November 2011

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

Annual Meeting November 30

NAMI Barrington Area will hold our annual meeting at the Barrington Village Hall, 200 South Hough Street, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7 p.m.

We hope you can join us. You do not need to be a member to attend.

In addition to going over accomplishments for 2011 and our goals and organizational plan for 2012, we are pleased to announce that our guest speaker will be Kimberly M. Trueblood.

Kim is the supervisor for the Housing Division at the Illinois Department of Human Rights, where she has worked with both the employment and housing divisions for over 24 years. The most fulfilling part of Kim's job, she says, is that of trainer and presenter. It gives her great pleasure to go into the community to share information regarding discrimination in employment and housing. She truly believes that the greatest way to attack housing discrimination is to promote equality and educate the public regarding discrimination. Kim is known for conducting teacher training workshops , taking hundreds of children to camps and youth conferences, implementing charitable events for families in needs , organizing health and wellness fairs and writing and directing plays.

Light refreshments will be served.

New Support Group for Spouses or Significant Others

NAMI Barrington Area will begin offering a new support group in December and we would like you to join us.

The group will be led by spouses of people who live with mental illness, offering respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope. We will use a casual and relaxed approach and share the challenges and successes of coping with a loved one with a mental illness.

We will meet the first Monday of each month. Like our other support groups, there is no charge to attend and no need to make a reservation. Please join us.

Starts Monday, December 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Call 847-496-1415
for information.

November Events

Thursday, November 3, 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health hosts Keeping Life Real (What parents need to know about trauma). These educational calls are offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern. The calls focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children. Toll free: (800) 260-0712 Participant Access Code: 120964. For questions, please call (618) 838-9382.

Sunday, November 6 at 2p.m. The Arlington Heights Young Adult Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will meet at the Corner Bakery for their monthly Snack & Yack. PARENTS will have their own facilitated group at the same location and time but at separate tables. For details about either group, contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or 847-541-7754.

Monday, November 7, 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. NAMI CCNS hosts an education meeting to Ask the experts about housing for people with mental illness. Hugh Brady and Susan Shimon will discuss various kinds of accommodations for youth, adults, seniors, and veterans with severe and persistent mental illness. At the first floor community room at the Glenview Township Police Department, 2500 E Lake Ave at Shermer, Glenview. Free! No registration required. Any questions contact NAMI CCNS at 847-716-2252.

Monday, November 7, 7:00-8:30 p.m., NAMI Northwest Suburban begins its weekly Connection Recovery Support Group for adults with mental illness regardless of their diagnosis at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Hts. Please note also that no fourth Wednesday Speaker Meetings are held in November and December. For more information call 847-899-0195 or email naminwsub@aol.com.

Wednesday, November 9, 7:00.m. NAMI Barrington Area board meeting in the Kildeer Village Hall, 21911 Quentin Road, Kildeer. Drop in and learn what's going on in the chapter!

Thursday, November 10, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. NAMI Webinar on Membership and Fundraising, with Susan Gaffney, Senior Project Manager for Operations, NAMI. Learn more or register.

Friday, November 18, 6:30p.m. NAMI-PACT Support Group at Northwest Community Hospital hosts guest speaker Linda Prewitt, from the Community and Residential Services Authority (CRSA).

CRSA is a state authority made up of state department representatives, legislators, and advocates, that has statutory powers and duties to assist families with children that have severe behavior and emotional disorders. Linda will be speaking on how CRSA can help families as well as what their limitations are. Free! No registration required. At Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. For more information email Toni Hoy.

Saturday, November 19 at 2pm. The Arlington Heights Young Adult Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will meet for bowling. PARENTS will have their own facilitated group at the same location and time but in a separate space. For location and details about either group, contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or 847-541-7754.

Sunday, November 20. NAMI CCNS Sundays at One social group (for adults 20 and up) will bowl together. Call Chris Jordan at 847-220-0199 for information and location.

Wednesday, November 30, 7:00.m. NAMI Barrington Area Annual Meeting at the Barrington Village Hall, 200 South Hough Street. Guest speaker: Kim Trueblood, supervisor for the Housing Division at the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 p.m. NAMI Northwest Suburban invites you to their Annual Potluck Dinner at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Hts. Come and share a dish and friendship. The main course of chicken, as well as beverages, will be compliments of NAMI NWS. To RSVP and notify us of what you plan to bring call Judy at 847-577-3723 or email naminwsub@aol.com by November 27.

December Events

Thursday, December 1, 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health hosts Sleigh-driving Safety Course (Family driven care for the holidays). These educational calls are offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern. The calls focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children. Toll free: (800) 260-0712 Participant Access Code: 120964. For questions, please call (618) 838-9382.

Sunday, December 4 at 2p.m. The Arlington Heights Young Adult Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will meet at the Corner Bakery for their monthly Snack & Yack. PARENTS will have their own facilitated group at the same location and time but at separate tables. For details about either group, contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or 847-541-7754.

Monday, December 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. NAMI Barrington Area Support Group for Spouses & Significant Others meets the first Monday of each month. Call 847-496-1415 for information.

Wednesday, December 14, 7:00p.m. NAMI Barrington Area board meeting in the Kildeer Village Hall, 21911 Quentin Road, Kildeer. Drop in and learn what's going on in the chapter!

Saturday, December 17 at 2pm. The Arlington Heights Young Adult Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will meet to make/bake/decorate holiday cookies for a local mental health clinic. PARENTS will have their own facilitated group at the same location and time but in a separate room. For details, contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or 847-541-7754.

Sunday, December 18. NAMI CCNS Sundays at One social group (for adults 20 and up) will hold their holiday party. Call Chris Jordan at 847-220-0199 for information and location.

Area Support Groups

You may find that a support group can be very helpful, especially if you, a partner, friend or family member is going through a crisis. A very large number of groups meet in our area for consumers as well as family members and friends.

Each month, we publish a list of support groups that you can attend, generally at no charge and with no need to make a reservation.

You can access that list in a printable format here.

We would also like to invite you to the groups hosted by our own chapter, NAMI Barrington Area. This month we will offer a NAMI Connection group for consumers and a family support group every Thursday at Northwest Community Hospital at 7 p.m. (call Nora at 847-899- -6264 for more information), a NAMI PACT group for parents the first and third Friday of the month, also at Northwest Community (call Toni at 847-804-2088 weeknights), and a new family support group in Lake Villa the third Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., at the Lake Villa Assessor's Office, 37850 North Route 59. Email tonihoy@comcast.net or helmick6@comcast.net for information.

In the Trench

The Notebook - by Toni Hoy

Mental illness has gradations just like physical illness. Some days the affected person feels a bit under the weather; some days he is in bed and can't function; and thankfully fewer days, he may need to be hospitalized. And some days, he is "back."

I find myself trying to find and appreciate those small moments of joy when our son's brain and body aren't defying him. One of my favorite movies is "The Notebook..."

Read this month's In the Trench

Successful Strategies for Coping with Schizophrenia

From the New York Times

After decades of research and more than 100,000 studies of schizophrenia, a group of people with the diagnosis is showing researchers a previously hidden dimension of the story: how the disorder can be managed while people build full, successful lives.

The study has already forced its authors to discard some of their assumptions about living with schizophrenia. "It's just embarrassing," said Dr. Stephen R. Marder. "For years, we as psychiatrists have been telling people with a diagnosis what to expect; we've been telling them who they are, how to change their lives - and it was bad information" for many people.

The New York Times shares stories of people who have bucked negative advice and done well.

National Children's Mental Health Report Card

NAMI National reports that a new survey of parents with children aged 2-24 shows nearly one in four parents (22%) have some concern about a child's mental health, and, although most seek treatment, almost half waited more than a year and nearly a quarter two years.

The treatment they received, how effective it was and who they sought it from are all part of the study.

You can read a summary of results or the full study here.

It's interesting that the results overlap NAMI's primary care survey report.

Action Needed on Two Crucial Issues

Legislative Alert by Hugh Brady

When the Illinois General Assembly meets for its fall veto session (during the last week of October and the second week of November), our legislators must address two important mental health items: Governor Quinn's plans to close and restructure state mental hospitals, and $30 million appropriated for community mental health services but inadvertently given to the wrong department.

Time is short. Please help now!

Learn more about who to contact and what to ask for.

My Meeting with Representative Dold

From the President's Desk - by Joseph M. Jason

On October 10, I had the opportunity to meet with the honorable Representative Robert J. Dold and talk to him about the criminalization of the mentally ill and of my son.

I gave Representative Dold a binder of various important information that included articles on Asperger Syndrome, policy statements from the Treatment Advocacy Center, a NAMI brochure, suggestions on dealing with the growing numbers of people in the criminal system with Asperger Syndrome and various other information.

Overall, I was pleased with the visit. He was responsive to the problems that are faced by our loved ones. I'd like to share some of what we discussed and a number of suggestions for improving the criminal justice system.

Illinois Parents Sue for Treatment

by Toni Hoy

EPSDT is an acronym for Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment, which is a provision of federal Medicaid law. The law was originally enacted so that children would be screened for health issues early, so that treatment could be started before health problems exacerbated.

The law is important for many parents whose children have mental health issues. In short, if a child under 21 is eligible for Medicaid, and a medical or mental health provider deems a treatment necessary states are required to either supply it or arrange for it.

Unfortunately, many states pass laws that prohibit billing Medicaid for certain treatments, placing the state in violation of federal law. That seems to be the case in Illinois where, out of 1,051 families requesting Individualized Care Grant applications, only 81 were awarded the grant. A family has filed the second EPSDT lawsuit in Illinois this year and is asking for certification as a class action.

If you have a child under 21 needing mental health services, you may find this article interesting.

Next Steps - an Organization for Consumers

by Hugh Brady

Are you a mental health consumer? Are you concerned about the state's drastic reductions in mental health services over the past several years? Or are you a family member of a person with mental illness concerned about the state's drastic reductions in mental health services over the past several years?

If you want to do something about it, you may want to join Next Steps.

Next Steps is a statewide membership organization that wants consumers to have a seat at the table for all discussions and decisions that affect access to mental health services and the quality of those services. Next Steps' motto is "No decisions about us without us," and their mission is "to empower consumers and survivors to recover and lead a full life in the community."

Already Next Steps is being heard. Their President, Fred Friedman, sits on the Board of NAMI Greater Chicago and is a member of the Mental Health Summit. Next Steps' members were active in the big mental health rallies held in Chicago last spring and this fall.

There is no other statewide consumer organization in Illinois, so if you want to help make sure the voice of consumers is heard by our government, you may want to consider joining. Dues for consumers are $5 annually, and people who do not have a mental illness but who wish to support the group's mission can become "Friends of Next Steps" for $25.

For more information, visit Next Steps' website

The Research Shows - NAMI Basics Works!

Research Update by Hugh Brady

If you had any doubts, a study published in the August 2011 issue Journal of Child and Family Studies reports that NAMI Basics, a class for parents of children and adolescents living with mental illness, leads to significant improvement in communication and coping skills in family members who take the class.

You may recall that a similar study published last year showed strong evidence that NAMI Family to Family is very effective in helping participants deal with their family members' illnesses. Like Family to Family, Basics is taught by teachers who themselves have had a child or adolescent with a mental illness and who have completed a 22-hour training program. Basics, however, is a six weeks course.

NAMI BA now has two members certified to teach Basics. We hope to offer it starting in February.