Beyond the Border3394qh4fg22b3jpwm94480xg-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/... · the lives of people with...

Summer 2006The State’s Voice on Mental Illness

Partners Celebrating Recovery: The Time to Talk is NowLook inside…

One couple’s quest for knowledge about BPDBeyond the BorderBeyond the Border

One couple’s quest for knowledge about BPD

2 NAMI TEXAS Summer 2006

3 Message from the Executive Director

4 Beginnings of Community Health

6 Beyond the Border

8 Book Review – Crazy: A Father’s Search through

America’s Mental Health Madness

10 New Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

11 NIMH Research Studies

13 In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness

14 Raise Funds Quickly and Easily

15 Planning for the Future

16 Affiliate Corner

20 Through My Window

27 Nominations for Annual Awards Now Being Accepted

29 2006 NAMI Texas Annual Conference

Partners Celebrating Recovery: The Time to Talk is Now

31 Video – Conversation on Compassion: Spiritual Paths

in Mental Health

contentsNAMI TEXAS Staff

Executive Director Robin Peyson

Special Events Coordinator and Consumer Advocate Diana Kern

Visions for Tomorrow (VFT)Program Coordinator Pennie Hall

In Our Own Voice (IOOV)Program Coordinator Norma Bangs

Receptionist/Membership Kristin White

The NAMI Texas News is published two timesa year by the National Alliance on MentalIllness of Texas, Fountain Park Plaza III, 2800 S. IH35, Suite 140, Austin, TX 78704.Phone: (512) 693-2000.

Diana Kern, Managing Editor

Margie Gardner, Art Director

This newsletter does not offer medical advice.Readers should seek advice from qualified professionals.

NAMI Texas is a grassroots, family and consumer, self-help, support, education, andadvocacy organization dedicated to improvingthe lives of people with severe mental illness.Severe mental illnesses are biologically basedbrain disorders that can profoundly disrupt a person’s ability to think, feel, and relate totheir environment and others.

To find a NAMI Texas affiliate in your area, pleasecall 1-800-633-3760 or visit www.namitexas.org

Cover: “Bipolar I” by Lydia “Drey” Wardoil on canvas, 50" x 46"

This newsletter is the first to be issuedunder my watch, so to speak, as the newExecutive Director of NAMI Texas. Youwill notice some changes, including artand poetry that have been submitted byour members, which will be a regularfeature. It has been wonderful workingwith Diana Kern, who listens to myideas and makes them a reality, and ourwonderful volunteer, Margie Gardner,who helps us design and produce everynewsletter. Thanks also go to thoseAffiliates and sponsors who made thisnewsletter possible through their gen-erous financial support. If you enjoythis newsletter, please take a momentto review our list of Patrons and letthem know their contributions make a difference.

I have been here for four months, andthey have gone by fast. As you know,NAMI Texas faces a challenge like nonebefore. We lost our funding from theDepartment of State Health Services lastFebruary, which represented two-thirds of our budget. Unfortunately, we submit-ted grants that exceeded the page limitrequirements, and as a result, they werenot competitive. We have two additionalgrants which will end on August 31, 2006,the end of our fiscal year. We have savingsto help keep our doors open in the imme-diate future, but clearly, this is a criticaltime for NAMI Texas.

We will certainly submit proposals toDSHS in the future, should those propos-

als fit with the mission of NAMI Texas.However, in this last round of proposals,DSHS made some significant changesthat will have an important impact onany future NAMI Texas application.DSHS has made a policy decision not tocover overhead costs of state organiza-tions that are not tied to a specific proj-ect. DSHS also broadened the eligibilityrequirements for their grants to includeany non-profit organization and quasi-governmental entity, not just family/consumer operated organizations. Thismeans any non-profit can now apply,and that Community MHMR Centers,can, and did, apply for these mentalhealth block grant funds.

I have been hard at work writing grants,but it is unlikely that grant writing will besufficient to fund NAMI Texas completely.Why do I say that? Because our pastfunding from the state covered almost100% of our operating expenses, andfinding new funding that covers thingslike our rent, our lights, our phones,etc. is very difficult. Most grants limitthe percent of overhead that can beincluded in the project budget being submitted, anywhere from 8%, as in thegrant I just completed, to 15%, with anaverage of 10%. Funding for specific projects is considered restricted funding,meaning the funds can only be used to cover expenses for implementing aspecific project. In addition, most grants

Summer 2006 NAMI TEXAS 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR n

See Executive Director…page 28

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Dear Members,


Beginnings of CommunityMental HealthBy Spencer Bayles, M.D.

n FEATURE

It has been my privilege to have beenpresent during the most spectacularperiod of progress in the treatment ofpersons with severe mental illness in the history of the world. I would like to share my recollections with currentparticipants in this remarkable transfor-mation to help them realize how far wehave come in such a short time. Thissharing may be helpful at a momentwhen we can see all too well how far we have yet to go.

I do not mean to ignore the contribu-tions of Sigmund Freud to the under-standing and treatment of the neurosesand personality disorders using the “talk-ing therapy” of psychoanalysis. Neurosesand personality disorders undoubtedlycause enormous suffering and some disability. But these disorders have been called the minor mental illnessesbecause they rarely cause the severe disability and symptoms of psychosis.Psychoses or major mental illnesses inthe past nearly always required hospitalcare. The average length of stay wasabout two years and it was sometimeseven for a lifetime.

In 1938, the year I entered college,insulin shock therapy and electrocon-vulsive therapy (ECT) were discoveredin Austria and Italy respectively. Thesewere the first treatments in the historyof the world that specifically improvedthe mental state of persons sufferingfrom the severe mental illnesses.

By 1944, ECT was already being used inprivate and public settings. During my

patients. There were more patients hos-pitalized with schizophrenia than withany other illness in any type of hospital.The mental hospital population hassteadily declined since then to about100,000. In Texas the peak populationwas near 30,000 and has now declinedto less than 3,000. This transition hasbeen called “deinstitutionalization.” Theimplication has been that this was amajor nationwide policy decision to getpatients out of hospitals. The more like-ly reality was that with Thorazine manypatients improved so much that in oneindividual case after another it becameimpossible to justify continued hospitalconfinement.

The locus of treatment changed. Personsthat had been locked up in hospitals foryears were suddenly home with theirfamilies. Many others had been so longin hospitals that they had no family orother human connection. Homelessnessas a result of mental illness began tobecome a nationwide problem. All ofthese persons needed outpatient med-ical care to continue the management of the near magical change that the newmedicines had created. The Congressresponded by funding a study, The JointCommission on Mental Illness andHealth. Directed by a former Texan, JackEwalt MD, the Commission recom-mended a range of new mental healthservices to deal with outpatients andpersons who needed only partial resi-dential help. In the final report, “Actionfor Mental Health,” a nationwide net-work of community based centers was

internship I assisted in the administra-tion of ECT to private patients in themedical wards of a medical school hos-pital, using an electronic machine builtby one of my medical school classmates.

During my psychiatric residency from1947 to 1950, insulin therapy was regu-larly used for treating persons with schiz-ophrenia, although with limited success.The risks were becoming better recog-nized and soon led to the conclusionsthat the limited benefits did not justifythe significant risks of harm. Improvingmethods of administering ECT wereachieving results of 70% to 90% com-plete relief of the symptoms of severedepression.

During the decade of the 50’s, the treat-ment of schizophrenia was revolution-ized. A drug called Largactil was tested in France as an anti emetic and antihis-tamine. It was ineffective. Fortunatelysomeone noticed Largactil had a calmingeffect in some patients. Trials showed ithad profound effects on the symptomsof schizophrenia. Patients that had beenhopelessly hospitalized for years sudden-ly were able to converse sanely, actappropriately, recognize and respondlovingly to family members, and ineffect became able to rejoin the humanrace. The medication was introduced tothe United States as Thorazine and wasrapidly being used in private and publichospitals, and soon thereafter given tooutpatients.

In 1955 the population of U.S. mentalhospitals reached its peak at over 700,000


proposed where persons could receivediagnosis and consultation, emergencycare, outpatient treatment, short terminpatient care, evaluation to determineif there was a need for longer term inpa-tient care. In addition, educational pro-grams were expected where citizens ofthe community could learn about men-tal illness and what could now be doneabout it. Federal funds were appropriat-ed to help such Community MentalHealth Centers get started.

Another exciting development around1960 was the Congress decision to pro-vide funds for each state to study itsown needs and resources for dealingwith mental illness in the new era of available effective treatment. Texasresponded with the establishment ofan Office of Mental Health Planningwhich I was assigned to set up. JudgeAbernethy of Plainview agreed to be the Chairman. Bob Sutherland,Director of the Hogg Foundation, andCy Ruilmann, Commissioner of theTexas Department of Hospitals andSpecial Schools were his co-chairmen. A hundred or so distinguished Texansaccepted our invitations to serve on adozen task forces to look at all aspectsof our problems and our means of deal-ing with them. The group was one thirdexperts in the many aspects of mentalillness, one third politicians, and onethird citizen advocates. The result oftheir year of work was that in Januaryof 1965 House Bill 3 was presented toand passed by the Legislature with min-imal modifications. House Bill 3 hasbeen the basis for the development ofour network of 42 community-based,publicly supported mental health andmental retardation centers, now servingpatients in all areas of the state.

Another exciting development of the early1960s was the introduction of Parnate,Tofranil, and their relatives of antidepres-sant medications. Suddenly there was aneffective alternative to electroconvulsivetherapy. Even more patients could betreated successfully with medications.Hospitals became less central.

1970 brought another breakthrough.

Lithium Carbonate finally became avail-able in the U.S. Now we had a medicationthat seemed to be specifically beneficialfor persons with Bipolar Disorder, thenusually called by its older name of Manic-Depressive Psychosis. Psychiatrists nowhad medications that benefited the threemajor mental illnesses: Schizophrenia,Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

In the years since, there has been steadyprogress in pharmacological studiesimproving the effectiveness and decreas-ing the side effects of the three majorgroups of medications. There has alsobeen progress in the development,growth, and improved effectiveness of community centers where patients, professionals, and medications cometogether.

The wonderful advances of these lastsixty years have not solved all problemsderived from mental illness. We still havemuch to do. Some problems are of ourown making. We have converted stan-dard treatments for severe mental illnessfrom years long confinement in dreadfulmental asylums to an obligation to takeoutpatient medications. This has led to a radically increased demand for treat-ment. Not surprisingly, more patients areasking for treatment. Medications stillhave side effects that some patients dis-

like, so medication refusal can be a prob-lem. Families see how effective medica-tions can be, often demanding medica-tion treatments that their sick familymembers avoid.

The costs of all medical care are unsolvedfor many persons. Health insurance ispredominately a benefit of employment.Mental illness often impairs a person’sability to work. Therefore a dispropor-tionate number of persons with mentalillness are unable to afford private care.Since we do not have universal healthinsurance, mentally ill persons must turnto public providers. But we citizens say,through our legislators, that we cannotafford to treat all those that are sick andunable to afford care. The result is thatwe do a pretty good job of treating athird to a fifth of persons with majormental illness, but the remaining twothirds to four fifths are left to their owndevices, which are often simply tragic.

We still have far to go, but the changesthat I have observed in my professionallifetime give me hope that we will con-tinue to improve.

Reprinted from the December 2005/January2006 issue of Texas Psychiatrist publishedby the Federation of Texas Psychiatry.

Texas Criminal Procedure and The Offender with Mental Illness: An Analysis & Guide (Third Edition)

By Brian D. Shannon and Daniel H. Benson, Professors of Law, Texas Tech University

“There are now far more persons with mental illness in our national's jails and prisons than instate mental hospitals.” Texas Criminal Procedureand The Offender With Mental Illness examines and discusses the laws relating to offenders sufferingfrom mental illness. Published by NAMI Texasthrough a grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.

NAMI Texas requests a donation of $25 per copyto cover printing, shipping and handling costs.

www.namitexas.org/resources/order1.html

FEATURE n


n FEATURE

Beyond the BorderBy Diana and Jim Hall

Hi! We’re Diane and Jim Hall. We’reretired and live in Houston and work 40 hours a week on a slow week. No pay.Our family battles a serious mental ill-ness – Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD). Although our family has beenchallenged by mental illness diagnosesfor 20 years, our volunteer story beganabout four years ago.

In August, 2001, in White Plains, NY,several family members, consumers, andone professional created a new organi-zation devoted to BPD. The NationalEducation Alliance for BorderlinePersonality Disorder (NEA-BPD) wasfounded just as we were adjusting to yetanother diagnosis for our relative’s strug-gle with mental illness. Through the yearsthe diagnoses changed: depression, bipo-lar illness, cyclothymia, eating disorders,and substance abuse. Now a new one,

Borderline Personality Disorder. We knewnothing about the condition.

We started reading. We discoveredthrough the writings of Gunderson andBerkowitz that Borderline PersonalityDisorder is the most common, mostcomplex, and one of the most severelyimpairing types of personality disorders.

The traits that comprise BPD involvemarked instability of self-image, mood,impulse, and relationships. Such indi-viduals are easily upset, are unable todevelop stable relationships, and haveextremely impaired abilities to handlelife responsibilities. Often patients present with complaints of depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse.

About three fourths who seek treatmentare female (one of every 33 women).Males with the disorder may end up inthe penal system as their behaviors aremore often directed antisocially at others(one of every 100 men).

BPD traits are fluctuating. At times, theperson may seem quite healthy andinsightful. However, when threatened by a loss, the separation and feeling of abandonment is often associated with intense anger. The anger may beexpressed as self-destructive threats or acts accompanied by an unbearablesense of loneliness. Anger also may be aresponse to feelings of self-loathing fromperceived failure and/or remorse andembarrassment over impulsive behaviors.Current literature reports a completedsuicide rate of 9% among those diag-nosed with the illness.

Robert O. Friedel, M.D., Medical Schoolof Virginia, reports in Current PsychiatryReports, 2006, that studies of subjectswith BPD strongly suggest a coupling of biological and psychosocial etiologies.According to Dr. Friedel, recent neuro-imaging studies show abnormalities in

the brain regions known to be associatedwith the expression and control of threeof the four main behavioral dimensionsof BPD: emotional dysregulation, aggres-sive impulsivity, and cognitive-perceptualimpairment. He also states that datadirectly supports a role of serotonergicdysfunction and indirect data suggeststhat dopamine dysfunction also may be involved.

Treatment options include psychother-apy, group therapies, family supportprograms and medication.

The psychological treatment approachwith the most convincing outcome datais Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).This is a manualized cognitive behav-ioral treatment approach developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, University ofWashington. DBT presumes that BPDarises from an emotional dysregulationpredisposition paired with an invalidat-ing environment. Therapy is directed at modifying the patient’s expression of anger, control of impulses, and, mostespecially, control of self-destructiveness.Recommended readings are CognitiveBehavioral Treatment of BorderlinePersonality Disorder, M.M. Linehan,Guilford Press, New York, 1993, and the companion manual, Skills TrainingManual for Treating Borderline PersonalityDisorder also by Linehan.

A twice-per-week individual psycho-therapy called Transference-FocusedPsychotherapy (TFP) has been developedover a period of decades principally byOtto F. Kernberg, M.D., Weill MedicalCollege, Cornell, and is described in atreatment manual. According to FrankYeomans, M.D., Ph.D., also of Cornell,the distinguishing feature of TFP is thebelief in a deep psychological structure of the mind that underlies the specificsymptoms of BPD. The focus of treat-ment is on a fundamental split in the

The Hall’s Favorite Booklist

Understanding and Treating BorderlinePersonality Disorder: A Guide for Professionals and Familiesby John G. Gunderson, M.D. and Perry D. Hoffman, Ph.D.

Borderline Personality Disorder –DeMystified by Robert O. Friedel, M.D.

Borderline Personality Disorder: A ClinicalGuide by John G. Gunderson, M.D.

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment ofBorderline Personality Disorder and Skills Training Manual For TreatingBorderline Personality Disorder byMarsha M. Linehan, Ph.D.

Handbook of Personality Disorder, Theory and Practiceby Jeffrey J. Magnivita, Ph.D.

Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Borderline PersonalityDisorder, American PsychiatricAssociation, October 2001


FEATURE n

patient’s mind that divides perceptions of self and others into extremes of badand good. This split determines thepatient’s experience of reality and percep-tions leading to the symptoms of chaoticinterpersonal relations, impulsive self-destructive behaviors, etc. The therapisthelps the patient understand the fearsand anxieties that influence the frag-mented sense of self. The goal is to inte-grate the patient’s identity leading todecreased emotional lability, impulsivityand interpersonal chaos.

Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)developed by Anthony Bateman, M.D.,and Peter Fonagy, Ph.D., UniversityCollege of London, is a therapeuticprocess by which the patient interpretsthe actions of self and others as mean-ingful based on desires, needs, feelings,beliefs, and reasons. Continuing to beaware of feelings of self and others whilebeing emotionally charged is a goal ofthis therapy.

A Systems-Based, Cognitive SkillsTreatment for Borderline Personality(STEPPS) designed by Nancee Blum,University of Iowa, includes two phases,a 20-week (2 hours/week) beginning outpatient group, and a one-year, twicemonthly advanced group called STAIR-WAYS. STEPPS stands for Systems

Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving. Key professionals,friends, and family members, who areidentified as the client’s “reinforcementteam,” make up the client’s system.These individuals together learn a com-mon language to communicate about the disorder and the skills to manage it,as well as ways to reinforce and supportthe newly learned skills.

The program has three components:awareness of illness, emotion manage-ment skills training, and behavior man-agement skills training. The program is fully manualized. The BorderlineEvaluation of Severity over Time (BEST)scale allows clients to rate the intensityof their thoughts, feelings, and behav-iors each week. Preliminary data suggestthat patients experience improvementin BPD and mood-related symptoms.

Psychoanalytic Supportive Therapy is atype of individual psychotherapy thatinvolves one or two meetings a week.The therapist seeks to sustain in thepatient the alert, calm state of mind conducive to learning, and explore thefeelings that trouble the client and theactions he or she takes to avoid or relievepain. A goal is to address and manageanxiety more efficiently leading to agreater satisfaction in normal living.

Glen Gabbard, M.D., Baylor College ofMedicine, stated during the March 4,2006 BPD Symposium in Houston thatregardless of the specific therapy applied,in his years of experience, the selectionof the therapist is one of the most impor-tant components for successful outcome.Therapists with positive experiences indealing with the Borderline diagnosis area key factor in therapist/clinic/programselection.

Along with psychosocial treatments forthe disorder, it has been clearly demon-strated that specific psychopharmaco-logic intervention is effective for BPD aswell. As stated by Robert Friedel, M.D.,in Current Psychiatry Reports, 2006, “Themost frequently reported controlledpharmacologic studies have involvedlow doses of traditional narcoleptics andatypical antipsychotic. These studieshave been uniformly successful in show-ing efficacy, safety, and tolerability ofthese agents in the disorder. Other class-es of drugs also have been studied inborderline subjects and were shown tohave efficacy compared with placebocontrol conditions. These include selec-tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors, moodstabilizers, and the nutraceutical agentomega-3 fatty acid. These drugs typicallyhave two main effects in patients withBPD: they significantly reduce the pri-mary symptoms of the disorder, andthey seem to enable patients to retainand successfully apply the informationand techniques they learn in variousforms of psychotherapy.”

By the fall of 2002, our family member’ssymptoms had escalated to a dangerouslevel. We started a nation-wide search for established and highly recommendedtreatment programs. Due to the numberof favorable research studies of theLinehan DBT treatment module, wecalled and contacted over 100 hospitals,universities, treatment clinics and indi-vidual psychiatrists and psychologistsacross the country.

We settled on three possibilities. At thattime, we were in the Ohio area and our family member was meeting with

Pictured left to right: Diane and Jim Hall, and Perry Hoffman, PhD, President NEA-BPD at thePoster Session of the 2005 NAMI Convention in Austin.

See Beyond the Border…page 26


n BOOK REVIEW

have committed both felonies and pettymisdemeanors, all because of theiruntreated brain disorder. Yet there is no chance at rehabilitation in jails. Theprisoners linger in their psychoses formonths at a time, only to await a busride to a psychiatric facility where theyreceive minimal treatment in order tohave a competency hearing and then arebrought back to the jail to await a hear-ing that will probably never happen.

During this year long examination into“America’s mental health madness,” theauthor follows consumers, both insideand outside of the jail, to chronicle theirlives and offer the reader concrete exam-ples of how offenders with mental illnessare treated as criminals first and personswith mental illness second.

Crazy is a book that NAMI members can use as an advocacy tool to improvemental health care in their communities.When jails become a part of the contin-uum of care for persons with a seriousmental illness, we must speak up anddemand change. It is an atrocity that this population of people who cannotfunction without psychiatric treatmentare treated as subhuman, as criminalsinstead of consumers with brain disor-ders, as the lowest of the low.

Mr. Earley provides the history of dein-stitutionalization and the changes inAmerica’s civil rights laws to give us a full perspective on why our mentalhealth system is broken. As mentalhealth advocates, it is important for usto know why our mental health systemis so shattered. Knowing the history of

mental health laws can teach us, notonly why consumers cannot receiveappropriate treatment for their mentalillness, but also provide us with theinformation necessary to become effec-tive advocates. Knowing the history ofour country’s mental health delivery sys-tem is important to understand. We canuse this knowledge to prevent mistakesof the past.

In the eight years that I have beeninvolved with NAMI, I continually seehow difficult it is for us to educate theuneducated about mental illness. As a

Crazy: A Father’s Searchthrough America’s MentalHealth MadnessBy Diana Kern, NAMI Texas Events Coordinator and Consumer Advocate

In the book, Crazy: A Father’s Searchthrough America’s Mental Health Madness,Pete Earley tells a story that is all toofamiliar to NAMI members. As an award-winning journalist for over thirty years,Mr. Earley has effectively captured theabsurdities of the mental health systemin our country through his investigativejournalism and his personal understand-ing of mental illness.

Mr. Earley’s son, Mike, has a psychoticepisode while in college and breaks intoa stranger’s home, takes a bubble bathand causes significant damage. Thusbegins their long journey into the brokenmental health system that so many of usconfront every day in this country. Mr.Earley learns all too quickly just how dif-ficult it is to receive necessary treatmentfor his son’s mental illness. He uses hisfrustration to launch a personal and pro-fessional inquiry into a confusing mentalhealth system coupled with an irrationalcriminal justice system.

Mr. Earley is granted full access to theMiami-Dade County Jail’s “forgottenfloor” – the jail’s primary psychiatric unitwhere prisoners are housed withouttreatment. He can see firsthand that,indeed, our jails and prisons havebecome the repository for persons withserious mental illness. The prisoners

NAMI Texas will be distributing thebook Crazy: A Father’s Search throughAmerica’s Mental Health Madness to the150 Representatives and the 31 Senatorsin our state Legislature. It is this groupof people who make the final decisionson the state mental health budget andmandate the laws that affect personswith serious mental illness. We needthem to read this powerful book so theycan help improve the lives of the mostvulnerable citizens of our state.

In order to accomplish this, NAMI Texasneeds donations to cover the cost ofthe books. We want to make sure thatthis book gets into the hands of everyLegislator. Thank you for furthering themission of NAMI Texas.

Please make your check payable to NAMI Texasand mail it to:NAMI Texasc/o Diana Kern2800 South IH 35Ste 140Austin, TX 78704


BOOK REVIEW n

into and out of mental hospitals, hasbeen an integral part of the success of myrecovery. I am a mental health advocatebecause I want others with a seriousmental illness to have what I have now. Iwant consumers to know that they mat-ter in this big world and with treatmentthey can live a fulfilling and meaningfullife. I want consumers and their familiesto know that there is hope.

As Mr. Earley points out in his book,mental illness can happen to anyoneand that is the single most important

truth that strikes fear in people and per-petuates stigma. If we want help fromour Legislators, the media and the gener-al public, it is essential that we speak up. Not only do we need compassionpersonally and as a group, we need helpin finding solutions.

The Bob Meadours Act is an example of successful mental health advocacy inTexas. Passed in 2005 and also known asSenate Bill 1473, it came out of the expe-riences of Stennie Meadours and PatsyGillham, who used their personal tragedyto reform public policy in the lawenforcement arena. These two deter-mined women sought the help ofRepresentative Garnet Coleman andother Legislators. Through these effortsadministrative rules have been passedthat require law enforcement officers tobe trained in de-escalation techniques,thus mandating crisis interventiontraining (CIT) throughout the state. All 1200 police chiefs and 66,000 lawofficers must receive the training by2009. This law brings on much neededchange, yet it is only one part of thesolution. This training must be coupledwith adequate mental health servicesin every community.

Patsy and Stennie were able to take anabstract phrase – criminalization of per-sons with mental illness – and make it

In 1987, the Texas state legislature established Texas Correctional Office on Offenderswith Medical or Mental Impairments (TCOOMMI), a statewide initiative to formalize collaboration between the criminal justice and mental health care systems.

TCOOMMI provides a formal structure for state criminal justice, health and human service,and other affected agencies to communicate on policy, legislative, and programmatic issues

affecting criminal-justice-involved individuals with mental health impairments. Comprisedof representatives from 21 agencies and organizations, this group is charged with: • Identifying gaps in local service coverage

• Developing plans to meet treatment, rehabilitative, and educational needs• Coordinating procedures to provide these services• Evaluating these programs to make recommendations for improvement• Administering funds to develop, operate, and evaluate programs• Establishing, coordinating, and evaluating a regionalized continuity of care system

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/tcomi/tcomi-home.htm

Stennie Meadours (left) and Patsy Gillham (right) presenting Rep. Garnet Coleman with the2005 NAMI Texas Legislator of the Year award.

person who has lived with schizoaffec-tive disorder for over 20 years, I have a personal understanding of stigma. It is natural for me to talk about mentalillness with my NAMI family. I am comfortable because I know that theyunderstand and that I am not judged. It is quite another story to discuss mymental illness and subsequent sufferingwith those who are not aware of theunique issues that we confront on adaily basis. Yet, if we want positivechanges in our mental health deliverysystem, we must be the ones to speakup and tell our stories. Yes, it can be difficult and often scary to disclose our personal experiences with mentalillness. There is always that threat ofstigma. This is why it is important toband together as NAMI advocates andshow our force in numbers.

Mike Earley gave his father permission to use his name and his experiences inCrazy with the hope that his story wouldhelp someone else. This was a very bravestep and I hope that it aids in Mike’srecovery. I know that telling my story, mytrials with my illness, the treatment that Idid or did not receive, my endless searchfor the right medications, my experienceswith mental health deputies (now knownas CIT’s) and all my entrances and exits

See Crazy…page 27


n RESEARCH

The power of scientific research to improvethe lives of people living with mental illness and to change perceptions aboutpsychiatric disease was the subject of animportant article in The New York Timeson Sunday, April 2, 2006.

Called “A Depression Switch,” the pieceby David Dobbs highlighted the ongoingwork of several NARSAD-supported scien-tists, particularly Dr. Helen Mayberg, pro-fessor of psychology and neurology atEmory University, and her research abouta potentially new therapy to help severelydepressed people who have not respondedto other treatments.

The novel approach, called deep brainstimulation or DBS, involves implantingelectrodes near the center of the brain ina region called Area 25 and submitting it to low voltage to moderate its activity.Dr. Mayberg has found the region to be involved in modulating mood anddepressive symptoms.

How DBS, which is still under investiga-tion, significantly helped the lives of peo-ple who underwent this procedure wasdetailed movingly in the article. The NewYork Times web site reveals that since “A Depression Switch” was published onSunday it has been one of the publica-tion’s most emailed articles, indicating itsmessage has touched many people.

The Magazine section feature also pointedout that Dr. Mayberg’s approach to target-ing a brain network or circuit, such asArea 25, represents a new way of thinkingabout depression. Older approaches havefocused on the pervasive action of brainchemicals.

Supporting innovative research to changethe lives of people with mental illnesshas been the mission of NARSAD: TheMental Health Research Association forthe past 20 years. NARSAD is the largestdonor-supported organization in theworld devoted to funding scientificresearch on brain and behavior disorders.

Dr. Mayberg first received support for herdepression research from NARSAD as aYoung Investigator in 1991. She won anIndependent Investigator grant in 1995and still draws on funding from a 2002Distinguished Investigator award, whichfocuses on DBS. She currently is a mem-ber of NARSAD’s Scientific Council,which advises the organization aboutother promising research to support.

Other NARSAD-affiliated scientists citedin The New York Times article were Dr. Wayne Drevets, Chief, Section on Mood & Anxiety Disorders at theNational Institute of Mental Health and a NARSAD 1996 Young Investigator, 1999 Independent Investigator andScientific Council member; and Dr.Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, an NIMHresearcher and a 2000 Young Investigator.

Since 1987, NARSAD has given $194million to the world’s leading scientiststo unravel the complexities of schizo-phrenia, depression and many other psychiatric diseases. By understanding the causes and course of these conditions,scientists are now finding new diagnosticsand treatments for these illnesses.

NARSAD has given NAMI Texas permissionto reprint this article. To learn more aboutdeep brain stimulation visit www.narsad.org.

New Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

The next time you’reat Randalls, pick up a Remarkable Cardapplication at the

courtesy booth to fill out and link your cardto NAMI Texas’ account. Randalls will pay NAMITexas a percentage of our account total, so besure to use your card every time you shop. Byusing your card, you will also be eligible forexclusive discounts, giveaways, enter-to-wins,direct mail rewards and Airmiles.

NAMI TEXAS #9411

Good NeighborProgram

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEELinda Groom PresidentAt-Large Director, [email protected]

Bill Matthews Vice-PresidentRegion 7 Director, [email protected]

Stephanie Contreras SecretaryAt-Large Director, [email protected]

Lee Burns TreasurerRegion 5 Director, [email protected]

DIRECTORSDonna Fisher [email protected] 2005-2008

Roger Morin [email protected] 2005-2008

DeAnna Gibson Region 1 [email protected] 2004-2006

Alice Clark Region 2 [email protected] 2005-2008(Also the NAMI Texas Consumer Rep to the NAMI National Consumer Council)

Andrew J. Dillard, M.D. Region [email protected] 2004-2006

Victor Ortiz Region 32004-2006

[email protected]

Paul A. Jurek Region [email protected] 2005-2008

Wayne Gregory Region [email protected] 2005-2008

JoAnn Arscott Region 62004-2006

Mary Robins Region [email protected] 2004-2006

Nina Shannon Region [email protected] 2004-2006

TCOOMMI REPRESENTATIVE(Texas Correctional Office on Offenderswith Medical or Mental Impairments)

Maurice [email protected]


RESEARCH n

Why Study Families?Earlier studies suggest that a tendency to develop obsessivecompulsive disorder runs in some but not all families. However,most relatives will never develop the illness. In our familystudies, we examine DNA patterns for evidence of genes orchromosome regions that may increase the risk for, or for somebe protective against, risk of a psychobiological disorder. Betterknowledge of this genetic typing may eventually lead to betterunderstanding of treatments. We urge individuals sufferingfrom OCD or related disorders, along with their family mem-bers, to participate in a scientific study which will hopefullyhelp us better understand the causes of these disorders.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?OCD is an anxiety disorder with either or both of the following:

obsessions: recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, orimages that are intrusive, cause anxiety or distress, and seemimpossible to ignore or suppress

compulsions: repeated behaviors (hand washing, puttingthings in order, checking things, excessive collecting/hoarding)that the person feels driven to do in order to feel less anxious.

Obsessions are often recognized as irrational and can drivethe person to perform unrealistic, time consuming, compul-sive or ritualistic behaviors that interfere with daily life orrelationships. This can cause a great deal of suffering for theone afflicted, and for his or her family.

Why Should I Participate in a Family/Genetic Study?Many families have already joined the study, and many moreare still needed. The reason most often given is, “If I can helpprevent this from happening to anyone else, I’ll do anything.”These families share our hope that finding genetic markers andvulnerability or protective genes for OCD and related disorderswill help researchers understand more about their medical basis.

You are an essential part of this research. Without the help ofpeople like you and your family, no study of gene-environ-ment characteristics could be done and little progress would bemade. We depend on your participation.

How Does a Family Get into the Study?Usually someone who suffers from OCD, or a family member,calls or writes to us. We do an initial screening. We ask permis-sion to contact relatives, explaining the program and invitingparticipation. Those who accept, send back a consent form not-ing the best time for us to call.

Participants contribute in three ways – a confidential question-naire packet, an interview, and a sample of blood.

About the Questionnaire Packet Answers are strictly confidential and can contribute to betterunderstanding of different experiences with OCD. Participantsare paid according to NIH compensation guidelines: generally$50 (more if additional questionnaires are needed later).

Scheduling an InterviewScheduling is done to best suit the family member. The inter-views may be in person or over the telephone. Weekend andevening phone appointments are available for those who needthem. No travel is needed.

About the Interview• It asks about one’s health history and that of some relatives.• It can be done on the telephone or in person.• Participation is voluntary, and very careful privacy rules are

observed.• Participants are paid $25 as compensation for sharing their

time with us.

About the Blood Sample:• Only a few ounces are needed.• The blood sample can be taken at the family member’s own

clinic or doctor’s office.• We cover charges for the procedure and for shipping to our

research lab. • Participants are paid $25 as compensation for giving blood.

ConfidentialityAll of the information obtained in the Family/Genetic Studywill remain completely confidential, even among familymembers. No information about participants is shared withemployers, insurance companies, or any other governmentagencies. When research papers are published, no names orother identifying information about individual participantswill appear.

Will I learn if I carry a gene for OCD?This study alone will not allow us confidently to identifygenes that contribute to OCD. For this reason, participants willnot be given information about the results of genetic tests per-formed on their DNA samples. We will provide participantswith annual updates on the progress of this research project inthe form of a mailed newsletter. Participants who would prefernot to receive this newsletter may say so, and no newsletterwill be sent.

To participate, call or e-mail Mrs. Kazuba at 866-644-4363(866-NIH-GENES) or [email protected].

NIMH: The Family/Genetic Study and ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder (OCD)


n RESEARCH

The staff of the Bipolar Disorder GeneticsProject invites adults who have experi-enced bipolar disorder to join our study.Interested individuals can participate ontheir own or with other family memberswho are affected and wish to take part.Individual volunteers’ siblings, as well as parents, may be asked to participate.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness) is a mental illnessinvolving episodes of serious maniaand depression. The person’s moodusually swings from overly “high” orirritable to sad and hopeless and thenback again. There may be periods ofnormal mood in between. The moodswings can cause serious behavioralproblems.

Why study families?Earlier studies suggest that a tendency todevelop bipolar disorder runs in some families. However; mostrelatives will never develop the illness. In our family studies, welook for the genes that may be causing some family members tobe at risk for bipolar disorder. As we discover the nature of eachgene, we hope to develop better treatments. We urge people suf-fering from bipolar disorder to participate in a scientific study,which will help us better understand the causes of this disorder:We may also wish to include additional family members.

Why Should I Participate in a Family/Genetic Study?Many persons who suffer from bipolar disorder; or who have aclose relative with the disorder have already participated in thestudy. The reason most often given is, “If I can help prevent thisfrom happening to anyone else, I’ll do anything.” These individ-uals and family members share our hope that finding geneticmarkers and genes will help medical researchers understandmore about the causes of bipolar disorder: As a result, we will beable to develop more effective medications. You are an essentialpartner in the research. Without the help of people like you andyour family, no study of inherited traits can be done and littleprogress will be made. We depend on your participation.

How Does An Individual or Family Get Into A Study?Usually someone who suffers from the disorder or a close relativecalls or writes us. After an initial screening, we will determine ifyou meet criteria for our study. Depending upon your family history, we may ask permission to contact relatives explaining

the program and inviting participation.Those who accept send back a consentform noting the best time for us to call.

Participants contribute in two ways.Participants will be interviewed and asmall amount of blood will be collectedand shipped to the study site. Schedulingis done to best suit the participant. Whilesome of the work is done face-to-face, amajority of it can be done over the tele-phone. Weekend and evening appoint-ments are available for those who needthem. No travel is necessary.

About the Interview• A personal psychiatric and medical

history is taken.• It can be done on the telephone.• It takes about two to four hours.• Information is kept in strict confi-

dence, even from family members.• A small stipend is paid.

About the Blood Sample• Only a few ounces are needed. • Blood can be drawn by the volunteer’s own doctor. • Any charges for the procedure or for shipping are prepaid or

reimbursed.• It will allow for examination of the DNA which may carry the

tendency for bipolar disorder from generation to generation.• A small stipend is paid for giving blood.

ConfidentialityAll of the information obtained by the Bipolar Genetic Study willremain completely confidential, even among family members.When research papers are published, no names or other identify-ing information about individual participants will appear.

Will I learn if I carry a gene for bipolar disorder?This study alone will not allow us confidently to identify genesthat contribute to bipolar disorder. For this reason, participantswill not be given information about the results of genetic testsperformed on their DNA samples. We will provide participantswith annual updates on the progress of this research project inthe form of a mailed newsletter.

To participate, call or e-mail Mrs. Kazuba at 866-644-4363(866-NIH-GENES) or [email protected].

NIMH: The Gene Detection Study of Bipolar Disorder

“Neuroscience now allows us to

study the brain in children and

adults with mental disorders just

as we study the heart in those with

cardiac disease. Genetics and neuro-

science together are giving us the

tools for predicting risk, validating

diagnosis, and identifying targets

for new, more effective treatments.”

Thomas R. Insel, MD, DirectorNational Institute for Mental Health


Writer Seeks Interviews for Book about MentalIllness & SpiritualityAuthor Christopher D. Ringwald, visiting scholar and director of the Faith and Society Project at theSage Colleges in Albany, N.Y., is seeking people withmental illnesses to talk about their spiritual beliefs and practices for a book and/or articles on the subject.Ringwald especially welcomes responses from mem-bers of traditionally underserved populations, thosewho work outside the mental health field, and peoplewho have not received behavioral health services.

Interested parties may send a phone number wherethey can be reached to [email protected], or call the author at 518-292-1727. Participants may remainanonymous in the published works.

Other NIMH ResearchStudiesAdult Bipolar Studies at NIMHn Tamoxifen and Bipolar I ManiaTreatment study; inpatient. Examines the medication tamox-ifen (Nolvadex™) for patients in the manic phase of Bipolar Idisorder. This is a 4-week study. Ages 18-60.

nMifepristone & Bipolar DepressionTreatment study; inpatient. Examines the efficacy of mifepris-tone in the depressive phase of bipolar I or II disorder. This isa one-month inpatient study. All participants will receive drugand placebo. Ages 18-75.

n Riluzole & Bipolar DepressionTreatment study; inpatient and outpatient. Examines the effi-cacy and safety of riluzole (Rilutek™) compared to placebo in patients with bipolar I or II depression. This is an 8-weekstudy. Ages 18-70.

n Ketamine & Bipolar Depression to Test RapidAntidepressant EffectsEvaluation study; inpatient. Examines the effectiveness of anNMDA antagonist in rapidly improving depressive symptomsin Bipolar I or II depression. This is an 8-week study. All partic-ipants will receive drug and placebo. Ages 18-65.

Adult Depression Studies at NIMHnDepression & AMPAkineTreatment study; inpatient and outpatient. Compares anAMPAkine receptor potentiator to placebo for the treatmentof Major Depression. This is an 8-week study. Ages 21-55.

nDepression & Yohimbine to Test Rapid Antidepressant EffectsEvaluation study; inpatient. Examines the mechanism ofaction of one dose of yohimbine in improving depressivesymptoms overnight. This is a 6-week study. All participantswill receive drug and placebo. Ages 18-60.

n Treatment-Resistant Depression & Ketamine & RiluzoleEvaluation study; inpatient. Phase I: Open-label treatmentwith a single dose ofketamine. Phase II: Randomized to dou-ble-blind treatment with riluzole or placebo for 4 weeks. Ages 18-65.

nDepression & Medication Combination Treatment study; inpatient and outpatient. Compares the efficacy of a combination of antidepressants (SSRI &dopamine agonist) to the efficacy of the antidepressantsalone. This is a 9-week study. Ages 18-65.

To participate, call Libby Jolkovsky at 301-402-9347.Atendemos pacientes de habla hispana.

NAMI Texas sponsored a training for In Our Own Voice onMay 13-14, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Town Lake in Austin. In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a recovery education presentationgiven by trained consumer presenters for other consumers,family members, friends, professionals, and lay audiences.

In our Own Voice is a practical tool to educate and increaseawareness about the true nature of brain disorders, commonlyknown as mental illnesses. IOOV is a program for and by con-sumers to promote education, empowerment and recovery. The presentation covers issues frequently faced by those deal-ing with severe mental illnesses. This program is ideal for con-sumers, family members, health providers, law enforcementofficials, faith communities and/or any community or civicorganization.

National trainer, Marty Raaymakers trained twelve consumersfrom different areas of Texas. Affiliates sending trainee repre-sentatives to attend this IOOV training were from Victoria,Rockport, El Paso, San Antonio, South Texas, Lubbock andAustin. Each trainee was presented with a certificate and leftwith inspiration and confidence to further promote awarenessin their local areas about mental illnesses.

Congratulations to all the trainee presenters! You all did a greatjob and NAMI Texas is proud to have you on board as trainedpresenters. — Norma G. Bangs, IOOV Coordinator, NAMI Texas

In Our Own Voice:Living with Mental Illness

With the help of Junk to Joy and eBay,over 30 million people will have accessto your donated items. With the biddingpower of eBay, your donation will bemore likely to make a LOT more moneythan a garage sale or auction. Get rid ofyour clutter AND raise money too!

Advertising and promotion on an international mediaEach item listed will include informationabout NAMI Texas and the donatingmembers affiliate, along with contactinformation for both organizations.

So not only is this a fund raising project,it is also a stigma busting project. By giving NAMI a bigger, international expo-sure, the entire world will now have theopportunity to learn about mental illnessand the harm created by stigma.

But the power of promotionextends even furtherIf your donation is an original art piece,we will feature the artists’ bio and website if one is available. If your donationis an item from a store or boutique orbusiness that you own, we will promoteyour business.

So this is a three way win, win situation.Money for NAMI Texas, money for theaffiliate of your choice and free, interna-tional advertising for your business or artventure.

Here’s how it works• 50% of the money collected goes

to the Affiliate of your choice• 20% to NAMI Texas• 20% commission to Junk to Joy• 10% to pay eBay and Paypal fees

With the new quick start savings card fromTogether Rx Access, individuals who lack

prescription drug coverage and are not eligible forMedicare don’t have to wait to start saving on the medicines they need.

Individuals and families can determine if they qualify for the quick startsavings card by calling 1-800-250-2839. If eligible, the card can be usedat the pharmacy counter that day.

Most cardholders save 25% to 40% on brand-name prescription drugs andproducts with the free-to-get and free-to-use Card. The program includesmore than 300 brand-name medicines and products, prescribed to treatdiabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, allergy, asthma, arthritis, anddepression, and other common conditions. Savings on a range of genericmedicines are also available.

E-mail Amy Niles at [email protected] to request a supply of quick startcards that you can distribute to those who may be eligible.

For more information about the program, go to www.TogetherRxAccess.com.

Help the Uninsured Get aQuick Start on Rx Savings

Raise Funds Quickly and Easily!Donate items and make money for your local affiliate and NAMI Texas too!

Raise Funds Quickly and Easily!Donate items and make money for your local affiliate and NAMI Texas too!

If no affiliate is named, the affiliate portion will be paid to NAMI Texas.

Junk to Joy pays fees out of pocket, soif the item does not sell, there is stillno cost to NAMI Texas or any of theiraffiliates.

Junk To Joy does have the right ofrefusal, so if you have any questions,please contact them at 214-340-0711 or refer to the list at refer to the list ofeBay rules at: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/items-ov.html.

If you wish to have an item returned toyou if it does not sell, you have to makeprior arrangements with Junk To Joy. Youcan contact them at the number above oremail them at [email protected]. Theywill also fax or email you the form need-ed to be returned with the item, givingthem the right to sale it on eBay.

We are very excited that this opportunityhas been made available to us and areequally happy to be able to assist all ouraffiliates in a practical way to keep thosefunds coming in to help continue ourwork in education and advocacy.

For more information send an email to:[email protected] or call 972-272-0829.


n FUNDRAISING


Planning for the FutureBy Marcia Toprac, Ph.D., PLAN Board Member

PLAN of Central Texas: Serving individuals with mental illness and their families by providing an array of support services to assist with immediate needs and to plan for the future

Planned Living Assistance Network(PLAN) of Central Texas, Inc., is a grass-roots organization founded by familymembers of adults who have severe men-tal illnesses. Their concerns about thelong term well-being of their loved onesdrove them to take matters in their ownhands to address shortcomings in publicand private mental health services.

PLAN of Central Texas began as a supportgroup for families investigating the long-range needs of their family members tolive independently in the greater Austincommunity with a decent quality of life.In the early stages of PLAN’s develop-ment, the founding members met withNAMI groups and staff of the local men-tal health center to gather ideas and cre-ate their vision of the new organization.

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Healthprovided funding for a consultant fromPLAN of North Texas to assist the groupof Austin families in moving from plan-ning to actually providing services. Status as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organi-zation was achieved in April 2002. PLANof Central Texas is a member of theNational PLAN Alliance that has 26 affil-iates in 21 states, including PLAN ofNorth Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth area).

PLAN is now the only private organiza-tion in Austin that offers a full range ofsupport services (case management andpsychosocial rehabilitation) customizedto meet the unique needs of the adultwith mental illness and their family.The most commonly requested servicesby new PLAN clients are help withobtaining or retaining public benefits(e.g. SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare) and assistance with finding housing or employment.

Other services offered include patientand family illness and medication educa-tion (medication monitoring, refillingprescriptions, dealing with doctors),financial management training (budget-ing, using checkbook/ATM card, plan-ning for large purchases), development ofa healthy and productive lifestyle (gro-cery shopping, meal planning, exercise,worship, support groups, tutoring, volun-teering), development and maintenanceof relationships (social skills training, useof phone/computer, planning and com-panion to social events, family visits),and respite services (planning for crisisneeds, providing respite for families fac-ing crises). All services are provided on afee-for-service basis.

In addition to the “care management”services described above, PLAN of CentralTexas offers monthly social activities foradult consumers and quarterly socials for our member families. Families or consumers pay a nominal annual fee.

Recent grants provided by the Seawell-Elam Foundation have enabled PLAN ofCentral Texas to offer additional services:a support and education group for fami-lies that meets twice monthly and arecovery group for consumers that alsomeets bimonthly. A Licensed ProfessionalCounselor intern facilitates both groups.The grants have also enabled PLAN tooffer our care management services to a limited number of families on a cost-sharing (reduced cost) basis.

Finally, like the other PLAN organiza-tions in the National PLAN Alliance,PLAN of Central Texas provides informa-tion and referrals to families interested inassuring the long term well-being of theirloved ones with mental illness through

the establishment of special needs trusts.

PLAN of Central Texas is currently pro-viding care management and group serv-ices to 25 families. However, the programis rapidly expanding with new grantfunds and new staff reaching out toengage families and consumers withbroader socioeconomic and ethnic diver-sity. The organization now employs five care managers, a coordinator and an office manager, all on a part-time, hourly basis.

Members of the PLAN Board of Directorsforesee even greater growth through ourincreased collaborations with local andstate NAMI organizations and other sup-port and advocacy organizations. Anindicator of PLAN’s new orientationtowards more collaboration is our recentmove to co-locate with NAMI Texas attheir offices on south IH 35.

Plan is making a difference in the lives of families in Travis County and neigh-boring counties. Recently a new PLANmember noted the value of the servicesto their entire family:

“(PLAN services) has not only touched our30-year old son profoundly, but has alsochanged the prognosis of our entire family:from our 91-year-old grandmother, to twomarried siblings and their wives, and twounmarried siblings, our son’s girlfriend, to myhusband and myself –11 people in all dra-matically effected by the PLAN services avail-able to our son and to us – a lifeline has hadwide ranging and dramatic positive effects.”

If you would like more information orhave an interest in becoming involvedwith PLAN of Central Texas, visit ourwebsite at www.planctx.org or call us at(512) 851-0901.

CARE MANAGEMENT n


n AFFILIATE CORNER

NAMI Metro HoustonWhat a wonderful first NAMIWalks we had on May 20! It wassuccessful beyond expectations.The weather was sunny with abit of a breeze at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. TheWalk route was along Allen Parkway, with a beautiful park onone side and the Houston skyline behind it. Some walkers tooka mid walk-break, basking in the mist of a fountain on the way.

The crowd consisted of about 800 people – with 42 teams walk-ing and many volunteers. The Menninger Clinic, the MHMRAStars, and United Behavioral Health were among the largestteams. Teams came from all over the greater Houston area.

Thanks to many donors and sponsors, led by PresentingSponsor Bristol Myers Squibb, NAMI Metropolitan Houstonraised $105,000 with more donations coming in! To all of ourvolunteers and participants, thank you for making our firstNAMIWalks such a fun and successful event. We couldn’t havedone it without you!

— Bonnie Cord, President, NAMI West Houston and Carolyn Hamilton, President, NAMI Metro Houston

Left to right: Mary Robins, Carolyn Hamilton, Jerry Lashley and KarenLashley at the NAMI Metro Houston NAMIWalks in May.

NAMI El PasoNAMI El Paso conducted one In Our Own Voice (IOOV) presenta-tion with 45 participants and one Family-to-Family class inSpanish that graduated 19 participants. We also have monthlyFamily Support Groups in both English and Spanish and week-ly Peer Support Groups in both English and Spanish.

NAMI El Paso had six community Special Presentations thatdrew a total of 639 participants. We also hosted an ImmigrantConference and Health Fair that was attended by 580 people.And we conducted two radio interviews and two televisioninterviews on Spanish language media. These broadcasts reachboth sides of the border. — Victor Ortiz, President

NAMI HumbleNAMI Humble is now a member of NAMI Metropolitan Houstonand are in the process of changing our affiliate status to chapterstatus. We believe this will give us a stronger foundation to unitewith other NAMI’s in Harris County and in Texas. We will have agreater opportunity to work face to face in our own community.Once the merger is complete, our new name will be NAMIMetropolitan Houston – Northeast Chapter. We will continueour support groups and our excellent 4th Tuesday meetings.

A few of us are giving testimony “What It’s Like Walking inOur Shoes” to the Houston Police Dept CIT officers in theirrefresher classes. Officer Frank Webb has asked us to give thema glimpse of how our lives are affected by mental illness. Weare appreciative of the opportunity and have been so warmlyreceived by these seasoned CIT officers.

We spend a lot of our energy promoting NAMI to our commu-nity. We have outreached to the “Good Oil Day Festival,” theChamber of Commerce Business and Health Expo, Senior’sHealth Fair and our three Harris County libraries. We sponsoredwith Janssen Pharmaceutica and presented the documentaryOut of the Shadows. The panel Q&A was represented by Dr. GaryMiller, Chief of Staff at Kingwood Pines Psychiatric Hospital,Jack Callahan, Advocacy, Inc., Mary Robins, NAMI Advocate,Sheryl Bybee, our superhero Consumer Advocate, Brett Needham,LMSW and Officer Frank Webb, HPD Crisis Intervention Team.Due to an unexpected “glitch” we were unable to show the filmand are planning a “Night at the Movies” in June for the film to be shown.

We just completed the Inaugural NAMI Metropolitan HoustonNAMIWalks 2006! The NAMI HumbleBees came with 29 walkersand two Chihuahuas and brought in nearly $2,000 from indi-vidual donations. A standing “O” goes out to our HumbleBeesand the NAMI Metro Walk Team for the months of hard workand dedication.

Every week we are getting 2-3 calls from new people that havefound NAMI and are in desperate need of our services. It is forthese and for all who are affected with mental illness that wedo what we do. WATCH US GROW! — Gwen Coleman, President

NAMI Lufkin/NAMI NacogdochesNAMI Lufkin and NAMI Nacogdoches were sponsors alongwith the Burke Center, Rusk State Hospital and other groups, inproducing a one-day Mental Health seminar in Nacogdocheson April 20, 2006. The social work department of Stephen F.Austin University also played an important role in the excellentsuccess of “Mission Possible 11.” Our own Diana Kern and CliffGay each performed separate workshops for consumers. Plansare already under way for Mission Possible XII, to be on April 7,2007. Diana and Cliff – many thanks for your efforts.

— Lyle Moel, President, NAMI Lufkin


AFFILIATE CORNER n

Graduation to the future for Mental HealthConsumersSaturday May 20th was graduation day for 10 Grayson, Fannin,and Cooke County mental health consumers who have com-pleted practice teaching 12 modules to each other. This verysuccessful practice-based education on mental illness, calledTexas Team Solutions.

Team Solutions is a flexible educational workshop that usestwo-hour modules addressing medications, coping skills, typesof mental illnesses, medication compliance, supportive services,and more. This curriculum, developed by Eli Lily, is taught bymental health consumers to other mental health consumers,family members and professionals. There is no charge to takethe course and handouts are available.

This training is endorsed by NAMI GFC. Class session topicsare: Helping yourself prevent relapse; Avoiding crisis situations;Managing crisis and emergency situations; Recovering frommental illness; Understanding your illness; Understanding yoursymptoms; Coping with symptoms and side effects; You andyour treatment team; Understanding your treatment; Gettingthe best results from your treatment; Nutrition, wellness, andliving a healthy lifestyle; and Fitness and exercise.

— John Hoelzel, President

NAMI DallasOn Saturday, May 6, 2006 more than 1300 walkers and theirpets travelled the 5K route from Dallas’ Heritage Village toDallas City Hall and back to Heritage Village to celebrate thesecond annual NAMI Dallas Walk for America (photo above).Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, honorary chair of the walk,spoke about his personal commitment to mental health andcut the ceremonial ribbon at 10 a.m. on an almost-rainymorning. Great music, food, special speakers and good friendsfilled Old City Park at Dallas’ Heritage Village with the joy ofthe moment, and hope for tomorrow to raise money, destroystigma and promote recovery. — John Dornheim, President

NAMI Grayson Fannin and Cooke

College Short Course on Suicide PreventionOn May 4th a cross section of our community enjoyed a lecture at Grayson County College’s high tech Center for

Workplace Learning auditorium on suicide prevention by SkipSimpson, one of two lawyers fea-tured in the book, Suicide Lawyers:Exposing Lethal Secrets. Skip is witha Frisco, Texas firm, Simpson &Stacy which has a focus on repre-senting survivors of suicide.

Skip explained suicide numbersthat highlight the urgency andpassion he brings to his educa-tion. “Eighty-five Americans didmore than think about suicidetoday; they did it. Another2,096 attempted it, often with serious injuries. This year in America there are

10,000 more suicides than murders and three to four times more deaths by suicide than by AIDS. It’s easy to ignore if it doesn’t hit close to home, but in a 15-year period more Americans will die at their own hand than diedin combat in the entire 20th century. It is our problem,whether we want it or not.

His slide presentation helped us know how to recognize,react and intervene when a loved one is at risk for suicide.Watch out especially for an increase in alcohol abuse com-bined with agitation, severe psychosis, panic attacks, depres-sion, or insomnia as well as statements of hopelessness orhelplessness. Part of this training centered about asking theright questions to discover suicidal intent. For example weshould explore their thoughts about suicide “right now,” during the past 8 weeks, their past, and plans for the future.Detailed questions that assume such thoughts might include:have you thought of shooting yourself? Have you thought of overdosing? Have you thought of hanging yourself? Don’tworry about planting ideas in their mind; they will actuallybe relieved that someone cares enough to talk about it.

Once you discover suicide intent, take the person to theEmergency Room to get help and, if admitted into hospital,get them on continual suicide watch. It only takes 4 minutesfor someone to hang themselves. Tell the ER doctor detailsabout their statements that show danger to themselves or others. If the ER doctor is planning to send them home, askfor a mental health second opinion.

This training was co-sponsored by TMC Behavioral HealthCenter, Community Specialty Hospital, NAMI GFC, and MHMRServices of Texoma. — John Hoelzel, President


n AFFILIATE CORNER

NAMI RockportLou Ann Garcia and Jowell Hearn, Rockport consumers, quali-fied for the “In Your Own Voice” (IOOV) training, coordinatedby Norma Bangs of NAMI Texas. Phillip Bickell, NAMI Rockportmember and artist-in-residence is making birthday cards for our next meeting. Robin Pollock, local special education expertmade such an interesting, vibrant presentation in April onchildhood mental illness that she we asked her to continueand finish her talk in May!

NAMI Rockport held their annual cooperative walk (9th Annual)with Coastal Plains MHMR on May 20th. This is a big event forall NAMI members. It is a walk for all of Aransas County – thewhole community is invited including wheel chairs, walkers,dogs, horses and sailors from the Navy Base. A panel of judgesawards a trophy to the community team with the best teamspirit. There’s a free lunch after the walk for everyone and doorprizes galore. — Nina Shannon, President

NAMI TempleNAMI Temple sponsored two community awareness programsduring Mental Health Awareness month in May. Wayne GregoryPh.D, from the Waco VA and NAMI Waco, presented a programon post traumatic stress disorder and Larry Edgy from theDepression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) presented one ondepression. Also in May, with Central Counties Center MHMR,we co-sponsored an exhibit at the Temple Library of Consumerart and information about Mental Health. We had two peopleattend the Family to Family training in Austin and we hope tobe able to put these teachers to work in our community.

We are a small group, but we believe that for a person withmental illness to be successful in their recovery, the communitymust understand mental illness, hence our efforts in providingcommunity awareness programs. We do five programs a year,with two of them coming in May. We also provide support forfamilies and friends twice a month. We may be small, but weare mighty! — Pat Roy- Jolly, President

NAMI AustinOn May 13, NAMI Austin held its first ever Recovery Conferenceat the Woodward Hotel. More than 130 professionals, familymembers and consumers took part in the one day event, whichincluded two keynote speakers, six workshops and an award ceremony.

The day began with Houston State Representative GarnetColeman talking about his own recovery from mental illnessand how he is working diligently to increase state funding formental health services here in Texas. Representative Colemanwas introduced by Travis County Judge Samuel Biscoe, whoacknowledged the critical role that Travis County has inensuring that residents have access for proper mental healthtreatment and ongoing support systems.

Following Representative Coleman’s inspirational talk, the attendees moved to the six workshops, which covered a widerange of topics including housing, food and mood, recoveryfrom addiction and mental illness, supportive employment,legal assistance and the family’s role in recovery. The workshopswere ably facilitated by Pennie Hall, Renee Lovelace, CarolPeters, Tracy McCullick, Cathy Weaver and Eric Blumberg. Afterlunch the same six workshops were repeated, allowing partici-pants to take part in presentations they may have missed in the morning.

Recovery expert Dr. Joel Feiner made his keynote presentationfollowing the second round of workshops during which timehe mapped out ways that family members and consumerscould better work to achieve a more seamless road to successdespite the challenges inherent in dealing with lifelong mentalhealth issues.

NAMI Austin presented four awards during the conference:Mayor Will Wynn received the NAMI Austin Leadership Award;Austin’s director of Neighborhood Housing and CommunityDevelopment, Paul Hilgers, received the Holman Award; NAMITexas’ Diana Kern received the Harold Scogin Sunshine Awardfor her contributions to consumer support, advocacy and edu-

cation; and Becky Mascot received the Outstanding MentalHealth Professional Award for her work as an advocate for therights of patients at Austin State Hospital.

NAMI Austin would like to give a big thank you to CommunityClinical Research and the Pecan Plantation MHP for theirfinancial support; to Austin Travis County MHMR, the Mayor’sMental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee, the NewMilestones Foundation, Planned Living Assistance Network ofCentral Texas and the Travis County Commissioners Court fortheir co-sponsorships; to all of the workshop panelists and facil-itators and finally, to all of the consumers and family membersfor making this event one for which all of us can be proud.

— Eric Blumberg, Program CoordinatorRep. Garnet Coleman (left) and Dr. Joel Feiner (right) were the keynotespeakers at the NAMI Austin Recovery Conference in May.


NAMI Gulf CoastFor those that attended the 2006 fundraiser, it was obvious tosee it was a huge success! So many people attended, enjoyedcompany, food and advocating for people with mental illness.For those that could not attend your support did not go unno-ticed. With all of your support NAMI Gulf Coast successfullyraised just over $20,000.

Not only did the 2006 fundraiser create opportunities for men-tal health advocates, law makers and families affected by men-tal illness to interact, but created awareness for those interestedin supporting a worthy cause.

A many of you already know Dr. Michael Fuller was honoredfor his dedication to families, children and people affected withmental illness. Special thanks to Dr. Fuller for his movingacceptance speech.

So many people, businesses and volunteers offered their time,money and talents to support this event. All of which deserve a big huge thank you. The pharmaceutical companies of Pfizer,Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, and Alamomade major contributions to this event and their support isappreciated. Special thanks go to Inspectorate and the cook-offvolunteers who donated all of the food and time to help serveour guests a delicious and hearty barbeque feast.

Most important NAMI Gulf Coast wants to thank the countlessvolunteers who gave endless hours of before, during and afterthe event. With out you this event truly could not be possible!

As we press through 2006, NAMI Gulf Coast appreciates yourdedication and support through advocacy and spreading theword about the wonderful things we work so hard to accom-plish for people affected by mental illness. By working togetherwe can make a difference for so many people.

— Carolyn Karbowski, Executive Director

AFFILIATE CORNER n

NAMI San Antonio NAMI San Antonio and the Mental Health Task Force of BexarCounty launched an interfaith Faith-based Mental HealthMinistry Initiative that could serve as a model for Texas.Although the project was in the formation stages for at leastseven months, the kick-off was April 8 with a day’s trainingfor about 70 clergy and laity from 25 local churches.

“We want Houses of God in San Antonio, Texas, the eighthlargest city in the nation, to be welcoming and supportiveplaces for people with mental illnesses and their families,”said Yolanda Alvarado, head of the Mental Health MinistryInitiative. “We have made inroads and we now have ministriesshaping up.”

The training was designed to:

n Train clergy and laity in mental health ministry concepts.

n Encourage clergy to provide spiritual counsel and speak fromthe pulpit from a mental health perspective.

n Train laity to establish and operate support groups for eitherconsumers, family members or both.

nMake clergy and laity aware of services available so that theycan make referrals and become advocates.

Alvarado said she touched base with NAMI faith-based mentalhealth programs in Oregon, California and Missouri, but nonehad a model for initiating interfaith mental health programs.

For information on NAMI San Antonio’s efforts, please contactYolanda Alvarado at (210) 734-3349 or [email protected].

— Yolanda Alvarado

San Antonio Express-News Columnist and Psychologist Dr. Maria Felix-Ortiz (left) presents tips and basic training on facilitating a supportgroup. In Our Own Voices speaker and NAMI member Juana Lopez(right) of San Antonio talks about her struggles and victories in herbattles with major depression at the Interfaith Training sponsored byNAMI San Antonio and the Mental Health Task Force of Bexar County.

NAMI Greater LongviewWe have just completed our first With Hope in Mind educationprogram and hope to start another one in August. It was agreat workshop. We had great cooperation from local profes-sionals to provide a Q&A panel for our last night. On May 24,we partnered with Sabine Valley Center, our local MHMR, andJanssen Pharmaceuticals to provide an educational experiencefor our local Police Department and Gregg County Sheriff’sDepartment. In their briefing rooms, we set up the virtualhallucination wand that allows someone to experience what it is like for a person with paranoid schizophrenia to do “normal” activities.

On June 3, we are again partnering with Sabine Valley Centerand Janssen to provide a Regional Schizophrenics Anonymous(SA) program. We will be showing the documentary, Out of theShadows, by Susan Smiley and have a panel discussion after theviewing. We will also have a guest speaker to talk about schizo-phrenia and hope to be able to get a SA group started in ourarea. We are hoping to be able to start Visions for Tomorrow inour area next fall. Three of us are looking forward to attendingthe National Convention in DC. — Paula Hendrix, President


Cognitive TherapyEvent – Thoughts – Feelings– Behavior

4b.) “Fortune Telling” – predicting thatthings will turn out badly.

5.) “Mental Filter” – Only processinginformation that is negative.

6.) “Should Statements” – carrying thatmonkey one your back instead of sayingyou made a choice.

7.) “Magnification” – exaggerating theimportance of negative outcomings.

8.) “Emotional Reasoning” – saying “Ifeel like an idiot therefore I am an idiot.”

9.) “Blame” – or more commonly knownas personalization. It is telling others thatit’s all their fault for making me feel in anegative way.

10.) “Labeling” – calling others a fool, forexample.

The sooner we can get a handle on thismodel and practice it for a couple ofmonths the more wiser we become, andthe better we feel. Some of the things I’velearned by implementing this therapy areas follows.

• Time is short make it count – from themovie the “Titanic.”

• Don’t base your self-esteem on howothers react to you.

• If you do not open up and share yourheart you will be more likely to not findlove. It is about trust, but you can testthe waters without wearing your hearton your sleeve.

• We make the best of what we have.

• Some people may not play by the samerules. It is at that time to have a goodsense of humor about the situation. Butthat does not mean you can not assertive-ly apply the guidelines for them to follow.

• And finally, the thing in life is to adaptand change slowly and grow daily. Tocontrol those things you want to haveconstant. The trick is, in the same vein asthe “Serenity Prayer”, is to identify whatyou want to change and what you wantto keep constant.

Remember, tomorrow will be a better daythan today.

By Ken Scadden

The idea is that anunchecked eventcan lead to distort-ed thoughts whichin turn produce

negative feelings and people make baddecisions. The good news is that for anygiven event you can turn your thoughtsand the running tape of automaticthoughts into positive ones whichchanges your mood and you can livewithout regret. This means you canreduce guilt. That is if you do not stuffyour feelings and let them cycle until theyare addressed. For example, you say “I amnot a failure but a fallible human being.”

In the movie “Under Siege II”, StevenSegal is quoted as saying “Chance favorsthe prepared mind.” By finding a quietplace by hypnosis or visualization tech-niques, we can implement the abovemodel on cognitive therapy to pictureourselves in a situation and what ourbehaviors might be. Of course, it’s notblack or white, when we implementthese fortune telling ideas, it almostnever goes as planned. But we get betterat it everyday. And it increases our abili-ty to succeed.

Some good tools to have and be awareof are from David Burns M.D. and calledthe ten forms of distorted thoughts.When we are more in tune with identi-fying distorted thoughts and feelings wegain more control over our life. The tenforms of distorted thoughts are:

1. “All or Nothing Thinking” – we thinkthat things are absolute or black andwhite.

2. “Overgeneralization” – blowing thingsout of proportion.

3. “Discounting the Positives” – dwellingon the negative thoughts and not appre-ciating that you have positive qualities.

4a.) “Mind Reading” – assuming youknow what others are thinking.

n THROUGH MY WINDOW

Beginning with this issue

we will showcase the

artwork, poetry and writings

of our consumer members.

We are calling this section

“Through My Window.”

Please consider sharing your

insights and expressions with

other NAMI Texas members.

For more information

or to submit your work,

please contact Diana Kern

at [email protected].


THROUGH MY WINDOW n

Shown on front cover:Bipolar 1by Lydia Ward, oil on canvas,26" x 50"

Clockwise from far left:Springtime in Novemberby Suzanne Worrell,water-soluble oil oncanvas, 18" x 24"

Fried Egg in Snowstormby Saundra Fleming

Lemonaideby Debbie Boyd Kizer, oil crayon

Austin’s Imagine Art is an interfaith non-denominational

Christian-led organization, serving the spiritual and practical

needs of a unique population – artists with disabilities. Spiritual

services as provided through Imagine Art occur primarily

within our Church partnerships. Imagine Art continues to

focus on the artistic needs of the artists served while connect-

ing them within a network of churches to meet individual

needs for counseling, recovery, food or housing. Imagine Art

serves artists with disabilities as they are professionally access-

ing the arts. Imagine Art has four categories of artist that it

serves: the hobbyist; the artist in development; the emerging

artist; and the professional artist. Artwork on this page, and

the front cover, was created by Imagine Art artists.

~ www.imagineart.net ~


n THROUGH MY WINDOW

The Up Side of Downand Other Things I am Thankful For

By Jennifer Schumacher

I recall days, when I was unfettered and free.

When mental anguish, was an unfamiliarity.

No need for drugs. Life was fine!

All was well within my mind.

Why there was a change, is difficult to express.

Serotonin and brain waves became a mess.

Drugs now assist, too many to recall.

I know without them, I would fall.

Stability is my goal. Medication a must.

Without a drug plan, I’d be a financial bust.

No shame have I, for the affliction dealt.

Blessed to help others, from what I have felt.

I have learned to laugh rather than cry.

This IS me and I don’t ask why.

Clockwise from above:Three Cats by Laura Hanus

Longing for You by Sue Edwards Flowers in Vase by Sarah Ocano

Reflections by Nancy Barnes

By Marcus C. Johnson

I decided to write this article because in1995 a visiting minister came fromnowhere in the church hall and told meI’m going to be famous one day.

Many people with mental health don’tbecome famous because it’s the way youcope with the illness.

To be a good writer you need to be passionate about reading,and that’s something Sylvia Plath did.

I enjoyed reading her book because she talked about educa-tion. I’m going to share with you some of the people thatbecame famous with mental illness.

Here they are: Isaac Newton, Abraham Lincoln, Ludwig VonBeethoven, Jane Pauley and Winston Churchill.

Isaac Newton was most famous being a mathematician of the17th Century and Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president ofthe United States. Ludwig Von Beethoven was a composer withBipolar Disorder, Jane Pauley was a NBC news broadcaster andlast but not least Winston Churchill was a Prime Minister ofGreat Britain. If you have a dream, stick to it, no matter whatthe obstacle.

How People with Mental IllnessBecame Famous


THROUGH MY WINDOW n

Concho Valley MHMR’s Ronnie Rowe

has been teaching weekly art classes

at the San Angelo Museum of Fine

Arts for four years. His students create

art using a variety of different materi-

als, including oils, watercolors, acrylics

and pen and ink. Class members work

very hard during the year and in

March they once again displayed their

work at The Coop Gallery. Some of

his students’ artwork is shown here

on pages 22-23.

Clockwise from top left:Horse by Jerlene Kennedy

Lady Sings the Blues by Nilian CortezAbstract Shapes by Chris GarciaHomestead by Jerlene KennedyYellow Lilies by Chris GarciaTwo Cats by Laura HanusCats with Purple Backdrop by LauraHanus (center)


n THROUGH MY WINDOW

~ Poetry by Jerlene Kennedy ~

Apple Blossom

Apple blossom white

A sight pure delight

Falling like snow

From the sky.

Rainbow

Colors in the air

Yellow

Blue

Green

Cool and Clean

Refreshing and real.

Sparrows

Sparrows flying high

Signature across the sky

Search for peaceful rest.

Dew

Grass shines like emeralds

Spider webs lace with gold and silver

Brings peace to the soul.

“Art therapy, poetry therapy, music therapy and other expressive

therapies can reach and touch feelings and help to identify them

in oneself and others. The goals of art therapy are to move

toward healing and growth. The end results can be enlightening,

empowering the artist or writer with a stronger sense of identity,

accomplishment, and self-knowledge.” — Diana Kern

Right: Phillip Bickell displays his artworkBelow:1989 by Diana Kern, pen and ink


IN MEMORY OF… n

There wasn’t anything Betty SternsFulenwider wouldn’t do to increaseunderstanding of mental illness.

Ironically, becoming a tissue donor wasthe one thing the advocate of braindonation for research into the causes of psychiatric illness wasn’t able to do.

Fulenwider, 76, died at the MethodistSpecialty and Transplant Hospital on Friday, eight days after a massivestroke, heart attack and quintuplebypass operation.

Her husband, Jerry, as active a mentalhealth advocate as she was, said he con-tacted the Harvard Brain Tissue ResourceCenter at McLean Hospital in Belmont,Mass., to see if a donation was possible.

“She was a firm believer in that and as it turns out, they couldn’t take herbrain because of the stroke,” JerryFulenwider said.

The couple’s advocacy dates to 1982 andwas due to family members having thedisease, he said. That was the year thatFulenwider, who was born in Houston,and her husband, a native of Uvalde,moved to San Antonio.

They left Kansas City, Mo., when hereceived a promotion with AbbottLaboratories.

A graduate of the University of Houston,she’d held several jobs but devoted hoursto national organizations such as theNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

and its state affiliate, NAMI Texas.

She also was involved with the Universityof Texas Health Science Center Friends of Psychiatric Physicians and the SanAntonio Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Receiving the Special Service Award fromthe Texas Society of Psychiatric Physiciansin 2004 at its state meeting in San Antoniowas “thrilling for her,” said her husband,who shared the award as a recipient.

NAMI bestowed several honors for herstruggle to attain better access, treatmentand support services for people sufferingfrom mental illness.

The couple recently celebrated their50th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, with the family.

Two daughters, Cynthia Miletta ofLewisville and Lisa Fulenwider ofHouston; a son, Adam Fulenwider ofJunction; and two brothers, Leon Sternsof Crockett and Jerry Sterns of Willis,also survive.

A memorial service will be heldWednesday at 5 p.m. at St. GeorgeEpiscopal Church at 6904 West Ave. A reception will be held in the parishhall after the service.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributionsmay be made to St. George EpiscopalChurch; or to NAMI, P.O. Box 15348, San Antonio, 78212; or to the YMCA ofthe Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Road, Estes Park,Colo., 89511. — May 14, 2006

Fulenwiderpushed for moreresearch intomental illnessBut stroke prevented her from becoming a brain tissue donor

By Carmina Danini, San Antonio Express-News Staff Writer

Charles BangsNovember 20, 1934 – May 26, 2006.Loving husband of Norma GarciaBangs, long-time NAMI Texas Educator.Memorials are suggested to NAMITexas, in memory of Chuck Bangs,Fountain Park Plaza III, 2800 S. I-35,Suite 140, Austin, TX 78704.

Trudy HolderTrudy Holder was a family member andvolunteer of NAMI Golden Triangle inBeaumont. She served as secretary/treasurer, was a Family-to-Family educa-tor and a Visions for Tomorrow familyeducation teacher. She did speaker pre-sentations for the Region 5 EducationServices Center, Jasper Federation ofFamilies, Bridge City ISD In-Service, Port Neches Groves and NederlandElementary/Middle School Conferenceand Parent Involvement Conference onmental illness and children. Trudy wonthe Texas Vocational Office EducationTeacher of the Year and served in sever-al capacities on her local and stateschool boards. She was also the com-mittee chair for the MHPAC for 2006.

Trudy is survived by her daughter, CarolHolder of Groves and her son, FredHolder of Montgomery, Texas. She waspreceded in death by her parents andher loving husband, Ed Holder.

Tina PollardMarch 10, 1956 – April 10, 2006. Tina was a member of NAMI Lubbock.The family suggests memorials toNAMI or a charity of your choice.

Bill SullivanNAMI Texas said goodbye to WilliamRobert Sullivan on Friday, April 7, 2006in Lewisville, Texas. Bill had been anactive volunteer in the NAMI Texasfamily for 23 years. He was a “tirelessworker” in the Fort Worth and DentonAffiliates and also dedicated his expert-ise to the NAMI National VeteransCouncil (NVC). From the NVC comesthis tribute, “It is clear to us that Billwas a passionate and tireless advocateon behalf of disabled veterans and others living with a mental illness andtheir families. His legacy is one of posi-tive and lasting change, and he will bedeeply missed.” Donations made bemade in Bill’s name to NAMI Texas.


taught the NAMI Family to Family courseand have a BPD loved one. The trainingis a two night, three day course taught byDrs. Alan Fruzzetti and Perry Hoffman ateither Reno, Nevada, or White Plains, NY.

At the NAMI National Convention inJune 2005, Dr. Perry Hoffman, Presidentof NEA-BPD and Jim presented on BPD at the “Ask the Doctor” session. We willpresent again at the NAMI NationalConvention this year in Washington, DC.NAMI now includes BPD under the NAMIumbrella as a serious mental illness. Thisis a major development toward strength-ening services to the BPD population.

The need for Family Connections is grow-ing and so is the interest. In January 2006,the NeuroPsychiatric Center and MHMRAof Harris County organized a two-day visit from Dr. Marsha Linehan, creator ofDialectical Behavioral Therapy. One dayconsisted of case studies for professionalsand the second day was devoted to aworkshop on DBT attended by profes-sionals, family members and consumers.

2007 promises to be equally active –including a third BPD annual symposiumin Houston. In addition to professionals,these conferences and symposiums areopen to families and consumers.

Is there satisfaction in what we do? Yes!Our personal involvement in teachingand advocacy efforts for all mental illness-es has enhanced our lives. “To teach is tolearn” is a true mantra. We become morecalm, more confident, more compassion-ate with each class we teach. During“down times” when a day or week hasbeen particularly sad, challenging, or frus-trating, I have to leave it all outside theclassroom door and concentrate on thosein our class or support group. I always,ALWAYS leave the classroom feeling betterthan when I stepped in.

Our contacts with key professionals andservice providers place us in a moreviable position to help our family andothers in need. We’ve made many won-derful new friends. It’s satisfying to helpothers in crisis and confusion and guidethem away from the pitfalls we experi-enced.

a therapist in Erie, Pa. We met with thetherapist as a family to ask for assistancein the choice of the next treatment step.

As divine intervention would dictate, wewere driving away from that importantmeeting with the therapist when we sawa storefront office with the sign “NAMI of Erie County.” We drove up and walkedin. The president was manning the deskand within the hour she had signed us upfor NAMI’s Family-to-Family class startingthe next week!

By the spring of 2003, we belonged toNAMI Erie County and NAMI WestHouston. In May, we trained to becomeFamily-to-Family teachers. We joinedanother NAMI chapter closer to ourhome in suburban Houston, NAMI Ft. Bend. We attended numerous chaptermeetings across the city of Houston andparticipated in lots of support groups. Welearned. We connected. We weren’t alone.

On the internet, we discovered the NEA-BPD website (www.borderlinepersonality-disorder.com) and made arrangements toattend their annual conference that fallof 2003 in White Plains, NY. We met theofficers of NEA-BPD and began discus-sions of organizing a one-day symposiumon BPD in Houston the following year.The Menninger Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine and NAMI Metro Houstonbecame partners in organizing the firstHouston symposium on BPD. We signedourselves up for Family Connectionsteacher training – a 12-week course forfamilies with a loved one challenged by the BPD diagnosis. The goals of thecourse are similar to Family-to-Family but specific to BPD.

We taught our first NAMI Family-to-Family class for NAMI West Houston in the spring of 2004. We were hooked.We also took support group facilitatortraining and started a NAMI supportgroup in Ft. Bend County. We attendedour first NAMI National Convention inWashington D.C. in September of thatyear. The expertise of the speakers, theCapitol Hill visitations we participatedin, and the trip to the National Institute

of Mental Health in Bethesda were expe-riences beyond our expectations.

In October, Jim was invited to speak forthe first time at the annual NEA-BPDconference in Los Angeles. His role was,and continues to be, a representative forfamilies with a loved one challenged by BPD. November 6, 2004 marked the first Houston symposium for BorderlinePersonality Disorder co-sponsored byThe Menninger Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine, NAMI Metro Houston, andNEA-BPD.

The successful conference resulted in abeginning of BPD education and servicesin the Houston area and beyond. Thesymposium generated plenty of interestamong area families to join the firstFamily Connections 12-week class. Inthe spring of 2005, we taught both theNEA BPD Family Connections class on Saturdays and the NAMI Family-to-Family class on Thursday nights. Wewere double hooked!

Family Connections is an educationcourse for families, much like the NAMIFamily to Family class. The course offerseducation and research but the subjectmatter is specific to BPD. The uniquenessof the program is the teaching of selectDialectical Behavioral Skills to familymembers to facilitate communicationand understanding with our loved ones.Skills sessions focus on RelationshipMindfulness Skills, Emotion RegulationSkills, Effective Communication Skills,Validation Skills, and Problem Manage-ment Skills.

To carry over support after the first FamilyConnections Class, we started a twicemonthly support group for BPD familymembers. Recently, a new format hasbeen implemented at alternate meetingsto include a professional who leads around table family support discussion.

The Family Connections class is nowoffered twice a year in Houston. A couplefrom Austin is interested in bringingFamily Connections to their city. Idealprospective teachers for the FamilyConnections course are: those who havetaken the course and/or those who have

Beyond the Border…continued from page 7

See Beyond the Border…page 28


Nominations for NAMI TexasAwards Now Being Accepted

Every year, NAMI Texas accepts nominations for various awards. Award recipi-

ents will be announced at the 2006 NAMI Texas Annual Conference to be

held at the Omni Southpark in Austin October 15 –17, 2006.

Legislator of the Year AwardGiven to a Texas legislator who has helped make improvements in the mental

health system and positively effects the lives of persons with mental illness.

The Betty Fulenwider Media AwardGiven to a member of the media (radio, television or print) who educated the

public about serious mental illness and the need for better treatment, broke

the stigma of mental illness and/or told a personal story.

Charley H. Shannon Advocate of Justice AwardGiven to a Texas advocate who effected positive change for persons with seri-

ous mental illness in the response of the criminal justice system, mental health

agencies or the Legislature.

Professional of the Year AwardGiven to a professional (researcher, scientist, educator, therapist or psychiatrist)

who works to improve the lives of consumers and /or their families and pro-

motes recovery for persons with a serious mental illness.

Consumer Quality of Life AwardGiven to a consumer of mental health services in Texas who inspires, mentors

and stands as a model of recovery for persons with serious mental illness.

Volunteer of the Year AwardGiven to a volunteer or affiliate who has gone above and beyond to improve

the lives of consumers and/or their families.

You may download nomination forms for these awards from the NAMI Texas

website at www.namitexas.org. Nominations for these awards must be received

by NAMI Texas no later than September 8, 2006.

Diana Kern

NAMI Texas

2800 S. IH-35, Ste. 140

Austin, TX 78704

Fax: (512) 693-8000

“real” to the Legislature. They were ableto give something to Bob Meadours,Stennie’s son, that he was never able to get while he was alive with a seriousmental illness – recognition.

No one but those of us, who have had to wrap our lives around mental illness,can educate the people who make thedecisions that guide our lives.

SB 1473 mandates that TCLEOSE (TexasCommission on Law Enforcement OfficerStandards and Education) has to have allthe CIT trainings for all officers complet-ed by 2009. To find out if CIT has beentaught in your community, call your locallaw enforcement department.

Mr. Earley concludes the book with achapter titled, “Solutions.” He stresses thenecessity of CIT training in every commu-nity. CIT saves lives and changes attitudes.He asks us to rethink the closings of thestate mental hospitals through his expla-nation of unintended consequences in thecivil rights laws of persons with mental illness. He also asks us to reexamine com-mitment laws. “Eighty percent of personswith mental illness can be helped withantipsychotic medication, yet civil rightslaws are used daily to prevent patientsfrom getting help.” (p. 358)

As a person with a serious psychotic disor-der, I am glad that medication was forcedon me and saved my life and continues tofix my broken brain.

Additional Resourcesn Treatment Advocacy CenterA national nonprofit organization work-ing to eliminate barriers to timely treat-ment of severe mental illnesses.www.psychlaws.org

n The Consensus ProjectA report on the state of mental healthcare in the criminal justice system.www.consensusproject.org

n CIT Resource CenterNAMI’s latest information about CrisisIntervention Team (CIT) training.www.nami.org

Crazy…continued from page 9


also cap the total amount that can beapplied for. And, as you know, it is unlike-ly that NAMI Texas will be awarded everygrant for which we seek funding. Whatdoes this mean in terms of NAMI Texas’sfuture?

It means that NAMI Texas, like almost allother non-profits, will need a very activeBoard whose responsibilities include con-tributing or raising money. Talk to othernon-profit organizations, and ask themabout this. We have a Board who has nothad to fulfill this role recently, but thoseinvolved in earlier days of NAMI Texasfaced this challenge and responsibility, as do all of the Affiliate Boards today. I am happy to tell you that our Board’sExecutive Committee has recognized thisneed and established three new commit-tees; a Funding Development Committee,a Board Development Committee and aFund Raising Committee.

The Funding Development Committee’sgoal is to develop a donor base, to assistNAMI Texas in soliciting long-term unre-stricted funding. Ed Kuny has graciouslyagreed to be the Chair, and he is current-ly soliciting members.

In addition, the Board has established aBoard Development Committee, whowill be working with the NominatingCommittee, in recognition of the needfor our membership to nominate andelect Board members who have the expe-rience and skills critical to the success ofNAMI Texas, now and in the future. Youwill see some of their decisions reflectedin this years nominating and electionsprocess, as information on every nomi-nee will be posted to our website for

Executive Director…continued from page 3

We’ve learned “new tricks for old dogs”are possible: we can change our thoughtsand behaviors to create a healthier atmos-phere for our family’s recovery process.

Jim and Diane may be contacted [email protected] or NAMI Ft. Bendat (281) 494-5193.

Additional ResourcesnNational Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder P.O. Box 974 Rye, NY 10580Phone: (914) 835-9011E-mail: [email protected]

n Borderline Personality Disorder Resource CenterPhone: (888) 694-2273www.bpdresourcecenter.org

n Borderline Personality Disorder Research FoundationPhone: (212) [email protected]

nNational Alliance for Research onSchizophrenia and Depression Phone: (516) 829-0091www.narsad.org

nNational Institute of Mental Health Phone: (301) 443-4513E-mail: [email protected]

n Linehan Behavioral TechInformation Sitewww.behavioraltech.com

nUniversity of Washington BehavioralResearch and Therapy Clinicswww.brtc.psych.Washington.edu

Beyond the Border…continued from page 26 membership viewing, including theirresponses to a specific set of questions.Board member have also completed asurvey that will help us assess our currentstrengths. In addition, every AffiliatePresident has been sent information providing guidance for members as theymake their Board nominations, based onthe needs for specific skills and expertiseneeded at this time.

The Fund Raising Committee will takeon specific projects to raise funds on anongoing basis. I have lots of great ideasthat can be started immediately, and theExecutive Committee is actively lookingfor leadership for this Committee, as wellas Committee members who have thetime and are ready to make the commit-ment to be actively involved. The Chairwill need to be energetic, have great man-agement skills, good attention to detailand follow-through, and be excellent at motivating other people. StephanieContreras has graciously agreed to beInterim Chair.

NAMI Texas was started in 1984 by agroup of dedicated volunteers with a vision for what was possible. Today, we call ourselves “The State’s Voice onMental Illness.” We have a rich historyof making a difference in the lives ofindividuals with mental illness andtheir families across the state, becauseof the work done by our members everyday, week after week, providing educa-tion, support and advocacy in our com-munities. It is the primary purpose ofNAMI Texas to support these efforts inevery way possible. I have confidencethat, while we are going through sometough times, we will be able to say, asan organization, that this crises has asilver lining – the opportunity for realchange, to become more effective as we rise to meet this challenge.

I hope I can count on your support.Thanks.

Robin PeysonExecutive Director, NAMI Texas

2006 NAMI Texas Annual ConferenceOmni Southpark, Austin, TexasOctober 15–17, 2006

Opening Speaker, October 16 – Michael Fuller, M.D.Michael Fuller, M.D., is an Associate Professor in Adult Psychiatry at the University of Texas MedicalBranch in Galveston. For over 20 years, Dr. Fuller has practiced, researched and taught several disci-plines within the psychiatric field. His specialties include: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; AttentionDeficit Disorder; Court Ordered Evaluations; Crisis/Trauma; Forensics; Head Trauma; AIDS/HIV;Chronic/Terminal Illness. He travels around the state teaching the “Making Choices” program for consumers, family members and professionals. This year, NAMI Gulf Coast honored Dr. Fuller at agala for his dedication to help dispel stigmatization and his compassion and concern for persons withserious mental illness.

Luncheon Speaker, October 16 – Dr. Edward KnightEdward Knight, Ph.D., is Vice President for Recovery, Rehabilitation and Mutual Support for ValueOptions. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University. Dr. Knight worked as a private consultant with The Empowerment Partners and he was the CEO of the Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. Within 12 years, Ed helped grow the project from12 self help groups to over 600 groups. Dr. Knight has worked with several research centers and his areas of research interest are mutual support, recovery, rehabilitation and co-occurring substanceabuse and mental illness. Dr. Knight is a consumer of mental health services. He was diagnosed withschizophrenia in 1969 and has been homeless.

As our state mental health

budget decreases every year

and persons with serious

mental illness are denied

the treatment that they

need, the NAMI Texas

mission becomes ever more

vital. Now is the time to

gather together with our

mental health partners

in our communities and

demand positive change in

every level of government.

The time to talk is NOW

and collectively we

can and will make a

difference for ourselves

and our loved ones.

The 2006 NAMI Texas

Conference is an

opportunity to develop

solutions and enlighten

our paths to recovery.

Conference Schedule of EventsSUNDAY, OCTOBER 153:00 pm – 7:00 pm Registration

Meet & Greet

Exhibit Setup

MONDAY, OCTOBER 167:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration/Exhibits

7:00 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:30 am –9:30 am Opening Session

9:30 am – 10:00 am Break

10:00 am – 11:30 am Breakout Sessions

11:30 am – Noon Break

Noon – 1:30 pm Keynote Luncheon

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Breakout Sessions

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm Break

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm Breakout Sessions

6:00 pm Reception

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 177:00 am – Noon Registration/Exhibits

7:00 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – Noon Voting

8:00 am – 9:00 am Regional Caucuses

9:00 am – 9:30 am Break

9:30 am – 11:00 am Breakout Sessions

11:15 pm – Noon Closing Session

CEUs will be available for LPCs and LMSWs

Name:

Address:

City:

State: Zip:

Phone:

E-mail:

If you have questions or need more information, please call NAMI Texas at 512-693-2000.

2006 NAMI Texas Annual Conference • Omni Southpark • Austin, TXOctober 15–17, 2006

Hotel AccommodationsOMNI AUSTIN HOTEL AT SOUTHPARK4140 Governor’s RowAustin,TX 78744Phone: (512) 448-2222Fax: (512) 442-8028Website: www.omnihotels.com

When inquiring and making room reservationsplease identify yourself as someone attending theNAMI Texas Conference in October.

Hotel Room RatesSingle/Double Room: $129* per night

* The hotel cut-off date for this special room rate is September 22, 2006.

Hotel Shuttle Service Complimentary airport shuttle (7 am – 11 pm) toand from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

DirectionsFrom Austin International Airport:Take Texas Route 71 East and continue for 5.3 milesto Woodward Street and turn left at stop light.Turnright onto Freidrich Lane.Turn right onto Director’sBlvd. and the turn right onto Governor’s Row.TheOmni Austin Hotel at Southpark’s entrance will beon the left.

From the North via I-35 southbound:Traveling on I-35 South, pass through Austin downtown to Exit 230B. Take parallel frontage road toward US-290 West / Ben White Blvd / TX-71 intersection.Turn left at the stop light and thenturn right on Governor’s Row.The Omni AustinHotel at Southpark’s entrance will be on the right.

From the South via I-35 northbound:Traveling on I-35 North, follow to Exit 230 towardTX-71 / Ben White Blvd / US-290.Take parallelfrontage road and turn right onto Director’s Blvd.Then turn left onto Governor’s Row.The OmniAustin Hotel at Southpark’s entrance will be on the left.

From the East via Hwy 71 westbound:Traveling west on TX-71 proceed past Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for about fivemiles. Follow to Woodward Street and turn left at the stop light. Turn right onto Freidrich Lane.Then turn right onto Director’s Blvd and right onto Governor’s Row. The Omni Austin Hotel atSouthpark’s entrance will be on the left.

Registrationn Registration Fees: $55 for consumers; $75 for

family and friends; and $95 for professionals.

n Register by completing the registration formbelow and mailing it along with your checkmade payable to NAMI Texas.NAMI Texas2800 S. IH-35, Suite 140Austin,TX 78704Phone: (512) 693-2000

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Never doubt that a

small group of thoughtful

committed people can

change the world:

indeed it’s the only thing

that ever has!

– Margaret Mead

Conference Registration Fee:

$55 for consumers

$75 for families & friends

$95 for professionals

Please make your check payable

to NAMI Texas and mail along

with your registration form to:

2006 NAMI Texas Conference

NAMI Texas

2800 S. IH-35

Suite 140

Austin,TX 78704

R ecent research reported by the University of

Chicago Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

has found that nearly 90% of consumers of mental

health services identified themselves as religious

or spiritual. However, earlier studies have shown

that mental health professionals tend not to be

very religious with less than 50% of them endorsing

religion as a core value.

About Conversation on CompassionIn the spring of 2004, three mental health professionals were asked to share their views onaccessing one’s healthy spirit. In this conversation,Edward Knight, Ph.D., Nancy Kehoe, Ph.D., RSCJ,and Sheila LeGacy identify the tools necessary tonurture a healthy spirit among those who sufferwith psychiatric disabilities, their family membersand mental health professionals.

Among the topics they discuss are: issues of hopeand determination, validation of one’s spiritualor religious experience, looking deeply at griefand suffering, distinctions between spiritualexperiences leading to psychosis as opposed tospiritual experiences leading to connection, professional resistance to talking about spiritualissues, and self-care.

About the Mental Illness Education ProjectThe Mental Illness Education Project producesvideotapes about people whose lives have been

touched by mental illness. The primary goal of theProject is to address discrimination and neglectamong those who are affected by mental illness.The videotapes present first-hand perspectives of individuals with mental illness in the context of their whole lives — personal and family relationships, communities, treatment, recovery,and work. The videos are designed to stimulateproductive discussions among mental health consumers, family members, clinicians, and others.

We need your help…The Mental Illness Education Project is seekingfunds to edit this exciting conversation thatspeaks to the heart of our mission:giving voice to the experience of recovery.

To help support this effort, please contact MIEP Videos at 1-800-805-5581or by email [email protected] can help us completethis videotape by makinga tax-deductible donationto MIEP. The Mental IllnessEducation Project is a 501(c)(3)non-profit corporation. Formore information about us,please visit our website atmiepvideos.org.

The Mental Illness Education Project Announces a New Videotape

CONVERSATION ON COMPASSION:

Spiritual Paths in Mental Health

The Mental Illness Education Project, Inc.

P.O. Box 470813, Brookline Village, MA 02447 • Tel: (800) 805-5581 • www.miepvideos.org

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE PAID

AUSTIN, TXPERMIT NO. 3441Fountain Park Plaza III

2800 S. IH35, Suite 140Austin, TX 78704

To find a NAMI Texas affiliate in your area, call 1-800-633-3760 or visit www.namitexas.org

together

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE$45 per person for physicians$25 per person for resident physicians,

allied health professionals and spouses$20 per person for Coalition Partners

(MHA, NAMI, DBSA and TMHC)Conference registration deadline is August 1

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONSWestin La Cantera ResortSan Antonio, TX210-558-6500 or 800-228-3000$179 single/double per nightHotel reservation deadline is July 12

Join leaders of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Texas, Federation of

Texas Psychiatry, Mental Health Association in Texas, NAMI Texas, Texas Mental Health

Consumers, Texas Academy of Psychiatry, Texas Medical Association, and the Texas

Society of Psychiatric Physicians as we join forces once again to participate in media

training and plan for the 2007 Texas Legislative Session.

Enjoy a weekend of fun, education and fellowship with the partners of the Mental Illness

Awareness Coalition. Meet new friends and reestablish relationships while participating

in a dynamic and inspirational educational program led by Joel Roberts.

To download a conference registration packet, please visit www.txpsych.org and click on

“Mental Health Advocacy and Leadership Conference.”

we do make a difference!Mental Illness Awareness Coalition's

Mental Health Advocacy and Leadership ConferenceWestin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio, Texas

August 12, 2006

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