Facts & Figures of the 2013 Butler County and Montgomery County NAMIWalk

  

Money Raised: $53,521.13!!!

Number of Walkers: approximately 400

Number of Teams: 35

Number of Teams Raising over $1,000: 11
Number of Team Raising over $4,000!!: 2

Number of Sponsors: 27
Number of New Sponsors: 10
Number of Existing Sponsors That Increased Their Sponsorship Level: 3

We want to say a HUGE thank you to all of our amazing team captains, donors, sponsors, volunteers and walkers who allowed us to not only reach our 2013 monetary goal, but surpass it! You allow us to continue to provide programs and referrals to the community, to advocate for continued improvements in mental health legislation and to fight the stigma that too often surrounds mental illness. We also want to say a special word of thanks to our Team Captains who worked so hard this year - never before have 11 teams raised over $1,000!

We are excited to show you over the coming year some of the new and expanded programs, services and outreaches we have in the works, which you have made possible.

Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts!

If you would like to see the 2013 NAMIWalk video, please click here!

Upcoming Education Meeting Speakers:

Join us for our free Education Meetings the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM.  Meetings are held at the Mental Health Board office located at 5963 Boymel Drive in Fairfield.  All are welcome! 

February 20th: Christy Honschop, LISW-S, Beckett Springs Hospital     

Dual Diagnosis - Understanding the Impact of Mental Health Issues When Someone Abuses Substances

Often times people who struggle with mental health issues begin to self- medicate as a way to address their symptoms. This becomes a difficult and challenging set of circumstances to treat correctly as it takes a skilled clinician to tease out which issue came first and which needs to be treated first.   This talk will describe common mental health diagnoses and substance abuse treatment strategies that are utilized when patients seek help due to having experienced both problem areas.  

Christy has spent over 30 years working in the field of mental health and over 24 years have been in acute inpatient settings. She was the Director of Behavioral health for the Mercy system on the west side which included child/adolescent and geriatric psychiatry until the units closed in June of 2013.  Christy is an independently licensed social worker with a designation in supervision. She has been a field liaison with the University of Cincinnati Masters of Social Work program since 2012 and has supervised many students from various universities during her working career. She has been a member of the Social Work Leaders in Health Care through the Greater Cincinnati Hospital Council and also has done contractual work with Beech Acres Parenting Center for the past six years.  She is currently the Director of Clinical Services for Beckett Springs private psychiatric hospital in West Chester.

March 20th:   Judith Buchanan, PharmD

TBA - please check the website for updates! 

Judith will be discussing psychiatric medications. The specific topic to be announced. Questions are encouraged.  

A Personal Reflection

By Michael A Glass, Miami University Nursing student

A condensed version of Michael's reflections from the 2013 NAMIWalk.

NAMIWalk of Butler County is a manifestation of NAMI's overall mission; to educate, advocate and raise awareness. This year's October event started at the Fitton Center in Hamilton, Ohio and followed along the Great Miami River. Amongst the crowd were a diverse array of supporters; different genders and races, those recovering from mental illness, those showing support to loved ones and those showing support for the cause.

I experienced an unbelievable whirlwind of thoughts and emotions at this gathering. My purpose for attending was twofold, to represent MNSA (Miami Nursing Student's Association) and manage a blood pressure table, and more importantly for my personal development, to increase my experiential learning. While managing the booth, I wondered about the best approach at conversation with attendees I had never met.

I was elated to see so many people in support of NAMI's mission. What a profound moment to see such diverse representation; meaning mental illness affects all - young, old, black, white, men and women. It was a beautiful day and walking on the pathway helped ease my anxieties, giving way to more interaction with others. It seemed fitting to host the event at a creative arts center, recognizing that like art, the human psyche is a complex picture with different meanings to respective observers.  

I sensed the opportunity to reach outside my comfort and begin to develop myself. Reflecting on my classes, I worried if my own personal stigmas about mental illness had been deconstructed, or had new learning contributed to my anxieties and apprehensions. On the one hand, I have entered a new door of thinking about mental illness, on the other hand, I realized how lacking my personal attributes and skills may be in a therapeutic setting with people coping with mental illness. What do I say so I am not offensive, how do I communicate that I want to learn the point of view of those living with mental illness? I knew it was time to put my learned theories to the test.

I spoke with a booth attendee who shared his story of being born to a teenage mother and his purpose and drive in showing support for single mothers living with mental illness.   I also spoke with a woman wearing a self-made tee-shirt giving insight to her personality. Her shirt's message was a provocation to realign the perspective about people coping with mental illness. The writing combined sincerity and humor, which I think reflected the mission of NAMI, battling the stigma of mental illness through contact and education. Also, surprisingly, residents, a nurse and aid from a clinical site I have attended greeted me there.

Eventually, I felt at ease conversing with Walk attendees. Their willingness to educate or share helped. They seemed to have a need to tell stories from their perspective, human beings with thoughts and feelings. An attendee seeking medical monitoring approached me. This was another prime opportunity for a personal lesson. I used the "tell me," phrase we learn from class and it proved to be my magic line. I learned of her anxieties and her personal battle with illness. What I got in return was totally unexpected; a resolute look in the eye, an outreached hand and several thanks. My actions were not designed to gain appreciation but simply to learn and show care. The enlightenment I received in return for my attention to her became an "ah-ha" moment for me. I am learning first-hand the meaning of nursing presence and being genuine.

I believe I may have contributed or still contribute to stigmas of mental illnesses, but feel a breakthrough has occurred. As a student nurse, I viewed myself as more understanding, yet I was mistaken, even as recently as writing this reflection.   The media, experiences, irrational thinking, prejudices and stereotypes may have influenced how I approached mental health. Before the event, I spoke to/at the illness or disease, failing to see what was right in front of me; the person. I think for continual development, it is personally important to continue attending such events and even recording reflections.   I am more aware of prior stigmas and now realize education and interactions are the most effective interventions to deconstructing stigmas. The NAMIWalk presents opportunities for personal development to reach a greater population and therefore create a movement to annihilate stigmas.  

Never have I been so enlightened at a walk/run! Although many walks/runs in which I have participated are for good purposes, they were not geared at changing the perspective and points-of-view. But one begins to understand the term grassroots from participation at the NAMIWalk. Participants represent those who live with, support someone, or experience mental illness. They recognize that part of the disparities in seeking treatment is the stigmas associated with mental illness. This walk not only raised funds, but it encouraged the movement of minds in hopes of creating an arena where individuals are treated as human beings and not a medical diagnosis.

I believe the Walk provides opportunity for contact with those recovering from mental illness and an opportunity for experiential personal development. It can also provide comfort and support to individuals and/or families experiencing mental health issues. Personally, there have been experiences where I felt I was coping with a challenge on my own. By interacting with those experiencing my same challenges, my anxieties lessen and I find some sort of comfort. Even if we do not speak often, I find comfort in knowing I am not alone and there is a way to handle challenges and still be able to live. Connecting to other individuals also allows for sharing ideas and resources, an informal support structure. The NAMIWalk presents similar opportunities. Not only does it provide the opportunity to see others with the same challenges, it presents the chance to share resource information. It may also be comforting to know there is a movement with an understanding of one's plight, committed to trying to relieve the effects that stigma brings. As families and supporters and those individuals living with mental illness gather, not only are connections formed, but also more importantly; a safe place exists to relieve tensions and anxieties, a place of familiarity, and a place where people will not be judged. Individuals and families experiencing mental illness live with the implications of stigma on a daily basis. Perhaps the Walk provides a group therapeutic effect by creating a buffer from those who do not understand and are contributing to stigma, and those who understand and support. It may be described as coming home to a safe place, free of judgment, with people who share one's story and love them, nonetheless.             

Book Reviews

A Street Cat Named Bob 

by James Bowen

A # 1 International Bestseller, this story touched my heart as the friendship of a stray tomcat transformed a heroin addict's life and helped him get clean. A gifted musician, who at one point was looking at a recording contract with bandmates, James Bowen spirals down with heroin addiction, homelessness, and the loss of his family. Taking in a stray cat, taking care of him, and the ensuing companionship enabled him to get back to gainful employment, reconnect with his mother, gain self-esteem, and kick the drug habit for good. Taking his tomcat "Bob" with him riding on his shoulder throughout London as a street musician and later magazine seller garnered widespread attention and landed him his book deal.

 My Rating:

Tatum O'Neal - A Paper Life

By Tatum O'Neal

 

As a child, Tatum O'Neal struggled with an alcoholic mother and a celebrity father in actor Ryan O'Neal. Tatum became the youngest Oscar winner in history with her work in "A Paper Moon." Shuttled back and forth between parents and grandparents Tatum began experimenting with sex and drugs early on to cover up her insecurities and feelings of loss and sadness. Marrying at age 22 to young to tennis great John McEnroe, Tatum looked for love and acceptance but they fought bitterly. Though the marriage produced three kids the couple divorced. The Oprah Winfrey Network produced a docuseries on her life with her father that can be seen on "you tube." Today, Tatum is a proud mother, acts occasionally, is sober, and lives in New York City.

 

In her epilogue, she writes:

"The past decade of my life has been like a white-light experience, a passage through death and a rebirth. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone, but maybe it was necessary, on some level, for me to nearly destroy myself in order to etch off the ugly scars-physical and psychic-of deprivation and abuse."

My Rating:  

 

Membership Update 

 We currently have 88 members as of December 30, 2013 and 1,107 people who receive our email communications. Remember, however, that your NAMI membership is a one-year membership, and therefore needs to be renewed each year. Please don't forget to renew your membership before it expires!  

Sign Up or Renew Online click "add to cart" and pay with PayPal!

Annual Membership Dues:

Individual ...........................................................................$35.00

Each Additional Household Member..............................$10.00

Open Door (Hardship cases).............................................$3.00