Inside This issue: Changing Minds A Mother’s Story Harriet Shetler May/June 2014 “NAMI Northern Illinois is dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy.” CONTACT US! A Mother’s Story 1 President’s Leer Stars of Light 2 Educaon Meengs 3 Community Report 4 IPS A Father’s Thoughts 5 Groups/Courses 6 Contributors Membership 7 Calendar of Events 8 NAMI Northern Illinois PO Box 6971 Rockford, IL 61125 Phone 815.963.2470 Email [email protected]Website nami.org/northern-illinois Craig Schreiner/Wisconsin State Journal Harriet Shetler, whose experience as the mother of a son with schizophrenia led her to help start a naonal organizaon to address mental health needs. Today the organizaon Mrs. Shetler helped start, the Naonal Alliance on Mental Illness, has affiliates in every state and more than 1,100 communies. It offers support to the mentally ill and people living with them; promotes re- search and educaon on mental illness; and lobbies governments on mental health concerns. Its beginnings go back to the anxiety Mrs. Shetler felt aſter her son, Charles, was idenfied as schizophrenic. A friend at the Congregaonal church she aended put her in touch with another church member, Beverly Young, who faced similar challenges with her own schizophrenic son. The two women met for lunch in 1977 and had instant rapport. At a second lunch, the women, both acve in civic and charitable acvies, decided to assemble people with similar concerns. In April 1977, about 13 people met at a nightclub in Madison. Mrs. Shetler suggested a name, Alliance for the Mentally Ill, partly because its acronym meant “friend” in French. (The name was later changed slightly to broaden its scope.) Within six months, 75 people had joined. When members came across a news- leer from a similar organizaon in California, they were thrilled to find they were not alone, Mrs. Young said. She said Mrs. Shetler hit upon the bold idea of holding a naonal conference. Mrs. Young said that they expected perhaps 35 people to come, but that more than 250 showed up. By the end of the conference, a naonal group had been formed, named and financed. In 1999, in an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Dr. Steven Hyman, then director of the Naonal Instute of Mental Health, called the alliance “the greatest single advocacy force in mental health.” Harriet Shetler (1917-2010) Founder of Naonal Alliance on Mental Illness A version of this arcle appeared in print on April 4, 2010. May is Mental Health Month MENTAL HEALTH RALLY Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Noon - 1 pm (Call NAMI office for more details.) Rescue Community Care Thompson Center (plaza in front of building) 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL Advocate for mental health treatment!
Transcript
Inside This issue:
Changing
Minds
A Mother’s Story Harriet Shetler
May/June 2014 “NAMI Northern Illinois is dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy.”
Harriet Shetler, whose experience as the mother of a son with schizophrenia led her to help start a national organization to address mental health needs.
Today the organization Mrs. Shetler helped start, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has affiliates in every state and more than 1,100 communities. It offers support to the mentally ill and people living with them; promotes re-search and education on mental illness; and lobbies governments on mental health concerns.
Its beginnings go back to the anxiety Mrs. Shetler felt after her son, Charles, was identified as schizophrenic. A friend at the Congregational church she attended put her in touch with another church member, Beverly Young, who faced similar challenges with her own schizophrenic son.
The two women met for lunch in 1977 and had instant rapport. At a second lunch, the women, both active in civic and charitable activities, decided to assemble people with similar concerns.
In April 1977, about 13 people met at a nightclub in Madison.
Mrs. Shetler suggested a name, Alliance for the Mentally Ill, partly because its acronym meant “friend” in French. (The name was later changed slightly to broaden its scope.) Within six months, 75 people had joined.
When members came across a news-letter from a similar organization in California, they were thrilled to find they were not alone, Mrs. Young said. She said Mrs. Shetler hit upon the bold idea of holding a national conference. Mrs. Young said that they expected perhaps 35 people to come, but that more than 250 showed up. By the end of the conference, a national group had been formed, named and financed.
In 1999, in an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Dr. Steven Hyman, then director of the National Institute of Mental Health, called the alliance “the greatest single advocacy force in mental health.”
Harriet Shetler (1917-2010) Founder of National Alliance on Mental Illness A version of this article appeared in print on April 4, 2010.
May is Mental Health Month
MENTAL HEALTH RALLY Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Noon - 1 pm (Call NAMI office for more details.)
Rescue Community Care Thompson Center
(plaza in front of building) 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL
Advocate for mental health treatment!
2014 Spring Schedule
Tuesday April 29
Senior Y Men’s Club Y Log Lodge 200 Y Blvd.
Rockford, Illinois
1:00 p.m.
Thursday September 11
Signal Hill Neighborhood
Association St. Peter Cathedral
1243 N. Church Street Rockford, Illinois
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 7
University of Illinois
Rockford 1601 Parkview Ave.
Rockford, Illinois 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday
October 8 NAMI Northern Illinois
Celebration of Mental Health
Giovanni’s 610 N Bell School Road
Rockford, Illinois 6:00 p.m.
Schedule Updates & Volunteer Info: Mary Gubbe Lee
815.721.2247
nami.org/northern-illinois
President’s Letter
who baked and hosted the event. Bravo!
The last two programs before the summer break week include May's presentation by Bruce Person, MSW, LCSW and the annual movie night in June. Bruce will talk about Bipolar Disorder and Depression. Movie Night will feature “Take Shelter”, recipient of the 2014 Voice Award (rated R for nudity/sexual situations, profanity and violence). Thanks for the Rosecrance Berry Campus for once again hosting movie night and providing beverages for the evening.
The Nominating Committee has been busy identifying new potential board members to replace those whose terms are expiring. Voting for the slate of new officers will take place during the annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the May meeting. Please come and welcome the new board members.
The Program Committee is still looking for a chairperson to keep this active group organized and on track. Members have plenty of ideas and contacts but need someone to keep things running smoothly. Programs are planned through next February, so the new chair will have plenty of time to get up and running. If you have good organizational and computer skills, please consider this volunteer opportunity.
Robin Garvey
NAMI Northern Illinois is growing in membership, programs, and influence. The hard work of many volunteers is paying off in large and small ways.
Attendance at Get to Know NAMI was the highest ever. Importantly, many people that attended came because they read the front page article in the Rockford Register Star! Many, many more did not attend but are now aware of our organiza-tion for the first time. Bravo! The team that puts on this annual event meets all year long, as does the Mental Illness Awareness Week team. These dedicated volunteers have developed successful strategies that create repeatable success while welcoming new ideas. Thank you for your dedication to NAMI.
Attendance at the most recent monthly program featuring Judge Janet Holmgren was fantastic; over 80 people came to enjoy the art and hear our friend, “Judge Janet”. It was also the opening of the Art of Recovery 2014 gallery for NAMI Stars of Light, led by Steve Vrtol and Mary Gubbe Lee. 180 pieces of art by 49 artists were displayed throughout the Stepping Stones building. This wonderful event helped break the stigma of mental illness while giving artists a welcome opportunity to earn a little extra money. Thanks to the Rockford Area Arts Council, Step-ping Stones and NAMI members
815.963.2470 May/June 2014 Page 2
Every service that NAMI offers our community is performed by our volunteers. Without the dedication
of these individuals, NAMI would not exist. Thank you
Our Greatest Natural Resource
nami.org/northern-Illinois May/June 2014 Page 3
Monthly Meetings & Education Programs
June NAMI Goes to the Movies Tuesday, June 10
6:00 pm Rosecrance Berry
Campus 8616 Northern Ave
Rockford
Movie Night:
Take Shelter
Movie: Take Shelter
Rated: R
6:00 pm
Schizophrenia is a vehicle
that advances the story while the plot explores the boundaries between delusions and reality. Take
Shelter provides a nuanced, accurate portrayal of the onset of schizophrenia
and the impact on a man’s family, but the theme is much larger. It is about a sense of apocalyptic fear in the turmoil of the early 21st century—which has included
Hurricane Katrina, the BP oil spill, torna-does, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis and economic collapse.
July & August Monthly Meetings or Ed Programs
Tuesday, May 13th 6:30 pm
Annual Meeting Stepping Stones 706 N Main St
Rockford 7:00pm
Bipolar/Depression Bruce Pearson
Bruce A. Person, MSW, LCSW, employed by Dr. Marianne Geiger at the Clinic of Psychiatric Care in Loves Park, IL. He helps people with acute mental health symptoms, and chronic mental illnesses. He provides individual psychotherapy, and case management linkage to community resources. He educates
May Bipolar / Depression
clients about coping skills and symptom management. He demon-strates compassionate care.
6:30 pm - Annual Meeting We will introduce our new prospective board members and hold our
annual election.
We are thankful for our event sponsors:
Rosecrance Health Network Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. Waterside Financial Advisors US Bank Michael & Mary Ann Abate Anam Glen Inc. Glenn & Nancy Basik John Cabello Crash 1 Off Alpine kp counseling, inc Rockford Memorial Hospital Joel B. Cowen Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling Family Optical Centre, Inc.
Get To Know NAMI
For those effected by suicide. . . . . .
Community Walk
Walk To Honor Loved Ones
October 5, 2014 Location:
Anderson Japanese Gardens
The 5th annual Get to Know open house was held March 11th at Klehm Arboretum. Again, we congratulate the 8 NAMI Stars listed in the January/February Changing Times newsletter. Other awards presented were to Senator Steve Stadelman, Legislator of the Year, Melissa Westphal, Excellence in Media and Mary Ann Hughes received the Friend of NAMI award.
afsp.org
NO
Please consider NAMI Northern Illinois as a beneficiary in your planned giving,
will or trust. You may contact Community Foundation, 815.962.2110 or NAMI
Northern Illinois (815)963-2470 for more information.
Endowments Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
nami.org/northern-Illinois May/June 2014 Page 4
Mental Health not only affects the individuals with the illness and their loved ones, but also the entire com-munity. Our project goal is to increase awareness and under-standing of available community mental health resources that are accessible to everyone affected by mental illness.
We are investigating the number of individuals living with a chronic mental illness in the Rockford area and seeing how this population was impacted with the closure of Singer Mental Health Center. In addition, we wish to be able to provide resources to this population regard-ing safe programs they can access in effort to accommodate their mental health needs. Currently we are obtaining more information on the current statistics regarding this pop-ulation that are in jail, crisis centers, homeless shelters, emergency rooms, and hospitals in Rockford. We are comparing this statistical information obtained to check for any correlations or impacts with the closure of Singer Mental Health Center.
After speaking and meeting with many key individuals who work with those living with mental illness, we noticed some interesting results. There have been increasing num-bers in those seen in hospitals, homeless shelters, and jails that are suffering from mental illness. The State of Illinois set aside funding to
try to alleviate any increase on hospi-talizations after Singer was closed. Short term crisis beds were added as well as triage centers. For those that need help acutely, this is a wonderful resource. However, for those who require more individualized or long-term care for their chronic condition, there are little resources available. They may be acutely better, but if they do not receive constant support, they may decline. Many of these individuals are stuck in a cycle. A cycle of being well for a period of time, losing sup-port or supervision, declining mentally, then ending up in a hospital, jail, or homeless. This cycle needs to be broken.
There are many solutions to this prob-lem. We are developing a guidebook that will give up to date information on what help is currently available addressing items such as medical care, housing, transportation, clothing, food and organizations. We are compiling evidence to submit to our legislatures regarding providing more help to those who need it. Another goal is to reduce stigma by educating others in mental health. It would also be helpful in providing more support for the loved ones who care for the individuals living with mental illness.
If anyone would like more information on our project, contact the NAMI office.
Tammy Murawski Amanda Polizzi Rockford University Nursing Students
Community Mental Health Project
Northern Illinois
Board of Directors President
Robin Garvey Vice-Presidents Pam Jacobson
Vicky Braun Secretary
Mary Gubbe Lee
Treasurer Lynn McGill
Ex Officio Jean Morrow
Directors Nancy Basik Joe Capone David Gill
Bob Harms
Bernie Marinelli
Bruce Parks
Committees
By-Laws
Joe Capone
Consumer Council Darius Perry Education
Kathy Chamberlain Harriet Roll
Finance
Lynn McGill
John Burns
Fundraising &
Promotions
Jean Morrow
Legislation Nancy Basik Membership Bev Capone
Nominations Bruce Parks Newsletter
Pam Jacobson Programs
Open Stars of Lights
Mary Gubbe Lee Volunteers
Vida Marshall Liaisons
Mary Ann Abate, Rosecrance Ware Center
Randy Roberson, Stepping Stones
Meetings held last Tuesday of the month;
open to the public.
Location: Stepping Stones
of Rockford
815.963.2470 May/June 2014 Page 5
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The Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Supported Employ-ment service is available to all clients at Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. If you are a client of Stepping Stones and interested in working either part time or full time tell your caseworker to contact Kelly Kimbrell, Employment Specialist.
Together you will talk about your job preferences, work out obstacles that might hinder the search for employ-ment. Kelly will help you as long as you need her support.
In 16 randomized controlled trials it was found that people who received IPS services were almost three times more likely to work in competitive employ-ment rather than those who received other types of occupational services.
IPS Individual Placement and Support
An Englishman’s Point of View A Father’s Thoughts
Day by Day - Thoughts for the Heart As care givers we've heard about HOPE and CHANGE. And yes, we've all seen a lot of change in the ones we love who are dealing with mental health illnesses, and change has also taken its toll upon us. We find ourselves going through the stage where we feel we are all alone in this world, worthless as hu-man beings go, who have failed not only our loved ones, but our fami-lies, and yes, even society itself. We conclude there is no place to hide, no escape from all the hurtful pain within our souls, no place where we can run for protection, and the feeling that we are truly left all alone without any HOPE of getting free in this world called life.
And yet my friend, when we really deeply think about it, we are never truly left alone are we! Find-ing help is but a stone throw away...that's right, a stone throw away. For there are living within our neck of the woods, families who are living and dealing with the same mental health illnesses as ourselves, they too have faced up, or still could be facing up to the very challenges
An
Englishman’s
Point of View
is a new, regular column!
Find it in NAMI Mail
E-News
that exist in our own little woods.
Therefore; it behooves us to never give up HOPE or throw in the towel, NEVER...give up even though it may mean not returning to the same life we call normal on the onset of mental illnesses.
It's because mental illness affects so many aspects of our lives that we need to find mutual support, education, strength and help that provides us with a true sense of be-longing, and which emphasizes the particular need that we are im-portant to our whole being, and our world.
NAMI provides one with the free ed-ucation, support groups, friends, and a sense of belonging for one's per-sonal growth and understanding of family needs when dealing with mental illnesses.
So dear friend; let us look forward to a better HOPE for tomorrow as we surround ourselves with loved ones who have gone through the very pains and issues we face. Please don't delay…Join NAMI today.
Simon-Peter
give thanks in all circumstances. pray continually;
Be joyful always;
IT’S EASY AND FREE
24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week
nami.org/northern-Illinois May/June 2014 Page 6
NAMI Educational Course Schedule Free Call to Register
Family Support 3rd Monday of the Month May 19 Jun 16
8 am Grandma’s Restaurant
329 Chrysler Dr Belvidere
Jean 815.399.9686
Family Support 3rd Tuesday of the Month May 20 Jun 17
7 pm Our Savior's Lutheran Church
3300 Rural St Rockford
DiAnn 815.543.3443
Family Support 1st Tuesday of the Month May 6 Jun 3
7 pm SwedishAmerican Heart Hospital
Charles St Entrance Conference Rm #1 Rockford
Nancy 815.399.4476
Parents of Youth 4th Monday of the Month May 26 Jun 23
6:30 pm Heartland Comm Church
1280 S Alpine Rd Rockford
NAMI Office 815.963.2470
NAMI Connection Recovery Peer Support
1st & 3rd Sundays May 4 & 18
Jun 1 & 15
2:00 pm SwedishAmerican Heart Hospital
Charles St Entrance Conference Rm #1 Rockford
NAMI Office 815.963.2470
Family-to-Family Coming this fall! Registration Now
NAMI 815.963.2470
De Familia A Familia Monday, May 5 Registration Open
5:00 pm La Voz Latina 730 N. Church St Rockford
Margarita 815.965.5784
NAMI Basics June 14, 21, 28 Registration Open
9:00 am 2:30 pm
Temple Baptist Church
3215 E State St Rockford
NAMI Office 815.963.2470
NAMI Educational Courses
NAMI Speakers
NAMI Support Groups
Family-to-Family Basics Family Support Connection In Our Own Voice
Learn to partner in recovery with an
adult family member with mental
illness through listening and
communication, being prepared for
crisis, and developing empathy and
advocacy skills.
Fundamental information is
presented that helps caregivers learn to
take are of themselves, their families and their
children with mental illness and mental health challenges.
Confidential, safe groups for family
members of people with mental health
challenges. Family Support Group for family
members and close friends of adults. Parent Support
Support for parents/caregivers
of youth.
Peer-led recovery focused support group for people living with mental
illness. Confidential, safe
group offers respect, understanding,
encouragement and hope.
Presentations by individuals with
mental health challenges who share their journeys, focusing on recovery and
hope.
Audience members gain insight about living with
mental illness.
2.5 Hrs Weekly 12 Wk Course 2 Facilitators
2.5 Hrs Weekly 6 Wk Course 2 Facilitators
1.5 Hrs Monthly 1-2 Facilitators
1.5 Hrs per Meeting 2 Facilitators
Public presentations upon request.
NAMI Support Group Schedule Free No Registration Required
For updated group and course schedules: Subscribe: [email protected] Website: nami.org/northern-Illinois
NAMI Northern Illinois’ Groups & Courses
Register
Now!
815.963.2470 May/June 2014 Page 7
$
Nadine Hallstrom Jean Killingsworth Second Congregational/ First Presbyterian Church of Rockford
In Memory of Noah West
Herold & Helen Declute Mary Gubbe Lee Lynn & John Oldenburg Dallas & Shirley West Marion Young
NAMI Contributors( (Feb 15—April 15, 2014)
Recovery Resource Center
(3rd Floor)
526 W State St Rockford
Call: Bonnie or Michelle 815-720-5090
Other Resources
Rosecrance Ware
Recovery Resource Center
Themed Summer Camps Children & youth with mental health issues.
