OK2TALK

CAMPAIGN TARGETS YOUTH 

                                                                                  August 4, 2013 

Dear Members and Friends of NAMI Idaho:

Sincerely,

Doug McKnight, President

NAMI Idaho

    Idaho CIT in Action

CIT international is described in its brochure as a non-profit membership organization whose primary purpose is to facilitate understanding, development and implementation of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training programs throughout the U.S. and in other nations worldwide in order to promote and support collaborative efforts to create and sustain more effective interactions among law enforcement, mental health care providers, individuals with mental illness, their families and communities, and to reduce the stigma of mental illness. CIT International works to accomplish this purpose by raising public and stakeholder awareness through education and outreach, establishing and disseminating recommended standards for developing, implementing and sustaining crisis intervention programs, providing assistance to communities interested in developing CIT programs, supporting research and evaluation of CIT programs and partnering with CIT programs in various localities to hold annual CIT International Conferences.  

NAMI Idaho CIT Coordinator 

Approximately 50 members and friends of NAMI Idaho gathered at the joint-venture Health Sciences building of Idaho State University and Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls for the NAMI Idaho East Region Spring Conference. Superbly planned and hosted by NAMI Upper Valley, NAMI's Idaho Falls affiliate, with assistance by members of SE Idaho NAMI in Pocatello, this conference brought together discussions of mental illness issues that bear on veterans, children's and justice-involved individuals, spot-lighted the therapeutic benefits of recreation, and revealed the long and interesting progress of Idaho's State Hospital South psychiatric facility from 'an institution for the insane' to a holistic, progressive and effective mental health facility emphasizing dignity and respect for its patients. 

Tracey Sessions, administrator of State Hospital South, opened the Conference with slides showing it as it once was -- a farm on which its residents raised their own food and performed all the labor of maintaining the facility and walked through the years as it developed, after Idaho patients were returned to our state from having been cared for in Oregon She then described the current managerial philosophy and organizational safeguards that ensure the provision of high quality care and compassionate treatment in the Blackfoot hospital. 

The Board of Directors then convened their meeting, open to the public, summarizing NAMI Idaho's position on the recently-concluded legislative session and launching plans for action in preparation for the year ahead. These plans include an educational forum for the benefit of members, the public, legislators and agency personnel in conjunction with the West Region Conference to be held in Boise in January 2014. Possible speakers and subject matters were considered. Dates for the September North Region Conference in Coeur d'Alene and the NAMI Idaho Annual Meeting were also confirmed.

During lunch, the Honorable John Shindurling addressed the group on the development and successes of the JoAnn Wood Mental Health Court, after which the group heard a thoughtful and comprehensive presentation by veteran Rex Thornley of the Mental health Court on veterans care and PTSD. John Rainey of Portneuf Medical Center spoke about the therapeutic value of recreation, followed by Lynn Whiting, whose personal account of family need for mental health services pointed out many of the gaps in existing service for children.

 Around our Affiliates 

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline

Idaho's suicide rate consistently ranks within the top ten in the nation. According to the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho (SPAN), Idaho ranked sixth in the US in 2010, with a rate 49 percent higher than the national average.  Studies show up to 90% of persons who complete suicide have a diagnosable mental illness at the time, most often a depressive or substance abuse disorder. The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (ISPH) at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) provides crisis intervention, emotional support and resource referrals to all Idahoans. Says Director John Reusser, "You don't have to be suicidal to call the Hotline; anyone in crisis or needing emotional support or resources is welcome to call. We want be a resource for persons living with mental illness and their families."

ISPH has been operating for over eight months now, handling approximately 800 calls and related follow-up activities to date from throughout the state.  Prior to its launch, Idaho had been without a dedicated statewide suicide prevention hotline since 2006.  

All calls are handled by trained and supervised Volunteer Phone Responders, who receive approximately 32 hours of training and apprenticeship prior to staffing the phones.  The core of volunteer training is an intensive 2-day International best practices model- ASIST (Applied Suicide Interventions Skills Training).  ASIST addresses ambivalence in persons at risk for suicide, emphasizing making a strong connection with the individual, thoroughly exploring reasons for living and dying with them, and solid safety planning and follow-up. 

Follow-up calls by Phone Responders are integral to the ISPH model of service.  Phone Responders attempt to schedule follow-ups with all suicidal callers and whenever requested/deemed appropriate.  Follow-up calls following discharge from emergency departments inpatient psychiatric units have been correlated with decreased readmissions and suicide attempts. The Hotline has a database of nearly 5,000 up-to-date referrals ranging from food banks to counseling and low cost medication providers.

The Hotline's current hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with plans to expand incrementally to 24/7.  Outside those hours all calls to 1-800-273-TALK (8255) are handled by Lifeline Network crisis centers outside of Idaho. No call goes unanswered. 

To make a donation to ISPH, request marketing materials or inquire about volunteering, call 208-258-6990, or visit www.idahosuicideprevention.org or www.facebook.com/idahosuicideprevention.

John Reusser, Executive Director

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline

IDAHO LEADERS RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD

Jim Payne, Member of the Board of Directors of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) presents the Outstanding Member Award for 2013 to Doug and Ruth McKnight of NAMI Idaho and NAMI Far North.

On June 30, 2013 at its national convention in San Antonio, Texas, NAMI presented Doug and Ruth McKnight with NAMI's  2013 "Outstanding Member Award" for their work together to improve the lives of individuals and families in Idaho affected by mental illness. This award is the highest honor NAMI gives to a member in recognition of long and effective work toward accomplishing NAMI's goals. When NAMI Idaho lost its funding, the McKnights led a core of volunteers committed to the task of rebuilding NAMI Idaho. NAMI Idaho is the only NAMI state organization to have secured a charter agreement with the national organization without any paid staff.