Thursday, May 10, 2012

Antlers Hilton, Downtown Colorado Springs
Free parking

7 AM – Early-Riser Special: coffee & entertainment
7:30 – 8:30 AM – FREE Community Breakfast
“A gentle ask with no pressure”

8:30 – 9:30 AM – Annual Membership Meeting

Join us for NAMI-CS’s Second Annual Community Breakfast
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS – COLORADO SPRINGS

NAMI-CS is on a mission to “Rewrite the Story” of mental illness in our community.Come learn how NAMI-CS supports families struggling with mental illness, educates the community and advocates for change.

And hear it in our own words…

Reserve your place at the table, bring a friend, or invite a whole group!

Call 719-473-8477

Two stories: Pete Earley, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist; Pete Earley, frustrated, terrified father of a son diagnosed with severe mental illness. Compelling, articulate and compassionate, he tells the story of his journey.

Free event, followed by book signing. Donations welcome. Sponsored by NAMI-Colorado Springs. Made possible with generous support from AspenPointe, Colorado College and the Colorado Springs Independent.

When Pete’s son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2005, he called on his investigative journalism skills to find out what was wrong with America’s mental health system. His book, Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness, was nominatedfor the 2007 Pulitzer Prize.

Wednesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Hall, Packard Hall, 5 W. Cache La Poudre, Colorado College
On-street parking on N. Cascade Ave and Cache La Poudre. Parking also available after 5 p.m. in the American Numismatic Association
Money Museum parking lot, 818 N. Cascade Avenue.

For more information on Pete Earley, go to www.peteearley.com
For more information on his Wednesday visit, call the NAMI-CS office: 719-473-8477.

Arrive early to get a seat!

5-week class – two different times/locations
REGISTER NOW by calling 719-473-8477
or
Click on the banner at the top of this page.

September 12 – October 3, 1:30 – 4:30 PM (Mondays)
Hanifen Center at Marian House, Catholic Charities
14 W. Bijou, Colorado Springs 80903
***OR***
October 11- November 8, 4 – 7 PM (Tuesdays)
State of Colorado Parole Office
520 W. Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs 80905

A penetrating view of what it’s like to live with mental illness –
and the wisdom and skills that make recovery possible

 Based on “lived experiences” of clients, families and providers
 Stages of recovery, brain research, medication, and the trauma model
 How to form effective, equitable partnerships to guide treatment

Family-to-Family, a 12-week, peer-led program, helps family members understand, support and advocate for their loved one with a serious mental illness.

New classes start in September, two different session and locations:

Wednesday, September 7, 6:30-9PM, Downtown Colorado Springs
Tuesday, September 13, 6:30-9PM, North Colorado Springs

A recent study confirmed that NAMI’s 20-year old Family-to-Family program is an “evidence-based” practice that works. The research objectively and scientifically documents that Family-to-Family leads to positive life changes for participants, enabling them to feel more in control of their own lives. Specifically, the research found that family members who participate in the classes showed:

- Significantly greater overall empowerment, as well as empowerment within their family, the service system, and their community;
- Greater knowledge of mental illness;
- Higher rates of coping skills;
- Lower rates of anxiety related to being able to control conditions; and
- Higher levels of problem-solving skills related to family functioning.

Once you join, you’ll be able to connect with the Nat’l Alliance on Mental Illness – Colorado Springs (NAMI-CS) Page, along with people you care about and other things that interest you.

Thanks,
Nat’l Alliance on Mental Illness – Colorado Springs (NAMI-CS)

To visit our page or sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: NAMI-CS Facebook Page

“The military needs someone who can tell families how it is,” says Char Cate, an Air Force veteran, NAMI advocate and co-teacher at one of the classes in Virginia. “The first thing my students say is, ‘Why did it take so long for us to find something geared towards families?’

Sheila Boone leads Family-to-Family classes made up of veteran and community families in Michigan. “The mixed classes work because the program is so well organized. Families do a wonderful job identifying with each other and bonding.” She has noticed some themes common among veteran families: “They’re starved for information. They’re not getting the support they need because some feel they must hide their family member’s mental illness.”

Brenda Piper, an instructor with NAMI North Carolina, says Family-to-Family’s well rounded program is uniquely suited for outreach to veterans’ families. “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not the only issue in these communities. A lot of military families are finding that the veterans contend with depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse or a combination along with PTSD.”

Family-to-Family is not the only NAMI educational program reaching out to veterans. Samuel Hargrove, who served both in the U.S. Army and the National Guard, says he used to hide his mental illness behind a mask. Now on full disability because of his mental and physical issues, he wishes he was able to return to active duty but has found a second calling in NAMI programs like In Our Own Voice and Peer-to-Peer. “I’m on a mission,” he says. “I can help NAMI reach out to veterans, and NAMI has been so honest and welcoming with me.”

Our successes within the veteran community are just the beginning of our work with the many military families who are now touched by mental illness. Help NAMI fulfill its mission–donate today and help fund NAMI educational programs, outreach and support.

ARLINGTON, Va., April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Freshman year. Final exams. Life after graduation. The pressures of college transitions involve many competing demands, including in some cases, mental health concerns.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched StrengthofUs.org, a new online community where young adults, ages 18-25, can provide mutual support in navigating challenges and opportunities before, during and after the college years.

“Young adulthood is an exciting challenge, but also a confusing and stressful time for anyone,” said Michael Fitzpatrick, NAMI executive director. “Life can throw things at you fast.”

Developed by college students and other young adults, StrengthofUs.org is a user-driven social networking community where a person can connect with peers, share personal stories, creativity and helpful resources by writing and responding to blog entries, engaging in discussion groups and sharing videos, photos and other news. It offers resources on:

· Mental health issues
· Healthy relationships
· Family and friends
· Campus life
· Independent living
· Finances
· Employment
· Housing

“StrengthofUs.org is about helping and inspiring each other,” said Alex White, age 23, a member of the advisory group who helped develop the site. “I would not be alive today if it had not been for the love, care and support I received from family, friends and loved ones.”

A Montana State University graduate, White was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 13. He attempted suicide before gaining control of the illness, but now leads a happy, productive life in New York City. He has made an award-winning short film, Une Vignette de Melancolie, about depression that has played internationally.

On April 21, the site will host a “launch party” featuring a remix of the song “Goodmorning” from the upcoming Derivatives album by William Fitzsimmons, who worked helping people with mental illness before turning a passion for music into his profession. He was named an iTunes Best Singer-Songwriter for his album The Sparrow and the Crow and his music has been featured on the television show Grey’s Anatomy.

The launch coincides with the recent deaths of three students from suicides at Cornell University and reports of increasing cases of depression and anxiety on college campuses nationwide.
“I think that depression and suicide are the largest health issues facing college students at this time,” said Alan Glass, director of St. Louis’s Washington University student health services and American College Health Association board member, in an interview with the school’s independent student newspaper.

NAMI created the StrengthofUs community through the support of the Rodwell Dart Memorial Foundation, established by Hailey Dart, in loving memory of her son, Roddy, who lost his life at age 22.

The public service announcement (PSA) campaign-We Can Help Us-was developed out of the acquired insight that, although many teens encounter the same tough times, many also develop positive solutions to help overcome them. The campaign empowers teens by reminding them that there are ways to get through whatever problems they face and directs them to visit reachout.com to hear stories from others who successfully conquered their tough times.

The campaign includes TV, radio, and print advertising, and mall and in-school posters and viral videos. The reachout.com Web site features stories from teens, as well as tips to help cope with tough issues and links to resources, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for teens who need immediate help. The PSAs will be distributed widely in the national media this week.

We hope your organization can help extend the campaign’s reach to youth who may be at risk and amplify these potentially lifesaving messages. To view the PSAs, the press release, and more details about how your organization can help support the campaign, please view the National Suicide Prevention Campaign for Teens Multimedia News Release. You can also visit SAMHSA’s Web site or the Ad Council Web site to learn more.