Our hearts go out to the victims and the families of the killings at NIU. How many of us with children at NIU held our breath waiting for the text message or the phone call saying, “I’m OK”? How many held their breath waiting to hear the name of the shooter, wondering if it could be a family member? Six families got the most terrible news imaginable on that day. I know we all add our voices to the many giving condolence.

People have begun to ask whether this terrible occurrence might have been prevented. We all know Illinois has a terrible mental health system. Would an improved system have made a difference? Would his friends have tried to contact someone if the face of treatment for mental illness were more public? If the stigma attached to mental illness were not so great?

All we can do is try to change what we can—and have faith that we can make things better. Horrible things like this just remind us how important it is to try.

Starting Tuesday, March 4, 7 to 9:30 pm. NAMI-CCNS Family to Family class will meet once a week for 12 weeks at New Trier Northfield campus. No charge - but your reservation is required. Contact Joyce Schladweiler at 847-853-6191 or rejoyce@schladweiler.com or the NAMI-CCNS office at 847-716-2252

Thursday & Friday, March 6 & 7. The 5th Piecing It All Together Conference - How Children's Mental Health and Mental Illness Affect Family, School and Community. Presented by NAMI of Madison County at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL. Registration deadline: February 22. For information or to register, call (618) 798-9788 or email: NAMI-PIAT@hotmail.com

Friday March 7, 10 - 11:30 a.m. “Ask the Doctor” call on smoking cessation with Dr. Ken Duckworth and Dr. Steven Schroeder. The call is toll free. To access from any phone, dial 1-888-858-6021; access number 309918. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Usher at laurau@nami.org.

Sunday, March 9, 1:00 p.m. There will be a special performance of Botanic Garden, a play by Todd Logan, NAMI CCNS member and former board member, for the benefit of NAMI CCNS and Wilpower, Inc. at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Reservations required. Phone NAMI CCNS at 847-716-2252 for details.

Monday, March 10, 7 - 8:30 p.m. NAMI Cook County North Suburban chapter presents How the Media Harm Our Children - and What You Can Do to Protect Them, with Dr. Karen Pierce, Medical Director of Children's Memorial Hospital's Partial Hospitalization Program. She will discuss how video games, TV, movies, music, and the Internet can harm children, what your children hear and see but you don’t, and what you can do to safeguard your children. At the Kenton-Knox Conference Center at Rush North Shore Medical Center, 9701 N. Knox, Skokie. No charge. No reservation.

Wednesday evenings starting March 12, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. NAMI BASICS Education Program, presented by the NAMI Cook County North Suburban chapter. A free, six-week course for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents coping with brain disorders. At New Trier Northfield campus. Registration required. Call 847-716-2252 or 847-716-2253.

Thursday, March 13 at 6:45 p.m. NAMI Elk Grove/Schaumburg presents an "In Our Own Voice" program featuring mental health consumers who share their own stories to provide insight on what it's like to live with a serious mental illness in our community. At the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Rd, Elk Grove. No charge. No reservation. For information call Carol Hall at 847 352-6708.

Friday, March 14 at 10 am or 7 pm. NAMI Illinois Conference planning session. Come and get involved. the meeing wiill be held on at the NAMI DuPage office, 210 Manchester Rd., Building B, Suite 925, Wheaton. Questions? Email jjroennigke@charter.netor call (618) 465-8876.

Wednesday, March 19, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Actress Linda Dano will discuss her struggle with depression at a free event sponsored by Support Partners. Dr. David Holmes will also speak about how to recognize symptoms of depression, understand what can trigger the illness and how to map out a wellness plan. At W Chicago City Center, 172 W. Adams, Chicago. No charge. Registration is recommended but not required. Call 800-964-1510.

Tuesday, March 25, 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!

Tuesday, March 25, 8 - 4. Suicide: Breaking the Silence, Breaking the Stigma an all-day conference for professionals, consumers and families at the Carle Forum in Urbana, IL. Call 217-326-0077 for details.

Monday, April 14, 7.30pm. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance presents a discussion of anxiety with Dr. Joan Durlacher, clinical psychologist. At the First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Avenue, Room 10, Arlington Heights. No charge, no reservation needed. Questions call Leah Nakamura at 847-541-7754.

Wednesday, April 16, 7 to 9 p.m. NAMI Barrington Area presents Estate planning for families of those with mental illness or other disabilities, with Bruce Kiselstein, an attorney who specializes in estate law and special needs trusts. At the Barrington City Hall boardroom, 200 S. Hough Street. No charge. No reservation needed. Call Hugh Brady for more information at 847-991-1863 or bradyhugh@aol.com.

Tuesday, April 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 week in March, 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 Kenneth Young 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.

Monday, March 3. 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, March 3 and 17. 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.

Thursday, March 6. 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 March 10 and Thursday, March 20. 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. family 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.

Tuesday, March 11. 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, March 11 and 25. The NAMI DuPage Chapter family support group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the NAMI office, 1403 North Main, Ste 301, Wheaton. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Phone 630-752-0066 with any questions.

Wednesday, March 12. 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, March 13. 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 Sue at 630-529-3037 or Gina at 630 302 2530 for more information.

Wednesday, March 19. 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, March 20. 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, March 20. 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.

Monday, March 24. The NAMI DuPage Chapter's parents with children with a mental illness support group meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the NAMI office. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.

Our spring sessions are already under way, but it's not too early to register for our next sessions. We expect to offer one in Barrington, one at the Northwest Community Mental Health Network in Arlington Heights, and possibly one at Waconda.

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.

Trained family members who have experienced firsthand the rewards and challenges of raising children with brain disorders, discuss the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, types of therapy, communication, problem solving, crisis preparation and response, what to do about challenging behavior,
impact on family members, record keeping, school, juvenile justice and mental health systems. Parents who complete this course (formerly Visions for Tomorrow) describe its impact as life changing.

NAMI BASICS will run Wednesday evenings starting March 12 from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. at New Trier Northfield campus. Class size is limited and fills quickly. Call 847-716-2252 or 847-716-2253 for information and to register.

The changes of the seasons affect almost everyone.  But for some people, seasonal variations of light can cause mood changes. Many of us will have a sluggish winter with a definite lack of productivity, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, isolative behaviors, and changes in eating and sleeping.  Some won’t be able to function at all. For others, the surge of spring energy may trigger an episode of mania just as the gray skies of winter can induce a disabling depression.

If you or a loved one are affected in one of these ways, there are things you can do.

• We are happy to welcome a new chapter to the fold: NAMI Will County.
• There’s bad news on on our grant application for housing.
• Scientific American has just published some eye-opening statistics on the prevalence of serious mental illness among adults in this country.

In this edition Mr. Rogers encourages us to use our local social security representatives to answer questions, explain the program and make informed decisions. He discusses a couple of relevant examples.

We hope these articles will help you navigate the system.

This month, Part Six: Making Informed Decisions

(Or read Part One, Part Two , Part Three, Part Four, or Part Five)

President Bush’s recently proposed budget contains serious cuts in mental health programs. According to the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, “People with mental disabilities would suffer greatly if the President’s proposals were enacted as presented.” The budget proposal hits community mental health services particularly hard, ratchets up the administration’s campaign to cut Medicaid, and includes cuts that would seriouisly affect mental health services in Illinois.

The subject of estates and trusts is a very relevant one to anyone who has a child or loved one with a mental illness. How can you provide for your heirs after you’re gone? How can you be sure the assets you leave are protected and go to their needs?

Bruce Kiselstein, a local attorney who specializes in estates, will present an overview of trusts and wills designed for heirs with special needs.

You’ll learn how a well-designed trust can

• Protect your beneficiaries from losing their inheritance to illness, divorce, lawsuits, creditors, and government claims
• Specifically address the different needs of each of your loved ones now - - and adjust to their changing needs after you’re gone (such as unexpected illness, disability, or drug and alcohol problems)
• Protect your IRAs and retirement plans which, over time, will likely grow to become the largest assets you leave behind
• Provide clear documentation that your heirs can understand

The session, presented by NAMI Barrington Area, will be offered at no charge. No reservation is needed, but we’d like your RSVP so we can be sure we have room for everyone.

Call Hugh Brady for more information or to register at 847-991-1863 or bradyhugh@aol.com.

Special thanks to our Social Committee for planning this wonderful event.  They will soon be at work planning our next get-together.  If you’d like to help, please call our NAMI BA Volunteer Coordinator Maryrose Peters at 847-382-6623. 

NAMI National is inviting registered NAMI Web users to participate in the survey, which will be available for a limited time. In addition to promoting solutions and exploring family-centered and recovery-focused healthcare, the survey will highlight public perceptions about schizophrenia and identify gaps in the understanding of this serious illness.

You're invited to participate at the NAMI National survey page.

This year’s rally/lobbying day will be on Wednesday, May 14. The rally will feature speeches and lots of information as well as chances for those attending to meet in small groups with individual legislators.

If you are frustrated with the inadequate state of Illinois mental health system, and if you are free that day, we hope you will plan on joining us. We must become the people we have been waiting for.

We seek the opinions of people who have experienced mental illness and used mental health services. We also seek the opinions of people whose experience with mental illness is that of someone in their close family. Your impressions and ideas about services for people with mental illness and their families will help to understand the expectations and service needs of the community.

If you are in either of these groups and are interested please call National Data Research at 847-501-3200 to learn the details of the research. You will be asked a series of questions to determine if you fit the profile needed for this study. Those who qualify will be compensated for their time.

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)

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.

There's no need to worry if your friend lives in the