Thursday May 8, 9:00 to 11:30am and repeated Saturday May 10, 9:00 to 11:30am.  Speaker Craig Rennebohm talks about Sharing the Journey With People Who Have a Mental Illness.  Location: St Catherine-St Lucy’s Parish, 25 W. Washington Blvd, Oak Park – 1/2 block west of Austin Blvd.  No charge, registration required.  Please contact Deacon Tom Lambert at 773-525-0453x21 or email olmcinfo2@aol.com to register.

Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. Several NAMI chapters working together have arranged for Andrew Sperling, NAMI's national Legislative Director, and resident expert on housing for those with mental illness, to come out for a speaker meeting. Mr. Sperling will: provide an overview of the affordable housing challenge; outline existing federal housing programs in Illinois and how they are administered; describe efforts to expand funding for effective housing programs; suggest how to make current programs responsive to the needs of people. At the College of DuPage, Student Resource Center, Room 2800, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.  For details contact NAMI DuPage at 630-752-0066.

Monday, May 12th at 7 p..m. NAMI Cook County North Suburban chapter presents SSDI Systems, how to file your claim, how to apply, what you will need, and when to hire a representative. Attorney Jeffrey A. Rabin will teach participants how to navigate the Social Security disability system. No charge. No registration. At the Kenton-Knox Conference Center, Rush North Shore Medical Center, 9701 Knox, Skokie. For information call NAMI CCNS at 847-716-252.

Wednesday, May 14. Lobbying day and rally in Springfield to encourage our legislators to improve mental health services in Illinois. 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'd like to attend, contact Hugh at 847-991-1863 or bradyhugh@aol.com for more information.

Friday, May 16, 2008 – 10:00 A.M. – 12 noon. Round table discussion on the Regional Family Leadership and Support Initiative.  Organized by The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) Family, Advocacy, Communication and Education Committee (FACE). Location: Oak Park Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL.  No charge, registration required.  Contact Kim Miller at 309-687-7704 or Kmiller@chail.org with questions or to register.

Monday, May 19, 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, May 20, 2008 (in Chicago) and Thursday, May 22, 2008 (Springfield). Illinois Division of Mental Health Conference 2008, "Changes in the Illinois Mental Health Code: Understanding the Legal, Clinical, and Social Implications.” For clinicians, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, hospital administrators, and consumers and their family. E-mail dhsmhea@dhs.state.il.us  for details.

Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. NAMI Northwest Suburban Chapter presents psychologist Dr. Joseph Shoshanna speaking on "How to have the best communication with you or your loved one's psychologist" at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Heights. No charge. No registration. Call Star at 847-899-0195 or email NAMINWSub@aol.com  for details.

Friday, May 30, 8:30 - 11:30 a..m. Stars of Light will be performing for Wilpower.  Stars of Light is a consumer group from Rockford who put on clever skits about mental illness.  At the Carlson Center, 1950 Willow Road, Northfield, IL.  There will be refreshments and a Q & A afterward.   No charge, RSVP required.  Please call or email Kelli at Wilpower by May 19th at 847-386-3068 or kwefenstette@wilpower.org

Saturday, May 31, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. A Catholic Charities Health Fair at St. Anne Parish Hall, 16801 Dixie Highway, Hazel Crest, will offer free, health-related services and information from the area's top health care facilities and providers. The fair will include back-to-school physical exams, children's immunizations (bring your shot records), adult physical exams and health screenings (blood pressure, glucose & cholesterol), dental exams, health and nutrition information, HIV/AIDS information and testing, immigration/family reunification information, social service referrals, medical referrals, smoking cessation information, substance abuse information, plus much, much more... For information, call 708-333-8379 or 312-655-7298.

Wednesday, June 11, 1:00 – 2:00pm. Conference call about Domestic Violence and Families.  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).   To Participate: 1) RSVP to the call online.   2) To join the call, simply dial 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.

Wednesday June 11, 8:00am – 4:00pm.  Skills and Strategies for Mental Health Courts in Illinois.  Keynote presentation by Mark Heyrman.  At the College of DuPage Student Resource Center, Room 2800, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.  Registration required, $50 fee.  For more information please contact Sandra Emory at the DuPage County Health Department, 630-682-7979, extension 7607 or email address Semory@dupagehealth.org

Friday, June 13 through Monday, June 16. The NAMI National Convention in Orlando, Florida offers training and exhibits meant mainly for chapter and state leadership. If you'd like to attend, visit the NAMI national website for details. (Registration and fees required.)

Monday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 25 in Washington D.C.  National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Annual Conference "Special Challenges on a New Era." This seminar considers the emerging needs of a new homeless veteran demographic.  Deadline to register is June 10.  Registration and fee required.  Read more about the conference.

Tuesday, June 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, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. NAMI Northwest Suburban Chapter presents Svetlanna Konstantinovic, staff supervisor at Alexian Center for Mental Health speaking on "Day Treatment & Recovery Group Programs" at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Heights. No charge. No registration. Call Star at 847-899-0195 or email NAMINWSub@aol.com  for details.

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 May, 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.

Thursday, May 1. 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, May 5 and 19. 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.

Monday, May 5. 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.

Thursday, May 8. 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.

Monday May 12 and Thursday, May 15. 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.

Tuesday, May 13. 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, May 13 and 27. 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.

Thursday, May 15. 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, May 15. 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.

Wednesday, May 14. 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.

Wednesday, May 21. 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.

Wednesday, May 21. 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.

Monday, May 26. 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.

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 in 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.

Watch the video or read the transcript
She has a very interesting book as well: My Stroke of Insight

(I had trouble playing the video in FireFox - worked fine with Internet Explorer. If it doesn't run for you, copy the address at the top of your browser window, open Explorer, paste and hit return.)

Getting on board with the treatment plan is often the biggest roadblock to recovery from any kind of illness.

That’s certainly true of mental illnesses—it is estimated, for example, that 40% of patients with schizophrenia stop their medications following a hospitalization.

This month I review many of the reasons people stop their medication, and share some ideas that may help the situation, whether you’re a consumer, family member or medical professional.   

NAMI Illinois is being recognized for exemplary work to expand the NAMI Connection program, which has the goal of making a NAMI Connection recovery support group available every day in every community across the nation.  Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick said, "If all states dedicated themselves to the program the way that NAMI Illinois has, this would be an easy task.  Your state organization's success in working with provider agencies to recruit consumers as Connection group facilitators has not only brought new members to NAMI but also new consumer leaders.  The NAMI Board congratulates you on your dedication to this important and life-changing initiative." 

We'd like to add our congratulations to our friends at NAMI Illinois!

This month Patrick Rogers explains the changes in your life that you need to report if you're receiving Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) benefits. These include changes in your income, property, the way you pay household expenses, your marital and family status.

We hope these articles will help you navigate the system.

This month, Part Eight: Reporting Changes

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

A Bill to Protect Mental Health Funding:

One of the problems the Illinois state legislature faces when allocating funds for mental health services is that the Governor can take dollars from mental health programs and reallocate or “sweep” them into other programs.  Last fall Governor Blagojevich did just that and many mental health programs across Illinois were forced to curtail services, cut programs or even close facilities.  So this year State Representative Kathy Ryg is sponsoring a bill to prevent the Governor from doing that again: HB5761.

A Bill to Improve Illinois’s Mental Health Parity Laws:

Illinois has a pretty good mental health parity law – as far as it goes.  The current law provides that employer-offered group insurance plans must cover mental illnesses on the same basis that they cover any other illnesses, that there can be no caps or co-pays on mental health services that are more restrictive than those on other illnesses.  The parity law does have some gaps, and earlier this month the Illinois House passed HB1432 to help, but its future in the Illinois Senate is uncertain.

We encourage everyone to drop their State Representative and State Senator a short note encouraging them to co-sponsor and to vote for HB5761, and their State Senator to vote for HB1432.

Read more about these bills

Learn how and where to contact your state representatives

I just finished an excellent book: I Am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help: How to Help Someone with Mental Illness Accept Treatment by Dr. Xavier Amador.

One of the problems that many of us have faced is that our mentally ill family members don’t want treatment. In spite of plain-as-day evidence, they frequently don’t think they’re ill. It turns out they're not in denial. Dr. Amador examines the reasons for that lack of self awareness and provides a plan and strategies for dealing with persons suffering from this problem.

I can’t recommend Dr. Amador's book highly enough. It is a book that anyone who has a mentally ill family member or who deals with mental illness on a professional level will certainly want to read.

The presenter was Bruce Kiselstein, a Mt. Prospect  attorney who specializes in estate planning and special needs trusts.  He is a graduate of John Marshall Law School and sits on the Board of Directors of the Northwest Suburban Estate Planning Council, and serves on Estate and Gift Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association.

Mr. Kiselstein spoke about how important it is for families with a disabled child to establish special needs trusts to provide for their children when they are gone.  Kiselstein pointed out that a trust is a much better way for families to provide for their disabled family members than is a will.  A trust not only avoids probate court and its attendant delays, but it also allows for the possibility of protecting the disabled person’s inheritance and providing for their housing and treatment.   A correctly written special needs trust even makes it possible for the disabled persons to keep their SSI or SDI benefits and still receive a monthly income from their inheritance.  For further information, Mr. Kiselstein may be contacted at 847—670-8200. 

NAMI BA extends a heartfelt thanks to him for taking his time and effort to share this important information with us.  We hope to invite him back next year some time, and if we can arrange it, this is one meeting you will not want to miss.   

She writes, “We both share our perspectives of the journey by each writing our own version of the same chapter. It is a unique book that has a lot of value for parents and professionals faced with children who have challenging behavior. This topic is of current concern, especially in the wake of some recent tragedies.”

This is not a fast process, but it can be a lifesaver once an opportunity comes through. (This process can take anywhere from five months to five years or more). The deadline for applications/registrations is Thursday, May 15. Applications will be drawn randomly until the 40,000 slots are filled. Possible notification date: June 15, 2008. There is no fee for application.

Requirements: U.S. Citizen or legal status, 18 years of age or older and meet income limits.(Example of income limits: HH of 1 -- up to $26,400; HH of 4 -- up to $37,000; HH of 8 -- up to $50,000.)

CHA is reaching out to us to help families apply. Once the approval/denial notifications are sent, families who have questions should contact RentBetter at 312-786-3676.

You can pick up an application at any Chicago Public Library, register online or Learn more about the program here. (Our thanks to the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County for providing this information.)