• Who we are
• Family to Family classes starting in February
• NAMI Barrington Area starts new support group
• February Events
• March Events
• Area Support Groups
• NAMI BA officers
• Legislative Alert: Impeachment and other items
• Carol's Corner for February: The Changing Times
• Willow Creek offers mental health series
• From the President's Desk: Mental Health Allies
• Research Report: Ministers & Mental Illness
• Save the date: mental health rally
• "House" t-shirts to benefit NAMI National
• Do you really mean it when you say you want to help people with mental health issues?
• Local Hospitals with Mental Health Services
• Community Mental Health Services 
• Other helpful resources
• Please pass on this newsletter
• Join NAMI
• Visit our website
• Emergency numbers

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."

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. Just pick out a date and location that’s convenient. Please note, however, that registration is necessary as class size is limited.

Barrington Area Chapter

In Lake Zurich: Mondays starting February 16, 6–9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chapter

At Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 East Chestnut, Chicago. Mondays starting February 9, 6–8:30 p.m. Call 312-787-2729 ext. 375 for information or to register.

There are a large number of support groups available in the Chicago area. See our "Area Support Groups" feature for a more complete listing.

Starting Monday, February 16, 6:00 – 9:00pm and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI-Barrington Area offers Family to Family. Meets in Lake Zurich. No charge, registration required. For more information or to register contact Maryrose at (847) 496-1415.

Every Monday evening in February and the first three of March, Willow Creek Community Church is offering a series of events to support caregivers in their need to better understand, love and support those who suffer from a mental illness. See the article below for details.

Thursday, February 19, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on Implications of Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Legislation for Children and Youth with Mental Health and/or Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders and Their Families. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.

Saturday, February 21, 9:30 – 11:30a.m. NAMI DuPage legislative breakfast. Jim Ryan, Former Illinois Attorney General will moderate a discussion on the desired outcomes of mental health care, helping those struggling with mental illness achieve employment, self-care, interpersonal relationships, and community participation. At Edward Hospital Conference Center at Diehl Road, 27555 Diehl Road, Warrenville. You must enter through the door labeled G, located on the northwest side of the building. Free, call (630) 527-6363 to register.

Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. NAMI Barrington Area board meeting in the Barrington Area Library, Large Meeting Room B. Drop in and learn what's going on in the chapter!

Wednesday, February 25, 7:30p.m. NAMI NW Suburban is hosting a speaker meeting featuring Laurie Hadler, MSW Team Leader of Alexian Center for Mental Health. She will be speaking on the new Partial Hospital Program. At Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Ste 114, Arlington Heights. For more information please call 847-899-0195 or e-mail naminwsub@aol.com

Thursday, March 19, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on A Public Health Approach to Children's Mental Health: A Comprehensive Framework for Health - Call 1. (2nd call in April, 3rd in May) PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.

Wednesday, March 18 in Peoria, IL, Thursday, March 19 in Springfield, IL and Friday, March 20 in St. Louis, MO from 7:30am – 4:00pm each day. Suicide and Self Mutilation seminar with speaker Jack Klott. More information in the brochure here and here. To register for the seminar, you can either go online at www.pesi.com and search for the day (city names above are direct links) or call at 1-800-844-8260. It is $189 for standard registration. There are two extra books that can be purchased at the seminar. Also, you can get continuing education credits for attending.

Wednesday, March 25, 7:30pm. NAMI Northwest Suburban will host Virginia Goldrick,Phd. speaking on "Family inclusion in the metal health system - a promise yet unfulfilled" at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Ste 114, Arlington Heights. For more information please call 847-899-0195 or e-mail naminwsub@aol.com.

Support groups can be very helpful, especially for those going through a crisis. There are a number of groups meeting in our area for consumers as well as family members and friends. These include:

Every week in February, the NAMI Consumer Connections support group meets in four locations in the northwest suburbs. For adults 18 and over with any type of mental illness. No charge/no registration: Mondays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, in the large group room. Call Star at 847-899-0195 for details. Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing, Elk Grove. Call Mary at 847-895-382 or Michelle at 847-524-2690 for information. Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Central DuPage Hospital Behavioral Health Services Building, 27W350 W High Lake Road in Winfield. Call 630-752-0066 for details. Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital North Pavilion (Building 4), basement level in Cancer Care Conference Room in Downers Grove. Call 630-752-0066 for information. Fridays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital, 1650 Moon Lake Blvd, Hoffman Estates. Call Carol at 847-352-6708 or Ruth at 630-497-9737 for details. Saturdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster, Park Ridge. Call NAMI CCNS for details at (847) 716-2252.

Every Monday, the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance support group meets in Arlington Heights from 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. It's open to people living with depression and bipolar disorder and their family and friends. No charge. Contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or (847) 541-7754 for information and location.

Every Tuesday, the RECOVERY Inc. self-help mental health support group (led by trained consumers using cognitive behavioral methods) meets at at the NAMI-McHenry County offices, 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 900A, Crystal Lake. For information call 815-338-5609, email 50_@recovery-inc.org, or visit www.recovery-inc.org.

Every Thursday, the NAMI DuPage chapter's Peer Recovery support group meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.

Monday, February 2. NAMI Cook County North "Care & Share" family support group meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Kenton-Knox Conference Center at Rush North Shore Medical Center, 9701 N. Knox, Skokie. No charge. No reservation needed. Call Jan Magoc at at 847-297-0396 for information.

Monday, February 2 and 16. NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group meets twice monthly (usually the first and third Mondays), 2:30 - 4 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call Betty at 312-563-0445 or visit their website for information or for other city and suburban support groups.

Thursday, February 5. NAMI McHenry County Chapter dual diagnosis family support group meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the NAMI-McHenry County offices, 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 900A, Crystal Lake. Call 815-444-9991 for information.

Monday, February 9 . NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support group, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Barrington Area Library, Large Meeting Room B. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call Mary at 847-381-6919 for information.

Monday, February 9 and 23 . The NAMI DuPage Chapter's parents with children with a mental illness support group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at the NAMI office, 2100 Manchester Road, Bldg. B - Suite 900, Wheaton. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.

Tuesday, February 10 and 24. NAMI DuPage Chapter family support group, meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the NAMI DuPage office, 2100 Manchester, Building B, Suite 925, Wheaton.(No charge, no reservation needed.) Phone 630.752.0066 or email: il@namidupage.org for information.

Wednesday, February 11. NAMI Greater Chicago family support group meets monthly (usually the second Wednesday), 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call 312-563-0445 or visit their website for information or for other city and suburban support groups.

Thursday, February 12. The NAMI Elk Grove Chapter family support group meets the second Thursday of the month from 6:45- 8:45 p.m. at the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Rd., Elk Grove. Family, friends, and recovered consumers are welcome Call Gina at 630 302 2530 for more information.

Thursday, February 12. The NAMI CCNS support group for caregivers of children with mental illness meets the second Thursday of the month (except August) from 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth. Call 847-716-2252 for more information.

Wednesday, February18. NAMI Hanover Township family support group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. at Downey Hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett, IL. Call 630-736-2823 for details.

Wednesday, February 18. NAMI Northwest Suburban Chapter family support group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Heights. Call Star at 847-899-0195 for details.

Thursday, February 19. NAMI-C.A.R.E. (Consumers Advocating Recovery through Empowerment), a peer-based, mutual support group program led by trained consumers for individuals facing the challenges of recovering from a serious mental illness. For 2009, the group will meed just once a month on the 3rd Thursday at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, following the 7:00 p.m. general support group.

Thursday, February 19. NAMI McHenry County Chapter Family Support and Education group meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the McHenry County Mental Health Board Building, 620 Dakota St., Crystal Lake. Call 815-444-9991 for information.

Friday February 20. The NAMI CCNS support group for caregivers of children with mental illness meets the third Friday of the month (except August) from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at the Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette. Call 847-716-225 for more information.

Saturday, February 21. The NAMI DuPage Minds in Motion social group (18 - 20-something) meets the third Saturday of the month. Visit NAMI Dupage or phone 630-752-0066 for location and time.

Monday, February 23. NAMI Barrington Area family support group meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital Mental Health Network, 901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Call Maryrose at 847-382-6623 for information.

President Hugh Brady
Vice President Trowby Brockman
Secretary JoAnne Jacobsen
Treasurer Sue Kluk

The term of office is one year, with the next election in November, 2009.

Thanks Hugh, Trowby, JoAnne and Sue - and to all the board members as well. You're truly going above and beyond with your time, hard work and exceptional dedication!

Governor Blagojevich has been notoriously stingy when it comes to state resources for mental health. We certainly hope that a new governor will realize that the state must adequately support its mental health system, that it must pay its bills on time and that Medicaid payments from the US government must be allocated to the programs to which they are due.

While the Illinois State Legislature is quite rightly focusing on the impeachment process, there are a couple of major mental health related questions being considered by the US Congress: low income housing and children’s health insurance.

There are a couple of very interesting websites which will help make your opinions, including change.gov, set up by the incoming Obama administration.

The “De-stress Kit for Changing Times,” by Doc Childre of Heartmath outlines a number of helpful coping skills anyone can use to deal with stress and gain confidence to move forward.

• 2-Feb, Community Resources – NAMI: Mary Holcomb, NAMI
• 9-Feb, Intercessory Prayer: Anne Risher and Phil Bennett
• 16-Feb, Shattered Expectations: Sharon Voyda, LCSW
• 23-Feb, Communication Skills with our loved one: Dr. Rick Wolff, M.D.
• 2-Mar, Mental Illness and the Impact on Family members: Dr. Jim Bedell, Psy. D
• 9-Mar, Embracing Forgiveness with Your Loved One: Scott Gipson, LCSW
• 16-Mar, Trust: Moving from Fear to Freedom: Rita Wolven, RN, MS, CDMS, CCM, CRC, SDAC

Meetings are Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at Willow Creek Community Church, 67 East Algonquin Road, South Barrington (room 103/105 near the chapel or “B” entrance). Walk in registrations are welcome. Cost is $15.00 for the full series. For more information contact Rita Wolven at 224-512-1860.

We are not alone. NAMI and those who support improved services for people with mental illness have allies, including the Illinois League of Women Voters, the Illinois Education Association, and others.

We’d like to thank these groups and also ask if you can suggest groups we can work with.

But a new research study conducted at Baylor University found that about one-third of the time people, “who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member's diagnosed mental illness. . . . were told by their church pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness. The study found these church members were told the cause of their problem was solely spiritual in nature, such as a personal sin, lack of faith or demonic involvement.”

Ouch - understanding these illnesses is still very difficult for many people. It would be great to get more pastors into our Family to Family classes.

The Mental Health Summit and other organizations will provide coach busses to take folks to Springfield for the event. We will leave in the morning and return in the early evening.

If you can possibly arrange your schedule to be part of this important event, we hope you will do so.

I want to invite you to help us support and advocate for people with brain disorders, and in so doing, help yourself. Are you willing to lend a hand? It's a wonderful experience to be involved and make a difference!

There's so much we can accomplish, but only with more good people like you pitching in. Please call Maryrose at 847-382-6623.

The best way to pass it on is to hit the 'forward email' button at the bottom. You can write a note when you forward it, and you may also ask your friend to pass it on to others for the same reason. You may mention that if he or she enjoys it, to be sure to hit the 'join our mailing list' button in the right-hand column.

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NAMI Barrington Area is a new NAMI chapter located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We are a dedicated group of people serving Barrington and nearby suburbs hoping to help you or someone you love on the path to recovery from mental illness. Call us at 847-496-1415.

About NAMI Barrington area chapter

NAMI Barrington Area website

NAMI Barrington Area brochure

NAMI national organization site

NAMI's mission and activities