Find Help. Find Hope. ---------------------------------------- An Affiliate ......Volume 18, No. 3...

Volume 18, No. 3 NAMI Dallas (214) 341-7133 March 2015

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We walk for the 61.5 million Americans experiencing mental illness in a given year. We walk for the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the famous and the nameless suffering from mental illness. We walk for the injustices and lack of attention in our mental health community. We walk for the children who cannot advocate for themselves and for our veterans who battle in silence. We walk for our neighbors, family members, colleagues and friends. We walk because of the lives lost due to severe and persistent mental illness. We walk simply because we’re heroes for mental health. If you’d like to participate in the 2015 NAMIWalks Dallas event, please take a look at page 6 for more information.

Real people affected by real illnesses.

The March General Meeting will feature a much needed discussion on “Recovery”. Mr. Scott Black with Transicare, Mr. Johnny Moore and Ms. Lashan Davis with Parkland will discuss the importance of recovery including ways to obtain and maintain treatment.

A grassroots, family and consumer self-help, support, education and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with

severe mental illnesses and their families. Such illnesses are now known as serious and persistent neurobiological brain disorders.

Find Help. Find Hope.

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An Affiliate of the

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI Dallas General Meeting Thursday, March 5, 2015

Support Groups: 6 p.m.-7 p.m. | Presentation: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: Park Central Baptist Church

7777 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX


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Some helpful websites NAMI National www.nami.org

NAMI Texas www.namitexas.org

NAMI Dallas www.namidallas.org

PLAN www.plan-northtexas.org

National Mental Health Association www.nmha.org

NARSAD (National Alliance Research on Schizophrenia &

Depression) www.narsad.org

Recovery International www.lowselfhelpsystems.org

Child & Family Guidance Center www.childandfamilies.org

Texas Legislature Online www.capitol.state.tx.us

United States Congress Information

Senate www.senate.gov (202) 224-3121

House www.house.gov (202) 225-1908

Green Oaks Hospital physical address is 7808 Clodus Field Dallas,

TX 75257. It is located in North Dallas and is also the crisis

intervention unit for the NorthSTAR area. The hospital is near the

east end of Merit Drive behind Medical City Dallas Hospital at

Forest Lane and Central. This Psychiatric Crisis Stabilization Unit can

be utilized as a psychiatric emergency room, just as Parkland

Hospital Psychiatric ER is used. It is not necessary to be a member

of NorthSTAR to access the services available at Green Oaks. They

will accept indigent, Medicaid, NorthSTAR, most insurances, or

private pay patients. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7

days a week.

Current Board Members through May 2014

Current Board Members for 2

nd Term: New Board Members for 1

st Term:

● Ilana Presley, Secretary ● Mary Berger ● Claudia Smith

● Deborah Goodall, at large ● David Whitley

● Teena Adler, at large ● Leonard Keesee

NAMI DALLAS’ MEMBER & VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

NAMI Dallas honors a seasoned volunteer & dedicated member: Patti Haynes. Patti currently assists NAMI Texas, NAMI Dallas and serves many roles including NAMI Basics teacher, NAMIWalks committee member, trainer, NAMIWalks team chair and

more! Her dedication goes beyond our comprehension and we wanted to take this time to thank Patti for her generosity and relentless courage. Patti, this one is for you.

The NAMI Dallas NEWS is published monthly by

NAMI Dallas

2812 Swiss Avenue.

Dallas, Texas 75204

Ph. (214) 341-7133

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.namidallas.org

Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday

The NAMI Dallas Board meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at

Green Oaks Hospital.

Visitors are welcome to attend. Staff Executive Director & Program Director: Marsha Rodgers Community Outreach & Support Coordinator: Quita Williams Director of Development & Public Policy: Matt Wolff Special Projects Manager John Dornheim Board of Directors President: Sherry Cusumano Vice-President: Herb Cotner Secretary: Ilana Presley Treasurer: Paul Sloane Board Members-At-Large Teena Adler Roberts* Mary Berger *Deborah Goodall * Leonard Keesee *

Claudia Smith * David Whitley

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.namidallas.org/


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NAMI Dallas Support Groups

For individuals living with a mental illness and family members/caregivers of loved ones diagnosed with a mental illness.

TYPE TIME LOCATION FACILITATOR CONTACT

Family Dallas

1st

Thursday 6-7 p.m.

Park Central Baptist Church 7777 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX 75252

Rita Mike

NAMI Dallas (214) 341-7133

Family Dallas (near Love Field Airport)

2nd

Saturday 10-11:30 a.m.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store 3052 W. Northwest Highway Dallas, TX 75220

Carmen (214) 520-0650 ext.117 or (214) 435-7562

Family Rockwall

2nd

Saturday 1-2:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church 1200 E. Yellow Jacket Rockwall, TX 75087

Linda NAMI Dallas (214) 341-7133

Family Greenville

3rd

Tuesday 7 p.m.

Salem-Kinser UMC 1315 Rees St. Greenville, TX 75401

Nadine (903) 456-8999

Family Terrell

3rd

Thursday 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Lakes Regional Bldg 400 Airport Rd.

Terrell, TX 75160

Emma Glenda

(972) 962-3784 (214) 202-1183

Family Duncanville

PLEASE CONTACT FACILITATORS TO ATTEND

Trinity United Methodist Church 1302 South Clark Rd. Duncanville, TX 75137

Evelyn Madeline

(214) 728-0637 (214) 536-2703

Parents Group (Parents of children & adolescents)

Richardson

3rd

Thursday 7-8:30 p.m.

The Warren Center 320 Custer Road Richardson, TX 75080

Cheryl Amanda

(214) 923-2576 (214) 236-1706

Peer NAMI Connection Dallas

1st

Thursday 6-7 p.m.

Park Central Baptist Church 7777 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX 75252

Mike

(903) 967-3763

Peer NAMI Connection Dallas

3rd

Thursday 6:30 p.m.

NAMI Dallas Office 2812 Swiss Ave. (parking in back) Dallas, TX 75204

Teena Sharniqua Vita

(972) 815-9491

Peer Schizophrenia Richardson

Every Tuesday 7 p.m.

515 Custer Rd. (First Center) (House across the street from First UMC)

Richardson, TX 75080

Mike (903) 967-3763

Peer Dual Recovery Dallas

Mon. & Wed. 5-6 p.m.

Quaker Meeting House 5828 Worth St. Dallas, TX 75214

David (214) 824-2435

Peer Dallas

2nd & 4th Wednesday

7-8 p.m. Iris Place Apartments 13321 Emily Rd. Dallas, TX 75240

Jeanine (214) 575-9492

Peer Rockwall

2nd

Saturday 1-2:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church 1200 E. Yellow Jacket Rockwall, TX 75087

Amery William

NAMI Dallas (214) 341-7133

Peer Greenville

3rd

Tuesday 7 p.m.

Salem-Kinser UMC 1315 Rees St. Greenville, TX 75401

Nadine (903) 456-8999


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Letter from our President

Hello NAMI Members and Friends of NAMI Dallas!!! What a month it has been! This last month we got to hear what Dallas County’s “Preliminary Plan” to submit to the State as requested in the Sunset Commission Recommendations. Lots of questions came up as people lingered after the meeting to discuss their questions and concerns further. It’s always good to see stakeholders take an active interest in the planning of their public mental health system. “Nothing About Us Without Us!” Right? We at NAMI Dallas embrace the Recovery movement while at the same time being very aware of mental Illnesses as brain disorders. People with mental illnesses are human beings in need of treatment for their illness so they can achieve and grow in recovery! We at NAMI do not offer treatment but we offer many tools that help people with mental illnesses AND their family members grow in recovery. Our second event for the month was the bus trip to Austin. I can’t tell you how proud I was of the 65 people in the NAMI Dallas group who made their way to the Capitol to advocate for our cause. Fifty of you came on the bus and fifteen more drove or found their way there by other means. What an enthusiastic and brave group you are! The group I was with shared their moving stories and made their “ask” in such clear and moving ways! Clearly, you all were very practiced and determined to make a difference. I for one am certain that you did make a difference. The next big event is coming up this Saturday! Katrina Gay has let us know that a local PR firm, 31,000 Feet, will be filming a movie pro-bono for a NAMI Public Service Announcement in Dallas on Saturday, Feb. 28. Some details: •The movie will be shot at Kidd Springs Park in Oak Cliff. •The time for the movie shoot will be 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. •We need 300 people to serve as movie extras in the film. Part of the soul of the project is that •We are NOT using *professional* actors but engaging *real* NAMI folks. •At the location, we will have a staging area including a sign-in station, food and refreshments, etc….similar to a Walk site in many ways. •We will also be shooting a behind the scenes video and gathering some photo assets as well. What an incredible Pre-Walk event, don’t you think? I can’t wait to see who all shows up in the park to be part of this event. Who know? You could be “discovered” and end up on TV and/or on the NAMI National website! We have lots of exciting meetings and events yet to come all leading up to what is quickly becoming THE mental health event of the year—NAMIWalks! May is just around the corner so I hope that you’re growing your team and getting ready to walk for NAMI! Take care, and I’ll see you soon! Sherry Cusumano

Sherry Cusumano, RN, MS, LCDC President of NAMI Dallas Director of Region 2 on the NAMI Texas Board of Directors


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Raise Awareness and Become a Hero

Take just one day out of your busy schedule and walk with us on May 9, 2015. Mental illness can interrupt so many lives if left untreated. YOUR presence shows strength in numbers. Brian Cuban- author, attorney and mental health advocate (also brother of billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban) will serve as our honorary chair. Brian Cuban is a person living in recovery who shares his story nationwide. Also in attendance will be Admiral Patrick Walsh (Ph.D.) a leader in veteran advocacy and a mental health supporter. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this amazing movement? See below for ways to participate in NAMIWalks Dallas.

Visit www.namiwalks.org/dallas

Register as an individual walker, sign up on a team or create your own team!

Fundraising Formula! Just as much as we need teams we need our friends to fundraise. Each walker is encouraged to raise at least $100. NAMI national’s suggested formula is $10 each from 10 supporters. How easy is that? Make your team winners!

Fundraising formula isn’t challenging enough- try some of national’s other suggestions like a bake sale, car wash or a cook off.

Encourage your employer to be sponsor

Volunteer on the day of NAMIWalks. We need committed individuals to volunteer for: Registration

Cheering section at the beginning and end of the 5k walk

Physically fit folks to help unload water

Manage T-Shirts (for walkers who raise $100 or more- verification ticket)

Physically fit folks to help set up and break down tables

At least 4 volunteers to assist NAMI with clean up (very minimal clean up required)

At least 2 volunteers to assist vendors

Start line volunteer

Volunteers for midway water station

Volunteers to pass out water at the end of the walk

For serious interests in volunteering for NAMIWalks on May 9, please email [email protected]

For more information on NAMIWalks teams and Corporate Sponsorship visit www.namidallas.org under the NAMIWalks tab!

Many hands make light work~ John Heywood

http://www.namiwalks.org/dallas




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The Recovery Corner

I was 18, looking out a dorm window and saying “just jump” to myself. I remember I was very shocked at this, as I did not remember reading anything about this in the UCLA brochure. Needless to say, I dropped out of a college and checked myself into my first “psych ward”. I was suicidal and I thought the hospital would be a safe place where I could take a break from life. When my roommate told me she was God and that she was going to kill me, I knew this was not going to be the break I was looking for. I thought to myself ” What am I doing in here with all of these crazy people?” It turns out these people were my people. The doctors weren’t quite sure what my diagnosis was, so they tried me on anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and a strong drug on which I could not even tie my own shoes. They discharged me and I was just as hopeless and suicidal as before.

My family was the only thing that kept me alive. I quickly got hired and fired from jobs. I fell quickly back into that black, sinking hole. It’s not that I wanted to necessarily die, I just didn’t want to live like that anymore. More hospital stays and more medication failures. Finally, they put me on an anti-depressant that actually worked. It was great, except I was hyper as hell (hum, can anyone say bi-polar?). Depressed and suicidal again, I decided to visit my friend in Utah. One night at her house, I sat on her stairs and poured a bottle of pills in my hand. I was ready to swallow them when that damn friend of mine came down and spoiled all my plans.

Another visit to another psych ward followed. I always tried to keep my sense of humor in these “retreats”, because I had to keep laughing to keep from crying. Luckily, having read and studied about many anti-depressants over the years, I suggested what might work. It did and I moved back home. Everything was great until I met this “wonderful” doctor” who basically said I was cured and could come off all medication. Since he was the doctor, I trusted him. So of course, I got fired from yet another job and fell into a major depression. I was suicidal again and got back on the “let’s try this medication” train again. Nothing worked.

After enduring this fight for 22 years and not having anything left in me, I agreed when the hospital suggested electric shock therapy. I did not even care if it fried my brain. My soul was dead. I had nothing left to give. I received several treatments and they actually worked. Thank God I was alive and happy again. Still hyper, however. After reading about Bipolar 2 one day I thought “this is me”. The doctor confirmed it and after all these years, I had the correct diagnosis. I was finally at peace. Now, I never take a day for granted. I never forget to say “I love you” to someone and I never forget to thank God for getting me through those terrible struggles. NAMI has helped me in that I took their Peer to Peer class that taught me many valuable life skills and lessons. It also showed me that I was not alone in my illness. I am inspired now to become an In Our Voices speaker so I can help others with own my experience, hope, and perseverance!

The Recovery Corner is a section in which persons living with a mental illness in recovery can share a story of hope and recovery with our readers.

A Long Journey of Healing

By: Anonymous


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Tribute

It is said that many people who truly knew Mr. Spencer Katz described him as a talented

and kind man. Spencer used his mental illness as a way to reach and help others in need.

Although he left this world too soon, Spencer’s memory will remain. NAMI Dallas would

like to take this time to honor his life by sharing a wonderful poem written by Spencer.

Understand and Advocate

It’s a chink in the armor, a ghost in the

machine. This disease they call mental illness

tis all a bad dream. We wrinkle our brows in

search of cure. Is it near or is it obscure? One

pill makes your nauseous, one makes you

sleep. The demons not on the outside, it lurks

very deep. Tis not birth trauma, nor torrents of

guilt. Tis not very helpful, the house Freud

built. Neither blame nor shame should play a

part. Neither pity nor insincerity should tear us

apart. A message to the wise from one who

knows: hold back the pity and the shallow

hellos, advocate for consideration, equity and

such, to care for each other is never too much.

~Spencer Daniel Katz (1994)

February 16, 1966 - February 2, 2015


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Step by Step

About Brian Cuban and Step by Step

Brian Cuban is an author whose best-selling book, "Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body

Dysmorphic Disorder," chronicles his first-hand experiences living with, and recovering from, clinical

depression, eating disorders, drug addiction and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Brian speaks

regularly about his recovery and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. He has spoken at

colleges and universities across the United States and in Canada. He has keynoted prestigious

events such the Entertainment Industries Council 3rd Annual Media And Mental Health Awards. Brian

has appeared on national talk shows such as the Katie Couric show discussing the above issues.

Brian also writes extensively on these subjects

Phenomenal story shared by Mr. Brian Cuban presented by Texas

Womens University (TWU)

Event: Brian Cuban’s A Journey To Recovery: Step by Step

Date: 3/11/15

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: CFO 205

Address: 304 Administration Drive, Denton, TX 76204

Price: Free – No registration required

Questions: Please contact Ms. Ashely Phillips, TWU NAMI on Campus

President via email at [email protected]



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Announcements

Many of you have been experienced several events in their life, positive and negative. NAMI Dallas wanted to remind each of you that memorials, donations and contributions can be made in honor of a loved one or someone who has captured your heart. If you would like send any of the above, please feel free to contact NAMI Dallas via phone, email and/or paper mail. We’d love to hear from you and acknowledge your support and tribute.

Dallas NAMIWalks Team Captain Kick Off Luncheon March 12, 2015 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Communities Foundation of Texas. RSVP by 3.5.15 if you’re interested or have already registered as a team captain!

Mark your calendars!! Our next walk date is May 9, 2015 at 8a.m. with honorary chair Brian Cuban, director of the Mark Cuban Foundation and brother of Investor, Notable Businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Like NAMI Dallas on our official Facebook page, follow us on Twitter; connect with us on Google+ or LinkedIn. It’s simple: Go to our website, www.namidallas.org and click on a social media icon above in the top right corner and it will direct you to the social media page of your choice.



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NAMI Dallas

(National Alliance on Mental Illness) Find Help. Find Hope. 2812 Swiss Avenue

Dallas, TX 75204

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday Ph: (214) 341-7133 Email: [email protected] www.namidallas.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID RICHARDSON, TX

75080

PERMIT NO. 158



Find Help. Find Hope. ---------------------------------------- An Affiliate ......Volume 18, No. 3...

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Transcript of Find Help. Find Hope. ---------------------------------------- An Affiliate ......Volume 18, No. 3...