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-to-Family Education Program

Classes Starting in September -

Now is the time to Register

These NAMI classes are for family members, partners and friends of individuals with serious mental illness. "This course is a wonderful experience," said one student. "It balances basic education and skills-training with emotional support, self care and empowerment."

Success of Family-to-Family Classes Now Evidence-Based - Those of us who have taken or taught NAMI's  Family-to-Family course know it works, but new research confirms it.   

The four-year study, which was reported at this year's NAMI National Conference in Washington DC, was the third undertaken on the effectiveness of Family-to-Family, and the most rigorous so far.

 

It's important for two reasons: It does indeed confirm that the free, 12-week course decreases the burden on family members of people with mental illness (as measured by their own distress, depression, etc.), and that they have better coping and problem solving skills, better access to resources, and more functional families.   Read more about the study.

There is no cost to participate in a Family to Family class, you don't need to be a NAMI member, and it doesn't matter if you live in a particular chapter's area to attend a class. 
                                       
Click here for more information on what is covered during the twelve weeks.

Information on the classes Starting in September:

    In Barrington on Mondays, starting September 13, 6 - 9 p.m.

    At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights on

                      Wednesdays, starting September 15, 6-9 p.m.

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

To register or request more information contact:    Maryrose at 847-496-1415

                                (maryrosepeters@hotmail.com)

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group

NAMI Connection is a weekly recovery support group for people living with mental illness in which people learn from each others’ experiences, share coping strategies, and offer each other encouragement and understanding.
 

                            WHEN:    Every Thursday

                                         7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
                            WHERE:  Northwest Community Hospital

                                         (Mental Health Network building)

                                         901 Kirchoff,       2nd floor

                                         Arlington Heights

Support groups can be very helpful, especially for those going through a crisis. There is no charge and you don't need a reservation to attend.

             Call Nora at (847) 899-NAMI (899-6264) for more information.

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 times; No registration required and no cost to attend:  (Click here for complete 2009 schedule)

Monthly at the Barrington Area Library in Meeting Room B

                           from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

                        Monday         Sept 13, 2010   
                        Monday         October 11, 2010
                        November     Date to be announced soon

For additional information or questions contact: 

                        Trowby 847-382-6015  or  Mary 847-381-6919    

Weekly at Northwest Community Hospital (Mental Health Network building)

                        901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights

                        Every Thursday    7:00 - 9:00 pm                                   

For additional information or questions contact:  

                        Call Frank at (847) 899-NAMI (899-6264) 

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

                         Sept meeting date to be posted soon

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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