Metamorphosis Do you recognize this view? Want to win a prize? Jot your answer under “4 the WIN!” on the last page, tear off and add it to the festive-looking tin can near the name tags for tonight’s drawing :) March 2015 Photo by Kiantha Shadduck Welcome Maryruth Dilling, counseling intern with Idaho Federation of Families For Children’s Mental Health and noted foodie for better brain health, as NAMI CdA’s March 10 guest speaker. One Less Friend By Kiantha Shadduck Metamorphosis editor As mental health providers unite against suicide at Gonzaga University in Spokane today, a Lake City journalist shares the impact of tragically losing her friend COEURD’ALENE — Major depression is isolating. To exist under its dark veil of gloom is an extremely scary state of mind, subsequently leading one down a spiraling staircase to their own vision of hell. This was my journey on February 23, 2011. The frequent visitor miles accumulated over that particular week during my visits to that hellish, dark, cold place of nothingness, never warranted the kind of excitement to Facebook friends about. The negative societal stigma of mental illness is deflating of selfworth and controlling. So, I kept my struggles with depression private. Little did I know until days later, that one of my best friends took a similarly unpleasant journey that same day, resulting in life-altering consequences. Like me, Jeffrey Kemmish kept his heart-wrenching sorrow quiet. Surgery after unsuccessful surgery, See JEFFREY, page 8 NAMI Coeur d’Alene, serving Kootenai County in northern Idaho, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and an affiliate of NAMI National based in Arlington, VA. Metamorphosis is a tiny publication of NAMI Coeur d’Alene, adhering to the editorial guidelines of NAMI National. Resources page 2 Events page 3 PEEK-a-boo INSIDE Follow the Money page 5 Belly-Ache-N-Laughs Vet Suicide Law page 4 page 5 NAMI National page 5 Join & 4 the WIN! page 9 Coeur d'Alene NAMI Coeur d’Alene’s elected board: Bonnie Wilson, president; Sean Rodgers, vice president; Joy Fryman, treasurer; Kathy Henderson, secretary; and board members Rob Bishop; Clark Richman; Gene Salois, In Your Own Voice facilitator; and Kiantha Shadduck, Metamorphosis editor NAMI Cd’A members also include Susie Fischer, past president; Josh Jensen, NAMI Cd’A website editor; Florine Dooley, accountant; Matthew Gardner, grant writer; and Linda Haraldson, NAMI Idaho board member. It’s Time! Take care of numero uno ... YOU ... be number 1 in your healthcare Coeur d’Alene Area SUPPORT GROUPS NAMI Cd’A Connections (Only for those living with a mental illness) Each Thursday, not on holidays 6:30—8 p.m. United Way Conference Room @ 501 Lakeside Ave, Cd’A Questions: 208.691.9674 Mental Illness Support Group (Everyone welcome) Each Wednesday 7—9 p.m. Kootenai Health (KMC) Classrooms Check for signage Questions: 208.772.6809 Dual Diagnosis Support Group (Only for those living with mental illness and substance abuse) Each Friday 6:30—7:30 p.m. United Way Conference Room @ 501 Lakeside Ave, Cd’A Questions: 208.667.4633 or 208.773.2146 NAMI Coeur d’Alene Bonnie Wilson NAMI Cd’A President 208.691.9674 or sensitivemhc@gmail.com Website: www.namicoeurdalene.org NAMI Cd’A Office @ St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center: 208.664.3095 About 60 million Americans have a mental illness. From Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia to Borderline Personality Disorder, varying Eating Disorders and the multitudes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, mental illness affects EVERYONE across the globe. It’s time to shed the stigma that has held us down, and become the individual you desire. What is your voice? Share your story with NAMI National @ notalone.nami.org/ It’s time! It’s your choice. It’s your voice. NAMI Coeur d’Alene ... where you are not alone ... unless you want to be :) PAGE 2 Events 2 Remember Stop Violence Breakfast WHAT: Annual breakfast hosted by North Idaho Violence Prevention Center& Soroptomists of Coeur d’Alene, and themed “Engaging Men”. WHERE: Cd’A Inn, corner of Caregivers Class WHAT: “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” a six week course for family members taking care of family members. WHERE: Area Agency on Appleway and Highway 95 Aging of North Idaho, 2120 N. Lakewood Dr., Coeur d’Alene. WHEN: March 19, 2015, WHEN: Each Thursday from 7:30 — 8:45 a.m. March 26 — April 30, 2015, 1 — 3:30 p.m. IMPORTANT: Must RSVP to WHY: Class teaches Barb @ 208.755.0604 Mental Health Webinar WHAT: Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health is this month’s Parent Webinar Series through Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. WHERE: Online caregivers how to take care of themselves while caring for their loved one; emphasis on stress, guilt, communication, depression, anger, problem solve. IMPORTANT: Must register Coeur d'Alene Registration open for the upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program It’s FREEEEEEE! Register with Kathy @ 208.699.1260 or Linda @ 208.964.1105 Family-to-Family is a FREE 12-week (2.5-hours one day a week) support and in-depth education course for families with relatives living with any mental illness. NAMI provides a safe and confidential environment. All course materials are FREE. Gather with families in a similar drive as yours to locate community resources, erase the stigmas, and learn what is best for your loved ones when dealing with illnesses like major depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, borderline personality, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, co-occurring brain and addictive disorders. TOGETHER WE CAN! by March 20 with P.J. Christo, Alzheimer’s Association Outreach Coordinator, 208.666.2996 or in-person @ the Association’s office, 1042 W. Mill Ave., Coeur d’Alene. WHEN: March 19, 2015, 9 — 10 a.m. (PDT) QUESTIONS: Cindy Shotton, 800.905.3436 or cshotton@idahofederation.org Next NAMI Cd’A general meeting NAMI Cd’A board of directors meeting WHERE: ACES Community Service building, 410 E. Harrison Ave. WHEN: March 23, 2015, WHERE: ACES Community Service building, 410 E. Harrison Ave. WHEN: April 14, 2015, 6:30 — 8 p.m. WHY: Be a part of developing a strong and unwavering nexus for mental health education and support throughout Kootenai Co. and beyond. Everyone welcome! QUESTIONS: Bonnie Wilson, 7 — 9 p.m. WHY: It’s educational, hosts a guest speaker, and all are welcome! QUESTIONS: Bonnie Wilson, For tickets visit www.StVincentdePaulCDA.org, or call Barb at 208.416.4716, or via any of the 208.691.9674 St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. 208.691.9674 Helpful Freebies Counseling WHAT: Free counseling services offered at two area agencies. WHERE: (1) Monarch Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Center in Coeur d’Alene & (2) Disability Action Center (DAC) in Dalton Gardens. QUESTIONS: For Monarch, contact Linda Leonard at 208.676.1075. For DAC, contact Angela MacDonald at 208.664.9896 or angela@dacnw.org Taxes WHAT: Free tax preparation for low to moderate income taxpayers through AARP. WHEN: Feb. 2 — April 14, 2015, Mon./Wed./Fri. @ Lake City Senior Center, 208.667.4628; Tues./Thurs. @ Post Falls SeniorCenter, 208.773.9582; Tues./Thurs. @ Rathdrum Senior Center, 208.687.2028; Mon. @ Athol Community Center, 208.683.2407; if homebound call 208.667.4628 or 208.687.2028. IMPORTANT: Must Call for appointments. PAGE 3 The Ironical Belly-Ache-N Laughs “I need to work through why my first therapist dropped me.” I really like this new waiting system to see the doctor ... I finally feel appreciated for all the meds I take ... Oh, looks like I’m next! Who Takes The Most Daily Medications Waiting System WHY DID YOU TEACH THE PIG TO SING OBSCURE SMASHING IN THE DARKNESS PUMPKINS SONGS? OF MY DREAMS IN THE SPACES IN BETWEEEEEEN US ALL MY BLISTERS NOW REVEALED Wait ... you can hear him, too? “Did you ever notice that inner child and ice cream have the same initials? Well, I did.” PAGE 4 Photo by Craig Aurora, NAMI member Following the Money Win More, Lose Some with President Obama’s 2016 Budget on Mental Health By Andrew Sperling NAMI National WASHINGTON D.C. — President Obama unveiled his $4 trillion budget proposal for 2016. In a surprise development, the budget proposes to eliminate the unfair 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric care in the Medicare program, a proposal that requires congressional action. Perhaps most important is the President’s proposal to increase the current budget limits by $74 billion on spending, thankfully eliminating the looming threat of across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration” for 2016. Back in 2013, sequestration became a reality, with harmful cuts to mental illness research and supportive housing programs. It remains to be seen if Congress will allow this to happen. However, this budget proposal does serve as a first offer in a negotiation over spending limits and priorities that will run through this coming summer. Mental Illness Research The President’s budget proposes a $56 million increase for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – boosting funding from the current 2015 level of $1.434 billion to $1.489 billion. This increase is in line with many of the other 29 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which overall is proposed for a $1 billion increase, up to $31.3 billion. In addition, the budget is proposing an increase of $70 million for a total of $135 million for the Brain Research through Advancing See MONEY, page 6 Veterans Suicide Prevention Act Now Law By Jessica Hart NAMI National WASHINGTON D.C. — After being held up by a single This law is designed to expand suicide prevention programs Senator last year, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the following American Veterans (SAV) Act passed both houses of Congress ways: unanimously and was signed by • Streamline the transition for exiting President Obama on Feb. 12. service members Along with veteran service • Enhance peer support for troubled organizations, the military and veterans veteran communities, NAMI • Implement a mandatory annual supporters rallied to advocate survey of VA mental health and suicide for this significant legislation. prevention programs and The Clay Hunt SAV Act was • Recruit psychiatrists into the VA named in honor of Clay Hunt, Clay dedicated himself to helping 28, a Marine who was awarded others. We hope this law will continue the Purple Heart in 2007, and his efforts as an important step in redeployed to Afghanistan in addressing the mental health of our 2008 as a Marine Corps Scout veterans and service members. Sniper. Clay volunteered in Haiti More information about Clay’s life, after the 2010 earthquake. He and struggles with receiving much then focused on helping other needed help during his time with Clay Hunt veterans, whom like himself Veterans Affairs, at https:// were dealing with conditions www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/ such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. February-2015/President-Obama-Signs-Veterans-SuicideClay died by suicide in 2011 — like the estimated 22 veterans Prevention#sthash.XWtQax8j.dpuf who die by suicide each day. NAMI Coeur d’Alene contributed to this article. PAGE 5 MONEY cont. from page 5 Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The BRAIN Initiative is a collaborative effort across numerous NIH institutes (including NIMH) and the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) aimed at accelerating development and application of advanced technologies such neuroimaging and mapping of brain circuits. The budget also proposes a new investment in “Precision Medicine,” which involves matching diagnosis and treatment strategies to each person's unique molecular makeup. The President is asking for $200 million for this initiative, including $130 million for a National Research Cohort that would have the objective of mapping the individual genome of 1 million clinical trial participants. Mental Health Services Under the President’s 2016 budget, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would see a $44.6 million increase – boosting overall funding to $3.666 billion. This amount includes: • $482.5 million for the Mental Health Services Block Grant which is level funding from 2015. The budget continues to call for a 5-percent set aside to support early intervention in psychosis. • $65 million, the same as the current 2015 level, for the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program, which funds outreach and engagement for homeless individuals with mental illness. • $117 million, the same as the current 2015 level, for the Children’s Mental Health Program. • $10 million in new funding for Crisis Systems, an initiative to support states and communities in developing robust mental health and addiction crisis-response systems. Funding would be used to provide grants to entities for coordinating effective crisis response with ongoing outpatient services and supports. • $26 million for Primary CareBehavioral Health Integration grants, a decrease of $23 million compared to 2015. The funding cut would drop a new program for Primary CareAddiction Services Integration. (It remerges under the $20 million proposal below.) • $15 million for Mental Health First Aid under the President’s Now is the Time initiative, which is level funding. • $4 million in new funding for Veterans Mental Health First Aid, a new initiative to provide information and support to veterans and family • • • • members affected by mental illness and addiction. $2 million increase for suicide prevention activities. $10 million in new funding for peer professional workforce development. $16 million cut for Criminal Justice Activities such as drug courts and exoffender re-entry grants at the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). $20 million for Primary Care-Addiction Services Integration, a new program to support combining primary care services in addiction treatment settings to support what is high rates of co-occurrence. The Obama Administration first proposed this program in 2015, but Congress did not enact it. Supportive Housing The President’s proposed budget offers a $42 million increase for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 program, which supports the lowest income people with long-term disabilities to live independently in the community. This would boost funding from the current 2015 level of $135 million up to $177 million. This increase would allow $25 million in 2016 to develop new supportive housing units, known as Project-Based Rental Assistance (PRA). These housing units would be made available to states through a competitive process tied to efforts to promote community integration as an alternative to restrictive settings such as board and care homes serving people with severe disabilities (including serious mental illness). The budget proposes $2.48 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $345 million increase over the 2015 level. HUD projects that this increase will allow for development of 25,500 new permanent supportive housing (PSH) units in 2016 and place us back on pace to end chronic homelessness in America by the end of 2017. The HUD budget also includes a proposal to restore more than 67,000 Section 8 vouchers lost in 2013 as a result of sequestration. Specifically, $492 million is requested for new Section 8 rental vouchers. This would include 22,500 vouchers targeted to veterans and homeless individuals and families. Unfortunately, this proposal does not include people with disabilities as a targeted population. Veterans The President’s budget proposes $73.486 billion for discretionary programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 2016. The VA funding request is unique in that the agency is NOT subject to the strict caps on discretionary spending put in place in 2011. In addition, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is funded by Congress on a two year basis, meaning that this budget proposal includes 2017 “forward funding” request of $66.6 billion. For 2016, the budget projects $63.2 billion for veterans’ medical care, a $4.2 billion increase over 2015. This includes $7.5 billion for mental health care in the VA, a $349 million increase over 2015. See MONEY, page 7 PAGE 6 SINCE DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS THAT PRIMARILY AFFECTS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, THE SYMPTOMS OFTEN AREN’T VISIBLE. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL DEPRESSED PERSON. DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, GENDERS, RACES, BACKGROUNDS, ETC. MONEY cont. from page 6 The budget proposes $1.4 billion at the VA for homeless related programs, including support services in the joint VA-HUD VASH program wherein VA provides case management services for at-risk veterans and their families and HUD provides permanent housing through its Housing Choice Voucher program. Between 2010 and 2014, overall veteran homelessness has dropped 33%, and unsheltered veteran homelessness has dropped 46%. In 2015, a number of large U.S. cities have recorded zero homelessness among veterans. For 2016, the President is requesting $622 million for medical research at the VA. Finally, the President’s budget also requests $2.7 billion (a $166 million boost over 2015) to improve VA benefits claims processing through technology enhancements and hiring of new claims processors. Medicare and Medicaid Both Medicare and Medicaid are mandatory entitlement programs that are not subject to annual appropriations by Congress. However, the President’s budget request always includes proposals to reform both programs and fund demonstrations and pilot programs. For 2016, the President is endorsing an important change to Medicare and ending the current unfair 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric ALTHOUGH, I DO THINK IT WOULD BE COOL IF WE ALL GOT A FREE COSTUME. care. The budget projects that this will cost $5 billion over 10 years. For years, NAMI has fought to eliminate this unfair limit on inpatient care. This restriction disproportionately impacts non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries – mainly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that stay on Medicare longer and are much more likely to run up against the current limit. It is a major step forward for a President to endorse elimination of the 190-day lifetime limit as part of a budget proposal. NAMI will be pushing hard for Congress to move on this proposal in 2016. Unfortunately, the President’s budget also includes a proposal from last year’s budget to increase cost sharing in the Medicare Part D drug benefit for low-income and dual eligible beneficiaries. The proposal is designed to encourage higher use of generic medications in Part D. While this includes lowering the cost sharing for generic medications, it also allows for doubling of cost sharing for brand medications and specifically allows the therapeutic substitution to avoid higher cost sharing. It is important to note that this proposal for higher cost sharing would be only forced on beneficiaries below 135% of the federal poverty level and those dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. For Medicaid, the President’s budget includes expansion of a number of waiver and state option programs designed to promote community integration for people with disabilities and improve coordinated care. Among these are expansion of the current 1915 (i) Home and Community-Based Services option program. The 1915(i) program can include services — for people with mental illness who qualify — such as: day treatment or partial hospitalization, psychosocial rehabilitation, behavioral supports, cognitive rehabilitative therapy, crisis intervention and housing counseling. Under current law, states that participate must limit eligibility for 1915(i) to individuals with disabilities that meet strict criteria. The budget proposes to allow states to expand their criteria and eliminate other administrative burdens. States would also be allowed to offer the full array of Medicaid services to those meeting 1915(i) criteria. The budget also proposes to require covering Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services for children and young adults under age 21 in inpatient psychiatric facilities. Next Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate will be working on their proposed budgets. They will then come together to work out the differences in their budgets before it is sent back to the President. Sign up to receive NAMI Action Alerts to stay informed and advocate for mental health to Congress and the White House. Contributions from Jessica Hart, NAMI National. PAGE 7 In Case You Missed It ... JEFFREY cont. from page 1 Jeffrey fought his own battles with chronic debilitating pain from physical injuries sustained in a freak accident several years earlier. That physical pain was compounded by the mental anguish of depression, a diagnosis he shared with me when we briefly dated during his stint at Eastern Washington University. Unlike my lonely journey on that chilly February day, Jeffrey did not awake to struggle another. He ended his battle. Jeffrey committed suicide near a place he enjoyed inside the majestic Manito Park on Spokane’s South Hill. Jeffrey’s death killed me, too. I suddenly felt so gutted of the heart; so truly empty, so alone and lost in this vast world I once was blessed to experience, in part, with this incredibly tenacious, compassionate and talented individual. Uncontrollable tears upon tears unmasked in public by day, only to cry myself to sleep at night. Jeffrey and I were kindred souls in our activism for animal liberation, peace and justice. Now he was gone. There was no opportunity to say a heartfelt goodbye. No warning of his impending departure. The finality of this reality ate at me. Words not spoken enough, now forever lost. That loss also struck at my core identity as an activist. Albeit, we individually established our grassroots street cred, per se, years before meeting and joining forces in 2007, there still seemed to be no me without him at anti fur protests during the frigid holiday months. A similar overwhelming sadness emerged during the first springtime demonstration soon after his death. His stronghold presence and empowering passion for educating circus-goers of the enslaved cruelty punished upon African elephants, lions and endangered tigers repeatedly inspired many activists. The absence of his energy this time around was undeniably profound. My mind juggled many “what if” scenarios; thoughts to make some sense of losing my friend. I wished I had called Jeffrey, as if given a premonition of his feelings of hopelessness. Perhaps, if I had merely reached out. Checked in with him. Reconnected that friendship of which depression individually isolated us from. Could I have made any difference in his chosen outcome? I wrestled with a type of survivor’s guilt, irrational as it sounds. Would he still be alive today? Four years have passed. Four long years. An event, joke, fleeting thought, activism, similar friends, and the plight of animals can conjure memories and my fond appreciation for Jeffrey. Thinking about him brings me smiles and an occasional salutation. He will always be alive in me, a warmth to my heart and mind. Maybe someday I can tell him. Registration open for the upcoming NAMI Cd’A Family-to-Family Education Program It’s FREEEEEEE! Register with Kathy @ 208.699.1260 or Linda @ 208.964.1105 Family-to-Family is a FREE 12-week (2.5-hours one day a week) support and in-depth education course for families with relatives living with any mental illness. NAMI provides a safe and confidential environment. All course materials are FREE. Gather with families in a similar drive as yours to locate community resources, erase the stigmas, and learn what is best for your loved ones when dealing with illnesses like major depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, borderline personality, panic disorder, obsessivecompulsive disorder, cooccurring brain and addictive disorders. TOGETHER WE CAN! WANTED Writers, Photographers, Editors & Page Designers for the NAMI Coeur d’Alene newsletter team REWARD if apprehended ALIVE: Self respect, motivation, friendship (maybe ... ha ha) and eagerness for life :) Got a problem with this? Express your disgust in a long-winded voicemail to our brave NAMI leader Bonnie Wilson. Just kidding. Call Sean Rogers (lol). For Reals? Contact Kiantha Shadduck, Metamorphosis editor, at kalicokey@yahoo.com to volunteer. Yes, that’s right. VOLUNTEER. You think we pay? Jeesh! PAGE 8 Coeur d'Alene I want to be a member of NAMI Cd’A Memberships assist our support groups and educational outreach throughout Kootenai County. ________$3.00 for individuals/families with limited income ________$35.00 for families, individuals, professionals Please include membership fee of cash or check (payable to NAMI Coeur d’Alene) upon returning this form in person, or mail form and check to: Name:___________________________________________________________________________ NAMI Coeur d’Alene Mailing Address:_________________________________________________________________ PO Box 1082 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816 City:__________________________________ State:_____________ Zip:____________________ Phone:___________________________ Email:__________________________________________ Questions? Call Bonnie Wilson, NAMI Cd’A president, at 208.691.9674. NAMI Cd’A programs are made possible through generous donations from: Metamorphosis ACES Community Services, Allegra Print & Imaging, Architects West, Cancer Community Charities (3 C’s), Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis, Coeur d’Alene Library, Disability Action Center, Hayden Library, Hayden Senior Center, Idaho Community Foundation and the McAvoy Fund, Kootenai Health, Nelson Family Foundation, Peg & Rick Young Family Foundation, Post Falls Rotary, St. Vincent dePaul Help Center, United Way, Women’s Gift Alliance, and private individuals. 4 the WIN! ~from the photo on PAGE 1~ Photo Destination: Name: Tear me out, fold me once, then drop me in the tin can PAGE 9
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