| Mental Health Rally Day - Now in two locations! |
Plans have changed for this year's NAMI Illinois mental health rally and lobbying day. Now there will be two choices for you to attend: Springfield and Chicago.
The rally and lobby day is sponsored NAMI Illinois and the Mental Health Summit. If you have read NAMI's new report on state mental health systems, Grading the States 2009, or if you have personal experience with our mental health systems in Illinois, you know we have a broken system that needs to be fixed.
And this lobby day and rally are an opportunity for you to be an advocate for improvement. Those who join us in Springfield will have opportunities to meet their legislators and urge them to fix Illinois broken mental health system. Rally sponsors will give each participant detailed information on who to contact and advice on what to say. in Springfield will be on Tuesday, May 5th.
Those who can't get to Springfield can join us at the Thompson Center, in the plaza in front of the building, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago at noon Thursday May 5.
We hope thousands of NAMI members, consumers and family members will join us for this important event.
Please note, the Alexian bus is now filled. If you have not already gotten your registration in, you will probably need to arrange your own transportation. For information, call Allison at the NAMI Illinois office, 800-346-4572.
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| May Events |
Friday, May 1, 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Chicago-Area American Association of Grant Professionals presents a day-long workshop entitled Grants Management for Federal and Non-federal Grants. at Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8765 Higgins Road, Chicago. Addition information can be found on the attached flyer. Register online or contact Heather Snyder at registration@aagpil.org.
Sunday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. start. Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) presents the Making Strides for Mental Health Run/Walk. The 4-mile run, 2-mile walk begins at Lawrence Avenue and Simonds Drive at the lakefront. Registration required and fee. Questions contact Anna Bashline at 773.868.3010 ext. 231.
Monday, May 4, 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. "A Working Life: Practical and Powerful Resources for Supporting the Employment of Persons with Mental Illness in Recovery" Conference.
The conference will discuss the service known as Evidence-Based Supported Employment (EBSE), a proven set of practical supports for persons with mental illness and the businesses that employ them. $25 registration fee. At the Thompson Center Auditorium 100 West Randolph St, Chicago. For more information or to register, contact Rebecca Loredo Paz, Rebecca.Paz@illinois.gov or call (312) 814-2720.
Tuesday, May 5, all day. Join NAMI Illinois at a mental health rally and lobbying day in Springfield. Those who can't get to Springfield can join us at the Thompson Center, in the plaza in front of the building, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago at noon May 5.
Saturday, May 9 Kenneth Young Center's Walk for the Health of It. The goals are to raise money for KYC's work and to raise awareness about mental illness. For information call Betty at 847.524.8800 x156.
Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14, all day. People with severe mental illness are dying on average 25 years earlier than their counterparts in the general population. Thresholds and Loyola University Chicago sponsor Critical Condition conference addressing the integration of health care for people with severe mental illness. See flyer for conference schedule, speakers, and to register. Fee required. At Loyola University - Downtown Chicago Campus. For questions or more information contact Whitney Key at Thresholds at 773-572-5138.
Wednesday, May 13 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Mental Health Law Day. At Northwestern University School of Law, Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago. $50 registration required. For more information call (312) 726-8775.
Monday, May 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!
Thursday, May 21, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on A Public Health Approach to Children's Mental Health: A Comprehensive Framework for Health - Call 3. (see website for materials from March & April calls) PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 - 9p.m. NAMI Northwest will host speaker L James Reilly, PhD, Associate Professor at UIC, speaking on "Understanding the overlap between Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder." At Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Ste 114, Arlington Heights. For more information please call 847-899-0195 or e-mail naminwsub@aol.com
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| June Events |
Thursday, June 4. The Illinois Mental Health Court Association invites you to the second annual conference focused on mental health courts in Illinois, hosted by the DuPage County Health Department. The keynote speaker is Hank Steadman from Policy Research Associates, Inc. The conference is designed for those currently participating in, those thinking of forming, or those interested in learning about mental health courts. All are invited. At College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. For more information or to register, contact Bob Skrocki, 630-682-7979 ext 7986 email BSkrocki@dupagehealth.org
Friday, June 12, 8:30a.m. - 3:30p.m. Faces of Recovery Consumer Conference. At Herman Union Building, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3241 S. Federal St, Chicago.
Thursday, June 18, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on Supporting Young Children in the Child Welfare System through Mental Health Consultation. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
Monday, June 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!
Saturday, June 27, 7:00a.m - 4:00p.m. Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital sponsors a seminar "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Diagnosing and Treating Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD in Returning Veterans." Aimed at health care professionals, program includes lots of speakers and special guest, Heidi Squier Kraft, author of "Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital" At the Stonegate Conference Centre in Hoffman Estates. For more information, please contact Carol at 847-755-8325 or via e-mail at Carol.Hartmann@abbhh.net
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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, May 12 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 for information) and a second on Monday, May 25 at Northwest Community Hospital (call Maryrose at 847-382-6623).
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 May, 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 Mary at 847-895-382 or Michelle at 847-524-2690 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) meets at 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, May 4. 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 at 847-297-0396 for information.
Monday, May 4. NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group will meet once this month, 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.
Wednesday, May 6. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Family Support Group. Meets monthly, 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. List members are called monthly as support group meeting day changes.
Thursday, May 7. 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, May 11 and 25. 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, May 12. 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 12 and 26. NAMI DuPage 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, May 13. NAMI Greater Chicago family support group meets monthly (usually the second 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, May 14. 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 Gina at 630 302 2530 for more information.
Thursday, May 14. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders 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 847-716-2252 for more information.
Friday May 15. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders 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, May 16. 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.
Wednesday, May 20. 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, May 20. 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, May 21. 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.
Thursday, May 21. NAMI McHenry County Family Support and Education 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.
Monday, May 25. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support group meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital Mental Health Network, 901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Call Maryrose at 847-382-6623 for information.
More support groups listed at the NAMI Illinois website
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| Carol's Corner: Coping with Stress in the Workplace |
by Carol Ziolo
"Our Stressful Lives"...these words on the cover of Roosevelt Review, my quarterly alumni magazine, caught my attention.
Three surveys last year by the American Psychological Association revealed that 81% of Americans say they lose sleep worrying about money and employment, topping health problems, family responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, and personal safety. The consequences of such stress can include health issues as well as unhappiness, anger, anxiety, and depression.
This month I'll outline findings from the article listing facets of workplace stress and crucial coping mechanisms we all can try.
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| Legislative Update: Important Measures in Illinois and in Congress |
by Hugh Brady
The way Medicaid works in Illinois is almost unbelievable: When a mental health service provider submits a bill to the state, Illinois submits that bill to the federal government, which in turn cuts a check for a portion of those services and sends it back to Illinois. But then the State can (and often does) just put that money in the general revenue fund. It does not have to be spent to reimburse the mental health service provider!
But there is legislation in Springfield in the form of HB 758 to fix that. We need your help to get it passed.
We also need help with two bills before Congress that would mean a lot to people with mental illnesses and other disabilities who are having trouble paying medical bills.
The first, the "CLASS Act" would create a new national insurance program for adults looking to obtain needed long-term services and supports if they become functionally disabled, while providing them the opportunity to continue to live, work and participate in their communities.
The second would end the current two-year waiting period for individuals on Social Security Disability to receive healthcare through Medicare.
Please read my Legislative Alert for May to learn how you can help. It will just take a few minutes to act!
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| From the President's Desk: News on health care reform |
by Hugh Brady
On Saturday April 18, I joined several area NAMI members at a rally for health care reform sponsored by Health Care for America Now (HCAN), held at St. Augustine College in Chicago.
Among the many things discussed by the speakers: One of the first questions on many applications for health insurance is "Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?" If the answer is "yes," you will most likely be denied coverage.
HCAN has a clear set of organizing principles to remedy the situation, which they plan to use to help guide the healthcare reform Congress is considering. I will outline these principles in my column for this month. They have been endorsed by 185 members of Congress and hundreds and hundreds of state and national organizations, including NAMI national and NAMI Illinois.
Read more about HCAN's principles for health care reform and how you can help them pass.
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| Housing update: good news/bad news |
by Hugh Brady
The Good News: As we reported last month, the long awaited Catholic Charities/Alexian Brothers housing grant was recently approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The grant is for 16 units of scattered site permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. Under the terms of the grant, Catholic Charities will be the fund manager and Alexian Bothers Center for Mental Health will provide the support services. Funds for the project were to be released by July 1, 2009, and the first units would have been available shortly after that.
The Bad News: Unfortunately, the Illinois Division of Mental Health (DMH) is now saying that it may not be able to fund the supportive services. But the HUD grant is contingent on the state of Illinois supplying the services. No supportive services? No grant!
The Good News: Representative Sarah Feigenholtz (D- Chicago near north side) has introduced a bill, HB 4429, into the Illinois General Assembly which will provide an extra $3 million to Illinois' Department of Human Services to fund supportive housing services. If the bill passes, funds for supportive services for the Catholic Charities/Alexian housing project will be available and the grant should proceed.
The Bad News: The bill has been sent to the House Rules Committee, the notorious graveyard for bills House Speaker Mike Madigan doesn't like.
The Good News: Many bills with financial implications (the $3 million) end up in the Rules Committee, pending final budget negotiations.
The Better News: We have the opportunity to persuade Speaker Madigan to be sure to include HB 4429 as part of the final budget package.
What You Must Do: The more co-sponsors a bill has the greater the likelihood it will pass. It currently has 25 co-sponsors, including area Representatives Kathy Ryg, Rosemary Mulligan, Beth Coulson, and Julie Hamos. But 25 is well short of the 60 votes needed for a bill to pass the House. So between now and the middle of May, we need as many people as possible to write, fax or call their State Representatives and urge them to become co-sponsors of HB 4429.
Your Message can be simple. "Please support HB 4429. In the NW suburbs there is a tremendous shortage of supportive housing for people with disabilities. HB 4429 will help fix that situation. Please become a co-sponsor of this bill."
And if your State Representative is already a co-sponsor, please thank her and give them a nice "attagirl!" (In our area that would be Kathy Ryg, Rosemary Mulligan, Beth Coulson and Julie Hamos.)
Be sure to send a copy of your letter to Speaker Madigan!
Help contacting your state representative.
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| Mental health coverage gets a boost in the stimulus package |
The economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress includes several measures which may lead to better mental health coverage
One of the most helpful is an $87 billion increase in federal funding of Medicaid payments to states over the next two years. This is especially important in Illinois where the state has a long history of "balancing" its budget by putting off payments to health service providers. Many providers report that it takes them six months to a year to receive their payments from Medicaid. The new legislation also requires the states to reimburse Medicaid service providers within a month from the time the bills are submitted.
The legislation also delays the implementation of onerous changes in Medicaid regulations that would restrict use of such things as case management, rehabilitative and school services.
The stimulus package also provides $19 billion for the development of health information technology.
You can read more in the spring issue of The Bell, Mental Health America's e-newsletter.
The issue also contains a great editorial and call to action for mental health advocates: It's Time for Mental Health
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To fight stigma, start with treatment
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An interesting article in the New York Times....
Last fall, British television broadcast a reality show called "How Mad Are You?" in which five volunteers had a history of a serious mental illness, five did not. The point? At the end of the week, a panel of experts were asked to name which did and which did not. They were unable to do so.
"Having a mental illness doesn't have to become your defining characteristic," wrote the producer, Rob Liddell, in describing the program. "It shouldn't set you apart in society." The leading mental health advocacy group in England and Wales, MIND, praised the program for encouraging viewers "to re-examine their preconceptions."
Why did the experts flounder? Read more.
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| Streetwise in trouble |
Streetwise - the nonprofit weekly magazine that helps over 200 homeless men and women get by through their earnings from its sales - has been in the news due to declining donations and sales due to the recession.
Though donations have flowed in and the crisis is past, you may want to help because of the strong connection between homelessness and mental illness. They provide hope for those truly at the bottom.
Watch a video about the crisis at ABC.com
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| Do you really mean it when you say you want to help people with mental health issues? |
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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 847-382-6623.
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| Community Mental Health Services |
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| Please pass on this newsletter |
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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.
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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 gray column to the right, call or send us an email (see below).
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| Emergency numbers |
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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
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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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