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Greater Des Moines Box 12174, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 (515) 277-0672 (voice mail) AFFILIATE AND SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTER
October 2008 “Support, Education, and Advocacy” Serving Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties
NAMI WALKS is here! – Saturday, Oct. 4 at Des Moines Waterworks Park Registration at 8:30 AM – Walk at 10 AM. Please walk with us, join a walk team or form a walk team, make a donation, fight stigma. See www.nami.org/namiwalks/IA for more information.
Our Education Meeting will not be held at Iowa Lutheran this month as usual. Instead we will be participating in the NAMI Walks.
Business and Committee Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5 P.M. at the NAMI-Iowa Office. 1. Business 4. Education 6. Fundraising 2. Marketing and membership 3. Support 5. Advocacy 7. Special Events
Saturday, October 4 8:30 A.M.
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America At Des Moines Waterworks Park Registration at 8:30 A.M. The walk starts at 10:00 A.M.
Thursday, Oct. 9 5 PM
We will be discussing and planning around 7 topic areas.
The Week of October 5-11 is “Mental Illness Awareness Week” – if you would like to plan a public education event – consult the online MIAW toolkit at www.nami.org - It offers resources, ideas, and items to assist grassroots efforts. Tuesday and
Wednesday – Oct. 7-8
2008 Mental Health Conference “Recovery” – at Iowa State University, Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa. Contact Training Resources at www.trainingresources.org or call 515-309-3315.
October 6-10 – Depression Screenings will be at various locations in Des Moines - October 9 is Bipolar Awareness Day and the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding Thursday,
Oct. 16 8AM to 4:30 PM
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference at the Meadow Events and Conference Center, One Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA – a flyer and registration can be found at http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/reg/08.10.ia.flyer.pdf - or you can call Iowa Protection and Advocacy by phone 800-779-2502, fax 515-278-0539 or e-mail [email protected] will receive 2 books – Wrightslaw: Special Education Law – 2nd Edition and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy – 2nd Edition. CEU’s are available.
Monday, Oct. 20 Iowa Mosaic Diversity Conference – “Effectiveness Through Inclusion” at the Scheman Bldg, Iowa State Center, Ames. Keynote speaker is B.D. Wong of NBC’s Law and Order: SVU Go to the website: http://www.iowamosaic.org/ for registration information.
Sunday, Nov. 2 2 PM
“Estate Planning” – Our speaker will be Frank Varvaris.
NAMI GDM election of officers and Board of Directors
Thursday, Nov. 13 5 PM
We will be discussing and planning around 7 topic areas
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 4 – VOTE – VOTE – VOTE – VOTE - VOTE Tuesday through
Thursday November 4-6
“Georgia on Your Mind, CIT in Your Heart” - 2008 National CIT Conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Conference registration fees paid on/before September 25, 2008 will be $200. After that date the fees increase to $225. For more information contact Pat Strode, CIT Program Administrator for NAMI Georgia at 770-234-9347 or [email protected] – there will be over 100 workshops and international attendance. http://www.namiga.org/NGA-CIT-conference08.htm
Thursday - Friday Nov. 13-14
NAMI Fall Conference at the Courtyard by Marriott, 2405 SE Creekview Drive, Ankeny, Iowa 50021 Contact NAMI Iowa for a registration form 254-0417 or 1-800-417-0417 or consult the website: www.namiiowa.org for more information.
Sunday, Dec. 7 2 PM
The topic is “What are and what are not the Responsibilities of the State Ombudsman’s Office?” Linda Brundies will be our guest speaker.
Thursday, Dec. 11 5 PM
We will be discussing and planning around 7 topic areas
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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Please join us at the NAMI Walks in Des Moines Water Works Park on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Registration is at 8:30 AM and the Walk starts at 10 AM. This is an anti-stigma walk as well as a fundraising event.
MENTALLY ILL STILL SUBJECT TO CONTEMPT When an Eagle admitted he suffers from depression, the bashing began. By Arthur Caplan
Philadelphia Enquirer, August 7, 2008
So how far has America come in taking the shame and stigma out of mental illness? Not very far, at least if the acknowledgment by the Philadelphia Eagles' All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews that he suffers from a mental illness is an indication.
The 335-pound Andrews, who refers to himself as the 'Big Kid,' had not shown up at the Eagles' Lehigh University training camp. No one seemed to know why.
There was talk of a contract holdout. Some suggested Andrews was out of shape. Some of his teammates expressed a lot of irritation that he was not there slogging out exhausting two-a-day practices in the summer heat and humidity, wondering if maybe he just did not want to go through the misery that is an NFL training camp.
Finally Andrews, deeply hurt by all the speculation, broke his silence. He told reporters for The Enquirer and Daily News that he was battling depression.
"I'm willing to admit that I've been going through a very bad time with depression," Andrews said this week in his first public comments about his training camp absence. "I've finally decided to get professional help. It's not something that blossomed up overnight. I'm on medication, trying to get better."
So what was the reaction to Andrews' admission that he has a disabling mental illness keeping him out of training camp?
You would have thought that this giant of a young man had announced that he had stayed out of camp because he was a lazy, overindulged ingrate who just did not happen to feel like playing football right now.
Talk radio in Philadelphia and around the country exploded in anger at the very idea that being sad - the talk-radio interpretation of depression - could keep you out of camp.
There was a fair amount of bashing of mental-health treatment, too, as sports talk hosts dismissed the treatment of anyone with depression as a lot of psychobabble for the rich and the spoiled. One Philadelphia sports talk host wondered why - since all psychiatrists are crazy - anyone would seek treatment from one.
It is not known what Andrews had told his coach, his agent, or the general manager of the team about his illness. But it is possible that, suffering from severe depression, which often means being confined to your house, unable to muster the energy to talk to anyone, much less eat or bathe, that he did not provide many details.
The team was fining the football player tens of thousands of dollars for his absence - a stance presumably they may want to reconsider.
But, the bigger question is: Why is it so hard for us to accept mental illness as being just as disabling and devastating as a physical injury?
Inherent in the nutty reaction to the admission of a football hero that he has a severe mental problem lies the explanation of why we have allowed our system of mental health to fall apart. Mental illness is so humiliating, so embarrassing, that individuals, whether they are in the NFL or on the assembly line, don't want to talk about it.
Families are ashamed when one of their own cannot function because of depression, schizophrenia, addiction or psychosis. The media simply reinforce the shame of mental illness with headlines that scream of nut houses, kooks and looney-bins when a celebrity heads off for mental-health treatment.
No one would dream of calling someone with cancer a malingerer or a deadbeat. But, admit that you have a hard time working because you are depressed, cannot leave your house because you are phobic, or find it difficult to show up at holidays with your family because you are not sure you can control your eating disorder, and just watch the insults fly.
Mental illness is for too many Americans a form of moral failure, whereas physical illness is the result of bad genes, bad luck, or bad working environments.
Unless we can get past dismissing mental illness as the product either of a lack of willpower or a lack of character, we don't stand a chance of helping those and their families who must suffer, often in silence, with the shame and stigma.
The United States barely has much of a mental-health system left. Beyond taking a pill, there is not a whole lot available in most parts of the country if you, your parent or your child suffers from depression or any other severely disabling mental illness.
If an NFL star can barely bring himself to publicly admit that he has a mental illness, then what chance do the rest of us have? And if a bruising NFL football player's admission of a mental illness elicits little except scorn, derision and contempt, then what chance do others with mental illness have of getting the help they need?
Crazy as it may seem - not much. Arthur Caplan ([email protected]) is chair of the medical ethics department at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jimmy Piersall—When Stigma Struck Out NAMI Advocate - August 2008
Who cares if the Red Sox win the World Series? The story of Jimmy Piersall is an even better drama.
Piersall was one of the best outfielders of the 1950s and 60s—that was the opinion of the late great Ted Williams. He started playing professional ball at age 18 and reached the majors at 20, one of the youngest players in the game.
He played 17 seasons, most notably with the Boston Red Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets. He won two Golden Glove awards and twice was selected for major league baseball’s All-Star Team. His career statistics include a batting average of .272, 104 home runs, 591 runs batted in, and a fielding average of .997.
He is retired now, living outside Chicago. He isn’t in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but he is included on NAMI’s “Famous People” poster, which honors “people whose mental illnesses have enriched our lives.”
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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“Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was going nuts,” he says. Whoever heard of Jimmy Piersall until that happened?”
His mental illness—bipolar disorder—played out publicly at a time when mental illness was usually kept hidden.
Born in 1929, he was popular growing up, but “high-strung” as a child and a “worrier” in his teens, who suffered severe headaches. His mother lived with depression and was hospitalized many times. He had a temper and an underlying insecurity.
The Red Sox signed him as an outfielder, but in 1952, when they raised him from their farm team, the Birmingham Barons, he learned only from a newspaper—not team management—that they intended to play him at shortstop.
In his memoir, Fear Strikes Out, Piersall recalled thinking: “It’s impossible. I’m not a shortstop. I’m a center fielder. [This shift] might ruin me. Wait a minute. I’ll bet that’s just what they want to do.”
Fear of failure came at a time when he had been married only a few years, with two young children and a third on its way—while also providing full financial support for his parents.
In May 1952, his temper resulted in a brawl with Yankee Billy Martin, who over time also would become legend for his temper. In the same game, Piersall fought with his own teammates, then broke down crying after he was benched.
Piersall’s behavior grew increasingly bizarre, which ironically endeared him to fans, who enjoyed the spectacle. He spread his arms like an airplane while running bases and mimicked other players. In a game with the St. Louis Browns, he taunted pitcher Satchel Paige, calling out “oink, oink,” from first base.
“That boy is sick,” Paige said. He was one of the few people who recognized what was happening.
The Red Sox sent Piersall back to Birmingham in the hope it would “straighten him out.”
Instead, he was thrown out of four games and suspended.
On July 20, newspapers reported he would “take a rest” on the advice of his physician.
Two weeks later, Piersall woke up in Westborough State Hospital in Massachusetts. He had received electroshock therapy and did not remember much of the previous year. He underwent psychotherapy.
The Red Sox rallied to his support—in a way that is unusual even today. His teammates visited him in the hospital. He thought his career was over, but the Red Sox brought him back for the 1953 season. They paid the expenses for his recovery, including recuperation and coaching in Florida.
“They helped rebuild my confidence,” Piersall said in an interview with NAMI.
In 1954, Piersall told his story on a local television show in Chicago, through the encouragement of a mental health group called “Fight Against Fear.” It was an act of courage—and liberation. “I did it to get it off my chest,” he says. “It was one of the best things I did to get better.”
He received an outpouring of praise and support, particularly from people who had endured similar experiences. The response was not unlike that occurs today when celebrities “come out,” but it was an unprecedented phenomenon in the 1950s.
Piersall expanded his disclosure to a two-part story in the Saturday Evening Post, entitled “They Called Me Crazy—and I Was.” That led to publication of Fear Strikes Out in 1955, followed years later, by a movie with the same title, starring Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden. “Mental illness is no different from any kind of illness,” the doctor in the film declared. The magazine series, book and movie delivered a powerful anti-stigma message on a national scale—one that was ahead of its time.
Today, the movie is a Turner Classic and available on Netflix, which keeps Piersall’s story in circulation. In the style of the 1950s, it is rather melodramatic, but still inspiring. For his part, Piersall dislikes the movie, because of Perkins’ performance, and because it unfairly cast his father as a major cause of his illness—through overambitious pushing of his son to become a star player.
As part of recovery, Piersall laughed at his illness.
He cultivated a persona that turned bizarre behavior into zany antics that continued to endear him to fans—not unlike football player Terry Bradshaw and actor Joe Pantaliano in their careers many years later.
“I still have bizarre behavior today,” he notes.
In 1959, Piersall was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Once, he pulled out a water pistol and squirted an umpire. Another time, his teammates had to rescue him after he challenged Yankee fans to a fight.
He didn’t hesitate to confront hecklers who made jokes about men in white coats coming to take him away. In 1963, Piersall hit his 100th home run while playing for the New York Mets. He celebrated by running the bases facing backwards.
Piersall retired from his playing career in 1967 with the Los Angeles Angels.
At one point, he made a guest television appearance on “The Lucy Show,” playing himself when Lucy and Little Ricky traveled to California and took in a baseball game on “Jimmy Piersall Day.”
He later became a broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox, but was fired for criticizing the team’s management. He wrote a second memoir The Truth Hurts (1985), which provided additional details about his illness.
Turbulence has marked his career. He has been hospitalized several times for “exhaustion.” He has taken lithium for 30 years, but emphasizes self-help in managing an illness.
“It can’t come from anyone but you.”
"Mental illness means fighting run by run, out by out, inning by inning, game by game, season by season over the course of a lifetime. Sometimes up. Sometimes down. The important thing is to keep fighting."
For those who fight mental illness, Piersall is a hero. He was a damn good ball player. He continues to be a legend. This article is based on an interview with Jimmy Piersall, his memoir, Fear Strikes Out, and reporting by Dom Amore, “Quite The Character,” Hartford Courant (APSE Writing Competition 1999); Bob Dolgan, “One of a Kind,” Baseball Digest (December 1, 2001); Mike Puma, “A Hall of Fame Personality,” ESPN.com (May 24, 2004) and Jeff Merron, “Mystery Man,” 108 Magazine (Summer 2007). Thanks also to the Red Sox.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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MENTAL ILLNESS: THE FACTS From NAMI: In Our Own Voice
Mental illnesses are brain disorders. They are not defects in someone’s personality or a sign of poor moral character or lack of faith. They certainly do not mean that the ill person is a failure. Chemical imbalances in the brain, from unknown or incompletely known causes, are much of the reason for symptoms of mental illnesses.
Mental illnesses are like other organ diseases in which body chemistry changes. The abnormal chemistry of mental illnesses affects brain function the same way that too little or too much of other body chemicals damage the heart, kidneys or liver.
A heart attack is a symptom of serious heart disease, just as hearing voices, mood swings, withdrawal from social activities, or feeling out of control are common symptoms of a mental illness.
Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, education or income level. As you read this, five million people here in the United States are dealing with serious, chronic brain disorders. Major brain disorders include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic-depression), major depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
There are many points on the continuum of wellness, and different degrees of recovery that can be reached with medication, therapy, and a strong support system.
Words That Can Help http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/February02
If you are having a hard time, what can others say to
you that would be helpful? Often when you are having a hard time, others don't know what to say. In their efforts to be helpful, they may say things that are really upsetting like, "snap out of it", "pull yourself up by the boot straps" or "just go take a hot bath". You may want to talk with them about this, telling them what helps and what hurts.
Participants at a recent training came up with the following list of things others could say that would be helpful. Which ones would be helpful to you?
Can you think of others?
You're doing well. How can I help? I'm here for you. We can work together through this. It's OK to feel like that. I accept you and love you the way you are. What do you need at this time? You've come a long way. You're a strong person. I admire your courage in dealing with this pain. I encourage you. Don't give up. I can't promise, but I'll do my best to help. I don't understand. Please tell me what you mean. Tell me how you feel.
NAMI Greater Des Moines has “Pink Guard Cards” to help you in expressing care for your loved one. These cards are meant for us to guard our tongue – focus on the person we know and love and dwell on all that makes that individual special.
I love you and I care. You’re not alone in this.
I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. I’m always willing to listen. I’ll be your friend no matter what. This will pass, and we can ride it out together. You are important to me. When this is all over, I’ll still be here.
H.E.L.P. Depression Support Group Monthly Presentations 10 AM to Noon - Lutheran Church of Hope SE corner of Ashworth and 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, WDM Sat., October 4 – Forgiveness Needed to Move on Fri., Nov. 7 – A Medical Look at Depressive Illnesses & and Recovery Options Sat., Dec. 6 – Celebrating the Holidays with a Smile
Room 214 – Free - For more information, contact Lisa at 222-1750 ext. 176 or [email protected]
Letters to the Editor
You are welcome to send letters to the editor by mail or E-mail. If you receive our newsletter by e-mail and would rather receive it by snail mail – or if you receive our newsletter by snail mail and would rather receive it by e-mail – communicate your preference vi to: Teresa Bomhoff, 200 S.W. 42nd St., Des Moines, Iowa 50312 or E-mail: [email protected]
Did You Know? A study last year on Medicaid and the broader public system of health care for people with mental illness by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors reached a shocking conclusion: Mentally ill adults who receive treatment in the public health system die 25 years sooner , on average, than Americans overall.
PLEASE BECOME A MEMBER OF NAMI GREATER DES MOINES
Please help to support our organization by becoming a member of NAMI Greater Des Moines. Dues are: Send to: Jim Vandeberg, Treasurer 4114 Allison Avenue Des Moines, IA 50310 Please make the check payable to NAMI GDM Dues cover local, state, and national membership. Donations are welcome.
Assistance with Prescription Cost Polk County residents without full health insurance coverage can save on prescription drugs under a
county sponsored drug discount program. For a complete list of card locations or a list of participating
pharmacies, call 286-3895. and The Partnership for Prescription Assistance - Call 1-888-477-2669 or visit www.pparx.org to see if you may qualify for a variety of programs available. and
Patients who lack prescription drug insurance and are not eligible for Medicare - call 1-800-444-4106 or visit the Together Rx Access Web site for the Together Rx Access™ Card.
$35.00 Family/Individual $ 3.00 Limited income $50.00 Professional
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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Looking for Community Resources? Phone 211
www.211Iowa.orgContact Polk County Health Services
218 6th Ave – 243-4545 http://polk.ia.networkofcare.org/mh/home/index.cfm
Go to the visiting nurses website www.vnsdm.org
click on “links” – then click on Community Resource Directory Community Mental Health Centers Polk County Child Guidance Center – 808 5th Ave – 244-2267 Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Center 1301 Center St. – 243-5181 Broadlawns Medical Center- 1801 Hickman Road – 282-6770 Behavioral Health Resources – 945 19th St – 241-0982
Dallas County – West Central Community Mental Health Center 2111 Green, Adel – 515-993-4535
Madison County – Bridge Counseling Center 300 West Hutchings St. – 515-462-3105
SUPPORT GROUPS for Family MembersThird Sunday of the month -10/19/08 Family members, if you are interested in participating in a NAMI family support group, please contact Glenn Hobin [email protected] or call 965-9799 - or contact Grace Sivadge 961-6671. Meetings are at Eyerly-Ball Community Mental Health Center, 1301 Center St., Des Moines – 2:30 – 4:00 P.M.
First Monday of each month -6:30 – 8 PM – 9/8/08 - a support group for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance (SED) or mental illness – meets at the Child Serve Center – 5406 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston. For more information – call Diane at 255-8157.
4th Monday of each month – 5:30 – 7 PM – a support group for Polk County parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance (SED) or mental illness – a sibling support group meets separately - at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines St., in the basement – child care provided, can also provide free transportation and interpretation services – please pre-register, if possible – call Dawn at 558-6247. The outreach target is the Sudanese and minority population, but anyone can participate.
SUPPORT GROUPS for Persons in Recovery Every Monday evening 7-8:30 P.M. – NAMI Connections – a support group for persons with mental illness – facilitated by persons with mental illness – at the NAMI Iowa office – 254-0417 – or 1-800-417-0417 - 5911 Meredith Drive, Suite E, Des Moines. Contact Dawn Olson at [email protected] or 641-842-3859 if you have questions. Dawn Olson and Kyle Damman are facilitators.
2nd & 4th Mondays of each month – 7 P.M. – For depression and anxiety disorders only – WestView Church, 1155 SE Boone, in Waukee. Call Julie at 710-1487 or E-mail at [email protected]
Every Tuesday evening – 8-10 P.M. - Recovery Inc., a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3120 E. 24th St., Des Moines – Call 266-2346 – Marty Hulsebus.
2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month – New Light Support Group – 6:30 to 7:30 -for persons experiencing depression or other mental health issues – at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, Iowa – 515-253-0330 – Pastor Michael Mudlaff
Every Wednesday afternoon – NAMI Connection Support Group - a support group for persons with mental illness – facilitated by persons with mental illness 2 to 3:30 P.M. at Mercy Franklin Clinics - West Conference Room - 1750 48th Street - Contact: Debbie Wallukait (515) 288-4439 or Eddie Lathrop, Jr. - 515-865-1331 [email protected] – Please call ahead to the facilitators to make sure they will be having the support group.
Every Thursday at 2:00 P.M. - Recovery, Inc. - a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, 665 Walnut St., Des Moines – Call 237-0232 – Mark Grunzweig.
1st and 3rd Thursdays – 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. in Room 213 - The H.E.L.P. Depression Support Group meets at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, Call 222-1520, ext. 175 or [email protected]
Every Thursday evening – 7:45 – 9:45 P.M. – Recovery, Inc. - a self-help group for people who have nervous and mental troubles – at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1020 24th St., in West Des Moines. Call – 277-6071-Deb Rogers.
Every Saturday morning – 10 to 11:15 A.M. – Room 214 - The H.E.L.P. Depression Support Group meets at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, Call 222-1520, ext. 175 or [email protected]
Every Saturday afternoon – 2:00 – 3:30 P.M. – the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meets at Iowa Lutheran Hospital – University at Penn Avenue – Level B – private dining room. This is a support group for consumers.
Coping After a Suicide Support Group – Polk Co. Crisis and Advocacy Services – Contact: Chris 515-286-3887 Meeting day – 2nd Thursday of each month 6-7:30 P.M. and last Saturday of each month 9-10:30 A.M. Meeting place is 525 5th Avenue, Suite H. Victim Services Phone: 515-286-3600
Do you know of other support groups in the Des Moines area that we should list in our newsletter? Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Success is not final Failure is not fatal It is the courage to continue that counts. – Winston Churchill What to Look For, What to doA person may be suicidal if he or she:
Talks about committing suicide. Experiences drastic changes in behavior. Withdraws from friends and social activities. Loses interest in hobbies, work, school. Gives away prized possessions. Has attempted suicide in the past. Takes unnecessary risks. Is preoccupied with death and dying.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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What you can do: Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide. Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Be non-judgmental. Show interest and support. Don’t act shocked. Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Offer hope that alternatives are available, but do not offer glib
reassurance. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills. Get help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or
1-800-273-TALK (8255), the 24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Sources: Suicide Prevention Action Network (spanusa.org) And the American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org).
Depressed Teenagers: The Problem, Risks, Signs, and Solutions
by Ron Huxley
http://www.angermanagementgroups.com/DepressedTeenagersTheProblemRisksSignsAndSolutions.html
Is your child sad or appear to have no affect at all? Is your child preoccupied with the topic of death or other morbid topics? Has your son or daughter expressed suicidal thoughts or ideas? Are they extremely moody or irritable beyond the normal hormonal twists and turns of childhood? Has there been a drastic change in your child’s eating or sleeping patterns? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child may be suffering from a common but devastating mental health disorder, called depression.
The Problem
Depression occurs in 8 percent of all adolescent lives. Research indicates that children, in general, are becoming depressed earlier in live. The implications of this is that the earlier the onset of the illness the longer and more chronic the problem. Studies suggest that depression often persists, recurs, and continues into adulthood, and indicates that depression in youth may also predict more severe illness in adult life. Depression in young people often co-occurs with other mental disorders, most commonly anxiety, disruptive behavior, or substance abuse disorders, and with physical illnesses, such as diabetes.
The Risks
Teenagers often turn to substances to “self-medicate” the feelings of depression. They reject prescribed medications because of the way it makes them feel and because of the negative social implications of being labeled as depressed. Drinking alcohol and using other substances may make teenagers feel better for a short period of time but the need to continually use these substances to feel “high” creates dependence and poses a serious health risk. Depression in adolescence is also associated with an increased death for 10 to 24-year-olds and as much as 7 percent of all depressed teens will make a suicide attempt.
The Signs
Signs that frequently accompany depression in adolescence include: · Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness · Frequent absences from school or poor school performance · Talk of or efforts to run away from home · Outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability, or crying · Being bored · Lack of interest in playing with friends · Alcohol or substance abuse · Social isolation, poor communication · Fear of death · Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure · Increased irritability, anger, or hostility · Reckless behavior · Difficulty with relationships
Parents often witness these warning signs but fail to act on them. Why? Because some teens hide the symptoms from their parents or parents chalk it up to a stage or moodiness. Many teenagers go through a time of dark looking/acting behavior with all black clothing and bizarre hair arrangements. This can throw a parent off of the trail of depression by the bewilderment of teen actions and behaviors. In addition, many teens react aggressively when confronted about possible depression by their parents causing mom and dad to back off.
The Solutions
When dealing with teen depression, it is always better to “be safe than sorry.” Coping with an adolescent’s anger is much easier to deal with then handling his or her successful suicide or overdose. When parents first notice the signs of depression, it is important to sit down with their teen and ask them, gently but firmly, if they are feeling depressed or suicidal. Contrary to popular belief, asking a child if he or she has had any thoughts of hurting or killing themselves does not cause them to act on that subject. If the teen rejects the idea that they are depressed and continues to show warning signs, it will be necessary to seek professional help.
If the child acknowledges that he or she is depressed, immediately contact your physician and seek the assistance of a mental health professional that works with children and adolescents.
In addition, parents can help their teen by confronting self-defeating behaviors and thoughts by pointing out their positive attributes and value. Parents may need to prompt their teen to eat, sleep, exercise, and perform basic hygiene tasks on a daily basis. Doing these daily routines can dramatically help improve mood. Try to direct the teen to hang out with positive peers. Steer them away from other depressed adolescents. Explore underlying feelings of anger, hurt, and loss. Even the smallest loss of a friend or pet can intensify feelings of sadness. Allow the teen to talk, draw, or journal about their feelings without judgment. And for suicidal teens, make a “no-harm” contract for 24 to 48 hours at a time when they will not hurt themselves.
With proper care and treatment, depression can be alleviated and suicidal behaviors prevented. Parents and teen may even find a new, deeper relationship developing between them as they work through the dark feelings of depression. Iowa Healing Voices
The “Iowa Healing Voices” campaign – is a speaker’s bureau for persons with mental
illness and their families. If you are interested in becoming a speaker for the “Iowa Healing Voices” speaker’s bureau – more information can be found at their website: www.hopetalks.com
The contact person is: Mike Wood e-mail: [email protected] of Siouxland 2003 Geneva Street Sioux City, Iowa 50113
Please send a big THANK YOU to Cindy Gross and Plaza Printers
For their assistance in printing our newsletter 6762 Douglas Avenue
Urbandale, Iowa 50322 278-4695 www.plazaprinters.net
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/
See yourself as a person,7
Research Study - Research Project - Senior Parent(s) Providing Support for Adult Children with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
The purpose of this research study is to examine the caregiving relationship between senior parents and their adult children with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The study is to investigate mutual support within family units. A single interview will be conducted with each family member: the parent(s), an adult sibling and the adult child with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Each interview will last about an hour and a half and will be scheduled at your convenience. No travel is required. Compensation is available. Participation is voluntary.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact: James R. Power, MSW, LMSW Doctoral Candidate, School of Social Work, U. of Iowa 319-339-1958 or 515-210-1858
Volunteer Research Studies at the University of Iowa
Schizophrenia or related disorder
First and second degree relatives (siblings, children, nieces and nephews) of individuals with schizophrenia or a related disorder between the ages of 13-25 are invited to participate in a research study investigating cognitive skills and brain function conducted at the University of Iowa Department of Psychiatry. Compensation available. For more information, call Lindsey at (319) 384-6884 or email her at [email protected] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder may be eligible for participation in psychiatric research studies. The purpose of these research studies is to evaluate types of treatment and/or medications that may eventually help people who have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Some studies involve medications or procedures that are ot FDA approved and are considered experimental. In some studies – in addition to your current medication – the participants may receive a placebo (inactive substance) rather than the study medication.
Ongoing studies include the following areas: • Antipsychotic medication studies • Weight gain and wellness studies • Studies of medications that may improve memory and
thinking • A study of non-medication treatment of auditory
hallucinations There are no charges for any of the study procedures or medications. Compensation is available for your time and travel expenses. Participation is voluntary. For more information about these studies contact: Jane Kerr 319-353-4955 [email protected] Holman 319-335-6769 [email protected] call toll-free to the UI Health Access at (800) 777-8442.
Mood Study
Have you noticed a change in sleep habits, appetite, or weight; feeling bad about yourself or guilty about letting others down; or trouble concentrating or remembering things? If you answered yes to two or more of these, and are between the ages of 50 and 90, you may be eligible for study on moods and behaviors. Subjects will complete cognitive assessment, interviews, questionnaires, and an MRI during three visits to UI Hospitals and Clinics. Paid
compensation provided. Contact Erika Holm at 319-353-8514 or [email protected] for more information.
NIMH seeks volunteers for 6-month Schizophrenia Study The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health specializes in the field of schizophrenia and is conducting a six-
month inpatient research study of the neurobiological causes of schizophrenia at the National Institutes of Health, a pre-eminent research facility, in Bethesda, Maryland. The program involves extensive psychological, psychiatric, neurological, and medical evaluations, and neuroimaging. Study participation involves a period of time without medications. Throughout their stay in the research program, participants receive expert, personalized care, and are encouraged to participate in the clinical milieu that provides educational programs, recreational and occupational therapy, art and music therapies. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 55, be diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and be free of significant medical/neurological illnesses and active substance abuse. There is no charge to participate. For more details call the schizophrenia research referral line at 1-888-674-6464 at NIMH, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services.
NIMH Genetic Study of Schizophrenia The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National
Institute of Mental Health located at on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland
is seeking healthy adults diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (depressed type) to participate in a two-day outpatient study. Travel and lodging assistance is provided and a stipend is also given to participants. This study seeks to identify the genetic and environmental factors that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. The procedures include confidential interviews and a blood draw, a neurological exam and neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, and recordings of eye movements and brain waves. Siblings are also invited to participate in these procedures and parents are invited to give a sample of blood if possible. For more details, call the toll-free schizophrenia studies referral line at 1-888-674-6464 (TTY: 866-411-1010) at NIH, Department of Health & Human Services.
NAMIGreaterDesMoines not an illness.
NAMI Greater Des Moines Board of Directors Effective January 1, 2008
President - Diane Johnson 255-8157 E-mail: [email protected]
Vice-President and Editor of Newsletter Teresa Bomhoff 274-6876 E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer – Jim Vandeberg 360-1529 E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary – Sharon Browne 988-5151 E-mail: [email protected]
Board members Grace Sivadge 961-6671 E-mail: [email protected] Hobin 965-9799 E-mail: [email protected]
Diane Banasiak 334-5159 E-mail: [email protected] Arnold 276-7871 E-mail: [email protected]
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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Federal Legislative Issues www.nami.org/advocacy
Contact information for members of Congress Capitol Switchboard 1-202-224-3121
Contact via E-mail can be made directly through their web sites. http://grassley.senate.gov/ http://harkin.senate.gov/http://www.house.gov/boswell/ http://www.tomlatham.house.gov/http://www.house.gov/steveking/ http://www.braley.house.gov/http://www.loebsack.house.gov
Check out our updated Explore the Candidates web page at www.nami.org/election2008/candidates and learn how presidential candidates are responding to NAMI’s questionnaire on issues of importance to persons living with serious mental illness and their families.
Why is the Housing Trust Fund Important for NAMI? The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (HR 3221) passed the
House on July 23 (272-152) and the Senate on July 26 (72-13). The legislation has been signed into law by the President.
Included in the bill are a number of critical provisions to foster development of rental housing serving individuals with extremely low incomes (below 30% of area median income), chief among them a new Housing Trust Fund.
The Housing Trust Fund’s most important features are: • It is a permanent program with a dedicated source of
funding not subject to the annual congressional appropriations process.
• At least 90% of the funds must be used for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, or operation of rental housing.
• Up to 10% can be used for the following homeownership activities for first-time homebuyers: production, preservation, and rehabilitation; down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and assistance for interest rate buy-downs.
• Most importantly, at least 75% of the funds for rental housing must benefit extremely low income households and all funds must benefit very low income households.
• Investment to achieve development of 1.5 million new units of rental housing affordable to very low-income and extremely low-income households.
The Housing Trust Fund is the first new federal housing production program since the HOME program was created in 1990 and the first new production program specifically targeted to extremely low income households since the Section 8 program was created in 1974.
This is a major victory for low income housing advocates and the lowest income people in our country with the most serious needs – especially non-elderly adults with severe disabilities living on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Non-elderly adults living with serious mental illness and other disabilities living on SSI are completely “priced out” of the rental housing market. According to data from the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC), on average, people living on SSI are at 18.2% of area median income and must pay (on average) more than 113% of their monthly income to rent a modest 1-bedroom apartment.
Next month (November 2008) there will be an election of officers and Board of Directors for NAMI Greater Des Moines. The slate of Officer and Board candidates for 2009 are:
President - Teresa Bomhoff
Vice- President – Glenn Hobin
Secretary – Sharon Browne
Treasurer – Jim Vandeberg
Board Member – Grace Sivadge
Board Member – Kathy Hoegh
Board Member – Cece Arnold
State Legislation Here are 3 places on the web to access E-mail to figure out who your legislators are, to contact your legislators, get mailing addresses, and phone numbers. http://www.infonetiowa.com/ - Has the latest on legislation. Check out their great newsletters online. http://www.legis.state.ia.us/www.nami.org/advocacy January 9, 2009 – 2009 Session Begins April 1, 2009 – Advocating Change Day at the State Capitol
Update on Polk County Waiting List As of the end of August there are now -
• 349 on the waiting list for disability services,
• 262 have chronic mental illness or mental illness
• 61 have mental retardation • 26 have developmental disabilities • 106 of the 349 are at risk of hospitalization and/or
homelessness • It is taking an average of 334 days to get into the Polk County
health system to receive services. • 56 kids age 17-18 are on the waiting list
How to contact the Iowa Dept. of Mental Health and Disability Services (Established in 2006 via HF 2780 by the Iowa legislature)
Address: Hoover Office Building, 1305 E. Walnut St. Des Moines, IA 50322 Phone: 515-281-7277 Website: www.dhs.state.ia.us/mhdd/index.htmlDirector Dr. Allen Parks Assistant to the Director Barbara Jean Funke Children & Youth Bureau Chief Pam Alger Child/Youth Specialist Mary Mohrhauser Child/lYouth Specialist Becky Flores School Specialist Laura Larkin Adults Bureau Chief Dr. Kelly Pennington State Payment Program Lin Nibbelink Community System Consultant Julie Jetter Community System Consultant Robin Wilson Emergency Mental Health Specialist Karen Hyatt Secretary Kay Hiatt Older Adults Program Specialist Lila Starr Budgets, Contracts & Grants Charlie Leist Accreditation/Bureau Chief Jim Overland
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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NAMI Indiana Correctional Training: Improving Safety for Inmates with Mental Illnesses Contributor: Kellie Meyer
As part of our effort to address the needs of people with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice
system, NAMI Indiana has developed a 10-hour program to educate correctional officers about mental illness and provide them with practical skills for working with people with mental illnesses. By teaching correctional staff about mental illness, we prepare them to better understand and more effectively communicate with inmates with mental illness, and thus enhance their personal safety. We have trained more than 1700 correctional staff in Indiana and 247 from Kentucky.
The training has improved working and living conditions tremendously for both correctional staff and for inmates living with mental illnesses. Use of force by correctional officers who were trained has decreased by as much as 70%.
Collaborators: We chose a team of outstanding experts in the field of criminal justice, and collaborated with Indiana University to review the available data and to establish a best practice. We worked with Wabash Valley Correctional Facility to ensure the practicality of the program.
Curriculum: Our training curriculum includes modules on: "The Categories of Mental Illness"; "The Biological Basis of Mental Illness"; "The Treatment of Mental Illness"; "Interacting With Persons With Mental Illness"; and "Criminal Justice & Mental Illness: Principles and Applications, A New Beginning." While the first four modules provide officers with vital information and education, the last module is an interactive session that allows participants to apply their new knowledge to scenarios from the workplace. We work with the officers to develop and practice the tools they need to more effectively communicate with someone living from mental illness.
Customization: One of the most important aspects of the correctional training is the effort we put into customizing the program for each setting. While overall education and awareness about mental illness has been extremely helpful in all settings, understanding the protocols of each respective agency helps us to ensure that what we are teaching is relevant to the officers. We work with veteran officers at each facility to find out what procedures they currently follow, and what needs they see. Rather than simply educating, we strive to help them develop tools they can use in every day practice. We also work to ensure that the officers feel they can continue to put their safety first; if the officer does not feel safe, no one else will either.
Why Not CIT? The training course outlined was designed for maximum security prisons. While the training shares many of the same verbal de-escalation skills that are emphasized in CIT, in a corrections setting it is important to teach officers how to assess symptoms over time and build effective rapport with people with mental illnesses in custody. This training better equips the officers to make those assessments by recognizing certain symptoms and by developing a basic knowledge of the patterns of behaviors associated with the various mental illnesses. On the street, in a crisis situation, the officer is walking into the unknown, and often will never see the person again. In a corrections environment, officers have to build
rapport in order to work effectively and safely with individuals with mental illness.
Kellie Meyer, M.A. is Criminal Justice Director and Development Director at NAMI Indiana. To learn more about Indiana’s corrections training, contact her or NAMI Indiana Executive Director Pam McConey at (317)-925-9399 or [email protected].
Conestoga project offers treatment program
Port Clinton News Herald, Ohio 7/29/08
The Conestoga Project in Port Clinton, a collaboration of United Way in Ottawa County and the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa counties, continues to make strides in its comprehensive neighborhood development plan.
The latest service, a ground-breaking "Intervention Court," will provide intensive, court-monitored treatment for persons suffering from addiction or mental illness.
This program was launched by the Ottawa County Municipal Court under Judge Frederick C. Hany II to offer assistance to those residents who need it and to make surrounding neighborhoods safer and more stable environments.
The "Intervention Court" will refer defendants with active alcoholism, addiction and/or mental illness issues to intensive treatment programming and provide weekly hearings to ensure participants comply with the program, according to court officials.
Avoiding jail time as an incentive to stay in therapy improves individual client success rates from 20 percent to 70 percent, according to behavioral health experts.
Any person with a repeat offense involving addiction or mental health issues is eligible to participate in the program.
Participation requires approval from the prosecuting attorney and presiding judge or magistrate.
For persons accused of acts of violence, the permission of the victim must also be obtained.
For information on the neighborhood initiative, visit www.conestogaprogram.com.
Ada mental health court offers an alternative to prison - For John Moore, mental health court was the path from bipolar disorder and addiction to a sober life and a steady job
BY ANNA WEBB [email protected] - Idaho Statesman Edition Date: 07/17/08
All the empty rum bottles stacked along the walls once made John Moore's home look like a house made of glass.
But alcohol was just part of the problem; the 25-year-old also was contending with an untreated bipolar disorder.
His dual diagnosis - mental illness plus addiction - once would have been a likely ticket to a life in and out of Idaho prisons. But today it makes him like most of the participants in Ada County's mental health court, a rigorous rehab program created to find a better way to treat mentally ill offenders.
Now clean and sober, Moore keeps himself going with Alcoholics Anonymous and cigarettes. He's traded his daily bottle of rum for Mountain Dew, carrying it in a big thermos to his job at Honk's bargain store.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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"My boss tells me I'd bleed green if I ever got cut," he said.
At the end of July, after 20 months in mental health court, Moore and two others will "graduate" from the program.
A BETTER, AND CHEAPER, WAY TO TREAT SOME
The country's first mental health courts were created about a decade ago, on the principle that prison is neither effective punishment nor a deterrent for the mentally ill.
Judge Michael McLaughlin set up Ada County's version on orders of the state Supreme Court in 2005.
Left behind bars without treatment, people with mental health disorders will leave prison in worse shape than when they went in, McLaughlin said.
And that can have a huge impact on communities - 97 percent of all offenders eventually get out of prison and live among the general population.
McLaughlin sees mental health court as "an ounce of prevention for a pound of cure."
That prevention is a lot cheaper, costing between $2,500 and $3,500 per person a year, while it costs $20,000 to keep an inmate in prison, McLaughlin said.
Idaho's program is still young. Kelly Norris, program coordinator, said finding the perfect candidate for the program - someone whose mental illness is the reason for their criminal activities or addiction - is an ongoing process that becomes more refined all the time.
National studies show mentally ill people placed on regular probation have a 90 percent chance of returning to prison. When they enter a mental health treatment program, the rate falls to 35 percent.
Once in the court program, participants like Moore advance or fall back according to their ability to follow rules, make weekly court appearances and meetings with probation officers, pass random drug tests, and take classes and therapy.
Mental health court isn't a soft alternative, Norris said. "We take someone who has been living a particular lifestyle, then tell them to change everything they do."
Right now, 39 people, a near-even division of men and women, are working their way through the program in Ada County.
A lot is at stake for them. Success can mean a clean record, reduced charges and a productive life.
Failure can mean a return to the traditional justice system, felony probation and prison time.
A LONG DESCENT, AND A LONG CRAWL BACK
Caught with a pot pipe when he was a teenager, Moore was hospitalized after telling a cop - sarcastically, he still insists - that he was going to drive his car off a cliff.
He moved on to drinking, drug use and an attempt at suicide with a shotgun, all while studying computers at Boise State.
After a couple of short-term computer jobs, he found himself in a relationship with a woman who took drugs. He took on temp jobs, dug ditches in Nampa, cleaned freezers at a grocery store, stretched liners at the landfill. This troubled phase ended with an arrest outside a convenience store. Moore was carrying a handgun and methamphetamines.
His mugshot from 20 months ago shows a bearded man with pocked skin. His physical description notes the tattoo "Thug Life" scrawled across his stomach.
With a felony charge hanging over him, he continued to drink. His dad, Kelly Moore, said it got so bad that John's liver started to shut down. In a deep depression, he "flipped out" in his front yard one day and got committed to a mental institution.
Along with therapy, 12-step programs, drug tests and check-ins, a job is considered a cornerstone of recovery for mental health court participants.
McLaughlin and Norris said Moore stood out for his initial resistance to getting a job.
His plan was to apply for Social Security and live off the monthly check for the rest of his life.
His initial contact with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the group that connects mental health court participants with jobs, was rocky. He was thrown out of a counselor's office for his bad attitude. What started the transformation of Moore's "beautiful mind," as McLaughlin now describes it, was sort of magical.
Moore had stalled in the court program. His determination not to drink was shaky, and the bad news was rolling in. His dad was diagnosed with clots in his lungs, and one of his friends, another mental health court participant, died from an overdose.
The court sentenced Moore to a community service job - unpacking donations at the Salvation Army store. Around lunchtime one day, Moore started eyeing the Burger and Brew across the street.
"God himself couldn't stop me from having a drink," he said.
At that moment, he reached into another box to unpack.
The first thing he pulled out was a plaque printed with the Alcoholics Anonymous "Serenity Prayer." Moore took it as a sign.
"My first thought was, I can't drink," he said.
He offered to pay for the plaque, but his boss just told him to keep it.
Moore didn't cross the street that day. He went home and typed out a two-page letter he called his "dedication to change."
Change included getting the job at Honk's, where he stocks shelves, moves freight and supervises when his manager is gone. His boss trusts him with the keys to the store.
He makes $800 a month, enough to live on, but not enough to keep from worrying about the price of gas.
Home is a room in his parents' house. By mental health court order, he pays $200 monthly rent. Computers, including some he's built himself, now fill the space instead of empty liquor bottles. He watches television, plays computer games, tries to get to bed by midnight. He spends a lot of time by himself but has a couple of friends who are also sober.
Moore used his computer talents to create a PowerPoint presentation about the mental health court that McLaughlin plans to use in future presentations of his own. Moore also made two brochures, one detailing the best way to find a good AA sponsor.
For Kelly Moore, the importance of mental health court is simple. Without it, he says, his son would not have "reached a place where a lot of young men are at 25, taking a long look at their lives." Without the court program, he figures, his son would be dead.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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John Moore still has that AA plaque, with its eerily good timing, and a year and a half of sobriety.
"I really believe there are no coincidences," Norris said. "Whether you put it in terms of God, or a higher power, you do get back what you need."
Moore now has another plaque, too.
The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation recently named him "Rehab of the Year."
MENTAL HEALTH COURT: QUICK FACTS
Who gets in?
The court occasionally accepts people who have committed violent crimes. The court closely examines not only the crime, but the person's criminal history and potential danger to the community.
The court accepts only people with illnesses proven responsive to psychotropic medications. Being considered for mental health court is not a right. Referrals to the program are made at the court's discretion.
The numbers Since the program began in 2005, it has evaluated 175 potential participants. About 25 percent have been accepted into the program. Seventy-five percent of those have either graduated or are working through the program now. The average stay in mental health court is 18 months.
The disorders: Most common illnesses of mental health court participants: bipolar schizophrenia major depression
Drugs most commonly abused by mental health court participants: methamphetamine alcohol marijuana prescription opiates like Vicodin and Oxycontin
Police Training Resources
Self-Help Manual: Starting a CIT Program: A Step by Step Guide This guide to CIT start-up, produced by NAMI Wake County (NC) provides details on how to build community partnerships around CIT. While the guide is tailored for advocates in North Carolina, others will find the general guidance helpful. http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65059&lstid=275
Enhancing Success of Police-Based Diversion Programs for People with Mental Illness This guide builds on the Police Executive Research Forum's earlier report: "A Guide to Implementing Police-Based Diversion Programs for People with Mental Illness." http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65062&lstid=275
A Guide to Implementing Police-Based Diversion Programs for People with Mental Illness This guide, produced by the Police Executive Research Forum, offers useful instructions for implementing police-based diversion programs, including CIT. http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65061&lstid=275
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Core Elements This document, developed by leaders in the CIT movement, lays out the core requirements for a CIT program, including the elements of a community partnership and the training course.
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65065&lstid=275
What is the NAMI Provider Education Course?
NAMI has the Family to Family education course for family members and friends of adults with mental illness. Participants have to be at least 14 years old.
It is 12 weeks long and free to participants.
The Visions for Tomorrow class is for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with severe emotional disorder or mental illness. It is 9 weeks long and free to participants.
Peer to Peer is for persons with mental illness interested in finding out ways to maintain stability and wellness. It is 9 weeks long and free to participants.
Parents and Teachers as Allies is a 2 1/2 hour in-service program for teachers and other school staff as well as parents. Other than printing costs, this program is also free to participants.
So – what is the Provider Education class?
It is a 10 week course that presents a penetrating, subjective view of family and consumer experiences with serious mental illness to line staff at agencies who work directly with people with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
The course helps providers realize the hardships that families and consumers face and appreciate the courage and persistence it takes to live with and recover from mental illness.
It is taught by a panel of people including 2 family members, 2 consumers, and a mental health professional who is also a family member or consumer.
The course reflects a new knowledge base – the “lived experiences” of people coping with a mental illness or caring for someone who lives with a mental illness. It adds a means of teaching the emotional aspects and practical consequences of these illnesses to the academic medical information in the course.
So who has contracted for this course? • University of Iowa hospital • Des Moines VA • Independence Mental Health Institute • Iowa Lutheran Hospital • Magellan Health Services
Some have scheduled it 1 morning a week (2.5 hours) for 10 weeks and others have had the course over a working lunch once a week. We’ll work with you to overcome any hurdles you are facing that are preventing you from implementing this training.
If you are interested in this course – please give Margaret Stout a call at NAMI Iowa – 515-254-0417.
What Features Can Help Distinguish Bipolar Disorder from ADHD? From Popper C. Diagnosing Bipolar vs. ADHD: A Pharmacological Point of View. The Link. 13: 1996
Below are symptoms that can help clarify the diagnostic confusion between bipolar and ADHD disorders:
• Destructiveness: Children who have ADHD often break things carelessly while playing, whereas the major destructiveness of children who are bipolar is not a result of carelessness but tends to occur in anger.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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(What Features Can Help Distinguish Bipolar Disorder from ADHD? – cont’d) • Duration of angry outbursts: Children who have ADHD
usually calm down in 20 to 30 minutes, whereas children who are bipolar may continue to feel and act angry for up to 4 hours.
• Trigger for tantrums: Children who have ADHD are typically triggered by sensory and emotional overstimulation, whereas children who have bipolar disorder typically react to limit setting, such as a parental “no”.
• Irritability: Children who are bipolar tend to be irritable in the morning on arousal. Children with ADHD tend to arouse quickly and attain alertness within minutes, but children with mood disorders may show overly slow arousal (including several hours of irritability or dysphoria, fussy thinking or “cob webs,” and physical complaints such as stomachaches and headaches) upon awakening in the morning.
• Giftedness: Children who are bipolar often show giftedness in certain cognitive functions, especially verbal and artistic skills.
• Learning Disabilities: Children with ADHD often have co-existing learning disabilities, whereas learning in children who are bipolar is more likely compromised by motivational problems.
• Misbehavior: If ADHD children crash into a wall, it is often due to oblivious inattentiveness. The child who is bipolar is more likely to crash into a wall with intent, for the sake of challenging its presence.
• Hyperactivity: In children with ADHD, from the time they start walking, they are wearing out the soles of their tennis shoes. With bipolar, the hyperactivity is much more episodic.
• Medications: Children with ADHD do not respond to a mood stabilizer, but for children with true bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers are usually wonder drugs. Conversely, a stimulant, which helps patients with ADHD, pushes a child into increased symptoms of mania.
What Happens to Families when Mental Illness Hits
NAMI Iowa hand-out
Crisis – A crisis is defined as a disruption in the family from an uncontrollable life event. The
occurrence of a mental illness definitely fits the definition of a crisis. When this occurs, families may display the following responses: 1. Psychological stress – people must modify their identity, image, and roles. 2. Narrow, fixed spans of attention 3. Feel alienated and alone 4. Loss of identity 5. Reduced capacity to make decisions 6. Perform their usual social roles in an unsatisfactory way 7. Shock 8. Denial 9. Helpless confusion 10. Try to escape the situation
The family experiences grief and loss. - People grieve the loss of the person they once knew before the mental illness. There is a loss of hopes and dreams for the individual. Some people experience a complete loss of the life they once knew. A job may come to an end, family relationships change, and friends may distance themselves after symptoms appear.
Unfortunately, people coping with mental illness may continually go through grieving periods. Mental illness is commonly a cyclic
illness. Individuals may go through times when they are relatively symptom free and other periods when the illness dominates t heir lives. This cyclic pattern produces a continuous grieving cycle. When the individual shows symptoms, the grieving process may begin all over for families.
Families blame themselves and feel guilty regarding the illness. Parents review and criticize their parenting style. They also trace their family histories for evidence of mental illness. If illness is found in t heir family, they blame themselves for passing on mental illness to their child.
Families experience stigma surrounding the illness of their family member. Many times families are embarrassed about having mental illness affect their family. Embarrassment also occurs from the behavior of the ill member. Families have difficulty getting support from others due to the general lack of understanding about mental illness.
An overall lack of power is felt by families. They may feel responsible for their family member, but see themselves as having little power to influence outcomes. Part of the lack of power comes from having limited understanding and knowledge about mental illness and available services.
There is a threat to a family’s integrity and optimism. Hopes and dreams for the individual who is ill are shattered. Families become angry about the unfairness of life. Many times anger is directed at God or some other higher power. Families begin to question their basic understanding of the order of life.
Ways to Cope • Educate yourself about mental illness, treatments, and
services. • Take care of yourself. • Acknowledge fears you are having. • Be honest about your feelings and share them with someone. • Learn and practice relaxation techniques. • Attend the NAMI Family to Family education class. • Attend the NAMI family member support group • Get involved with a local affiliate of NAMI – like NAMI GDM.
Why Family education is so important • 1 in 4 families contains a member who has a mental illness. • 40% of persons with serious mental illness live with their
families. • Families frequently serve as caregivers and support persons
for their family member. They are often times held responsible for the care of the individual.
• Families can be the first line of defense against relapse. The majority of families can notice changes in their family member prior to a psychotic episode.
• Through family education and support, relapse rates decrease.
What is Recovery? Recovery does not refer to an end product or result. It does not mean that one is ‘cured’ nor does it mean that one is simply stabilized or maintained in the community. Recovery often involves a transformation of the self wherein one both accepts one’s limitation and discovers a new world of possibility. . .Thus, recovery is a process. It is a way of life. It is an attitude and way of approaching the day’s challenges. --Patricia Deegan, The Conspiracy of Hope
Myth: Individuals with mental illness do not recover. Fact: Studies and personal reports have documented that individuals with mental illness can often recover of “be in recovery” and lead meaningful lives.
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
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The Sept. 7 Legislative Forum
Two senators and seven representatives from Dallas, Madison, Warren, and Polk County joined NAMIGreater Des Moines members at Westminster Presbyterian Church to share information regarding mental illness.
During the first hour, speakers focused on the human and emotional side of mental illness through their stories and testimonials. Many thanks to June, Kyle, Dawn, Diane, Liz, Roseanne, and Lynn for their courage to speak before us all.
The second hour the legislators responded to our legislative priorities and issues that we support. All acknowledged many more resources are needed and action will be taken to resolve the issues we identified.
Legislators in attendance were:
Senators Jack Hatch and Brad Zaun Representatives Jo Oldson, Mark Davitt, Wayne Ford, Bruce Hunter, Janet Peterson, Scott Raecker, and Jodi Tymeson.
Many thanks go out to the legislators for their heartfelt comments, concern, and commitment to action. We look forward to working with you in the upcoming legislative session.
Priority 1–Adequately fund the mental health system in Iowa. No cuts in funding. Put enough money in the present MH system to
• Remove the waiting lists and restore services in the adult system. Polk County alone has a waiting list of 350 waiting for services. It is taking up to a year to leave the waiting list and access services;
• Continue to reduce the waiting lists for waivers (this means more care in the home or in a community setting rather than in an institution);
• To establish a streamlined children’s MH system; • And a statewide mental health crisis response system
(safety net).
Priority 2 – TAKE ACTION to Address an Inadequate Workforce – Beds - Services
Inadequate monetary resources directly affect workforce – beds – services.
There are an insufficient number of mental health professionals to treat Iowa’s population.
• Iowa is 47th in the nation for # of psychiatrists • Iowa is 46th in the nation for # of psychologists • Increase training capacity for psychiatric physician assistants, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatric social workers, and direct care workers.
There are an insufficient number of acute care beds to treat Iowa’s population.
• In Des Moines there are less than 100 acute care beds. • Iowa is 46th in the nation for # of psychiatric beds. • The shortage of mental health professionals hits those
without insurance and those on Medicaid particularly hard.
Priority 3-Institute Mental Health/Illness Education Mandates To help reduce stigma and dispel myths about mental illness in
elementary, middle school, high school, college, and critical professions.
Adequately fund the Center for Clinical Competence and Training Institute for consistent training for the workforce and the public including Mental Health First Aid and best practice training to expand the capabilities of peers, families, and providers.
We support an improved mental health parity law. Expand the state mental health parity bill to include coverage
for eating disorders, children’s mental health disorders, anxiety disorders (including post-traumatic stress disorder) and substance abuse as well as for recovery based services.
Support the passage of the federal mental health parity bill presently before Congress.
We support jail diversion efforts. Expand the use of mental health courts. Adequately staff intensive case management services for
assisted outpatient treatment. Implement re-entry programs to decrease recidivism. Invest in housing and supported employment programs. Reform how jails and prisons treat persons with mental illness.
We support Code changes.
Change Iowa Code definition of “chronic mental illness” for adults to “serious mental illness”.
Make individuals turning 19 years of age automatically eligible for county and Medicaid based adult “serious mental illness services if they had a diagnosis of SED (serious emotional disturbance) as a child.
Remove references to “county of legal settlement” and replace it with “county of residence”.
Do not suspend Medicaid benefits when someone is in jail so they can immediately access prescriptions upon their release.
The solutions are not easy.
They require resources.
More than anything, a solution requires the political will for a commitment to place mental illness on the front burner of public policy.
We’re paying for it in jail costs; homeless services; in lost wages; in anguish of loved ones and in lost lives.
What is the cost of inaction?
Continued needless suffering for individuals and families
Continued high rates of suicide Every year there are more suicides than homicides in America (33,000 vs. 20,000). Every month 330 young people commit suicide – that’s like a jumbo jetliner crashing every month.
Continued high drop out rates (50%) for adolescents and young adults with mental health disabilities
Continued extraordinarily high taxpayer costs by choosing the correctional system as the primary mental hospital – whether it be in local jails or in the prison system
Continued appearance of our state being one where the emphasis is on punishment and retribution rather than rehabilitation and recovery
The complete legislative priorities document is on our website – go to www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines - click on legislation and advocacy and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Who will be ourChampion Voice?
Our website is: www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines See yourself as a person, not an illness.
14
After the Suicide . . . A Letter to my Son
On September 5, 1982, at 11:00 in the morning, you knelt beside your childhood twin bed. . placed the barrel of your favorite ‘pinging rifle’ to your temple, and pulled the trigger. You would have been 22 years old in 17 days.
You had a florid psychosis in April. It was very frightening to you and to us. While it seemed unspeakable at the time, we eventually learned that your behaviors were ‘normal’ for psychosis.
You had a severe personality change. You thought you were selected by God to heal all who were ill and you could do it because you had magical powers in your hair. You exposed your genitalia. You helped yourself to anything you needed in the stores, because the voices told you that everything was yours. You stalked. . .
One symptom that can be present in psychotic behavior you DIDN’T have was setting fires.
All of these symptoms are treatable. This has been called a ‘heart attack of the brain’ and it does take time to recover.
After the suicide, we found that you had visited your many friends to apologize to them, for actions you had no control over.
After the suicide, we found you had given away your favorite sports equipment, books and valuables.
After the suicide, we...your family…just wanted to sleep, because then you would come to us in our dreams…and you were back.
After the suicide our community, your community…gathered around us and gave us strength and love.
Your twin daughters are now 28 years old, John. They are both happily married and both have sons. They are teachers and have chosen to specialize in teaching students with neurobiological and treatable disorders.
They both continue to learn about the illness that took your life, schizophrenia. They speak and write letters to educate when they see stigmatizing statements in the news or on the media. You would be so proud of them!
Your last words to me were…”Tell people about this, Mom”.
John, I’m so sorry. I have tried, but I have failed. Now people in Iowa who have ‘florid psychosis’ such as you had are most often put into jail. While there are wonderful new medicines that actually give minds back, we have a tragic shortage of trained medical professionals who can diagnose and prescribe them.
John, we can’t even get insurance to pay for treatment and medicines for mental illnesses… just as we couldn’t for you.
John, I’m so sorry.
With love,
Your Mom --June Judge Go to www.nami.org/namiwalks/IA Or call Jay Brewer–the walk manager–at 515-321-8051
Join Us on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008-10 AM
We hope you will decide to help us out by walking with us – and perhaps making a donation. We would be honored if you would designate NAMI GDM to benefit from your donation.
If NAMI Greater Des Moines is not designated – we will receive no funds from your donation.
We would be most grateful if you would choose to designate NAMI Greater Des Moines so all three levels of our organization can benefit from your generosity.
Thank you.
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Des Moines Box 12174 Des Moines, Iowa 50312
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DES MOINES IA PERMIT NO. 34