NAMI SWI Gateway Regional Medical Center 2100 Madison Avenue, 4th floor Granite City, IL 62040 April - May 2015 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jessica Gruneich BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Beverley Watkins, President Peter J. Dodge, Vice President Mary Pat Dejarnette, Secretary Royal Boeder, Treasurer Irma Cummins Marion Endress James Fraser Jennifer Gerlach James Isaac Cathy Malear Kimberly McClellan Kelly Medlin Kris Gamm-Smith Larry Stevens Susy Woods Website: http://namiswi.org E-mail: info@namiswi.org Phone: (618) 798-9788 Fax: (866) 332-5338 MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) works every day to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illness. The month of May is a time when we can join forces to make a bigger statement by observing Mental Health Month. Each year NAMI provides support, educates the public and advocates for equal care for the millions of Americans affected by illness— and each year the movement grows stronger. We encourage you to speak up and step out during May—whether that’s on your own or with NAMI. We believe that these issues are important to address year round, but highlighting these issues during Mental Health Awareness Month provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of the tens of millions of Americans affected by mental illness. GO GREEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NAMI Southwestern Illinois proudly serving the 12 IL counties of: Bond Calhoun Clinton Greene Jersey Macoupin Madison Monroe Montgomery Randolph St. Clair Washington See page 2 for HOTLINE phone #s & state crisis psychiatric services for the 12 counties of NAMI SWI. Wear a green ribbon. Pin it on your shirt or on your computer bag or backpack. Wear the green ribbon to raise awareness and to show your support of people with brain disorders. When someone asks you what the green ribbon represents, tell them that May is Mental Health Month and we are trying to inspire hope and rid stigma that is still so prevalent with mental illness in this day and age. Tell them “mental illnesses of the brain are no different than illnesses of other organs because the brain can get sick too.” During May, make some green ribbons to hand out for people to wear. Wear green clothing. Be creative; don’t just limit this to your everyday wardrobe. Wear green shoelaces, dye your hair green or even paint your fingernails green!! Initiate a "Wear Green Day" at work and encourage your co-workers and friends to wear green to help spread the word. Green ribbon awareness pins will be available to all NAMI SWI members during the latter part of April at all support meetings. Start off the month of May wearing your pins with pride and continue wearing them all year round. Everyone knows what the pink awareness ribbon stands for; our goal is to make sure everyone becomes familiar with our green mental health awareness ribbons. “IT’S TIME TO ELIMINATE STIGMA IT’S OK...PASS IT ON!!” Table of Contents 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 14 Hotline Information May is Mental Health Month Table of Contents Moving??? Social Media Message from NAMI SWI Newsletter Team Hotline Information News from NAMI SWI President, Beverley Watkins Alice Adcock NAMI SWI Support Meeting Locations/Times/Contacts Other Local Support Meetings Education Program Training Procedures for 2015 2015 Newsletter Article Due Dates NAMI IL Presents Piecing It All Together Team Walking Earth Day Festival NAMI SWI Volunteer Spotlight Is On… Do You Shop Online with Either Amazon or eBay? Executive Director’s Report May I Have Your Attention Please? Rest in Peace Sharing Our Stories A New Act Will Help Those Affected by MI Save Money Snapshots/Artwork Say It Out Loud SILEC - CIT Training Special Thanks! Get Linked No Family Left Behind” Conference Meaning of Memorial Day Diversity Conference Walk/Run Registration Form What is NAMI SWI? BOND COUNTY Prairie Counseling Center (618) 664-1455 (8:30AM - 4:00PM) After hours, call Greenville Hospital (618) 664-1234 CALHOUN COUNTY JERSEY COUNTY WellSpring Resources (618) 639-2016 (Call 24/7) CLINTON COUNTY Community Resource Center (618) 533-1391 (Call 24/7) GREENE COUNTY MACOUPIN COUNTY Locust Street Resource Center Weekdays only - (217) 854-3166 After hours/weekend - (217) 854-3135 calls go to Police Department who will notify a crisis worker NORTHERN MADISON COUNTY WellSpring Resources (618) 465-4388 (Call 24/7) If you move, don’t forget to call the NAMI SWI Office at (618) 798-9788 or send an email to info@namiswi.org with your new address, phone number and email. NAMI Llama, Carol, David, Jessica, Lynn, Mary, Sandy & Tom wish our NAMI friends a very blessed and happy Easter! Website WordPress Twitter Facebook 2 SOUTHERN MADISON COUNTY Chestnut Health Systems (618) 877-0316 (Call 24/7) MONROE COUNTY Human Support Services (618) 939-4444 (8:00AM-4:30PM) After hours, dial 911; Police will contact crisis worker MONTGOMERY COUNTY County Health Dept. - Hillsboro 1-888-324-5052 (Call 24/7) WESTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY Comprehensive Behavioral Health (618) 482-7330 (Call 24/7) EASTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY Chestnut Health Systems (618) 877-0316 (Call 24/7) RANDOLPH COUNTY WASHINGTON COUNTY Human Service Center (618) 282-6233 (8:00AM-4:30PM) After hours, dial 911; Police will contact crisis worker ____________ ...Beverley Watkins, NAMI SWI President March 14, 2015 Our big challenge at this time is the state budget and funding situation. NAMI Illinois is preparing to offer conference calls in late March, April, and May to train affiliate members in advocating effectively with state legislators. The Governor has prepared his budget. It is now up the legislature to make decisions regarding mental health, addiction, and other health care and social service funding. We need to be very focused and strategic in contacting members of the legislature to advocate for funding for our most vulnerable citizens. In our last Board meeting on March 10, 2015, the necessity of contacting our local representatives and leadership was discussed, with good input from Board and other members. I plan to be very proactive in encouraging our affiliate members to advocate tirelessly. On a more positive note, our affiliate is doing well in increasing our presence in underserved communities. Latino Outreach is going strong thanks to Carlos and Efrend Garcia. Kimberley McLellan and Eugene Luster are doing great work with the East St. Louis Initiative. Kimberly was instrumental in making the 40 Days of Nonviolence presentations happen and in getting great participation from the community. The Youth MOVE Illinois Annual Conference (also the Youth Track of PIAT) will be on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Our planning committee has been hard at work planning sessions for youth focused on such topics as living successfully after experiencing bullying, living well with seasonal depression, and surviving and thriving through difficult situations. I would like to encourage all adult NAMI members to attend PIAT and to encourage youth to attend the Youth Track. Ann Barnum, our social media “expert,” has been doing a great job using Facebook to create awareness of mental health issues. Good job, Ann! May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We plan to “blanket” our area with the green mental health awareness ribbon pins during the month. Please plan to help us with this. Other mental health awareness activities are also being planned. Plans are underway for the Walk/Run on June 27, 2015. Mary Pat Dejarnette and Kristine Gamm-Smith, cochairs, have begun holding planning meetings. Please plan on walking/running and volunteering. Activities are being planned for all ages. Let’s make it the biggest success yet! Beverley Watkins, Ph.D., LCSW opportunities, and other local community mental health information. In September 2013, in honor of her tireless commitment to F2F, Alice was named to the NAMI National Hall of Fame!! In February 2015, Alice worked with NAMI St. Louis Programs Coordinator, Joyce Johnston, and our two affiliates worked together and five NAMI SWI members participated in Alice Adcock announced her the NAMI St Louis local F2F teacher training! retirement recently from active On behalf of the board of directors, project leaders, memvolunteer education, support, and bers, staff, and volunteers we extend a special thanks and advocacy work with NAMI SWI. recognition for many of years serving our affiliate and bringing Before moving to Edwardsville, Illinois Alice was very active in the NAMI St. Louis affiliate hope and help to families and individuals impacted by mental _____________ and spent six years as a state trainer for the NAMI Missouri illness. Family-to-Family (F2F) Program. Alice served on the NAMI SIDE NOTE: Our Webmaster, Mary Gauen, was looking SWI Board of Directors for several years as well as serving as online for a photo of Alice Adcock to use with the above the NAMI SWI F2F Education Program Coordinator. In addiarticle. What she found was much more than a photo. Mary tion to her work with F2F, Alice has also given her time to found a 24 page publication where individuals gave their community outreach efforts and has worked with local commupersonal story addressing the issues of access, medical treatnity leaders, volunteer organizations, and community mental ment, and helping relationships around mental health. One of health providers, to help raise awareness of brain disorders and those individuals who told their story was our one and only the education and support available through our NAMI SWI “Alice Adcock”! affiliate. Alice has also generously supported the annual walk/ The publication is the Spring 2007 issue, titled “The Round run fundraiser and spent many years as a walk/run volunteer Table”. Alice’s story can be found on page 15 of the docuhelping to ensure the event’s success!! ment . Click here to read the publication: Alice also co-coordinated the NAMI SWI Helpline with NAMI SWI past President Pat Rudloff. Together they trained http://karenhousecw.org/documents/AwarenessandHealingand mentored a volunteer staff of helpline volunteers. The Mental_Illness.pdfe. ____________ Helpline provides information on support groups, education Alice Adcock 3 You are not alone… attend a support meeting! NAMI SWI CONNECTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP GRANITE CITY (Madison County) First Tuesday of each month, a support meeting for individuals living with mental illness, 6:30PM - 8:00PM at Gateway Regional Medical Center, 2100 Madison Ave, Granite City, IL 62040 in the Pascal Hall Meeting Room (use ground floor entrance across from Doctor's building parking lot and to the right of Emergency Room entrance). Contact Jen Gerlach at (636) 358-1800 or log onto http://namiswi.org. EDWARDSVILLE (Madison County) First and Third Wednesdays of each month, a support meeting for individuals living with mental illness, 12:001:30pm, Center for Spirituality, Room MLK, at SIUE Campus #1 Circle Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62026, for more information contact Jen Gerlach at (636) 358-1800 or log onto http://namiswi.org. BELLEVILLE (St. Clair County) Second Friday of each month, a support meeting for individuals living with mental illness, 3:30PM - 5:00PM, Chestnut Health Systems 12 N. 64th St., Belleville, IL 62223. For more information, call NAMI SWI office at (618) 798-9788 or email info@namiswi.org. NAMI SWI SUPPORT GROUPS BELLEVILLE (St. Clair County) Third Tuesday of each month, a support group for Family Members and Individuals Living with Mental Illness, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, St. Matthew’s Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville IL 62223, in the library. Use the Fellowship Hall entrance from parking lot. Contact Mike or Kathy Janik (618) 277-5459 or log onto http://namiswi.org. EDWARDSVILLE (Madison County) Fourth Tuesday of each month, a support meeting for Family Members, 7:00 - 8:30PM, First Baptist Church, 534 St. Louis St., Edwardsville, IL 62025; use church parking lot entrance, Contact Mary Ann Miller at (618) 9776542 or log onto http://namiswi.org. GREENVILLE (Bond County) Third Tuesday of each month, a support meeting for Family Members, 7:00 to 8:30PM, St Lawrence Catholic Church, 512 S. Prairie Street Greenville, IL 62246. For more information contact Facilitator Linda Methvin at (618) 541-2407 or log onto http://namiswi.org or call the NAMI SWI office at (618) 798-9788. WATERLOO (Monroe County) Second Monday of every month , s support meeting for Family Members, 7-8:30PM , at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 522 S. Church Street, Waterloo, IL 62298. For more information contact Royal Boeder at (618) 340-8825 or call the NAMI SWI office at 618-798-9788 or log onto namiswi.org. NAMI SWI MILITARY FAMILIES SUPPORT GROUP MARYVILLE (Madison County) First Tuesday of each month, a Military Family Support Group, 7:00 to 8:45PM, YMCA, 1 Town Center Drive, Maryville, IL 62062. Contact NAMI Office at (618)798-9788 or email at vetsupport@namiswi.org or log onto http://namiswi.org. ___________ Inclement Weather Warnings: When Southwestern Ill College (SWIC) classes are cancelled because of bad weather (snow, sleet, etc.), NAMI support meetings are also cancelled. SWIC cancellation notices will be broadcast on all major TV and radio stations in the St. Louis area. If there is a tornado watch or warning for the area where a support meeting is to be held (Belleville, Granite City, Edwardsville, Greenville, Maryville and Waterloo) during the time frame of 6:00-9:00PM, that support meeting will be cancelled. ____________ 4 OTHER LOCAL SUPPORT MEETINGS St. Louis Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group: 3rd Saturday of each month, 10:00AM to Noon at Missouri Baptist Hospital Auditorium #1, 3015 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Contact: Jan at (314) 291-7556. DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) of Madison County Meeting: Every Monday 7:30PM - 9:00PM, Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, on Level B, behind cafeteria. Facilitated by Tina Jackels, (618) 960-2902. DBSA of Hope - Belleville: Every Saturday at 12:00PM AND every Tuesday at 7:00PM, St. Elizabeth Hospital, 211 S. 3rd St., Belleville, IL, 7th Floor, Room 722. Facilitated by Tod Jurke at (618) 5670986 or by email at boeingme@yahoo.com or Lisa Wojick at (618) 581-4179. “With Hope in Mind” Support Group: for family members or caregivers; meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30PM at Christian Hospital Northeast (CNE), 11133 Dunn Road, St. Louis, MO, Room 2100. For more information contact Linda Hossin at (314) 302-2740 or by email at lhossin57@aol.com. GROW meeting for individuals living with mental illness, every Wednesday, 7:00PM at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 2167 Grand Ave, Granite City, IL 62040. Contact Sharon at (618) 977-1133. GROW meeting for individuals living with mental illness, every Thursday, 7:00PM at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 211 S. Third St., Room 729, Belleville, IL 62221. Contact Sharon at (618) 977-1133. ADHD Support Group: The location/time/date for the April & May meetings to be determined. Please call Kristen Weber at (618) 406-0842 or Important email kristinweberadhdcoach@gmail.com. changes! Summer break during June, July, and August; meetings will resume in September 2015. Please call for more information. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call toll-free 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to their website at http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Youth M.O.V.E. meets concurrently with Family Voices Parent & Caregiver Group above. Same time, same location, but separate room. Contacts for Youth M.O.V.E. Group are Jennifer Johnston at jjohnston@childrenshomeandaid.org and Beverley Watkins at bbwatkins@fanad.net. Karla Smith Foundation Support Group for family and friends of anyone with mental illness: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:00–8:30PM, Peace Chapel, 10101 W. Main St., Belleville. For more information call Tom or Fran Smith at (618) 624-5771 or send email to ksf@karlasmithfoundation.org. Belleville Location—Karla Smith Foundation Suicide Survivor Support Group: 2nd & 4th Thur. of each month, 7:00 – 8:30PM, Peace Chapel, 10101 W. Main St., Belleville. For more information call Tom or Fran Smith at (618) 624-5771 or send email to ksf@karlasmithfoundation.org. Karla Smith Foundation Support Group in St Louis for family and friends of anyone with mental illness: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 8:30PM, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, 8639 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63132. For information contact Linda or Jim Murphey 314) 481-0008 or ksf@karlasmithfoundation.org Friday Night Social: for persons living with mental health conditions on the first Friday of each month from 7:00 - 8:30PM, 607 Vandalia, Suite 500, Collinsville, IL. Contact Jen Gerlach by phone (636) 358-1800 or send email to jgerlac@siue.edu. REFRESH (formerly Family Voices Parent ON HOLD & Caregiver Group in Fairview Heights) IS ON HOLD TILL FURTHER NOTICE. Questions, contact Kim McClellan at 618-407-9081 or email at kimberleyjmcclellan@yahoo.com. Youth M.O.V.E. meets concurrently with Family Voices Parent & Caregiver Group above. Same time, same location, but separate room. Contacts for Youth M.O.V.E. Group are Jennifer Johnston at jjohnston@childrenshomeandaid.org and Beverley Watkins at bbwatkins@fanad.net. REFRESH (formerly R.E.S.T. Parent & ON HOLD Caregiver Group in Alton) IS ON HOLD TILL FURTHER NOTICE. Questions, contact Kimberley McClellan at (618) 855-4806 or send email to kimberleyjmcclellan@yahoo.com. Nar A Non meeting for families seeking help and support who are facing dual diagnosis issues. Every Monday, 7:00PM at Bridge Church, Steiss Road, Glen Carbon, IL 62034. For more information NEW!! call 618-973-6863. ____________ CONTACT PERSONS: Please check that the information (time, location, contact info, etc.) for your meeting is still current. Send any changes to Sandy at skgiger@hotmail.com. ATTENDEES: These support group meetings are not affiliated with NAMI SWI. For questions please call or email the contact person for that particular meeting. ____________ 5 How to Get More Information on Conference or on the Speakers: Visit http://il.nami.org/PIAT.htm or contact NAMI Illinois at 217-522-1403 or email namiil@sbcglobal.net Click here to register for the Piecing It All Together South Conference at SIUE: https://namiil.ejoinme.org/MyPages/ PIATSouthRegistration/tabid/257478/Default.aspx Education Program Training Procedures For 2015 NAMI Illinois’ goal is to accommodate each NAMI Illinois Affiliate’s training needs to assist you in bringing NAMI Signature Programs into communities throughout Illinois. New procedures have been established to provide more frequent teacher, facilitator and presenter trainings. The 2015 NAMI IL Program Training dates follow: Apr. 2015 (Date TBD) - NAMI Basics Apr. 17-19, 2015 – Parents & Teachers as Allies Jun. 20-21, 2015 – In Our Own Voice Training applications can be found at: http://il.nami.org/education_trainings.htm _____________ _________________ As the 2015 NAMI SWI Run/Walk committee continues its work to coordinate a fun, successful event for all, the 2015 event will include a professional timed 5k race besides our annual one mile walk. All NAMI SWI members and supporters who are not entered in the race are encouraged to organize walking teams as in the past to support the one mile walk for mental health awareness. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!! ____________ 2015 Newsletter Article Due Dates Jun - Jul 2015 newsletter articles due May 15th Aug - Sep 2015 newsletter articles due July 15th Oct - Nov 2015 articles due September 15th Dec 2015 -Jan 2016 articles due November 15th Earth Day Festival On Saturday, April 25th, NAMI SWI will help to celebrate the 7th Annual East St. Louis Earth Day Festival at the Jones Park Community Gardens Greenhouse. The theme for 2015 is "Nutrition and Mental Health The Missing Piece" exploring the interaction between nutrition, fitness and mental health. There will be education on healthy eating, growing healthy foods at home, fun fitness for improved mood, and the way our foods affect our mood. There will be a very diverse group of community members participating and enjoying the beauty of the park and the NEWLY RENOVATED greenhouse. Vendors include organizations concerned with mental health, Autism, Nutrition, fitness, the environment, agriculture, etc. A children's village and a sensory village will incorporate environmental issues, recycling and sensory integration activities in fun and exciting child friendly activities. For information contact Kimberly McClellan, Earth Day Festival Director, 618-407-9081 or email Earthdayeaststlouis@yahoo.com. You can also find them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/eastst.louisearthday. Email your articles to Sandy at skgiger@hotmail.com AND Mary at webmaster@namiswi.org. Email ON or BEFORE due date! ___________________ NAMI IL Presents 11th Annual Conference Piecing It All Together April 10 & 11, 2015 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, IL Piecing It All Together (PIAT) strives to bring parents/caregivers of children who have mental health conditions together with early childhood, school and mental health professionals all under the same roof, hearing the same message of hope for our kids. Who should attend PIAT: Parents, Caregivers, Social Workers, Teachers, Mental Health Professionals, Early Interventionists, and Early Childhood Teachers. Friday Keynote Presenter...Michael Trout In the mental health field since 1968, and in private practice since 1979, Mr. Trout directs an institute engaged in research, clinical practice and clinical training related to problems of attachment. Saturday Keynote Presenter...Ron Glodoski Ron Glodoski is a living example of why we should Leave No Child Behind. An author and remarkable motivational speaker, Ron is an inspiring example of personal transformation. ____________ Humor is good for the soul!! Hoppy Easter to All!!! 6 NAMI SWI VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT IS ON………… Mike & Kathy Janik!! Our affiliate is proud to announce that Mike and Kathy Janik are the NAMI SWI spotlight volunteers!! The Janiks have been members of NAMI SWI since 2012. Mike and Kathy served on the NAMI SWI Board of Directors in 2013. Mike and Kathy have both completed NAMI Basics Teacher training and NAMI Family Member Support Group Facilitator training. Together they facilitate our affiliate’s monthly Belleville, IL meeting at St. Matthews Methodist Church on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:00PM. Additionally, Mike and Kathy teach the NAMI Basics education course for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents dealing with mental health conditions. They have also volunteered for numerous years at the affiliate annual NAMI SWI 5k race and mile walk fundraiser. Mike and Kathy have been instrumental in helping expand NAMI SWI programming in St. Clair County. The Janiks have also represented the affiliate at the Piecing It All Together (PIAT) South Youth Mental Illness and Advocacy Conference held annually at the SIUE campus in Edwardsville, IL. Our affiliate extends a huge “THANKS” to Mike & Kathy for all their time and talents to help provide help and hope to individuals and family members affected by brain disorders!! If you want to find a NAMI SWI Support Group in your area please the call the office at 618-798-9788 or send an email to info@namiswi.org or log onto namiswi.org!!! DO YOU SHOP ONLINE WITH EITHER AMAZON OR EBAY? If you shop online with either business, you can support NAMI SWI while shopping. Our Executive Director, Jessica Gruneich, learned that NAMI SWI could earn money when you purchase from AmazonSmile (instead of Amazon.com) and Ebay Giving Works (rather than Ebay). Thanks to Jessica, NAMI SWI is now signed up with both! You’re account info does not change. The only change is that NAMI will reap some donations because of your purchase. AmazonSmile eBay Giving Works AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. To start shopping at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com. You use the same account on AmazonSmile as you do on Amazon.com. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, log-in, and other account settings are also the same. On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations for eligible purchases before you begin shopping. That’s where we hope you select "NAMI SOUTHWESTERN IL GRANITE CITY, IL". Amazon Smile will even remember your charity selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to NAMI SWI. You just order items like before except you’re ordering from AmazonSmile rather than Amazon. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. From time to time, they may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services or provide for additional donations to charitable organizations. ____________ Through eBay Giving Works you can support the causes that matter most - to you - by buying and selling on eBay. This help nonprofits connect to over 145 million eBay community members to raise money. Integrated into eBay's regular buying and selling platform, eBay Giving Works makes it easy for people to support important causes, both in the U.S. and abroad. It enables sellers to donate a portion of their sales and buyers to shop while supporting their favorite charities — all the while giving nonprofits an opportunity to engage new supporters. To start shopping at eBay Giving Works, go to http:// givingworks.ebay.com/. Again, your account info remains the same as on regular eBay. Then you’ll you want to pick your charity that you would like to profit from your purchase. When you buy items marked with the eBay Giving Works icon (which is the navy and gold ribbon - see eBay logo above), part or all of your purchase will support a certified nonprofit organization that you choose. You can also donate to a nonprofit at Give At Checkout as long as you pay with PayPal, even if you buy an item that isn't an eBay Giving Works listing. You can add a donation of $1 to $25 to the amount you pay when you checkout. Donations made using “Give At Checkout” are tax deductible. Generally, you can't claim a tax deduction for eBay Giving Works items you buy. You should consult a tax professional with questions about your specific circumstances. ____________ 7 ...Jessica L. Gruneich, NAMI SWI Executive Director March 10, 2015 Office Administration: The new NAMI.org has officially launched! Many of you have already noticed that when you log in, your home page is now different. Instead of the NAMI 360 link being at the bottom center of your home page, it is in the Leader Dashboard area of your MyNAMI page. The link still says NAMI State Organization and NAMI Affiliate Management Site as it did on the old website. The black NAMI 360 User text is just listing your role; it is not the link to NAMI 360. Click NAMI State Organization and NAMI Affiliate Management Site to get to NAMI 360. NAMI National is putting together a "Membership Care Package" aiming to build membership base, improve renewal rates, and improve data management. Please use the link below to send NAMI National your thoughts. If you have already filled out the survey, but have additional comments, please email memberservices@nami.org. My thanks to NAMI SWI Newsletter Editor Sandy Giger for her wonderful creative design skills!! Sandy has created marketing material for May 2015, Mental Health Awareness Month! NAMI SWI will distribute green ribbon pins and cards detailing the awareness and outreach projects running the entire month of May and beyond!! Many of you may shop online at Amazon.com or eBay.com. Now you can shop at AmazonSmile & eBay.GivingWorks with same product & prices, it’s just that they donate a percentage of your purchase to a charity of your choice. NAMI SWI is currently set up with both and every purchase you make, at no cost to you, NAMI SWI will receive a donation from them. See article on page 7 for more information. Programming Updates: NAMI SWI will present NAMI Sharing Hope at the Family Center in East St. Louis Illinois on Saturday March 21, 2015. Thank you very much to coordinator and board member Kimberly McClellan for presenting the program to area families. NAMI SWI has successfully partnered with NAMI St. Louis and we enthusiastically welcome Judi Boker, Roger Boker, Amanda Corrado, Mary Ellen Bock, and Sonja Vauters as NAMI SWI Family to Family Education Teachers!! Thanks so much to Joyce Johnston, Program Director NAMI St. Louis and Dar Walker, Executive Director, NAMI St. Louis for your support of our NAMI SWI Family to Family program. A special thanks to NAMI SWI member, Alice J. Adcock, for her collaboration with Joyce Johnston and NAMI St. Louis. NAMI St Louis will host annual local Family to Family trainings and generously has offered yearly openings to our Southwestern Illinois affiliate members wanting to complete teacher training!! The NAMI SWI Basics course will start Wednesday April 1, 2015 6pm in Maryville. De Familia a Familia de NAMI will start September 12, 2015 in Collinsville. The next Family to Family program will start June 2, 2015 in Swansea, Illinois in partnership with the Karla Smith Foundation and the Navigate programs. Our affiliate will offer a Fall Peer to Peer education class, details are TBD, please check namiswi.org for the list of updated course information. Development and Community Collaboration: March 2: NAMI Ending the Silence Presentation Coordinated Youth, Granite City, IL March 3: Youth Move Meeting, Fairview Heights, IL March 6: United Way Reporting Training, O’Fallon, IL March 12: CHADD Networking Meeting, O’Fallon, IL March 18: Mental Health Diversity Presentation, SIU Edwardsville, IL March 19: St. Clair County Mental Health Board Meeting, Belleville, IL March 21: NAMI Sharing Hope Presentation, East St. Louis, IL March 26: Parents and Teachers as Allies, CASA Offices, Belleville, IL April 10: PIAT South, SIU Campus, Edwardsville, IL April 16: Diversity Conference, CASA Belleville, IL May 6: Southern Madison County Community Collaboration Meeting, Granite City, IL May 14: CIT Training, Fairview Heights, IL ___________ 8 “MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?” March 10, 2015 “VOLUNTEERS, YOU ARE TRULY APPRECIATED!!” We want to give a shout-out to our list of ongoing and new volunteers who donated their time since the last newsletter. Call the NAMI Office at 618-798-9788 if a project strikes your fancy and you’d like to help with it. We’d love hearing from you!! SPECIAL THANKS TO: 2015 NAMI SWI Walk/Run Co-Chairs, Mary Pat DeJarnette and Kris Gamm-Smith. Webmaster Mary Gauen for overseeing our affiliate’s online walk/run registration set up with Final Lap Race Management! Webmaster Mary Gauen for keeping the website current and user-friendly. Ann Barnum is assisting with Pathways in Belleville regarding a NAMI SWI presentation in Spring 2015! Tom Giger for coordinating NAMI SWI brochures, resource guides, community directories, and overseeing the office equipment and keeping Kettler lobby stocked with brochures! NAMI SWI Social Media Coordinator Ann Barnum. NAMI SWI Helpline Volunteers: Bill Jeffreys, Ann Barnum, Amanda Corrado, Joan Foster, Claudia Voris, and Bev Churchill! Linda Methvin who facilitates the Greenville, IL family member support group! Mike and Kathy Janik who facilitate the NAMI SWI Belleville Support Group Meeting. Mary Ann Miller and Bev Churchill who facilitate the NAMI SWI Edwardsville Support Group Meeting! Peter Dodge who facilitates the Maryville Military Families Support Group! Royal Boeder who is facilitating the Waterloo, IL family member support group in Monroe County! Our NAMI SWI IOOV Presenters: Katie Crockett, Dan Crockett, Sharon Diaz, Dani Robinette, Heather Harris, Jen Gerlach, Pat Norris, AJ French, Melody Corbin, & Jeremy Lincicum! Shirlee Byrd, Jen Gerlach, Matt Gauen, John Malson, and Patrick Norris who facilitate the Connection Recovery Support Group meetings in Edwardsville and Granite City! Jim Isaac, Mary Gauen, Matt Gauen, Ann Barnum, and Marilyn Vise for working on the marketing team! Tom Johnson who is our NAMI SWI CIT Project Leader! Chestnut Health Systems & WellSpring Resources who have been printing our newsletters for many years as a service to NAMI SWI! Pat Rudloff for coordinating NAMI SWI press releases in Madison County! NAMI SWI Newsletter team including: Mary Gauen, Tom and Sandy Giger, Jessica Gruneich, David Malear, Carol Morrow, Lynn Piggott and NAMI Llama! Judi and Roger Boker, Mary Ellen Bock, Amanda Corrado, and Sonja Vauters completed Family to Family Teacher Training at the NAMI St Louis offices in Brentwood, MO!! THANK YOU! Jessica Gruneich for setting up NAMI SWI as an available charity with AmazonSmile. Kami Bonnell and Lisa McMichael have volunteered weekly at the NAMI SWI office! Yeah!! Bill Jeffreys is the NEW NAMI SWI Helpline Coordinator! Thank you, Bill! Sandy and Tom Giger designed the NEW NAMI SWI “May is Mental Health Awareness Month” outreach flyer and the cards for the green awareness pins. NAMI SWI Board Member, Mary Pat DeJarnette, designed the marketing material and registration material for the affiliate’s annual 5k Race and Mile Walk event! Mint Green designed the NAMI SWI llama graphic design for the Furry Friends Recovery annual fundraiser held March 14, 2015! Donna Reedy, Jen Gerlach, and Herbert Lomax, presented NAMI Ending the Silence in Granite City on March 2, 2015! Royal Boeder attended the SEASONS Outpatient Open House in Red Bud, IL on March 10, 2015! Carlos and Efrend Garcia and Kim McClellan will speak at SIUE on March 18, 2015! Kim McClellan and Sonja Vauters will present NAMI Sharing Hope on March 21, 2015 in East St. Louis! Jen Gerlach will speak at the CASA offices on March 26, 2015 in Belleville, Illinois! NAMI SWI Board Members Beverley Watkins, Susy Woods, Kim McClellan, and Marion Endress will represent NAMI SWI at the PIAT South Conference at SIUE April 10 th and April 11th! Lynn Dean will present yoga sessions at PIAT South for the Youth Move Youth Track on April 11, 2015! Bill Jeffreys and Marion Endress will represent NAMI SWI at the Dupo Community Resource Fair on April 18, 2015! Peter Dodge will represent NAMI SWI at the No Family Left Behind Conference on April 24th and 25th in Shiloh, IL! Last, but not least...NAMI Llama for being an awesome mascot!!! ____________ As a grassroots organization, NAMI relies on volunteers. Special thanks to ALL volunteers for your awesome work!! The Annual Walk/Race, our biggest annual fundraiser, is set for Saturday, June 27, 2015. This big event takes a lot of helping hands. The more hands we have, the less work for all. If you would like to volunteer or just have questions about the walk, please call the NAMI Office at 618-978-9788 and leave a message with your name & phone number and then a member of the Walk Committee will contact you. VOLUNTEERS: Don’t forget to email your volunteer hours to INFO@NAMISWI.ORG. 9 After lunch, there will be 7-10 innovative breakout sessions and a resource breakout room with more detailed information about local and national resources. Throughout the program, we will raffle off items to the youth attendees. A survey will also be provided for feedback on impact. _____________ Rest in Peace Mark Stolle Mueller, 53, born September 22, 1961 in Belleville, Illinois, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015 at his residence in Belleville, Illinois. Mark honorably served the in United States Navy as a Weapons Specialist Technician. He was a graduate of Ranken Technical School. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend to many. He was a generous man, always helping others in need. He was an avid supporter of the Salvation Army. Mark was a Member of DBSA of Hope Belleville, and NAMI Southwestern IL. He was dedicated to his religious beliefs. A memorial celebration of Mark’s life was held on February 12th at The Abbey Coffee House in Belleville. Past and present members of both NAMI and DBSA honored and remembered Mark, and the impact that he had on their lives. ____________ A New Act Will Help Those Affected by Mental Illness Save Money by Andrew Sperling, NAMI Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy The Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE Act, was signed by President Barack Obama on Dec. 19. This new law allows some families and individuals to establish tax-free savings accounts for the qualified expenses of people with blindness, physical or mental disabilities without the fear of losing government benefits. Under the ABLE Act, people living with disabilities will be able to deposit up to $14,000 annually in a qualified savings account and save up to $100,000 without losing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Setting up an account will not affect eligibility for Medicaid. The law also allows the account to earn tax-free interest. Funds in ABLE accounts can be used to pay for health care, education, and other expenses, including housing. However, in the final stages of the legislative process an important restriction was included on ABLE accounts: only people whose onset of disability occurred before age 26 will be eligible. This means that many adults living with serious mental illness will not be eligible for these accounts. It is important to note that the age of 26 is not related to the onset of illness, but rather the point at which the Social Security Administration (SSA) deemed an individual to be so disabled that they became eligible for benefits under SSI. For many adults with serious mental illness this is long after their initial diagnosis. Why was this restriction put in the ABLE Act? The cost. Earlier versions of the ABLE Act did not include this restriction on eligibility. However, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that the cost would exceed more than $20 billion over the coming decade. With this age 26 eligibility requirement in place, the projected 10 year costs were lowered to $2 billion. This forced the bill’s sponsors to accept this restriction in order to pass the bill. NAMI will continue to work with ABLE sponsors in 2015, including Senators Bob Casey (R-Pa.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Representative Ander Crenshaw (R -Fla.), to remove this restriction. ____________ Sharing Our Stories Connecting the Mind and the Body Saturday, May 16, 2015 - 9:00AM – 3:00PM Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) - Belleville Presented by: Gateway Regional Medical Center Karla Smith Foundation NAMI Southwestern IL Family Renewed Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House FREE to participants/volunteers who register by May 1 Register by calling Jim Isaac at 618-798-3263 Speakers 9:00AM - 12:00PM Workshops & Agency Fairs 1:00 PM - 3:00pm Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. The event, targeting youth and young adults, 6th grade and higher, will be an interactive educational forum emphasizing the connection between mental and physical wellness for today’s youth. This program, which is free of charge to all attendees, will kick off with personal presentations by two athletes (professional, if available). Following their personal testimonies, Dr. Dawn M. Porter, a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist, and Ms. Debbie Humphrey, Associate Director of the St. Clair County Mental Health Board, will address the impact of health and wellness in our everyday lives and what resources are available within the community to assist participants in maintaining a healthy balance. 10 Say It Out Loud NAMI SWI Board Member Jennifer Gerlach & NAMI SWI Member Herbert Lomax presenting Recovery & Support Services at the St Clair County Regional Offices of Education on January 23 2015. Furry Friends Recovery annual fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Sqwires in St Louis. Standing on the steps is Furry Friends Recovery President Kelly Pipkins Burt with Randy Grim, Founder of Stray Rescue of St Louis. Mint Green provided the artwork below for the fundraiser programs. NAMI SWI Members in attendance were Shirlee Byrd, Marion Endress, Jessica Gruneich, Mary Gruneich, and Tricia Hogan. One in five teens lives with a mental health condition and yet more than half are not getting the help they need. Stigma remains a huge barrier to teens seeking help. Many cite fear of negative perceptions as a major factor in choosing not to speak up. Raising awareness by sharing information and starting conversations about mental health is key in reducing these perceptions and increasing the likelihood that teens will seek mental health care when they need it. NAMI is committed to helping start those conversations. We have created Say it Out Loud to get teens talking about mental health. Say it Out Loud gives adults the tools they need to hold conversations about mental health with teens in faith-based or community youth groups. The toolkit includes the following links: A short film showing the 10 common warning signs and three youth sharing their experiences. A discussion guide on how to hold a successful group discussion. A narrated presentation for the group facilitator to learn more about mental health conditions in youth. Fact sheets and information about how to connect with NAMI in their community. If you're ready to say it out loud, click the link to download the toolkit: http://www.nami.org/ sayitoutloud#sthash.BG73BSsm.dpuf Thank you for making a difference in the lives of teens! ____________ NAMI Llama with Two of his Furry Friends! CIT Training NAMI SWI will participate in the local CIT, Crisis Intervention Training, for local law enforcement on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 12 noon at Grace Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois. NAMI SWI members wanting to volunteer or want more information, can contact NAMI SWI Executive Director, Jessica Gruneich, at the NAMI SWI office at (618) 798-9788 or by email at jessicagruneich@namiswi.org. Special thanks to NAMI SWI CIT Project Leader, Tom Johnson, for helping to organize NAMI SWI participation at the training!! ____________ This artwork was on the programs for the 2015 Furry Friends Recovery Fundraiser. Artwork by Mint Green 11 Visit http://operationhonor.net/nflb-2015.html or at operationhonor@faithfamily.cc for more information on “No Family Left Behind” Conference. ___________ NAMI SWI wishes to extend a special thanks to our community partners!! LINC Inc. is hosting the NAMI SWI Family to Family Education Program at their Swansea, Illinois office! Chestnut Health Systems is hosting the NAMI SWI Peer to Peer Education Program at their Granite City, Illinois office! Anderson Hospital is hosting NAMI SWI Basics Education at their location in Maryville, Illinois! We appreciate the continued support of local NAMI Signature programs!! ____________ LINKS… Get Linked 1. Five Tips to Manage Mental Illness in a Marriage: http:// mentalhealth.about.com/od/problems/ fl/5-Tips-to-manage-mental-illness-in-a -marriage.htm? utm_campaign=list_mentalhealth&utm_content=20150223 &utm_medium=email&utm_source=exp_nl keeping you connected 2. “Mental Illness to Trial” to Screen in Manhattan: http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/ Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as “Decoration Day” and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and memorial Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. We thank the men & women who gave the ultimate sacrifice - their life - in fighting for freedom, liberty and justice for all. ____________ Diversity Conference by Bethany Prange, CASA Communications Coordinator 3. Suicide Safe: The Suicide Prevention App for Health Care Providers Free from SAMHSA: http://store.samhsa.gov/ apps/suicidesafe/? utm_source=samhsahomebtmbanner&utm_medium=banne r&utm_content=suicideprevention&utm_campaign=apps ____________ “No Family Left Behind” Conference Helping Families Cope with the Invisible Wounds of War Free and Open to the Public Date: Fri., April 24, 2 015 Sat., April 25, 2015 Time: Fri., 9:00AM-4:00PM and 5:30-9:00PM This conference helps connect service members and their families with resources to cope with a wide variety of mental health issues. It will be held at Faith Family Church, 704 N. Greenmount Rd, Shiloh, IL 62225. Guest speaker, Dr. Ed Tick, is a noted expert on PTSD. He also is award-winning author of War & the Soul and founder of Soldiers Heart. Did you know... 22 veterans commit suicide everyday? 57% of children with deployed parents have behavioral Meaning of Memorial Day issues at home? 21% of spousal abuse cases involve someone diagnosed with PTSD? 12 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is holding a free diversity conference with LaDonna Wattley that is open to the public. It's called “Big Mama's Chair” and will be held from 9:00AM to 2:00PM on April 16, 2015 at the Shrine of the Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL. Join CASA of Southwestern Illinois to learn the skills that make it possible to move from the "company" furniture to the kitchen table. This workshop is ideal for social service agency staff, counselors, social workers, nonprofit leaders, volunteer managers, volunteers and community advocates. CEUs available from Northern Illinois University. Free but registration is required. Register by calling 618-234-4278 or click here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-mamas-chair-a-diversity -conference-with-ladonna-wattley-tickets14983295440 CASA of Southwestern Illinois is a Belleville-based nonprofit that serves Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties. We recruit, train and support Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers to work for the best interest of abused and neglected children. Our CASAs serve as a voice for these children in juvenile court systems, helping to ensure every child has a safe, loving home. Become a CASA volunteer, donate or learn more at www.stclaircasa.com. _____________ Tear th is page ou t to register for the w alk. It’s OK to make more copies o f th friends & is form for family. Registe r by June 5 to guara ntee receivin g a t-shir t. Family-Friendly Activities Rain or Shine Event Home of the Gateway Grizzlies Flat and Fast Course Professionally timed by Final Lap Race Management 2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd Sauget, IL 62206 First 50 registrants receive a FREE ticket to the evening Grizzlies game GCS Ballpark Sign In: 7:15 am Run & Walk: 8:15 am Register online https://runsignup.com/NAMI5KRaceforRecovery or use the form below. For more information, visit http://namiswi.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION FORM Name ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ 5K Race Participant $30.00 1 Mile Walk Participant $30.00 Method of Payment Cash Check Make check payable to: NAMI SWI T-Shirt Size (Register by June 5th to guarantee shirt) Phone _____________________________________________ Child Large Email ______________________________________________ Child Medium Age* __________ Gender ___________ *For 17 and younger, a parent/guardian signature is required SM M L XL 2XL 3XL ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Participant Signature Parent/Guardian Signature If Applicable Your donations and participation are greatly appreciated. NAMI receives no state funding and relies on your financial support to help us spread the news through our education programs and support groups that there is hope for those who have mental health conditions and for their families who love and support them. NAMI Southwestern Illinois is a 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Release, Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk: NAMI SWI, affiliates, volunteers and employees are not responsible for any injuries incurred during the walk/run. We recommend seeing a physician before starting or participating in any physical activity. Mail form with payment to: NAMI SWI 2100 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor Granite City, IL 62040 13 NAMI Southwestern IL Gateway Regional Medical Center 2100 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor Granite City, IL 62040 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TO: What is NAMI SWI? NAMI Southwestern IL (NAMI SWI), a grassroots organization, is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a non-profit, self-help, volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illnesses and their families. NAMI has state organizations in all 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico and District of Columbia. This area encompasses more than 1,200 local affiliates. NAMI SWI is one of 30 affiliates in Illinois. NAMI SWI serves the following 12 Illinois counties: Bond Calhoun Clinton Green Jersey Macoupin Madison Monroe Montgomery Randolph St. Clair Washington We provide free education and support programs for persons with mental illnesses and their families. We also provide a voice for individuals affected by mental illnesses by advocating for them with public and private policy makers for better legislation and more effective treatment options. NAMI SWI is here to help. Please call the office at (618) 798-9788 or send an e-mail to info@namiswi.org or attend one of the support group meetings listed on page 4. What Are the Benefits of NAMI SWI Membership? All NAMI members receive the benefits of membership at all three levels of the organization, including: NAMI Affiliate, NAMI State Organization, and the NAMI National organization; Eligibility to vote in all NAMI elections; A subscription to The Advocate, NAMI's flagship magazine, as 14 well as access to optional subscriptions to specialty newsletters and information at the national, state and local levels; Member discounts on brochures, videos, promotional items and registration at NAMI's Annual Convention and many state and local conferences; Access to exclusive membersonly material on www.nami.org; Access to NAMI SWI library; And maybe the best of all, you’ll meet a great group of folks who share your same concerns. Not a NAMI SWI member yet? Call the NAMI SWI Office at (618) 798-9788 to have a registration form mailed to you or register today by clicking: http://namiswi.org/ namiswiMembershipAPP.pdf.
© Copyright 2024