Saturday, September 12, 2009
6–8 p.m.
Memorial Park, Colo. Springs
Come for an evening of family fun and enjoy the following:

Food
Goodie bags
Music and DJ
Hot air balloon glow
Informational booths
Stars of Hope Tree of Honor
Bring canned goods for Care & Share
Prizes for team and individual walkers
“Celebration of Light” closing ceremony

*Registration information will be forthcoming, please check back later.

FAMILY-to-FAMILY is a free 12-week course for family and friends of individuals with serious mental illness. Classes are taught by trained NAMI family members.

• The Family-to-Family course provides information about illnesses of the brain and their treatment:
  Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders - Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence - Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery
• The Course includes instruction and exercises on coping skills:
  Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness - Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques - Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse - Focusing on care for the caregiver; coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload
• The Course focuses on the power of advocacy:
  Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community - Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services

Family to Family Schedule of Classes–Fall, 2009

August 18-October 27; 6:30-9:00
Contact Dawn or Sally: 719-473-8477

September 16-December 9; 6:30-9:00
Contact Dawn or Sally: 719-473-8477

Stella Colby, teacher, librarian, co-founder of BethHaven Incorporated and of the Colorado Springs chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI, CS) died March 29, 2009. She was a resident of Elk Run Assisted Living at the time. Her beloved husband Roy Colby preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at Unity Church in the Rockies 19 45 Mesa Road, Colorado Springs on May 9 at 11:00 AM.

Mrs. Colby was born December 9, 1917 in Pangburn, Arkansas to Charles A. and Mary Ellen Vandiver.

She was Valedictorian in 1936 of her high school graduating class in Bald Knob, Arkansas, attended the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas and graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1941. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in Library Science from the University of Denver in 1963.

Mrs. Colby taught English at Oklahoma Baptist University, operated a private kindergarten in Falls Church, Virginia, was an elementary school teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia and in Cherry Creek School District where she also served as school librarian. She helped to initiate a reading research project at the University of Colorado and taught Childrens Literature at the University of Denver. She was listed in Whos Who in Library Science. She was also a visiting Associate Professor of Library Science at New Mexico Highlands University. She served on the Executive Board of the Colorado Association of School Librarians as Vice President, President, Past President, and Historian. She taught Childrens Literature at the University of Denver and planned for a new media center in the La Tronico Performing Arts Center at Cherry Hills School.

Mrs. Colby moved to Colorado Springs in 1978 where she became know as a tireless advocate for persons with mental illness and their families. She was awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Mental Health Services by the El Paso Association for Mental Health, the Cornelia Sabine Prize for Contribution in Serving the Chronically Mentally Ill by the El Paso Psychological Society, Volunteer of the Year by the Colorado Mental Health Association and the Pikes Peak Mental Health Center. She was named a Woman of Distinction by the Wagon Wheel Girl Scout Council and was featured on The Colorado Spirit program on KRDO TV and in a series on Outstanding Women in Colorado Springs, in The Colorado Springs Gazette.

She often vacationed at her home in Georgetown, CO where she will be interred at the Alvarado Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI, CS, 510 East Willamette Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, or to BethHaven Incorporated P.O. Box, 326, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.

Mrs. Colby is survived by her two children, Michael Smith of Colorado Springs, and Elaine McWain of Georgetown, CO and her two step children, Patty Watkins of Monument, CO and Ed Colby of New Castle, CO. , five grandchildren, two great granddaughters, and a brother, Dr. Charles M. Vandiver of Dimmit, Texas

Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at: PO Box 882, Georgetown, CO 80444

Dear Advocates for Mental Illness: YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!

Please take a few minutes to call or email  members of the Business Affairs and Labor House Committee today or tomorrow to ask them to vote “no” on HB 1256, which will be heard at 1:30 pm on Wednesday in the House Committee room. This bill would allow insurance companies from other states to offer insurance products to people in Colorado. These insurance companies would not be subject to all of the insurance laws and regulations of Colorado, including coverage of some services or benefits mandated by Colorado law.  This means that the mental
illnesses currently covered by Colorado law would not be required unless the state where the plan originates already has those same requirements. If you can attend the hearing to show your concern, please plan to do so! You may testify as an individual.

Thank you for helping to defeat this law. 

 Lacey Berumen, Bill Rohlman, Nita Bradford

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Talk to someone who understands,
someone just like you.

Every Saturday from 10:00-11:30
[Note: Feb. 28 and Mar. 28 will be from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.]

NAMI CS office at:
510 E. Willamette (corner of Willamette & Royer)
719-473-8477

Facilitated by Jim H.
719-538-4462

NAMI Connections is a peer-to-peer recovery support group program for adults living with mental illness. This group provides a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.

NAMI Connections offers a casual and relaxed approach to sharing the challenges and successes of coping with mental illness. The support group is open to all adults with a mental illness, regardless of diagnosis.