Happy Valentine's Day!!

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1 N.A.M.I. STANISLAUS NEWSLETTER- February 2012 National Alliance on Mental Illness, Stanislaus, P.O. Box 4120, Modesto, CA Web site address: address: phone: (209) Happy Valentine's Day!! INSID E THI S MONTH S I SSU E : NAMI Gatherings 1 Upcoming events 1 Articulos en Español 2 Education Report 3 Thank you 3 NAMI Connection 4 Mental Notes 4 FYI Internet Article 5 Calendar 6 Support Groups 7 Membership Registration Form 8 April 28, 2012 Sacramento -- NAMI Walk Don't forget to register for the NAMI walk. For information, visit or call our office at ` Mark your calendars for the 3rd Wednesday of every month for NAMI gatherings. We plan to meet from 6 to 7:30 PM, at 500 N. 9th Street (Jana Lynn Plaza), Modesto (phone ) to listen to a speaker or see a film. Our main weapons against the stigma of mental illness are education and fellowship. Come and learn about new treatments, research, services offered for mental health at our monthly NAMI meetings. Come and meet others who are involved with mental health issues who can offer comfort and understanding. Hope to see you soon. Judy Kropp, Co-President NAMI Stanislaus Fundraiser for NAMI -- Save the Date -- Sat. March 17, 2012 Andy Padlo in Concert Devas café 1202 J St. Modesto -- 6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m $10 ( get tickets from NAMI office or board member) or pay at the door ALL PROCEEDS GO TO NAMI PROGRAMS Andy Padlo, a central valley native, and now a Bay Area resident, is a veteran singer-songwriter. Over the past twenty-two years, he has performed his original songs (alternative/country rock) in fairs, clubs, radio, and has made several cd s, the latest of which is "Buffalo Wedding". His cds can be previewed at cdbaby.lcom/artist/andypadlo. He has a special interest in NAMI as his only sister, Joanna, suffered from mental illness for over thirty three years. He participated in his first NAMI Walk in Sacramento, in her honor, last year. February's NAMI Gathering Speaker: Patient's Rights Advocate Date: Wednesday, February 15th, 6:00 p.m. Place: Jana Lynn Community Room The Patient Rights Advocate is an advocate for all consumers receiving mental health, alcohol and drug services in Stanislaus County. Primary responsibility is to ensure that the rights of the mentally disabled are acknowledged and upheld. Advocacy services at administrative hearings and judicial writ hearings are provided for those individuals experiencing involuntary detainment, training, consultation and client complaints regarding denial of rights are also provided. For more information call the office at

2 2 Hola y como están? Espero que bien. La primavera parece que ya llego, con los días tan agradables y soleados. Ojala que venga mas lluvia porque si no, tendremos muchos problemas aquí en el valle! Nuestra economía local se basa muy fuertemente en la agricultura, y sin agua estarán los agrícolas en un gran apuro. Lo necesitamos a la lluvia mas que en anos pasados! Estamos muy contentos de anunciar que estamos formando clases en español. Tendremos dos diferentes clases una para los que padecen de una enfermedad mental grave y persistente llamada De Persona a Persona y la otra para los familiares de personas con estas enfermedades, llamada De Familia a Familia. Ambos cursos son completamente gratuitos. Las clases son como platicas, y no será necesario hacer tarea o prepararse para cada clase. La clase De Persona a Persona comienza el sábado, 25 de febrero. Esta dirigida por dos personas que también padecen de enfermedades mentales. Los participantes aprenderán todos los aspectos de la enfermedades mas serias, y aprenderán habilidades para sobrellevar los síntomas y prevenir recaídas. El curso dura 10 semanas. Se da una vez por semana por 3 horas, en los sábados. Habrán bocadillos. Para inscribirse llame a Mary Leggett, la instructora, al , o a mi, Elisabeth, al La clase De Familia a Familia esta dirigida por 2 personas que tienen un familiar que tiene una enfermedad mental. Los participantes aprenderán sobre todos los aspectos de las enfermedades y también habilidades para ayudar, apoyar y convivir saludablemente con su familiar. El curso dura 12 semanas, y se dará una vez por semana por 3 horas. Este curso comenzara en marzo. Repito que estos cursos son gratuitos. Favor de inscribirse hoy mismo, porque si no tenemos un mínimo de 20 personas inscritas por clase, entonces no podremos ofrecer estos cursos. Para mas información o para inscribirse, favor de llamar al Este es mi numero te celular y si no contesto puede dejar su nombre y numero telefónico y yo le regresare la llamada. Esperamos oír de Ud. y verlo esta primavera en un curso! El programa NAMIWALKS está creciendo constantemente. Cada vez, más y más individuos están gozando la experiencia de caminar por las calles de su ciudad con familiares, amigos y centenares de auspiciadores de NAMI. Como participar: *Usted puede participar formando un equipo de caminata, uniéndose a un equipo existente o caminando solo. *Cuando usted se inscribe a una caminata, usted se ofrece a reclutar a otros caminantes, a recoger donaciones y a enviar el dinero a NAMIWALKS. *Solicitar donaciones es una parte agradable de la experiencia. * Los caminantes son los que hacen que NAMIWALKS sea un éxito! No puede ir a la caminata, pero desea participar? Pregunte por otras oportunidades como voluntario. Para más información escriba a NAMIWALKS a walks@nami.org

3 3 EDUCATION REPORT February 2012 by Lynn Padlo NAMI EDUCATION CLASSES FOR 2012 Modesto: Family to Family: Tuesday February 7 through Tues. April 24 th (Sharon Smith and Jack Waldorf, teachers) Lynn and Helen subs Provider Class: Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8 :30 a.m. at 800 Scenic Dr. Modesto, Redwood Room (Continues for five weeks) Peer to Peer: Class is full, introductory class was January 28 th and will continue for 10 weeks. Turlock: Family to Family: Monday March 5, PM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Minaret/Cooper St.) 12 week class of education and support for families only Call Lynn at to sign up or the NAMI Office Patterson: Family to Family: TBA February Memberships Shelley Seibert Walton Cathy Jennison Gary Lohman emembership Darlene Thomas Eric and Cheryl Rice Glenn Hutsell Dr. Elisa Barosso Donation Cathy Jennison Jamie L. Fabela Dr. Elisa Barosso Anette Penner Katherine Roudebush in Memory of Joanna Thank You.

4 4 NAMI Connection PRINCIPLES OF SUPPORT * We will see the individual first, not the illness. * We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses, that may have environmental triggers. * We understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events. * We aim for better coping skills. * We find strength in sharing experiences. * We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination. * We won't judge anyone's pain as less than our own. * We forgive ourselves and reject guilt. * We embrace humor as healthy. * We accept we cannot solve all problems. * We expect a better future in a realistic way. * We will never give up hope. Talk to someone who understands someone just like you NAMI Connection NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups are open to all adults with mental illness, regardless of diagnosis. Please feel welcome to drop by and share your feelings, difficulties, or successes. Everyone is a valued participant. The groups are led by trained individuals who are in recovery themselves. They understand your daily challenges and can offer encouragement and support. All groups are confidential you can share as much or as little personal information as you wish. NAMI Stanislaus currently has one meeting time for NAMI Connection. It is on Saturdays, 12:30 pm, at the NAMI offices We need you to come, the more participants we have the more times we can set up! For more info call Stewart or the office at Mental Notes: --- Stewart Wise, NAMI Connection facilitator From NAMI I have learned about the Emotional Stages of Recovery. These stages are Recuperation, Rebuilding, and Recovery. I often refer to them as "Hanging on, Bring it on, and Pass it on". Understanding my feelings and needs that occur during each stage gives me a strong foundation for my recovery. The stages are not like a 3 stage rocket. Just because I may be experiencing mostly stage 2 (Rebuilding) doesn t' mean I can discard stage 1 (Recuperation). Because, my disorder is cyclical in nature, I go back and forth thru the stages. When I am in crisis, stage 1, I feel lost. I lose touch with myself and the world around me. I don't know who I am. I feel like I will never get out of the hole I am in. My greatest need is to feel hope. I need to believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I need someone to show me the way. In stage 2, I am struggling to re-establish who I am. I want to tell my story. I want to speak about my pain. I want others to understand my pain. I do everything I can think of to try to stabilize my emotions so I can pick up my life. I fail as many times as I succeed. One day I think that I know all the answers and the next day twice as many questions appear. My greatest need during this stage is support from my peers. I gain strength from their successes. I learn from their experiences. I feel comfortable with them because they can understand my pain. I gain a feeling of self worth because I am not alone. Stage 3 is the most difficult one for me to stay in. I am like a drowning man. Whenever I can stick my head above the water that is when I am in stage 3. It is here that everything comes together for me. My world is not a mystery to me. My self-esteem is high. My relationships are good. I face my fears with success. The understanding of how I am affected by my illness increases dramatically. I rise from the ashes like a phoenix. I no longer cling to the person I was. I have emerged a new person different and better than the one before. I have been remade. My need during this stage is to take a deep breath of all this goodness for when I take that plunge under the water again.

5 Establishing a Routine Most people are most able to keep up healthy habits if they stick to a routine. The routine can create a sense of stability. The same is true for people with mental health conditions. 5 Adopting Healthy Recovery Lifestyle Habits Making healthy habits a routine part of life can help a lot with overall recovery. Healthy habits can include: -Taking medication regularly as prescribed -Getting regular exercise (talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program) -Eating healthy meals -Limiting caffeine and sugar -Getting enough sleep -Learning relaxation skills, such as yoga and meditation -Reaching out for support -Avoiding illicit drugs and alcohol Start with small changes, and after mastering one or two, add new ones. For example, a person who is not used to exercising may be able to make a commitment to spending just 10 minutes a day doing some kind of enjoyable activity. If cutting back on coffee is a goal, decrease your intake gradually each day. The therapist or primary care doctor may offer help with quitting smoking and substance use and abuse. Exercise What kind of exercise is enjoyable? There are many types. Walking is often a good start. Is it preferable to exercise alone or with a group? Ask friends or family members if they would be willing to set up an exercise schedule a few times a week. Remember, talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Reduce stress Stress can be caused by happy events (like a sister s wedding or a new job), or by difficult events (like an illness in the family, a sick pet, or financial difficulties). When feeling stressed, it s important to take some time and identify the cause of the stress. Once you figure that out, you can develop a plan to reduce or alleviate the stress. There are a variety of stress reduction activities that many people find useful. Some people like activities such as t ai chi, yoga, meditation, qigong, and deep breathing exercises. Other people may enjoy listening to music, taking a walk, going to a movie, reading, or spending time with a friend. What is important to keep in mind is that stress reduction is a personal process. Each person can identify the coping strategies that work well. Eat healthy food Having a healthy diet is important. Eating habits must be improved gradually. Choose one thing to cut back on, and after getting used to that, choose another. Replace unhealthy foods with more nutritious items, for example, fruits instead of candy and other sweets; vegetables and salad instead of potato chips; bake, broil, or sauté proteins such as meat, tofu, or fish instead of frying them. Avoid substance abuse It s important to understand that abuse of drugs or alcohol tends to be more common among people who have schizophrenia than it is in the general population. There is no evidence that substance abuse causes schizophrenia. Substance abuse can cause extra stressors in life, which can make it harder to stay on a medication plan, reduce the effectiveness of medication, and possibly cause symptoms to return. If a person with a mental health condition is having trouble with substance abuse, being honest with someone on the recovery team is important. Tell a therapist, psychiatrist, or trusted family or friends. They may be able to help deal with this issue.

6 6 February Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Family to Family 6:00 pm 500 N. 9 th Street Call :00 am Turlock Family Support Turlock Recovery Center 2101 Geer Rd. #120 Call St. Valentine's Day Oakdale NAMI Support Group For info Call Judy :30 am NAMI Provider Class (5 weeks) 800 Scenic Dr. Redwood Room Call Marisela Modesto Family Support 6:30 pm NAMI Stanislaus Suite D NAMI Gathering 6:00 7:30 pm 500 N. 9 th Street Jana Lynn Plaza Modesto :00 am Turlock Family Support group 2101 Geer Rd #120 Call Peer to Peer 10:00 am Wendy :00 pm Spanish Support Group Modesto For info call Elizabeth NAMI Connections Peer Support Group 12:30 pm Stewart NAMI Connections Peer Support Group 12:30 pm Stewart NAMI Connections Peer Support Group 12:30 pm Stewart :00 am Patterson Family Support Federated Church on El Circulo Drive NAMI Connections Peer Support Group 12:30 pm Stewart

7 7 Group NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS NAMI Connections Support Group (Consumer Support) NAMI Family Support (Modesto) NAMI Family Support (Turlock) NAMI Family Support (Patterson) NAMI Support (Oakdale) NAMI Spanish Support NAMI Merced Support NAMI Tracy Support Dates, Time, and Location Saturdays, 12:30 pm Jana Lynn Community Room NAMI office, 500 N. 9 th Street Modesto For info call Stewart nd Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, NAMI office, 500 N. 9 th Street Modesto 1 st Tuesday and 3 rd Wednesday of each month, 10:00 am, Turlock Recovery Center, 2101 Geer Rd. Suite 120, Turlock for info 3 rd Saturday for December, then 4 th Saturdays 10:00 am, Federated Church on El Circulo Drive, Patterson for info 3 rd Tuesday of each month, Please call Judy Kropp at for time and location. 3 rd Thursday, 6:00 pm 500 N. 9 th Street Modesto Call Elizabeth Last Wednesday of each month. For location and time call Mondays at 7:00 pm, Call for location Kathleen Other Support Groups Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Co-occurring Peer Recovery Support Group 1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays at Doctors Medical Conference Room on Florida Avenue in Modesto, Scott or Jim Mondays, 3:00-4:00 pm, Stanislaus Recovery Center, 1904 Richland Avenue, Ceres Call John Black at cell or Tim White, cell Recovery International Support Fridays, 7:00 pm, Geneva Church Library, 1229 E. Fairmont Drive, Modesto Call Dave Bartlett Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) in Ripon Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Faith-based group for consumers and families. Call Carol at nd Street, Ripon

8 8 N.A.M.I. Stanislaus NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION P. O. Box 4120 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Modesto, CA MODESTO, CA PERMIT # 698 Return Service Requested Stanislaus Affiliate Membership / Donation NAMI Stanislaus dues are $35.00 per year. $10.00 goes to NAMI California and another $10.00 to NAMI National. $15.00 is retained by NAMI Stanislaus to help fund everything we do, including paying for the training of our teachers, programs, purchase educational material, including the brochures we give for free to the public, office supplies, + and postage, as well as publication and mailing of our newsletter. Checks are to be made to NAMI Stanislaus. Please mail to: Attn: Dues / Donations If you have any questions about your membership, please NAMI Stanislaus contact our Secretary/ Treasurer, Joyce Plis P. O. Box 4120 at Modesto, CA A d d r e s s A d d r e s s N a m e Name Address $15 Client (Consumer) $35 Regular (Family Member) Home Telephone $75 Benefactor Work Telephone $ Other No Membership, Newsletter Only In Memory of No Membership, Donation Only For statistical reference NAMI National requests that you provide the following information. This is voluntary and will be kept confidential. Please Circle all that apply. Thank you for participating. Relationship to Consumer Ethnicity Decade of Birth PA Parent of Adult A Asian/Pacific Islander 1920 PC Parent of Child under 18 AA African American/Black 1930 AC Adult Child H Hispanic/Latino 1940 C Consumer NA Native American 1950 F Friend W White/Caucasian 1960 P Professional O Other 1970 S Sibling 1980 M Spouse 1990