| 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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Come One, Come All!
NAMI BA's Annual Membership Meeting
We hope you will be able to join us on Tuesday, November 17th for NAMI BA's third annual membership meeting. It will be a great opportunity to hear the latest news on affiliate activities and to socialize with old friends from classes, support groups and other activities.
WHAT: NAMI BA's 2009 Membership Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 7 - 9 PM
WHERE: Barrington Area Public Library, 505 N Northwest Hwy
On the agenda are several important "must do's." The terms of all the members of the current Board of Directors are expiring, so we will be electing people to serve on the new Board. We will discuss and approve a budget for 2010, and will also be discussing the NAMI BA action plan for 2010.
We have an interesting program planned for the meeting, including a review of our activities in 2009, a housing update, and best of all, a look at project H.E.R.E., the Barrington schools' suicide prevention/mental health awareness campaign. NAMI BA has played an active role in this project and we will hear news about its progress and activities from Mary Holcomb, NAMI's representative in H.E.R.E. activities.
Hope to see you on the seventeenth.
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November Events
Monday, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dr. Michael Riera has written on extensively on relationship and communication with teens. Sponsored by the PTO Morningline program, he will speak to parents and community members about ways to effectively communicate with teenagers. There is no charge to attend and registration is not required. For more information, contact Mary Holcomb at 847-381-6919.
At Barrington High School, 616 W Main St., Barrington.
Monday, Nov. 9, 7 - 9 p.m. NAMI CCNS presents "Mental Health Services and Support Available in Our Community" with representatives of the Josselyn Center, the Maine Center for Mental Health, the New Foundation Center (formerly named WilPower), and Turning Point. They will explain and answer your questions about: · Mental health evaluations and treatment · Recovery and health and wellness programs · Housing programs · Employment support · Crisis intervention. At the Kenton-Knox Conference Center at NorthShore University HealthSystem, 9701 N. Knox, Skokie. Park in the parking lot on the left side of the street. Enter the building through the revolving door and follow the signs to the Conference Center. No charge. No registration. Questions - call NAMI CCNS at (847) 716-2252
Wednesday, November 11, 10a.m. - 12p.m. NAMI CCNS presents "Parents and Teachers As Allies: Recognizing Early Onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents" This in-service educates all school personnel about the critical role schools play in the identification of brain disorders in students. Two parents of children with early onset mental illness and a person whose illness began in childhood will tell their personal stories about the challenges and rewards of transcending mental illness. For more information call the NAMI CCNS office at 847-716-2252 or visit namiccns.org. At the Winnetka Community House.
Thursday, November 12, 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, November 12, 7 - 9p.m. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Libertyville Chapter presents "Managing Bi-Polar Conditions: Learning's from Experience (a Narrative Therapy application, followed by discussion) with John P Bair Ph.D. At Saint Lawrence Church, Lower Level, 125 West Church Street, Libertyville, IL. No charge, no reservation required, though an RSVP would be appreciated. For information or to RSVP, contact DBSA.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., NAMI Barrington Area Annual Meeting at the Barrington Library. We need all members to attend (others very welcome) as we elect a new board of directors, vote on the annual organizational plan and budget, hear the latest MH news and a couple of good speakers. Please save the date!
Thursday, November 19, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on The Elimination of Disparities in Mental Health Care: Call 2. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
Saturday, November 21, 10:30a.m. onwards. Autism Seminar at Governor's State University. Sponsored by Family Time Magazine and Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, among others, 14 experts will cover a variety of topics including the latest research, cutting edge therapies, strategies for coping, networking opportunities, and more. $30 fee. Please call 815.806.8844 for more information or to purchase tickets.
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December Events
Wednesday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. NAMI Northwest Suburban Potluck Dinner at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights. Bring a favorite dish to share. Baked chicken and beverages will be provided. Please call 847-899-0195 by November 22 to tell how many are planning to attend.
Thursday, December 17, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on The Elimination of Disparities in Mental Health Care: Call 3. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
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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, November 10 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information) and a second on Monday, November 23 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 November, 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 Monday, 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
Monday, November 2. 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, November 2 and 16 . NAMI of Greater Chicago Consumer Support Group 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, November 2 and 16 . NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Consumer Support Group meets the first and 3rd Monday of each month, 5:15 - 7 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call the office to put your name on the list: 312-563-0445.
Wednesday, November 4 and 18. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Family Support Group meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 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.
Thursday, November 5. 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, November 9 and 23. 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, November 10. 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, November 10 and 24. 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, November 11. NAMI Greater Chicago Family Support Group meets 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, November 12. 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, November 12. 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.
Wednesday, November 18. 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, November 18. 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, November 19. 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, November 19. 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 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 November 20. 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, November 21. 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, November 23. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support groupmeets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 - 9 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, November 23. 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 websiteand theNAMI Connection website.
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I will never know why
One of our members shared an excerpt from this story recently, writing "I thought this courageous mother so well captured what it is like to be the parent of someone with suicidal ideations that has carried it through to completion, and in this case with rare violence, that I would share this excerpt with all of you."
Having lost someone quite close last year to suicide, I read it and thought others might find it interesting or helpful. It's from the mother of one of the boys at Columbine.
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Employment Support Available for Consumers
From the President's Desk - by Hugh Brady
IPS, or Individual Placement and Support, is an evidence-based initiative built on the idea that employment is the first step toward recovery. IPS programs focus on finding job opportunities that match the consumer's preferences, skills and abilities and then provide the supports necessary to allow the person to keep the job.
Remarkably, IPS programs are cost effective. It costs between $2,000 and $2,500 per year to provide a person IPS services, but since those people become taxpayers, they pay back that investment and more.
Illinois has IPS programs in several different divisions of the Department of Human Services and dozens of field offices across the state offer IPS programs. Though these programs have been scaled back recently, there is still an opportunity for those in need.
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Let There Be Light
Human Rights at Home-Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons and Jails by Joseph M. Jason
On September 15, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held a hearing on "Human Rights at Home: Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons and Jails."
Testimony addressed the problems we face from incarcerating, rather than treating, the mentally ill.
"In 1963, President Kennedy signed a $3 billion authorization that would have created a national network of community mental health facilities for the whole country. Unfortunately, none of that funding was appropriated, and today we allocate scant resources to support persons with mental illnesses. Training for judges, correctional, law enforcement, and emergency response personnel is essential to ensuring adequate diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill."
Read more about the hearing and its conclusions.
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Thank you Trowby
With regret the NAMI BA Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Trowby Brockman as a member of the Board.
Trowby is one of the founding members of the Barrington Chapter of NAMI, and she has ably served as Vice-President of the Board since 2006. In that capacity she provided wise counsel regarding many matters, and assumed a leadership role in the President's absence. Among Trowby's numerous contributions to the success of the Barrington chapter, she shared her expertise with a team that led to a successful HUD grant for Permanent Supportive Housing for persons with mental illnesses. In her role as educator, Trowby has arranged speaker meetings offered to the general public and served as a support group facilitator.
Although we will miss her participation in monthly Board meetings, we will continue to benefit from her leadership in support groups and other NAMI Barrington Area functions.
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Action Needed in Springfield and Washington
Legislative Update - by Hugh Brady
Light a fire under Springfield
Illinois state legislators are now meeting for the fall veto session, but so far, they are not taking action on our budget crisis.
NAMI Illinois is joining with a group of more than 100 other social service and educational agencies in the Responsible Budget Coalition, which calls for increasing the state income tax, expanding the sales tax somewhat but also increasing personal exemptions and deductions to help shield the Illinois' poorest residents from the impact of the tax increases.
Help support health care reform in Congress
NAMI supports President Obama's goals for healthcare reform: universal coverage, cost containment, quality improvement, and protecting existing coverage for those who have it.
Major reform proposals have now passed all five of the necessary Congressional committees. Now the House and Senate leadership must present a single unified reform bill to Congress. If you haven't already done so, please contact your legislators and urge them to pass a strong health care reform package now. And if you have already called, it would certainly help if you did so again!
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NAMI Conference Recap
by Gina Badal and Barb Finch
The NAMI Illinois 2009 Conference, "Investing in the Future," held at the Westin Northwest Chicago in Itasca on October 16-19 was a great learning, sharing, and supportive experience! Eleven NAMI BA members attended.
The conference included professionals, consumers, and family members as both attendees and presenters. We had the opportunity to hear great speakers, such as leading psychologist, educator, founder and director of the LEAP Institute, author of I'm Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! and keynote speaker Xavier Amador; Illinois Department of Human Services' Director of Recovery Support Services Nanette Larson; and NAMI's Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy Andrew Sperling. There were numerous sessions to choose from: The Emerging Role of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Individual Placement & Supportive Employment Program in Illinois, What Does Self-Medicating Really Mean, Direction: Moving from Hopelessness to Helpful Action and many more. We also heard about Illinois' Vision for a Public Mental Health System presented by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health. The information presented, as well as meeting others with similar issues and interests, was invaluable. We urge everyone to make a point to attend next year's conference!
Special thanks to all the wonderful speakers and dedicated volunteers who made this event possible and such a success!
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Progress Continues
Housing Update - by Hugh Brady
The on again/off again Catholic Charities-Alexian Brothers supportive housing project for homeless individuals with mental illness in the northwest suburbs looks like it is finally getting ready to open. The project calls for the creation of 19 units of scattered site permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness. It will be supported by grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Clients will pay no more than 30% of whatever income they have in rent, and will have leases just like any other tenant. Alexian Brother will provide the supportive services.
The project's sponsors have already been in contact with landlords near downtown Arlington Heights and have the individual apartments lined up. All that is missing is final HUD approval, which is expected in November. Once HUD releases the funds, Catholic Charities and Alexian Brothers will begin the leasing process. If approval happens as expected, apartments should be ready for occupancy by December 1.
People interested in finding out more about the project or perhaps in getting one of the slots for themselves or a family member should contact Eileen Higgins at Catholic Charities.
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Insurance Barriers to Youth Mental Health Care
Interviews sought with those who have experienced them
An author working on a book proposal about youth and mental illness would like to speak with parents of children/teens who have faced insurance hurdles when trying to access mental health services and supports for their child.
If you would like to share you story, please send a short description (250 words or less) of your experiences to Christine Armstrong via e-mail. Please include your name and phone number. NAMI will not release any personal information without your explicit consent and ultimately the reporter will decide which stories may be the best fit for this article.
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Have You Tried Clinical Research?
The Alexian Brothers Center for Psychiatric Research is currently enrolling participants in the following studies:
Bipolar Disorder (Age 10-17)
Depression (Age 18-80)
Opiate Dependence (healthcare worker: Age 18+)
Autism (Age 6-12)
Schizophrenia (Age 18-65)
Eligible participants may receive medical and psychiatric evaluations along with medication provided at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be available.
If you think participating in clinical research might be right for you or someone you care about, please call the center now at 847-230-3591 for a brief phone screening. Learn 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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