NAMI Barrington Area - National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI Barrington Area Welcomes You

NAMI Barrington Area (NAMIBA) is a not-for-profit organization that offers programs and services primarily for those in the suburbs near Barrington, Illinois, but we welcome anyone, regardless of where they live or work. NAMI Barrington Area is an affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with brain disorders, called mental illness, and their families through mutual support, education in mental illness, support of research, and advocacy for improved mental health services.

Upcoming Events -- Please Join Us

Family Support Groups: NAMI Barrington Area offers support groups for families of those with a serious mental illness. They are held in the following locations and time: (Click here for complete 2009 schedule)

7:00 - 8:30 pm, at the Barrington Area Library in Meeting Room B

                  Tuesday      July 14, 2009
                  Tuesday      Aug 11, 2009
                  Tuesday      Sept 21, 2009
                  Tuesday      Oct 12, 2009

For additional information or questions contact: Trowby 847-382-6015 or Mary 847-381-6919

7:30 - 9:00 pm, at Northwest Community Hospital (in the Mental Health Network building)

             901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights

                  Monday       July 27, 2009
                  Monday       Aug 24, 2009
                  Monday       Sept 28, 2009
                  Monday       Oct 26, 2009

For additional information or questions contact: Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330

Family-to-Family Education Program - Pre-registration is required

NAMI Barrington Area invites you to attend a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help you understand and support individuals with mental disorders while maintaining your own well being.

Family-to-Family is one of NAMI’s most successful programs. Family-to-Family is a twelve-week program that provides information and support for family members, partners and friends of individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. The weekly classes provide education on the various types of mental illnesses, their effects on individuals and their families, treatment, medications and prognosis. Caregivers also have an opportunity to share mutual experiences and learn from each other.

"This course is a wonderful experience," said one student. "It balances basic education and skills-training with emotional support, self care and empowerment."

Click here for more information on what is covered during the twelve weeks.

NAMIBA's sessions for 2009 have begun:

Date:         Starting September 2nd (Wednesday nights)
Time:         6-9 p.m.
Location:    Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights

Date:         Starting September 21st, 2009 (Monday nights)
Time:         6-9 p.m.
Location:    Lake Zurich, Illinois

There is no cost to participate, but registration is necessary as class size is limited.

It's not too soon to register!

Contact: Maryrose at 847-496-1415 (maryrosepeters@hotmail.com)

NAMI Barrington Area Board Meetings 6:30 - 9:00 pm

See all scheduled board meetings at this link.

Wednesday Jul 24, 2009 Side B

Tuesday Aug 18, 2009 Side B

Tuesday Sept 21, 2009 Side B

Monday Oct 29, 2009 Side B

NOTE: Annual Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009

NAMI Barrington Area Monthly Columns

From the President's Desk

"From the President's Desk" is a column that addresses various mental health issues, including such things as housing, problems with our state's mental health system, legislative advocacy, NAMI BA activities, interesting books to read, and more." Click here for current and archived messages from the NAMI Barrington Area President, Hugh Brady.

Carol's Corner

Carol's Corner is a column that addresses issues we have all faced or are facing such as: behavioral management, self care, interfacing with the mental health system, choosing a psychiatrist, parenting, emancipation, and many other topics. Click here for Carol's columns.

Education and Support Groups

Support Groups and Educational Outreach

NAMI Barrington Area will offer support groups for families and individuals and programs for those with a serious mental illness. We will also provide education and outreach programs to help reduce the stigma attached to mental illnesses.

Family-to-Family: Click here for information.

In Our Own Voice: Click here for information.

Advocacy for Improved Mental Health Services in Illinois

NAMI Barrington Area will also actively seek to improve mental health services in Illinois. The need for improved services is critical!

Illinois ranked 34^th out of the 50 states in per-capita public spending on mental health services and programs in a study recently completed by NAMI National
Illinois was one of only eight states that earned a grade of F from NAMI.
Illinois ranked well below Indiana, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York. and even Mississippi.
In many cases, the criminal justice system has become the main method of dealing with the mentally ill. In fact, in Illinois there are more people suffering from mental illnesses in our prisons than in all of our mental hospitals, public and private, combined!

Members of the new NAMI Barrington Area chapter plan to work with state and local legislators to improve this situation.

Contact NAMI Barrington Area

Click here to contact NAMI Barrington Area.

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