NAMI CARES
Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
October 2012
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Accepting that you have a mental illness can be very difficult:
"Why me? What about the dreams that I had of being a mother, father, dentist, getting married, moving out of my parents home, going to college? How can I tell my friends at school?"
Accepting that your child has a mental illness can change your life: "Yesterday I was thinking about what kind of grandmother I might be. Today, I just want to get through the next 24 hours and hope that my child will not go into the hospital again. Not now, not when I thought he was getting better. Is it my fault? What will my best friend say when I tell her I can't go on that big trip we were planning because I am afraid to leave my young adult child home by himself?"
Most friends and family don't know what to say or do:
It is so uncomfortable to talk about that the topic is not only avoided but the person and his or her family is also avoided. Everyone knows someone with a mental illness. One in four adults experiences a mental health disorder in a given year. One in 10 children lives with a serious mental or emotional disorder.
What can you do to help?
There are a wide variety of things that you can do. Learning more about mental illnesses. Listening to friends and family if they want to talk about their own mental illness or a family member with a mental illness. Also, there are a lot of other ways that you can get involved with helping others. It can be as simple as making phone calls to make sure that a resource list is up to date. It can be as much fun as participating in a 5K run. What are your talents? Do you know how to write grants? Would you be willing to spend one day a month as a librarian at the NAMI DKK office?
Looking for volunteers: We need leaders for support groups or educational classes. We are looking for people with a mental illness or a family member to speak at a school, a church group or at a training for police officers. You can contribute as little or as much as you would like. You can look at our list of needs and pick one or let us know your idea for how to help. We are waiting to hear from you.
Click on this link:
Fill out our online Volunteer Form. You will not only be helping someone with a mental illness or her family, you will also be giving yourself a great big hug! You may make some new friends and you may find that talking about a mental illness is not as hard as you thought.
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Speaking about Empathy
November General Meeting
Dr. Jim Frank
Counselor and Instructor (ret.) at College of DuPage
9:00 am Coffee and Conversation
9:30 am Speaker
Dunleavy-Walsh Meeting Room
Provena Mercy
Behavioral Health Building
1325 North Highland Ave
Aurora, IL 50506
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Voting is Important
What you can do to make a difference
Ready, Set, Vote!
November 6, 2012
This is the year to get involved. The stakes are higher than ever before. Here are some things you can do and resources to help you do them.
ASK A QUESTION:
Are candidates talking about mental health care? If not, get them started and ask a question. Learn where they stand on the issue you're passionate about. MAKE A STATEMENT: If you want mental health care to be a priority for candidates, you don't have to wait to ask a question. You can make a statement. MEET WITH CANDIDATES:  If you think our country is not prioritizing mental health care and you'd like to do something about it, meet with candidates. Share our priorities and build candidate awareness. RESPOND POSITIVELY:When you talk with a candidate about our priorities, it's important to be prepared. If you encounter opposition, don't be defensive and don't argue, respond positively. CONNECT WITH CANDIDATES:Developing a relationship with candidates is the best way to shift attitudes and increase support for mental health care. Stay in touch and serve as a resource. Find out how to get started and download written resources
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NAMI DKK Saturday Coffee
October - Last Coffee for 2012
 Saturday October 27th
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Your hosts will be:
Dreyer Medical Clinic
1877 West Downer Place Aurora, IL 60506 9:30-10:00 Parag Merai, MD: "Depression in childhood and adolescence" 10-10:30 Andrei Pankov, MD: "Depression and Bipolar Disorder in adulthood"
10:30-11: Renee Souba, LCSW: "Dealing with grief and loss"
11-11:30 Randy Bennett, LMFT, LCPC: "Neuroscience advances in the treatment of anxiety"
Light refreshments will be served All are welcome.
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Bruce Springsteen Reveals Depression
by Melanie Haiken (excerpts from her article in Forbes)
 Springteen spoke out about depression to David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, in an epic 15,000-word feature that has Remnick shadowing Springsteen for months, engaging in deeply intimate conversations along the way. Remnick spoke with Springsteen's wife, singer Patti Scialfa, and his bandmates, as well as the 62-year-old rock star himself.
Another thing that distinguishes Springsteen's admission from the routine celebrity drama of the week is that he's a man. And while women are often at least somewhat public about depression (i.e. Brooke Shields) , men are not. And, of course, Bruce Springsteen is not just any man. He's known as The Boss for a reason - this is no modern "metrosexual" or even a man we'd describe as "sensitive." Springsteen is a tough, street-smart, rowdy rocker who came up from the back alleys of Jersey and chose music (or music chose him) because he decided he'd rather have a guitar in his hand than a weapon. And yet here he is, admitting that he's been in therapy since the early 1980s, when sudden fame slammed him with a tidal wave of doubt, insecurity, and darkness. And here's his wife, Patti Scialfa (a formidable singer-songwriter in her own right), saying that it's been easier then you might think to support her husband through his troubles because she suffers from depression too. So come on, people, how about us - are we ready to talk about depression and suicide too? read the entire article
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Accommodations at Work: What You Need to Know
By Stephanie Corkett, NAMI Communications Intern
 At the 2012 NAMI National Convention in Seattle this past June, Jenny Haykin, M.A., C.R.C., discussed what persons living with mental illnesses need to know about accommodations at work. In her informational session, Haykin explained different ways to go about asking for accommodations and whether accommodations are beneficial for individual work problems.
The workplace, where adults spend most of their time has many triggers that can unnerve workers and decrease productivity. Haykin explained that triggers "are stimuli that set individuals into a place where they aren't happy." Triggers for most people include change in the workplace, feeling out of control, conflict of values and rejection. Haykin provided many factual examples of when asking for accommodations was successful and times when they were denied. Haykin explained that accommodations can sometimes address triggers but accommodations aren't always the answer. Read moreBack to Top |
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The Continuing Struggle: Helping Individuals and Families in the Criminal Justice System
By Elyssa Finkel, NAMI Policy Intern
 Too often, individuals with mental illness fall through the cracks of the mental care health system and end up in jail. Currently, about 16.9 percent of jail inmates and 24 percent of state prisoners live with serious mental illness. In addition, 70 percent of youth in juvenile justice centers lives with one or more psychiatric disorders, with at least 20 percent having a serious mental illness that interferes with everyday life.
This reality is outrageous and due, in large part, to the barriers that people with mental illness face in accessing the services they need. For example, individuals often cannot get treatment because of a highly underfunded and uncoordinated mental health care system. Even if these services are available, many people (especially lower income individuals) lack insurance coverage to pay for them. The unfortunate result is that many individuals living with mental illness come into contact with the criminal justice system, which frequently fails to identify the need for treatment. NAMI has already developed a comprehensive Guide to Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System as an aid for individuals and families navigating this system. To supplement this guide, NAMI recently developed a Criminal Justice Self-Advocacy FAQ, which answers some of the frequently asked questions members have regarding criminal justice issues. This FAQ is meant to serve as a resource that will help empower members to better advocate for themselves or their loved ones if they become involved with the criminal justice system. It addresses common questions such as, "How do I make sure that my loved one gets his medication in jail?" and "Why won't my public defender use my loved one's mental illness in their defense?" It provides information about the individual's rights in these particular situations, recommendations for appropriate courses of action and links to other helpful websites and resources. Read more and download both guides
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Coming Events
NAMIDKK Board Meeting -
The next meeting will be November 19, 2012.
Oct 27, 2012: The Next Saturday Coffee will be at Dreyer Medical Clinic
Support Groups:
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 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at Association for Individual Development details
Nov 1, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in St. Charles 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details)
Nov 13, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Yorkville 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details)Nov 13, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Elgin 6:30 to 8:00 pm (details)Nov 20, 2012 - NAMI Support Group meets in Aurora 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details) Save the Date:
November 17, 2012 - Dr. Jim Frank speaking about Empathy at the NAMI DKK General Meeting
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Other Events in the Area
Events of Interest in our Communities
CONSUMER EDUCATION AND SUPPORT STATEWIDE CALL-IN: "Living Well through Action Plans for Wellness & Recovery"
October 25, 2012 10:00am - 11:30am [Note: Please dial in no earlier than 9:45am, per audio-conferencing regulations]
For details on this event click on this link: http://www.illinoismentalhealthcollaborative.com
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Ron Coleman Workshop at the UIC School of Public Health: Monday, October 29 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Mr. Coleman will present on: "Working with Voices" - from a first-person perspective. The training includes how voice hearers, and others (including professionals), can support people who hear voices. $80 professional / $50 consumer or student registration fee.
Pre-registration required.
Reach out to Nev Jones at gjones20@depaul.edu with any questions.
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Parent Empowerment Call: Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 12:00-1:00. The topic will be "Youth Transitioning to Adult Services"
Objectives of the call are to empower families to:
1. Identify unique needs of their transition-aged youth;
2. Locate resources within the community;
3. Brainstorm solutions to overcome roadblocks
Questions about the Parent Empowerment Calls?
Call 1-618-838-9382
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The Journey to Adulthood: What Parents Need to Know: Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Family Matters along with Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago-Rockford Region, Autism Home Support Services, and NICIL (Northern Illinois Center for Independent Living) are hosting a free workshop. Parents will learn how to prepare youth with disabilities for the changes of puberty and adolescence, how to help them identify the skills needed for adulthood, and how to utilize tools to assist with this process. A meal will be provided.
Location: 1st Presbyterian Church
200 South 5th Street
Oregon, IL 61061
3 CPDU's will be available to educators.
To register call Kim at 866-436-7842 X 107 or visit www.fmptic.org/events/trainings
Please register by November 1, 2012.
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October Fast Fact
Forty percent of respondents living with depression reported spirituality as a primary form of treatment.
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Drop In Center
Naperville
 Presented by NAMI DuPage and Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) Individuals who have a primary disability of mental illness have the opportunity to spend leisure time together in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Family members are welcome to attend. A free dinner is served. 6:00pm - 7:00pm: NAMI provides dinner. Donations are welcomed. 7:00pm - 9:00pm: WDSRA provides free, fun activities (time may vary depending on the activity)
The Drop In Center meets every Wednesday from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Young Adults (ages 18-30) at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Rd, Glen Ellyn
Adults (ages 18 and older) at Riverwalk Community Center (RCC), 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville.
For a schedule of activities you can visit the WDSRA website at www.wdsra.com. There is no need to pre-register, just "drop in" to one of the locations above and fill out a registration form on our first visit.
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Web News!
NAMI DKK Updates
Website for NAMI DKK!
Please visit
NAMI DKK board appreciates the time and effort that Dvorah Graeser put in to updating the NAMI DKK website. If you have not visited our website recently, please take the time to see what a wonderful difference there is. We now have an updated calendar for our events, current resources and a way that you can donate online.
NAMI DKK is on Facebook!
Check us out
 Thanks to a recent volunteer, Robyn Vickers we have finally joined the social media. Keep up to date with NAMI DKK events, programs and progress. Learn about new initiatives by NAMI and find out about NAMI Illinois happenings. Learn about Mental Illness and find new resources. Back to Top |
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If You Can't Pay Your Taxes
From the President's Desk - by Joseph M. Jason in News & Notes, NAMI Barrington Area
Here's a question that NAMI members all-too-often must ask: My family member owes a large sum to the IRS but is unable to work and unable to pay due to a medical or mental health condition. Is there anything we can do?
Yes, you can file a "Offer in Compromise" with the IRS. The IRS website offers details on who is eligible and how to file.
Read From the President's Desk October 2012: Offers in Compromise by Joseph M. Jason
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What's at Stake in the 2012 Elections?
by Beth Anne Hendrickson, NAMI Policy Intern 
Here are some excerpts from an article in NAMI Advocate:
What does this year's election season have to do with mental health? The answer is, "everything." Candidates elected into office during this time of critical health care debate and reform will make decisions with lasting impact on access to mental health treatment and services. New reforms make mental health parity a requirement and care more affordable, but these policies are still being debated. We need leaders who are ready to move forward to ensure that individuals receive the full effect of intended benefits. For people living with mental illness and their families, much is at stake in these elections. Now is the time for you, NAMI voters, to weigh in and tell candidates, Mental Health Care Gets My Vote! "The Supreme Court decision gives power to the states," said NAMI Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "The challenge now is to make sure they use it wisely. They can't hide from problems that will only hurt people if left unattended." Candidates need to know that Medicaid is a state budget priority. Timing Is Everything The PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) debate has built a platform for mental health advocates to promote better mental health policy to a wide audience across the political spectrum, including candidates who want to know voter priorities. That means we have the opportunity to impact how the nation and health systems view mental illness.
Candidates and incumbents up for re-election need to become aware of NAMI's mental health policy priorities and form positions on these issues, which affect millions of Americans.
Local Implementation
The presidential race certainly attracts the most attention, but congressional, state and local primaries and elections are equally important to mental health. For example, on Election Day (Nov. 6, 2012), 468 U.S. Congressional seats will be up for election. The outcome could affect the majority balance in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Your representatives and senators give voice to voters' concerns in federal legislation, and your members of Congress directly impact mental health policy for the nation. More on impacting candidates views Back to Top |
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New Depression Guideline Goes Beyond Symptom Relief
by Kate Johnson in Medscape Medical News
October 2, 2012 (Montreal, Canada) - The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) should go beyond the goal of symptom relief to include a more global target of improving patients' overall and occupational functioning.
This shift is reflected in new consensus recommendations currently being finalized by the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT).
"The focus on symptoms doesn't necessarily make sense for our patients because they're primarily concerned about their functioning. And so we think we need to move the bar now - raise the bar - in terms of our assessment of outcomes. The ideal outcome really should be functional recovery," Raymond Lam, MD, executive chair of the network, told delegates attending the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) 62nd Annual Conference.
Studies show that MDD has a significant impact on work functioning, yet roughly 70% of people with MDD remain at work.
"Our view is that unless there are safety issues, it's better for patients to be trying to stay at work while they're being treated rather than being off work. The longer they're off work, the harder it is to get them back," said Dr. Lam, who is also professor of psychiatry and head of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
To read more
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INTERFAITH RESOURCE FAIR:
Interfaith Mental Health Coalition
October 23, 2012  7:45 am to noon
Abbington Banquet Facility
Glen Ellyn, IL
Keynote speaker Rev. Craig Rennebohm
Nationally known speaker and consultant promoting effective mental health ministries at the local level.
The IMHC recognizes that people with mental health needs often turn to their faith communities for support. IMHC is a coalition of mental health related organizations and faith communities who are working together to better address the mental health needs in our community.
There will be lots of time and opportunity to meet representatives of different faith communities and mental health resources to help build potential partnerships.
Cost: $20 in advance ($30 at the door). Continental breakfast is included For more information contact Bob Skrocki at contact@interfaithmhc.org
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Research Volunteers Needed
Middle School Students Research
Students needed for a one-hour interview
Receive a $20 Gift Card
Each student that participates will receive a $20 thank-you gift card to a store of his or her choice Qualifications for the Study
The Student Must: ~be a middle school student (6th-8th grade) ~have an IEP for emotional disability (ED), behavior disorder (BD), or both ~spend part or all of his/her school day in an alternative classroom setting (e.g. learning resource room, self-contained classroom, BIP program or therapeutic day school) What will happen during the interview?
Students will talk about themselves, their interests, and their lives as student For more information contact:Email: susan.r.terrell@gmail.comCell phone: 773-396-6750Sue Terrell, LCSW, RN, PhD Candidate,Institute for Clinical Social WorkThis research is part of a dissertation entitled "The experience of middle school students identified as having a behavioral disorder"
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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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DONATE TODAY
NAMI DKK needs your help to continue providing support and education for those with mental illness and their families.
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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
77 N. Airlite, Elgin
(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.
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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
Elaine Mulligan Buzz Hays Jack Hazel Cheryl Johnson 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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