DECEMBER 2018

Vol. 12

P.O Box 1423 Woodbridge, VA 22195-1423

703-659-9983 www.nami-pw.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Marjorie Antus

Standing in front of the police officers, I begin: “On the morning of July 16, 2005, my son had been pacing his bed-room for hours. For some reason, he’d stopped taking his medication for schizoaffective disorder two days earli-er. He’d become agitated and disorganized.” The officers, all two dozen, gaze intently at me. “Fearing violence, my husband and I knew better than to try to talk to him. That’s why we called 911.” I’ve told this story several times to officers in Greater Prince William who are training to become Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) members. Originating in Memphis in 1988, the CIT is a partnership between mental health providers and law enforcement that steers people in mental health crisis to hospitals, not jails. It reduces the risk of injury to everyone—the per-son in crisis, family members, and the police. Taking place over the course of a 40-hour week, local training in-cludes officers from Prince William County, the City of Manassas, Manassas Park, the Adult Detention Center and the Sheriff’s Department. The police departments of Haymarket and Dumfries will soon join the coalition. “Important aspects of CIT training include verbal de-escalation, addressing stigma, and role playing so that offic-ers can practice the skills they learn in class,” says Ann Brown of Prince William County Community Services. On the first day of training, officers listen to personal mental health stories by peers from Trillium Drop-In Center and family members from NAMI-PW. That part of the course is all about putting a human face on mental illness, and it’s proven to be effective. “Officers are impressed by the bravery of the peers who come in to speak to them,” says Brown, explaining that merely meeting peers and hearing their stories is most helpful to officers. Two members of NAMI-PW who have experienced a police encounter with their family member also tell their stories. When the encounter with police was less than positive, the affiliate member is free to say so and offer an assessment of what might have been handled better. Usually, the family member has a positive police-encounter story to relate, which also helps to enlighten the offic-ers. My own story of what took place that July day in 2005 ended well: four officers arrived and told my son that he’d either have to take his medication or go with them to the hospital. He readily got in the police cruiser, went to the hospital, and received treatment—a crisis averted. “Those officers acted proactively and protectively,” I say at the CIT training. “They called my son ‘Mr. Antus.’ That’s something I haven’t forgotten or ever will forget.” In NAMI Family-to-Family classes and Family Support Group sessions, participants are advised to ask for a CIT-trained officer whenever they call 911. Ann Brown adds this advice: let the police dispatcher know what the diag-nosis is, if there are weapons on the scene and whether drugs or alcohol are involved. Of course, the primary con-cern is letting the dispatcher know if the person in crisis is threatening harm.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM — ON YOUR SIDE

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THINGS TO KNOW

NAMI PRINCE WILLIAM

GENERAL MEETING

Motivational Interviewing: How to Overcome Behavioral Challenges

Teressa Bowman, LPC

Ms. Bowman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist working as a Novant Health UVA Prince William inpatient therapist. She holds a B.S. in Psychology (UMUC, 2010), an M.A in Professional Counseling (LU,2013) and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Psychology (UoR, anticipated 2019). She has worked as a community

support worker and mental health liaison for over eight years in the DC metropolitan area. She combines evidence-based practices with tailored therapeutic interventions to guide individuals away

from mental road blocks toward success.

Benefits of Motivational Interviewing

Triggers change in high-risk lifestyle behaviors. Increases willingness to get help and fight through addiction. Increases participation rates during treatment programs. Lowers the chance of future relapse. Allows individuals to find encouragement during treatment and establish self-actualization goals.

Thursday, December 6th, 2018, 7-8pm Prince William Medical Center

8700 Sudley Road, 4th Floor, Conf. Rm A Manassas, VA 20110

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COMING SOON

NAMI Prince William (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Prince William and HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Action) are collaborating on a Latino Mental Health Awareness and Outreach program. The program seeks to raise awareness of and reduce stigma about mental health conditions and increase help-seeking behavior in the Latino community of Greater Prince William. It will provide free NAMI educational and support programs in Spanish to families of those coping with mental illnesses.

One out of every four individuals are affected by a mental health challenge. If you, or someone you care for has depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder you will want to come hear the first-hand accounts from three young adults about living with mental health con-ditions. These peer panelists will share their stories of struggling with a mental health condition, how they overcame the obstacles and where they are now with their successful recovery. Afterwards there will be a period for questions from the audience. There will be free refreshments, and the whole family is invited.

If you are interested in attending or need more information,

please call Liz at NAMI Prince William at 703-659-9983

COMING SOON IN EARLY JANUARY!

More information on location, date and time to be announced.

MENTAL HEALTH SPEAKER PANEL

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COMING SOON

What is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program?

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12-session education program for family, partners, friends and sig-nificant others of adults living with mental illness. The course is designed to help all family mem-bers understand and support their loved one living with mental illness, while maintaining their own well-being. The course includes information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, major depression and other mental health conditions. Thousands of families describe the program as life-changing. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness.

WOODBRIDGE

Tuesday and Thursday evenings

Tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday, January 8

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Participant Perspectives

“This course overall was the single most,

without a doubt, helpful and informative

thing ever offered in all my years searching

for answers… It has helped me to under-

stand better and communicate more effec-

tively with my brother.”

“The course has helped me to realize that

my son is still inside the body that is often

times hidden by the mental illness and that

I am not alone in this.”

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Call the number below to register!

P.O. Box 1423, Woodbridge, VA 22195

703-659-9983 info@nami-pw.org

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THINGS TO KNOW

December is National Human Rights Month. It is about acknowledging that people are

people, plain and simple. If we take the time to learn about other cultures, we will begin to

gain insight from their perspective and be able to better understand them as real people. This

month, we are all challenged to learn more about a specific culture (or several) that may

make us uneasy or hesitant. Give yourself a little history lesson and chances are, you’ll

change your preconceived notion about that particular group of people.

We at NAMI Prince William have our own culture. People who live with mental health chal-

lenges are discriminated against, stigmatized, and are denied access to adequate mental

health care. With one out of every four individuals affected by mental health conditions, it’s

time to recognize, stand up and demand better treatment for those with a treatable illness.

Visit a mental health treatment center or talk to someone who has spent time in our state

mental health facilities. Ask why people in mental hospitals are treated differently from peo-

ple in medical hospitals. Don’t we all deserve the best care, respect and compassion? Visit

NAMI.org and learn about depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, you may be surprised

to learn that with proper treatment and support, successful recovery is possible.

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NAMI PRINCE WILLIAM FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS

The challenges of mental illness do not only affect an individual's family members but also friends, teachers, neighbors, coworkers and others in the community. “Family member” and “caregiver” refer to anyone giving emotional, financial or practical support to a person with a mental health condition. Whether you're providing a lot of assistance or very little, the information and support you receive from a NAMI Family Support Group can help you better understand the issues that you might face. (Excerpt from: http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers.)

The most important thing to know is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Below are the two NAMI Family Support Groups currently being held in Prince William County:

WOODBRIDGE

Second Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 pm to 9:00pm Sentara Potomac Hospital Room "C" in the Hylton Education Center 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA Contact: Donna Fortunato, 571-437-4579

HAYMARKET:

Third Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Haymarket Gainesville Community Library Community Room 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA Contact: Bonnie Cuppett, 703-659-9983

THINGS TO KNOW

Most family members attend the groups when their loved one is in crisis. When the crisis is over, they stop coming. Get in the habit of attending every month, whether things are going well or not. That way, if a crisis does hit, you know where you need to be. And remember, there are others who are new to this journey, and they need the support you can

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION!

We are proud to announce that thanks to a grant from Potomac Health Foundation, Hispanic Organi-zation for Leadership & Action (HOLA) and NAMI Prince William are working together to reduce stigma about mental health conditions and increase help-seeking behavior in the Latino community, by cre-ating awareness, to educate, and to support those coping with mental illnesses.

NAMI PW will be able—for the first time in Spanish—to build awareness and dispel stigma (“Ending the Silence”), provide education (12-session NAMI Family to Family course), and offer NAMI Family Sup-port Groups.

The population served will be Latino residents of eastern PWC 18 years and older. Prince William County Public Schools have not, to date, been interested in outside groups providing mental health ed-ucation, but a new state law mandating information for middle and high school students may be an en-tree to reach these age groups as well.

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NAMI Membership exists at 3 levels:

Affiliate, State & National. NAMI

Prince William (NAMI-PW) is a 501

(c)(3) non-profit, charitable

organization—contributions are tax-

deductible to the fullest extent allowed

by law. Together, we can continue to

fight for all those affected by mental

illness. PLEASE NOTE: If making

a donation, in order for NAMI-PW

to receive your full donation, please

send your donation to the NAMI-

PW office. Thank you!

CONTRIBUTIONS BENEFIT NAMI-PW, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT TAX EXEMPT

ORGANIZATION, TAX ID 64-0958983.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL

INFORMATION OF NAMI-PW MAY

BE OBTAINED FROM THE VIRGINIA STATE OFFICE OF CONSUMER

AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES, P.O.BOX 1163, RICHMOND,

VA 23218. REGISTRATION DOES NOT

IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE

STATE. NAMI RECEIVES 100% OF

EACH DONATION.

Members are NAMI-PW’s lifeblood; your membership helps us continue to provide free outreach, support & education. In bringing mental health

issues to wider attention, we advocate for better treatment. As our membership base grows, our voice becomes stronger.

Respect, Compassion & Hope … NAMI Works!

P.O. Box 1423, Woodbridge, VA 22195-1423

T 703-659-9983 Email: info@nami-pw.org Website: nami-pw.org

I’d like to volun-teer for NAMI-PW’s 2019 Go Green for Mental Health Walk/Run. I wish to receive NAMI National’s

solicitations.

Check here for renewal: Date:______________

Name:_______________________________________

Address:_____________________________________

City/St:______________________________________

Zip:___________....Phone:______________________

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MEMBERSHIPS: Household $60 Regular $40 Open Door $5

*SPONSORSHIPS: Professional $75 Corporate $250

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*Sponsorships are separate from membership and are considered donations to NAMI Prince William.

Please complete the form below and mail your membership/donation to the P.O. Box noted above, or pay online through our secure website at: nami-pw.org

THINGS TO KNOW