Monday, July 14, 7pm – 8:30pm.  NAMI CCNS invites you to New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder.  Meet two of the co-authors Bernard Golden, Ph.D., a practicing
psychologist for more than 30 years, and Nancy Rosenfeld, author of two other books, founder of a literary agency, and “bipolar survivor.”  They will talk about treatments, lifestyle changes, and what family members can do to help.  Free! No registration required.  Kenton-Knox Conference Center, at Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie.  For additional information call NAMI CCNS at (847) 716-2252 or visit us at www.namiccns.org.
                                  
Saturday, July 19th, 6pm.  Join NAMI of Elk Grove-Schaumburg for the 2008 Bowling FUN-raiser for Mental Health.  At Poplar Creek Bowl, 2354 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL.  $35 per adult for bowling, shoes, dinner, and a $15 donation.  $25 per adult for buffet dinner and a $15 donation (no bowling!).  $20 per low-income consumer or kids under 18 for bowling, shoes, and dinner (no donation!).  RSVP and for info call Bob at (630) 289-0383.

Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 – 2:00pm. Conference call about Trauma Informed Services for Families in Supportive Housing.  This 1-hour will feature local providers who are currently working with families and children and their strategies for providing support in permanent housing.  The call is sponsored by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH).   RSVP online to participate.  To join the call, simply call in to 1-866-840-0048 on the day of the call and enter code 303619.  All calls are free and open to all.   For more information, contact Liz Drapa at liz.drapa@csh.org or 312-332-6690.

Friday, July 18, 9:00am – 4:00pm.  Thresholds Institute hosts a conference, From Cliff to Slope: Easing the Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Mental Health Needs.  Tanya R. Anderson, M.D. will discuss practices navigation of systems, services and supports during and beyond transition.  At the Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston.  To register or questions, contact contact Whitney Key at (773) 572-5138 or wkey@thresholds.org or Marc Fagan at (773) 572-5402 or mfagan@thresholds.org.

Saturday, July 19 at 6pm. NAMI Elk Grove-Schaumburg Bowling FUN-draiser 2008. Everyone is welcome - invite your family, friends, neighbors and consumers for an evening of bowling, good food and good company! Wonderful prizes and a silent auction as well. At Poplar Creek Bowl, 2354 Higgins, Hoffman Estates (just west of Moon Lake, next to Menards. Adults: $35.00. Kids: $20.00. Low Income Consumers: $20.00. Price includes 3 games of bowling, shoe rental and dinner (dinner only: $25.00).
$35.00 and $25.00 fees include a tax deductible $15.00 donation. Call Bob at 630-289-0383 for more info.

Tuesday, July 22, 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!

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 Samaritin Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.

Every week in July, the NAMI Consumer Connections support group meets in three locations in the northwest suburbs from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. For adults 18 and over with any type of mental illness. No charge/no registration: Mondays 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 at the KennethYoung Center, 1001 Rohlwing, Elk Grove. Call Mary at 847-895-382 or Michelle at 847-524-2690 for information. Fridays 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.

Thursday, July 3. 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, July 7. 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, July 7 and 21. NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group meets twice monthly (usually the first and third Mondays), 2:30 - 4 p.m. at their offices, 536 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.

Tuesday, July 8. 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.

Tuesday, July 8 and 22. 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, July 9. NAMI Greater Chicago family support group meets monthly (usually the second Wednesday), 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 536 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 10. The NAMI Elk Grove Chapter family support group meets the second Thursday of the month from 6:45- 8:45 p.m. at the KennethYoung Center, 1001 Rohlwing Rd., Elk Grove. Family, friends, and recovered consumers are welcome Call Sue at 630-529-3037 or Gina at 630 302 2530 for more information.

Thursday, July 10. 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 847-716-225 for more information.

Tuesday, July 10 and 24. The NAMI DuPage Chapter family support group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the NAMI office, 2100 Manchester Road, Bldg. B - Suite 900, Wheaton. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Phone 630-752-0066 with any questions.

Monday July 14 and Thursday, July 17. 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 twice 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, and on the 2nd Monday at the NAMI-McHenry County offices, 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 900A, Crystal Lake at 7:00 p.m.

Monday, July 14 and 28. 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.

Wednesday, July 16. 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, July 16. 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, July 17. NAMI McHenry County Chapter general support 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.

Thursday, July 17. The NAMI Elk Grove/Schaumburg family support group meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Hanover Park Branch Library, 1266 Irving Park Road, Hanover Park. Call Linda: at 847-985-9128 for information.

Friday July 18. 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, July 19. 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.

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.

It's not too early to register for our next sessions. We expect to offer one in Barrington and one at the Northwest Community Mental Health Network in Arlington Heights.

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 skill-training with emotional support, self care and
empowerment."

There is no cost to participate, but registration is necessary as class size is limited. Call Maryrose for details or to register at 847-382-6623 or email maryrosepeters@hotmail.com.

Well, I ’m at the Orlando airport on my voyage home from the four day NAMI National Convention.  I was very privileged to see presentations from knowledgeable professionals, family members, and very inspirational consumers.  In fact, I recognized that I learn the most from consumers who share their stories since they have lived what I can only imagine.  I always come home with a wealth of information and better insight on my role as a family member and a provider.

I learned a great deal about nuturing local affiliates, current research, ways to avoid the use of seclusion and restraints, NAMI's schizophrenia survey, early detection and prevention of brain disorders, and other topics. The convention ended with a grand banquet where the honored speaker was TV journalist, Jane Pauly.  Her story and those of other consumers continue to inspire me.

Read Carol's Corner for July

First the good news: It appears that US House and Senate negotiators are nearing an agreement on a national health insurance parity bill. When it passes the bill will require employer-offered group health insurance plans to cover mental illnesses on the same basis that they cover other illnesses.

But on another front, there's a job that needs to be done: you may have heard that the Illinois Illinois House and Senate passed a budget and sent it to the Governor for his signature. But there’s a catch: The budget they passed is out of balance by more than $2 billion – and the Illinois Constitution requires that the state have a balanced budget.

For that reason, mental health funding is at-risk. Last year the Governor made cuts in mental health funding which resulted in reductions in many mental health programs and in the outright termination of others. It looks like we're heading in that direction again.

Read this month's Legislative Alert for more details on the parity bill -- and sample letters that you can send to your Illinois representatives. Remember in Springfield it’s often the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so let’s start squeaking!

This month Patrick Rogers explains how the Social Security Administration will arrange for a medical examination for you if you're applying for disability benefits but do not have or cannot provide the needed information yourself.

We hope these articles will help you navigate the system. If you'd like to refer to them in the future, you can find them by visiting the "Newsletter" section of our website (or just hold on to this copy of the newsletter).

This month, Part Ten: Special Medical Exams

(Or read Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 , Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, or Part 9)

Recently I’ve been reading Xavier Amador’s book, I Am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help! and I continue to find his ideas and advice very helpful Dr. Amador is a professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University. He has a brother with schizophrenia and also serves on the Board of Directors of NAMI national. 

His book deals with one of the central problems of people with serious mental illness:  The disease often attacks the parts of the brain dealing with self awareness and self perception.  As a result, people with severe mental illness oftentimes are unaware of their own condition and strongly believe that they are not ill.  It’s not that they’re in denial, it’s that their brains actually do not perceive that there is anything wrong with them. 

Here are a couple of relevant passages from the book:

"Their neuropsychological deficits have left their concept of self, their beliefs about what they can and cannot do, literally stranded in time.  They believe they have all the same abilities and same prospects they enjoyed prior to the onset of the illness.  That’s why we hear such unrealistic plans for the future from our loved ones." (p. 26)

"When one’s conception of who one is gets stranded in time, cut off from important new information, one can’t help ignoring or explaining away any evidence that contradicts one’s self-concept.  And so, many chronically mentally ill persons attibute their hospitalizations solely to fights with parents, misunderstandings, etc.  Like neurological patients with anosognosia (unawareness of deficits, symptoms, or signs of illness) they appear rigid in their unawareness, unable to integrate new information that is contrary to their erroneous beliefs."  (p.28)

Research leads us to only one conclusion.  In most patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, deficits in insight and resulting non-adherence to treatment, stem from a broken brain rather than stubbornness or denial.

But Dr. Amador does much more than document the problem.  He has come up with useful and scientifically tested strategies for dealing with this problem.  The sub-title of his book is How to Help Someone with Mental Illness Accept Treatment.  But more of that in another article.

The book is published by the Vida Press, and it is well worth reading, and part of the proceeds from the book are given to NAMI.

Mark your calendars now for the NAMI state convention October 17-19th in Lisle. There will be sessions on brain imaging, pharmacogentics, integrated dual disorder treatment, housing, advance directives, high school health class presentations, and more.
 

This was the easiest sort of event.  All folks had to do was to go to Max & Erma’s sometime on the 25th and have a meal.  Even take out was OK.  No speakers, no presentations, just eating!  Diners turned in our Max & Erma’s coupon and then the restaurant will donate 20% of the total on each bill to our chapter. 

Since people were coming to the restaurant at all different hours, we don’t know yet exactly how many people took advantage of the offer, but we know of two parties of 11, one of 6, one of 3, and a few others.  We won’t know the total until Max & Erma’s tallies it. 

Everyone we know of who attended had a good time.  The food was good, the conversation was good, and a good time was had by all. 

We would especially like to thank the contingent from NAMI Northwest Suburban who came out to have dinner and help out our chapter. 

If we do this again next year, we hope you’ll join us. 

Drugs that manipulate glutamate levels have heretofore been quite dangerous; too much glutamate can trigger seizures and too little can cause coma.  The new drugs bind only to certain types of glutamate receptors and so avoid the broader and more dangerous side effects.  Researchers have found that schizophrenia is associated with abnormally high levels of glutamate in the areas of the brain which are affected by the disease.  According to the article, "Restoring the glutamate balance could then reduce excesive amounts of dopamine, another key palyer in the disease, in a psychosis-related neuronal pathway."  Researchers also hope that the new drug will avoid many of the side-effects, such as weight gain and involuntary movements, which are often induced by other anti-psychotic drugs. 

Pharmaceutical companies are hoping to have glutamate targeted drugs on the market in the next three years. 

When it started, Rob was just 21 years old and living the life many thought impossible for the reserved kid from a string of broken homes. He had a good job downtown, a newborn son, a house in the suburbs. And no idea how quickly he could lose it all.

The downward spiral hit rock bottom last June when police arrested him on a battery charge. That low point, however, turned out to be the best thing that could have happened for him.

Appearing in court months later, Rob chose to join McHenry County's new mental-health court and with his problems.

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?

Our biggest need right now is for people to serve on our publicity committee, but we have many other needs as well. There's so much we can accomplish, but only with more good people like you pitching in. Please call.

If you can help, call Maryrose at 847-382-6623.

Thresholds (for rehabilitation help and housing)
Wilpower (for rehabilitation help and housing)
Community links from Wilpower
Alliance to End Homelessness in Cook County newsletter
St_Hubert_Job_Ministry
Government Benefits portal
Social Security Administration
Veterans Administration
Alexian Center for Mental Health
Ecker Center for Mental Health, Elgin
Lake County Behavioral Health Center
NAMI Help Line (agency referrals): 800-950-NAMI (6264)

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