| In This Issue |
| 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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Family to Family Classes Starting
It's time to register
Family to Family, a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help you understand and support individuals with mental disorders while maintaining your own well being, will soon begin.
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 skills-training with emotional support, self care and empowerment."
There is no cost to participate in a Family to Family class, you don't need to be a NAMI member, and it doesn't matter if you live in a particular chapter's area to attend a class. Just pick out a date and location that's convenient. Please note, however, that registration is necessary as class size is limited.
Barrington Area Chapter
In Barrington: Mondays, starting September 13, 6 - 9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights: Wednesdays, starting September 15, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Elk-Grove Schaumburg Chapter
Starting in September. For date and time details and to register, call Jenny at 630-289-0383 or Marianne at 847-885-2279.
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A Walk in the Park
NAMI of Greater Chicago has organized a walk again this year and several area chapters have teams, including NAMI Barrington Area. Here's what you need to know to join or to sponsor a walker:
Sunday, September 19 at 10a.m., the Fifth Annual NAMIWalks Chicago is a 3 mile walk through Grant Park along the Lake to increase awareness and to raise funds to help stop the stigma surrounding mental illness. Check-in at 9a.m. at corner of Balbo and Columbus.
The Walk is being sponsored by NAMI Greater Chicago, and through a generous revenue sharing arrangements, funds generated our team will be split between NAMI GC and NAMI BA, with part of the proceeds also going to NAMI National. Walkers generate funds by getting pledges from friends, colleagues and family members.
The last time we had a team in the NAMI Walk we generated about $1,700 which helped support our Family-to-Family and NAMI Connections programs as well as helping to pay for our many community outreach and information efforts.
What could be nicer than a walk along Chicago's lakefront on a nice early fall day?For more information, contact Ryan Elliott via email or 312-563-0445. You can join or contribute to the Barrington Area team here.
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September Events
Monday, September 13, 7 - 8:30 p.m. NAMI CCNS presents Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety in Your Lifewith Dr. Karen Cassiday, who has more than 20 years of experience helping children, teens, and adults overcome anxiety disorders, phobias, and obsessive compulsive disorders. At the Kenton-Knox Conference Center, 9701 N. Knox, Skokie. No charge, no reservation needed. Phone 847-716-2252 for
Starting Monday, September 13, 6 - 9 p.m. and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI Barrington Area presents Family to Family in Barrington. No charge. Reservations required. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Starting Wednesday, September 15, 6 - 9 p.m. and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI Barrington Area presents Family to Family at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. No charge. Reservations required. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Thursday, September 16, 7p.m. The Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club presents Prisoner of Her Past, a new documentary that tells the haunting story of a holocaust survivor dealing with late-onset post traumatic stress disorder. Director Gordon Quinn and producer Howard Reich will be there in person - a discussion follows the film. At the Barrington Public Library, 505 Northwest Highway. No charge, but a reservation is required: contact rsvp@bbrc.us (Please bring non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.)
Thursday, September 16, 6 - 8:30p.m. NAMI DKK and other community organizations present a Government Forum on Social Service Issues at Christ Community Church in St. Charles. No charge, but RSVP to Gina at 847-515-8998 or ginar_30@sbcglobal.net
NAMI Elk-Grove Schaumburg presents Family-to-Family classes starting in September. For date and time details and to register, call Jenny at 630-289-0383 or call Marianne at 847-885-2279.
Sunday, September 19, 10a.m. Fifth Annual NAMIWalks Chicago. 3 mile walk through Grant Park along the Lake is a fundraiser and aims to increase awareness to help stop the stigma surrounding mental illness in the greater Chicago area. Check-in at 9a.m. at corner of Balbo and Columbus. Several area chapters have teams to join. For more information, contact Ryan Elliott, namiwalkschicago@gmail.com or 312-563-0445. You can join or contribute to the Barrington Area team here.
Wednesday, September 22, 7 - 8:30 pm. NAMI NW Suburban Chapter presents Brenda Hilligoss explaining Ending the Silence, a nationally recognized program developed by NAMI DuPage for high school students. At the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Illness, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Ste. 114, Arlington Hts. No charge. No reservation needed. For information call 847-899-0195 or email naminwsub@aol.com |
October Events
October 3 through 9, 2010. Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's theme is "Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives."
Wednesday, October 13, 7:30pm. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance presents Mood Disorders in Adolescents-Depression and Bipolar Disorder with Steven R. Howard, LCSW, ACSW, Mental Health Clinician for Adolescents at Northwest Community Hospital. At First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. No charge. No reservation needed. Call Leah Nakamura at (847) 541-7754 with any questions.
Friday - Sunday, October 15 - 17. NAMI Illinois Educational Conference: Learning Together - Changing Minds. A very interesting program this year, including a keynote by Dr. Joyce Burland, the author of the Family to Family course. At the Embassy Suites & Conference Center, Peoria. Registration required.
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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 Connections 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). We will also hold a family group on Monday, September 13 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015). |
Cost of Treatment in the ER
Research Update by Hugh BradyAccording to a study by a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services, mental illness and substance abuse problems account for more than 12% of emergency room visits in the United States. Since the cost of an emergency room visit averages about $1881, mental health ER visits cost our society more than $15 billion per year - and that doesn't include the hospitalizations that 41% of these visits result in.
Advocates often cite improved community mental health services and permanent supportive as much more effective and much cheaper than alternative treatments. A study completed several years ago for the National Governor's Association compared the cost per day of treating people with mental illness in the Chicago area in a variety of settings:
Supportive Housing $ 20.55
Homeless Shelter $ 22.00
Jail $ 60.00
Prison $ 61.99
Mental Hospital $427.00
Regular Hospital $1,201.00
It seems that cost-cutting measures, such as trimming housing and other support programs, can lead to the most expensive of outcomes.
So when you discuss mental health issues with your legislators and legislative candidates, this is some information you may want to share.
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The Human Cost of the Budget Mess
From the President's Desk by Hugh BradySome numbers for your consideration:
Over the last five years, the case load at at a typical Illinois Department of Human Services office has nearly doubled from 43,000 to 83,000, but the available staff hours has been cut by 10%.
The State of Illinois recently notified mental health service providers that appropriations had been reduced by another 3% on top of cuts of 14% two years ago and 40% this year. The state has also notified service providers that some of the monies to be paid to them will be held back in case the financial picture does not improve, in which case these funds will not be paid at all. And of course the state is, on average 6 to 9 month behind in paying for services already provided. Some community health centers have closed their doors - others have cut services.
And if this isn't bad enough, it may be just the beginning. Because of the recession, tax revenue has fallen sharply while the demand for services has soared. Illinois is now $13 billion in the hole.
The only hope we have of preserving even shreds of our community mental health system is for the General Assembly to pass an income tax increase. If they don't, we won't have a public mental health system left.
Read Hugh's September column
Or read about the plight of a Schaumburg resident who is not getting any services and could probably use some |
Obama Signs Medicaid Funding Bill
Legislative Alert by Hugh BradyA bit of good news for a change - the funding bill is law - but what does it mean?
As you know, Medicaid is partially funded by the states and partially by the federal government. The original FMAP plan, which has now been extended for 6 months, increased the federal government's share of Medicaid, which in turn allowed states to spend money that they otherwise would have had to spend on other programs, such as community mental health.
Of course Illinois officials assumed that the FMAP would be extended for a full year and built those expected funds into the budget. So, while the FMAP extension does provide extra money that Illinois desperately needs, it doesn't make a dent in Illinois' $13 billion budget deficit.
One final note: Both Illinois senators, Richard Durbin and Roland Burris, voted for the FMAP extension. Representative Melissa Bean voted for it as well, but Representative Mark Kirk voted against it.
Read more about the funding extension
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Action Committee on Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Action Committee, part of NAMI Barrington Area, meets the first Wednesday of every month, and we'd love to have your help and support.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane-Suite #114, Arlington Heights.
Our goals: assisting families in crisis with a loved one in the legal system, advocating for CIT Training in police departments, educating prosecutors, judges, and public defenders about organic brain disorders, advocating for more mental health courts in Illinois, advocating for proper step down programs (including housing and medication, visiting jails/prison in Illinois to see firsthand how the mentally ill are treated and give reports), and advocating for juvenile justice (including adoptive families who make up a disproportionate number in the juvenile courts).
For more information, email Joseph M. Jason or phone him at (847) 537-3009. Help us make a difference.
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The Struggle to Understand Suicide
Some good advice for those of us who have been touched by this tragedy, by Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic priest, speaker, columnist and author.
"Every year I write a column on suicide because, among all forms of death, it's still the one we struggle with the most... Even though we know better, we're still haunted by the feeling that suicide is the ultimate act of despair, a deed that somehow puts one outside the family of humanity, the mercy of God...A number of things need to be re-iterated over and over again...First, that suicide, in most cases is a sickness [that cannot be cured by any amount of love and care]...Next, those left behind should not unduly second-guess themselves...And God, more than anyone else, undertands this."
Read the column.
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Job Opening
Trilogy, Inc., 1400 W. Greenleaf, Chicago, is looking for a Peer Support Center Coordinator.
Requires one year experience with psychiatrically disabled or other disabled populations. Must self-identify as a past or present consumer of mental health services. Must be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate with Illinois driver's license and safe driving record. Supervisory experience preferred. Contact: Samantha Handley at 773-508-6100 or email resumes to shandley@trilogyinc.orgRead the column.
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Help Wanted
MembershipNAMI Barrington Area needs someone to help in the area of membership processing and record keeping.
This is not a huge job, and now that the bugs have been worked out of NAMI National's membership processing system, it is easier than it has been in the past. Basically the job consists of entering membership data into the national system as it comes in and in sending out and following up on annual membership renewals. The Membership Chair also makes periodic reports to the NAMI BA Board. We currently have about 70 individual and family memberships, and so it's not too large a group to easily keep track of.
If you'd be willing to help out with membership, and have a computer with Internet access, we'd love to have you. Just give Maryrose a call at 847-496-1415. Thanks
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Clinical Research Opportunities
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago is conducting research to better understand genetic and biological traits associated with risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This program is for patients and their first-degree family members. Eligibility: ages 15-65; an individual with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective or Bipolar I disorder and at least one first degree full biological family member (i.e., parent, full sibling, or child) who may or may not have a psychiatric illness. Participants must be medically stable and will be compensated. Please call: (312) 355-5549 or visit www.ccm.psych.uic.edu.
The Schizophrenia Research Group at the Northwestern University Department of Psychiatry is looking for individuals with schizophrenia and family members to participate in several studies. For information call Ereni at 773-543-9215.
The Alexian Brothers Center for Psychiatric Research is currently enrolling participants in clinical studies on depression and autism. Eligible participants may receive medical and psychiatric evaluations and medication at no cost, plus compensation. Call 847-230-3591 or learn more here.
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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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Local Hospitals
With Mental Health Serivces
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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 of this page.
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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. Please register online if possible or download our paper membership form.
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.
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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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