NAMI CARES
Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
April 2013
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May is Mental Illness Awareness Month
May will be here soon. Any ideas for ways to increase awareness?
"Many people with serious mental illness are challenged doubly. On one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease. On the other, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness. As a result of both, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life: good jobs, safe housing, satisfactory health care, and affiliation with a diverse group of people. Although research has gone far to understand the impact of the disease, it has only recently begun to explain stigma in mental illness. Much work yet needs to be done to fully understand the breadth and scope of prejudice against people with mental illness." (from Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness written by Patrick W. Corrigan and Amy C. Watson in World Psychiatry 2002 February; 1(1): 16-20)
A recent book by Heather Stuart, MA, PhD and others titled Paradigms Lost, suggests that some of our beliefs about stigma need to be challenged. She has found in her research that large impersonal campaigns are not as effective as more targeted programs that identify specific needs in a community. She also states that those people with a mental illness and their families should be included in planning programs as well as involved in the education process. The education process should include personal stories from those who have experienced stigma. She describes changes in behavior as the best way to evaluate success while in the past changes in attitudes were often used to rate success.
Will you be doing something during May to reduce Mental Illness stigma? Do you have suggestions about what NAMI DKK can do to help raise awareness? Do you believe that we should have an awareness month? Does having one month designated as "awareness month" mean we don't work on awareness during the other months of the year? Do you have personal experience with stigma that you would be willing to share with us? Do you have specific ideas that might work best in your community?
If you would like to share any ideas or experiences with our readers you can contact us at: newsletter@namidkk.org. If you would prefer to not have your name attached to your response, please indicate that in your email. We will try to publish a few of the responses in the May newsletter.
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Transitional Services: Hospital to Home
By Glenn Tredinnick
 On Saturday, March 9, 2013 Illinois NAMI-DKK hosted a panel discussion at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora, Illinois. The discussion centered on transitional services from the hospital to the home. Two local agency professionals shared their information and knowledge on discharge planning and transition services available in the Dekalb, Kane South, and Kendall area. Lynn O'Shea is the Executive Director for the Association for Individual Development (AID) in Aurora, Illinois. Karen Beyer is the Executive Director at Ecker Center for Mental Health in Elgin, Illinois. Read more
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A Son in the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital:
An Interview with Jayette Lansbury
 NAMI recently interviewed Jayette Lansbury, a member of the NAMI New York State board of directors, to discuss how she copes with her son's long stay in a forensic psychiatric hospital. Can you tell me a little bit about your son and his situation?
My son has autism with a mental illness and he's been in a forensic psychiatric facility for 15 years due to contact with the police. He took the insanity plea at the time, not knowing he'd be trapped there longer than the original sentence he was facing. I knew if he went to prison he wouldn't survive. We look the insanity plea thinking he'd be home in the same time as his prison sentence, but it doesn't work that way. Read the entire interview
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Resources for Individuals Involved in the Justice System
New resource
The NAMI STAR Center has released a three-part series of resources for and about individuals living with mental illness involved in the justice system. The resources include a self-help guide to help individuals to achieve their recovery goals, a guide for providers on supporting the recovery of individuals involved in the justice system and a promising practices guide for policymakers and program developers. The STAR Center provides support, technical assistance and resources to assist consumer-operated and consumer-supporter programs in meeting the needs of under-served populations. Back to Top |
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NAMI DKK Saturday Coffee
April Coffee
April Saturday Coffee
April 27, 2013
at
Goodman Clinic
405 Illinois Avenue, Suite 2C
St. Charles, IL 60174
Topic:
Wellness by Design:
Creating a comprehensive Personal Self-Care Plan
Our next Saturday Coffee will be May 18, 2013
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NAMI Launches Project for Young Adults
Strengthofus.org
 StrengthofUs is an online community developed by NAMI and young adults. It's designed to inspire young adults impacted by mental health issues to think positive, stay strong and achieve their goals through peer support and resource sharing.
The #ThinkPositive project was launched by StrenthofUs with the hope that the project reminds young adults across the country that they are loved, there is hope and they are not alone in their struggles. We are in this together!
Here are ways to get involved today with the #ThinkPositive project:
~Post a photo of yourself holding a sign describing what makes you #ThinkPositive on our Facebook page. Post signs around your school, at your workplace and in your community too. Check out the photos we've gotten so far.
~Join StrengthofUs.org to share the sweetest parts of your day with other young adults. Post inspirational blogs and wire posts with quotes, advice, updates and strategies to motivate your peers to think positive and stay strong.
~Get together your friends, family members and coworkers to create a positive slideshow and upload it to YouTube. If you are part of a NAMI on Campus club, get your whole campus community involved in the project. Check out the Think Positive video that StrengthofUs.org created with MakeDC Smile. If you make a video, let us know so we can link to it.
~Follow us on Twitter @StrengthofUs and use the hashtags #ThinkPositive and #StrengthofUs to let us know what helps you think positive and stay strong.
~Follow us on Pinterest to access boards full of inspiring messages, motivating photos and helpful tips for staying happy and healthy. |
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Strong Advocacy Effort Needed to Help Smokers with Mental Illness
By Jill Williams, M.D., and Marie Verna
In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), issued a report about the rates of smoking among adults with some form of mental illness, Vital Signs: Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Mental Illness - United States, 2009-2011. The report finds that 36 percent of adults wit  h a mental illness are cigarette smokers, compared with only 21 percent of adults who do not have a mental illness. This translates to about 16 million smokers with mental illness in the United States today. This report is historic for many reasons, but the most important is that it clearly reveals the lack of attention given to the needs of people managing mental illness by our health system. Now that we mental health advocates-both individuals with mental illness and those without-see these stark numbers, our response must be strong, focused and forceful.
Although the CDC routinely publishes reports on smoking rates among the general population, this analysis is the first to also include smoking rates among individuals with mental illness. For the last 50 years, an area of public health termed "Tobacco Control" has been effectively reducing smoking rates in the U.S. through policy, public education and regulation. Smokers with mental illness, however, have benefited very little from these efforts and, even today, have very few opportunities to access services that could help them quit.
Based on the trends in the CDC report, smokers with mental illness could easily represent the majority of U.S. smokers in the near future. This has many serious implications for individuals with mental illness.
Read about advocating for more helpLet your providers know that there are resources available.A toolkit was developed by the University of Colorado, School of Medicine and revised for nationwide use to meet the needs of a broad continuum of behavioral health providers and clinicians. Materials are intended for direct providers, as well as administrators and behavioral health organizations. Many of the materials are also appropriate for primary care and substance abuse providers.
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Media Corner
Documentary at NAMI Convention in June
 Take your best day...and your darkest moment...and multiply by a million.Of Two Minds is an award-winning feature documentary that explores the extraordinary lives, struggles and successes of a few of the over five million Americans living with bipolar disorder. Personal stories of harrowing events, medical mazes, discrimination and the effects of social stigma blend together to create a compelling look at a generation coming out of the "bipolar closet." Of Two Minds puts an authentic human face on bipolar disorder, providing an intimate, sometimes painfully funny look at those who live in its shadows...our parents and children, our friends and lovers...and ourselves. Of Two Minds will be screened at the NAMI Convention on June 27th. Back to Top
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Coming Events
NAMI DKK Board Meeting -
The next meeting will be April 8, 2013.
The Next Saturday Coffee will be April 27, 2013. Please watch our announcements for more details.
The Next General Meeting will be July 13, 2013. Please watch our announcements for more details.
Support Groups:
Wednesdays: NAMI Connection Support Group from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Provena Mercy Center (details)
Thursdays: NAMI Connection Support Group from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at Association for Individual Development (details)
April 4, 2013 - NAMI Support Group meets in St. Charles 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details)
April 9, 2013 - NAMI Support Group meets in Yorkville 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details)
April 9, 2013 - NAMI Support Group meets in Elgin 6:30 to 8:00 pm (details) April 16, 2013 - NAMI Support Group meets in Aurora 7:00 to 8:30 pm (details) April 16, 2013 - NAMI Support Group meets in DeKalb 7:30 to 9:00 pm (details)April 24, 2013 - NAMI Spanish/English Support Group meets in Aurora 7:00 to 8:30 pm Save the Date:
April 29, 2013 - PIAT Northern Illinois Conference on Childrens' Mental Health (see details below)
May 18, 2013 - Saturday Coffee
June 27-30, 2013 in San Antonio Texas - NAMI National Convention (see details below)
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AP Announces Stylebook Rules on Mental Illness
Entry on Mental Illness Added to AP Stylebook
 By Bob Carolla, NAMI Director of Media Relations For years, NAMI has worked to have the news media abandon inaccurate, careless, or stigmatizing language or practices in reporting on mental illness.
Finally, the Associated Press has included rules on mental illness in the new edition of the AP Stylebook, the bible used throughout the industry.
In other words, the mental health community has won a huge victory-a seismic shift in the terrain of popular culture. If necessary, mental health advocates, looking forward, can cite the AP Stylebook as an authority in getting wayward editors and reporters to change their ways in how they report about mental illness.
Founded in 1846, AP is a global news network whose reporting is seen or heard by more than half the world's population.
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PIAT Event in Northern Illinois
Save the Date
Piecing It All Together
How Children's Mental Health / Mental Illness Affects Home, School and Community April 29, 2013
Morraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, Illinois NAMI Illinois proudly announces the latest concept in mental health education: a conference focused on childhood mental health conditions designed for parents, teachers, and mental health and justice system professionals to attend.
Piecing It All Together (PIAT) brings all these groups together to learn from national and regional experts about current research and treatments and to hear the same message of hope for the future. The most important people in a child's life will gain new skills and information to help that child achieve success at home, at school, and in life.
If you love or work with a child with an emotional disorder such as ADHD, depression, or bipolar disorder, PIAT is a conference you will want to attend!
Watch for the latest information on presenters and sessions,
visit the NAMI Illinois website at http://il.nami.org/piat.htm
Registration information will be available soon.
NAMI Illinois
217-522-1403
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Postpartum Depression Affects 1 in 7 Mothers; Bipolar Rate Strikingly High, Study Finds
By Bob Carolla, NAMI Director of Media Relations
 The largest study to date of postpartum depression has found that one in seven women experience symptoms of depression after childbirth. Published in JAMA Psychiatry by theAmerican MedicalAssociation, the basic finding is consistent with past prevalence estimates however, the study's follow-up evaluations of women at risk revealed especially serious symptoms. Approximately 20 percent of the mothers with depressive symptoms were experiencing suicidal thoughts. Among those who were followed for a full year, 22 percent experienced severe depression. In the study, 10,000 mothers who gave birth at a Pittsburgh hospital were contacted by telephone and screened six to eight months later for symptoms of depression. Fourteen percent were identified as being at risk. Approximately 60 percent of the at-risk group received follow-up home visits. Another 11 percent completed diagnostic interviews by telephone Forty percent of the women' symptoms began postpartum. Thirty-three percent were assessed as having begun during pregnancy and 27 percent beforehand. Follow-up evaluations most often resulted in a diagnosis of depression with a co-occurring anxiety disorder. "A striking 22.6 percent had bipolar disorder," the study warned. The study calls for all pregnant women and new mothers to be screened for depression, beyond what current medical practice requires. It also emphasizes the need for "strategies to differentiate women with bipolar from unipolar disorders." In 2010, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) held that there was "insufficient evidence to support a firm recommendation" for universal screening for depression. However, its Committee on Obstetric Practice recognized the potential benefits of screening and stressed that women already experiencing depression or having a history of depression particularly warranted "close monitoring and evaluation." In the study, women who tested positively for symptoms of depression were "more likely to be younger, African American, publicly insured, single and less well educated." |
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April Fast Fact
Americans must understand and send this message: mental illness is not a scandal - it is an illness, and like physical illnesses, it is TREATABLE, especially when the treatment comes early.
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Setting Up Special Needs Trusts
Presentation in Barrington
Thursday April 4, 7 PM at Barrington Village Hall, 200 S. Hough Street
Need help with estate planning for yourself and a special needs family member? Are you aware that the direct receipt of an inheritance can cause your loved ones to lose eligibility for SSI and Medicaid?
Reserve your spot to attend a presentation with attorney Bruce Kiselstein for the most current information on setting up special needs trusts. In his talk, Bruce will highlight the importance of trust planning and how it protects your family member from losing eligibility for "needs-based" benefits that could easily be denied to them as a result of a direct inheritance.
This will be a 90 minute presentation with time allotted for questions from the audience.
All are welcome. There is no charge to attend, but we would prefer an RSVP to make sure we have room for everyone. Call Maryrose at 847-496-1415 for reservations or more information.
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Two Voices Speak Out from among the 26 Percent who Live with Mental Illness
By Bob Carolla, NAMI Director of Media Relations
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Annmarie Timmins, age 9 (left), with her brother on vacation in Franconia Notch, N.H.
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It takes courage for people who live with mental illness to tell others about it.
Some people tell no one. Some are selective- telling only a few family or friends.
Others "go public," embracing maximum vulnerability, particularly if it extends to the workplace.
Two spectacular profiles in courage have arisen this week.
One is Lisa Halpern, who wrote "What It's Like to Have Schizophrenia," published in the latest issue of Ladies Home Journal, It's an incredible story that details on how she became lost in her own reality and then came to terms a with diagnosis.
"I learned so much, I decided I wanted to help others who'd been through a similar nightmare," Lisa writes. "Now I have a full-time job working with people who have mental-health issues. I teach, arrange events, speak to groups and mentor patients. I want them to know that recovery is possible."
The other is Annmarie Timmins, a reporter for the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire.
The newspaper recently published a four-day series, "In Crisis" about the state's mental health care system. Some reader comments questioned whether the number of people living with mental illness is really as high as "about" one in four adult Americans.
In response, Annmarie wrote a personal story: "I'm one of the 26 percent with mental illness."
"I have been hospitalized twice for 'suicidal ideation' most recently for eight days in 2009 with a diagnosis of 'major depressive order and anxiety disorder,' according to my records," she wrote.
"I take four medications a day and have my counselor's name and number in my emergency contacts on my cell phone."
It was the first time Annemarie had shared her story publicly. Not even many of her family knew.
"I cannot believe what changes this story has begun even within a couple of days," Annemarie later wrote in an exchange of emails with NAMI. "I've heard from hundreds of people from all over the country who said the piece has encouraged them to ask for the help they need. I've had lawmakers write to say the piece put a new face they hadn't seen on mental illness. My own family members have written to say they too struggle with illness but never knew how to ask for help."
"I think that bodes well for all of us who struggle. Out of nearly 400 responses, I have not received a single critical or unkind note. I wish I could spread this support to everyone who is struggling."
She already has.
By sharing their stories, Lisa and Annemarie have already inspired and given support to more people than either of them can imagine. The inspiration extends not just to the 26 percent who live with mental illness, but to our larger communities as well.
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New Family Support Groups
Family Support Groups in DeKalb and Aurora
NAMI DKK is adding two new family support groups to their growing list of family programs.
DeKalb
Family Support Group
3rd Tuesday of the month, generally. There will be some variation due to school calendar.
7:30 to 9:00 pm
NIU Founder's Memorial Library Room 202
For details and dates call Anne at 815-557-4522
Aurora
Bilingual(English/Spanish)Family Support Group
4th Wednesday of the Month
7:00 to 8:30 pm
AID (Association for Individual Development)
305 W. New Indian Trail Ct.
Aurora, IL 60506
For more information call Manuel at 630-995-1336 Registration is not required
and there is no charge.
NAMI DKK support groups offer a safe and respectful environment for family and friends of individuals living with mental illnesses. Groups provide members with time to share, listen and learn through a mutually supportive audience of their peers. All groups are confidential and participants may share as much or as little personal information as they wish.
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Antisocial personality disorder: the hidden epidemic
By Donald W. Black, M.D. (Posted on Friday, March 22nd, 2013 in OUPBlog)
 It may be hard to believe, but one of the most common and problematic mental disorders is ignored by the public and media alike. People - and reporters - breathlessly talk about depression, substance abuse and autism, but no one ever talks about antisocial personality disorder. Why?
Though better known as sociopathy, antisocial personality disorder, or ASP, affects up to 8½ million Americans and there is no cure, nor are there any good treatments. Psychiatrists like me who are interested in this disorder tend to be ignored and our concerns marginalized. The patients themselves can be difficult, and even unpleasant, and that limits interest. It is hard for people to be sympathetic toward those who tend not to arouse our concern. There are no poster children to point to.
Few mental health professionals are interested in the disorder and some run when a colleague tries to refer an antisocial patient to them. ASP is rarely discussed in medical schools, and few researchers take it on as a cause. Most telling, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the government's premier medical research organization, funds a grand total of two projects in which the term "antisocial" appears in the title. By contrast, the NIH funds hundreds if not thousands of studies on more conventional mental health topics such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and autism. How are we - as mental health professionals - to make headway in treating and preventing this disorder when the government does not lead the way?
Read more
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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,
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The Bennett room, Presence (Provena) Mercy Hospital (lower level), in Aurora.
630-761-6971 (Buzz)
Aurora Bilingual(English/Spanish)
4th Wednesday of the Month
7:00 to 8:30 pm
630-995-1336 (Manuel)
AID (Association for Individual Development)
305 W. New Indian Trail Ct.
Aurora, IL 60506
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) 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)
DeKalb:
Generally meets 3rd Tuesday of the Month. Call for specific dates
7:30 to 9:00 pm
NIU Founders Memorial Library
200 Carroll Avenue, DeKalb, IL 60115 815-557-4522 (Anne)
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
NAMI-DKK CONNECTION SUPPORT GROUPS
Wednesdays:
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at
Presence (Provena) Mercy Hospital,
Behavioral Health Building,
1325 N Highland Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
Voris Conference Room
Thursdays:
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at
Association for Individual Development (AID)
Behavioral Health Services,
1230 N Highland Ave,
Aurora, IL 60506
Small Group Room
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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 Loved Ones Diagnosis: Family support
. 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. |
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Memorials
Honoring those who have left us
 NAMI DKK would like to honor those people that have meant so much to their families and friends and also to NAMI DKK. If you have a loved one that is no longer with us but you would like to have remembered, please contact us at info@namidkk.org or call one of our volunteers at 630-896-6264. We will then contact you to discuss how you would like to have that person honored. We will be placing a plaque in our office with names and if it is desired we can mention that person in our newsletter and on our website.Back to Top
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Creativity Corner
Share your Creative Endeavors!
We would love to have contributions for our newsletter from anyone 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.
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Resources
Mental Health ResourcesNAMI Contact Information:NAMI DKK (DeKalb, Kane South & Kendall Counties) 630-896-6264 NAMI Illinois (state organization) 800-364-4572 or 217-522-1403 NAMI National 800-950-6264 or 703-524-7600 Back to Top
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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 Glenn Tredinnick - Treasurer Mary Ihnenfeld - Secretary Denise Edwards Jim McNish Bobbie McQuade Nigg Robyn Vickers 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 ProgramsHelping 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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