| Who We Are |
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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Barrington Sidewalk Days
Please drop by!
NAMI Barrington Area will have a booth at Barrington's Sidewalk Days on July 23, 24, & 25 (Thursday through Saturday). We plan to accomplish several things: provide information about the Barrington Area affiliate, have advocacy materials on hand and offer a unique fundraiser.
We will be selling "ChicoBags" (Original version). These are wonderful reusable polyester shopping bags that easily fold into their own pouch. The pouch fits in a purse or clips to a belt loop so that you never forget it! They come in bright, cheerful colors and hold 25lbs!
If you won't be able to come by Sidewalk Days, contact Barb Kreski at bkreski@hotmail.com to order a few for yourself or for gifts. At $5.00 apiece they make a great little gift for just about anyone!
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July Events
Monday, July 13, 7:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. NAMI CCNS presents "Survival Tools for Caregivers." Cassandra Friedman, Ph.D., is nationally recognized for her work with individuals who have a mental illness and their caregivers. She'll explain what caregivers need to do for themselves so that they can better care for their loved ones, including: That you're helping your loved one, not being selfish, when you take care of yourself. How to deal with the frustration, anxiety, anger, and other emotions that it's natural for you to feel. Where to draw the line between your life and your loved one's. What rights you have as a caregiver. Free event, open to everyone. At Kenton-Knox Conference Center, 9701 Knox Ave, Skokie (at NorthShore University HealthSystem - formerly Rush North Shore Medical Center)
Thursday, July 16, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on Making Services and Supports Work For Youth and Young Adults With Mental Health Needs Who are Transitioning to Independence: A Pioneering Community Program. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
Thursday, July 16, 1:00 - 2:30p.m. National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers a speaker series, available via Internet Explorer. The topic for July 16 is Complicating Complex Trauma: A Look at Families Who Experience Chronic Trauma. Registration with NCTSN's website is required, participation is free, Continuing Education credit is available. For assistance with this web site, contact NCTSN at help@nctsn.org
Tuesday, July 21, 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Awareness Workshop: Increasing Support, Hope, Inclusion in Catholic Parish Communities for persons with mental illnesses. At St. John of the Cross Parish Center 5005 S. Wolf Road, Western Springs. Registration and fee required, please register by July 6 by contacting Connie Rakitan at 708-383-9276 or cmr1551@comcast.net
Tuesday, July 21, 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!
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 23-25. NAMI Barrington Area will have a booth at Barrington's Sidewalk Days. Stop by to learn about our chapter and buy a few "Original ChicoBags," which are reusable shopping bags made from recycled plastic bottles. We will be selling them for just $5 each. If you can't stop by, contact Barb Kreski at bkreski@hotmail.com to order a few for yourself or for gifts.
Monday, July 27, 9:00a.m. - 3:30p.m. 11th Annual Consumer Family Forum Recovery Conference Region 2 West. "Work and Wellness: Building a Meaningful Life" This year's conference will focus on the latest developments in supported employment and provide participants with useful information on employment-related issues. At Klehm Arboretum 2715 S. Main St. Rockford.For additional information email Eldon.wigget@illinois.gov
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August Events
Friday, August 7, all day. "Chip-In, Do Your Part for Mental Health" Golf Outing to benefit Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health. Cost is $150 and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Options include attending the full event, purchasing a sponsorship, advertising in the ad book, attending dinner only, purchasing raffle tickets, etc. At Randall Oaks Golf Club, Dundee. For more information about this event, please contact Bob Marovich at 847-385-7309
Tuesday, August 18, 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!
Beginning Wednesday, August 26, and continuing through November 18, NAMI Barrington Area presents Family to Family at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
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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, July 14 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information) and a second on Monday, July 27 at 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 July, 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 Tuesday, 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
Thursday, July 2. 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, July 6. NAMI CCNS "Care & Share" family support group meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. the 1st 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, July 6 and 20. NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group meets twice monthly (usually 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, July 6 and 20. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Family Support Group meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call 312-563-0445 for information.
Wednesday, July 8. NAMI Greater Chicago family support group meets monthly (usually 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, July 9. 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, July 9. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders meets the 2nd 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.
Monday, July 13 and 27. The NAMI DuPage 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, July 14. 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, July 14 and 28. 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 information.
Wednesday, July 15. 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.
Wednesday, July 15. 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.
Thursday, July 16. 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, July 16. 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 meet 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.
Friday July 17. 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, July 18. 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, July 27. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support groupmeets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital Mental Health Network, 901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. call Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330 for information.
Monday, July 27. The New Foundation Center (formerly Wilpower) family support group meets the 4th Monday of the month (except December) 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 website
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Family to Family classes for the fall
It's not too soon to register for Family to Family, a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help you understand and support individuals with mental disorders while maintaining your own well being.
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
At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights: (date change): Wednesdays, starting August 26, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
In Lake Zurich: Mondays starting September 21, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
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Illinois Budget Woes Worsen!
Legislative Alert -by Hugh Brady
by Hugh Brady
It seems almost impossible, but the news from Springfield is even worse than reported in last month's News and Notes: The Illinois General Assembly adjourned on May 31 after having passed a budget only big enough to fund state programs for six months!
Since then, Governor Quinn has traveled the state explaining what a budget like that will do to human service programs including those for mental health. It's not pretty.
But there is some good news: Many people have been working very hard to convince members of the General Assembly to provide the funding to keep these programs going. Will you join us?
Learn more about the issues and how to help
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Legislative Forum Outlines Priorities
The legislative form sponsored by six NAMI chapters in April offered quite a number of ideas and legislative priorities worth considering.
Among them, the need for supportive housing funding, a recognition of the value of NAMI, treatment vs. incarceration, the need for CIT training, the need to pass HB 758, which seeks to ensure that Medicaid mental health dollars get spent on Medicaid mental health services.
The legislators shared a number of useful comments, and suggested that 1) We let them know what the priorities are. 2) We keep coming back with requests with dollar amounts. 3) They know how badly Illinois is doing with services. 4) NAMI members are more knowledgeable about the disabled and should be advocates. 5) Mental health courts work and are needed. 6) The legislators never voted for the mentally ill to be placed in nursing homes. 7) "Equip for Equality" is a great organization. 8) NAMI members should write letters to local papers to help spread the word about the need for better mental health services.
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A Wellness Recovery Action Plan
From Carol's Corner - by Carol Ziolo
At a recent conference I learned about WRAP, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
A WRAP can help a person navigate the process of recovery, stay healthy, deal with challenging times and reach individual goals. Components include a Key Concepts of Recovery section, a Wellness Toolbox, a Daily Maintenance Plan, Triggers, Warning Signs and Crisis Planning sections. It's a sensible, voluntary avenue that all people may use for healthy self-care, and worth taking a careful look.
Read Carol's Corner for July - and more about WRAP.
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Results from the Homeless Count
From the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County:
A count of homeless persons over 300 square miles of suburban Cook County during January shows minor changes in numbers of this population here, but other indicators suggest the region has yet to see the full impact of the recession on homelessness.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 69% of current reporting sources cite increases in nationwide 2009 homeless count numbers. While the greatest increases have been clustered on the East and West coast, the Midwest is just now beginning to see the effects of a weakened economy on homeless numbers.
"The greatest increases in homelessness in our communities are probably yet to come," believes Jennifer Hill, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County.
Read the complete article.
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Mental Health Court News
From the President's Desk - by Hugh Brady
The idea behind mental health courts is to keep persons with mental illness out of the criminal justice system and get them into treatment. In a county with a mental health court system , the individual is offered the opportunity to go to a mental health court an alternative to regular criminal proceedings.
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend the second annual Mental Health Courts Conference sponsored by the DuPage County Health Department and the Mental Health Court Association of Illinois. The sessions were very informative and showed that progress is being made toward the decriminalization of mental illness.
Read more about mental health courts and how the system can offer better outcomes for lower costs
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Research participants needed
Alexian Brothers Center for Psychiatric Research is currently looking for child and adult participants in the following studies:
--> AUTISM (Ages 6-12)
--> BIPOLAR DISORDER (Ages 10-17)
--> SCHIZOPHRENIA (Ages 18-65)
--> DEPRESSION (Ages 18-65)
Clinical research very often presents people with renewed hope and the possibility that something different may be available for them.
If you are eligible and choose to participate, you may receive medical and psychiatric evaluations provided at no cost to you. Compensation for time and travel may also be available.
For a brief phone screening, please call 847-230-3591. To learn more about Alexian Brothers Center for Psychiatric Research, please visit their website.
The Department of Psychiatry at UIC is looking for volunteers for their "B-SNIP" study of risk factors for serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar. They hope to discover how the genetic risk for these illnesses is transmitted in families and through that knowledge, develop better treatments.
Because this program is about measuring family risk, UIC is looking for individuals with one of these illnesses and their unaffected close relatives - parents, siblings or children.
Participants will be interviewed and given several tests, including an MRI, paper and pencil psychological tests, eye movement tests and blood tests. Participants will be reimbursed $190 plus lunch and travel expenxes.
For more information contact Jami Huynh, the B-SNIP study coordinator at 312-355-5549 or visit the B-SNIP website.
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Need your lawn mowed?
With all this rain, who doesn't? But if you'd like some help, here's a good idea. In 2007 Journeys from PADS to Hope, our area's homeless assistance and service office, started a lawn care service.
The client-operated service is a vocational training program in which Journeys clients learn job skills, time management, cooperation and responsibility. The work also puts money in consumers' pockets!
The services provided by this program include mowing, edging, weeding, fertilizing and insect control. If you'd like to help a homeless person or prevent someone from becoming homeless and get your lawn taken care of at the same time, contact Margaret Suehr, Journeys Vocational Coordinator at 847-963-9163, ext. 24. The service currently has 20 accounts and is looking for more!
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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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| Community Mental Health Services
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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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