaine Mulligan Buzz Hays Jack Hazel 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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