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Who We Are
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NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's foremost grassroots mental health organization. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people living with serious brain disorders that cause mental illness and to improving the lives of their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI is active in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico with over 1100 local chapters across the country. Our mission is one of education, support, self help, advocacy and research.
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
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Family to Family Classes Starting
by Maryrose Peters
We're off to a great start with a filled-to-capacity Family to Family class in Barrington. Some of the most wonderful people I have ever met have been through NAMI and this class is no exception.
There are still a few places left in the class at Northwest Community Hospital beginning on February 3rd, so give us a call if you are interested in joining the class or would like more information.
Family to Family is a series of 12 weekly classes 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
At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights: Wednesdays, starting February 3, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
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February Events
Monday, February 1, 6:00p.m. Mental Health America of Illinois and Erasing the Distance present a compelling threatrical production, "Salvaging Hope," featuring six true stories of people whose lives have been impacted by mental illnesses. Included in this professional performance is a story about a young man with OCD who finds hope and healing through ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) therapy and uses humor as a way to make it through each day. Tickets are free but reservations are strongly encouraged. Contact amindel@mhai.org or call 312-368-9070 x22
Beginning Wednesday, February 3, 6:00 - 9:00p.m. and continuing through April 21. NAMI Barrington Area presents Family to Family. At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. No charge. Reservations required. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Monday, February 15, 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 17. The Responsible Budget Coalition will be having a Lobby Day in Springfield on Wednesday, February 17th. NAMI BA board members will be sending a mini-van or two to Springfield to meet with our legislators and urge them to prevent further cuts in human services spending. We'd love to have you join us. Call Hugh at bradyhugh@aol.com for details.
Wednesday February 24, 2010, 7:30 p.m. NAMI NW Suburban Speaker Meeting - Fr. Charles Bolser, C.S.V. will be speaking on Spirituality and Mental Illness. Free, no registration required. At Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Arl. Hts. Call 847-899-0195 for more information. |
March Events
Monday, March 8, time TBD. Join NAMI BA for a viewing of the PBS film Minds on the Edge: Fighting Mental Illness, an excellent look at America's broken mental health system and the sometimes irrational laws that govern it. Call Hugh at 847-215-4104 with any questions.
Monday, March 22, time TBD. New Foundation Center Family Support Group Letter Writing Session. Join a group to write letters to state and federal senators, educators, media, etc. Leverage your insights and experience to pressure lawmakers to focus on-and fund-mental health programs, treatment, housing, and research. With questions or for more information, contact Wendy Trafny at New Foundation Center at (47)386-082 or wtrafny@newfoundationcenter.org
Wednesday, March 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!
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Area Support Groups
NAMI Barrington Area would like to invite you to our monthly support groups - for family, partners and friends of people with mental illnesses (or "consumers" of mental health services). This month we will offer one group on Tuesday, February 9 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information) and a second on Monday, February 22at Northwest Community Hospital (call Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330).
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 multiple locations in the 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. OR 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster (Ridge and Dempster) in the lower level, Evanston. Call 847-716-2252 for details. Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing, Elk Grove. Call Michelle at 224-653-9878 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 for details. Saturdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster, Room 1062, 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 Monday, the RECOVERY Inc. self-help mental health support group (led by trained consumers using cognitive behavioral methods) meets at 7 p.m. at the National City Bank (rear entrance), 13300 S. Route 47 / Oak Creek Pkwy, Huntley, IL. For information call 815-338-5609, email m50@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.
Every Saturday, the RECOVERY Inc. self-help mental health support group (led by trained consumers using cognitive behavioral methods) at 10a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 144 E.Palatine Road, Palatine. For information call 815-338-5609, email m50@recovery-inc.org or visit www.recovery-inc.org
Monday, February 1. NAMI CCNS "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 847-297-0396 for information.
Monday, February 1 and 15 . NAMI of Greater Chicago Consumer Support Group NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group meets the 1st and 3rd 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.
Monday, February 1 and 15. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Consumer Support Group meets the first and 3rd Monday of each month, 5:15 - 7 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call the office to put your name on the list: 312-563-0445.
Wednesday, February 3 and 17. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Family Support Group meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call 312-563-0445 to place name on support group list.
Thursday, February 4. NAMI McHenry County 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 8 and 22. The NAMI DuPage parents with children with a mental illness support group meets usually 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 February schedule.
Tuesday, 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 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information for information.
Tuesday, February 9 and 23. NAMI DuPage Chapter family support group meets the 2nd and 4th 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 February schedule.
Wednesday, February 10. NAMI Greater Chicago Family Support Group meets the 2nd 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 11. The NAMI Elk Grove Chapter family support group meets the 2nd 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 11. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders meets the 2nd Thursday of the month (except Aug) from 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth. Call 847-716-2252 for more information.
Thursday, February 11. The NAMI Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Support Group for consumers and family members meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the NMH Feinberg Pavillion, Room 2-715, 257 E Huron Street, Chicago. For more information, please call 312-404-3038 or 773-275-1298.
Tuesday, February 16. The NAMI CCNS Family Support Group at the Nesset Health Center (across from Lutheran Gen Hosp) meets the third Tuesday of every month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. For more information, call Terry at 847-297-0396.
Wednesday, February 17. NAMI Northwest Suburban Chapter family support group meets the 3rd 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.
Wednesday, February 17. NAMI Hanover Township family support group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. at Downey Hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett, IL. Call 630-736-2823 for details.
Thursday, February 18. NAMI McHenry County Family Support and Education group meets the 3rd 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.
Thursday, February 18. 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. The group meets 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.
Friday February 19. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders meets the 3rd 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 20. The NAMI DuPage Minds in Motion social group (18 - 20-something) meets the 3rd Saturday of the month. Visit NAMI DuPageor phone 630-752-0066 for location and time.
Monday, February 22. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support groupmeets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 - 9 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital Mental Health Network, 901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights (this month we will meet February 22). call Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330 for information.
Monday, February 22. The New Foundation Center (formerly Wilpower) family support group meets the 4th Monday of the month (except Dec) from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at 444 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL. Call Wendy Trafny at 847 386 3082 for information.
More support groups listed at the NAMI Illinois websiteand theNAMI Connection website. |
Ideas on the budget crisis from the Responsible Budget Coalition
Legislative Update - by Hugh Brady
The RBC -an alliance of Illinois human service providers, social agencies and advocacy groups, of which NAMI Illinois is now a member- has some ideas and thoughts that you might want to hear.
Illinois' budget crisis is probably far worse than you realize. We would actually have to cut more than one-third of the state's expenditures if we are to balance the budget without a tax increase -and that would devastate social services, our educational system, hospitals, you name it.
But there is a solution and we need your support if it's going to happen.
Read more about the Responsible Budget Coalition, its ideas for Illinois and how you can help.
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A Must See Video - Join us in March
From the President's Desk - by Hugh Brady
I recently watched Minds on the Edge: Fighting Mental Illness, an excellent look at America's broken mental health system and the sometimes irrational laws that govern it. It's available online.
We hear from a panel of experts including US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Pete Earley (the author of Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness), Dr. Fred Freese, psychologist, consumer and member of NAMI's national board, and Elyn Saks, a law professor, consumer and a 2009 winner of the MacArthur Foundations "genius" grant awards. They put the whole breadth and depths of mental health care in America on the table.
Here's what Pete Earley has to say about the video: "Too many people with severe mental disorders are ending up in jail. We need to stand up to ignorance and stigma. We need to discuss the urgent challenges of serious mental illness and find a way to change destructive policies and practices. Minds on the Edge is a great tool to get that conversation started."
The video was originally produced for PBS. and the foundations which fund the series have generously made copies of the DVD available to every NAMI chapter.
This is a video that will make you think, fill you with hope and inspire you to action. I can't recommend it highly enough. You will have an opportunity to see it in March...NAMI BA will screen it on March 8th at a public meeting similar to the one we had in January where we showed another PBS video, When Medicine Got It Wrong. (We had a nice crowd - the film was excellent and we had some good discussion.) Save the date, and we hope to see you then. |
Great News from the Task Force
Housing Update - by Hugh Brady
For the past two years, NAMI Barrington Area has been a strong supporter of the Housing Task Force, an area non-profit which is seeking to build permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness in the north and northwest suburbs. Over the past year the Task Force has made some remarkable progress toward that goal. Here are some highlights:
· The Task Force has signed a memorandum of understanding with Thresholds and Daveri Development Group to help: Thresholds will be the service provider for the residents and Daveri will build and operate the building.
· A Task Force team attended a six month training institute sponsored by the Corporation for Supportive Housing and made a presentation outlining the plans for their project to various funding agencies.
· As a result they were able to secure a $40,000 project initiation loan and, using that, get an option on a lot in Arlington Heights where the apartments can be built.
· The Task Force, Daveri and Thresholds have made a preliminary presentation to the Arlington Heights Planning and Zoning departments to start on the necessary zoning changes and permits.
The time line calls for construction to begin in late 2010 and the apartment to open in the summer of 2011. It should be a great benefit to NAMI members and their families struggling with mental illness.
For further information, see the Task Force website.
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Health Reform Update
by Hugh Brady
Now that the US House and Senate have both passed health care reform bills that differ from one another, legislative leaders are trying to work out a combined version that can be presented to both chambers later this month for final approval. The recent special Senate election in Massachusetts has complicated matters, because the Democrats no longer have the 60 votes needed to overcome the promised Republican filibuster, and because the Republicans have been strongly united in their opposition to major health care reform.
Partisan politics aside, both versions of the bill contain important provisions that will improve health care in the US for individuals with mental illness. Both bills contain requirements that would require health insurance plans to cover mental illness on the same basis as any other illness. No more higher co-pays or deductibles or greater restrictions on treatments. Insurance plans would also be required to offer mental health care as a core benefit. Both versions of the bill also contain provisions to increase our mental health workforce.
Both versions of the bill also contain cost saving subsidies to allow greater access to health insurance and health care for people with low incomes, and both outlaw denial of coverage due to pre existing conditions, as well as bans on lifetime or annual dollar benefit caps.
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has prepared an excellent webpage on the healthcare reform issue. It contains a very informative comparison of the House and Senate versions of the bill. Both can be accessed here.
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A Job Well Done
Legislative Note - by Hugh Brady
In January the Responsible Budget Coalition, to which NAMI IL belongs, asked all its members and supporters to participate in a legislative call-in day on January 13. People were asked to call their State Representatives in their Springfield offices and urge them to vote "yes" on HB 174, the proposed income tax increase.
The call in day was a great success. We pretty much shut down the legislative switchboard. Some legislators got more calls than others, of course, but on average legislators reported that they were each getting 20 calls an hour!
One NAMI BA member called State Representative Suzie Bassi late in the afternoon. After he read the two-sentence script, Representative Bassi's secretary responded, "OK I'll add your name to the list!"
An Upcoming RBC Lobby Day
The RBC will be having a Lobby Day in Springfield on Wednesday, February 17th. NAMI BA board members will be sending a mini-van or two to Springfield to meet with our legislators and urge them to prevent further cuts in human services spending. We'd love to have you join us. Stay tuned for further details. |
New Counseling Practice Opens
Recently, Julie Fanning, a clinical social worker with a special interest in working with families of people with mental illness, opened a new practice in Dundee. We invited her to write about it for you...
"Having a family member with a significant mental illness can be complicated. Not only may there be conflicting feelings (frustration, love, resentment, shame, affection and confusion to name just a few) it often probably feels like many of the professionals in the field don't quite get it. As a therapist I try to assist family members and support their journey.
"My mother had bipolar with psychotic features. Even caring colleagues today often don't quite appreciate our family's experiences and struggles, reacting with anything from pity or horror to sympathy, but without real understanding. Once I even had a therapist tell me they couldn't handle my life. As you might guess that wasn't helpful, because instead of inspiring hope, insight and development of coping skills it added to the frustration.
"I take a pragmatic approach to therapy. I ask where do you want to be and what will it take to get there? Mental Illness may be a part of an individual's life but it is not all that defines an individual or their family member. I provide individual and family counseling and am open to therapeutic groups for family members and adolescents dealing with a family member's mental illness.
"If you would like more information please take a moment and review my website at or give me a call at 847-220-1442."
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Volunteers Needed
Do you really mean it when you say you want to help people with mental health issues?
If so, we can use your help at NAMI Barrington Area. 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 847-496-1415.
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Please pass on this newsletter
We hope you'll pass this newsletter on to friends, family members or professionals who might get some useful information from it. Even though you don't know if your friend would need this valuable information and support, you never know who may have a co-worker or neighbor who would.
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 mention that if he or she enjoys it, to be sure to hit the 'join our mailing list' button in the left-hand column.
There's no need to worry if your friend lives in the area, as NAMI has chapters throughout the United States. It's a free newsletter. You don't have to be a member to receive it. No one will call, email or otherwise bother new subscribers.
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Join NAMI
We hope you'll join NAMI and support our advocacy for the mentally ill. The cost is only $35 (adult and spouse) or $10 (for consumer). If this cost will create a financial hardship, we have a limited number of open door memberships available at a reduced fee.
If you don't wish to join right now, but you'd like to receive our free newsletter, simply use the "Join our mailing list" button in the blue column to the right. Membership form
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Emergency Numbers
Local police/ambulance: 911
State police: 847-294-4400
Crisis team, Alexian Brothers, Hoffman Estates
(24 hour): 800-432-5005
Illinois state suicide line: 800-784-2433
Ecker Center 24-hour emergency program (Elgin) 847-888-2211
More emergency numbers |
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