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Welcome to the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Portage/Wood Counties chapter!  FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK:
Portage County Health and Human Services has teamed up with Midstate Independent Living Consultants to open a drop-in center for adults with mental illnesses here in Stevens Point. ROCC Point is set to open August 2, and will be open Monday - Friday, from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm. NAMI members can support this new venture in several ways. Donations of furniture, food, silverware, pots and pans, and appliances are needed. Once open, the center will also need volunteers. Anyone interested in donating time & talents, furniture, food, silverware, pots & pans, or appliances to the new drop-in center can call Robyn Siskoff at 715-344-4210.
Trainings for two NAMI educational programs are being offered early this fall. Parents and Teachers as Allies (PTA) is a NAMI-sponsored educational in-service program for school professionals to assist children/adolescents living with a mental illness. The next facilitator training will be October 9 in Madison; registration deadline is September 3. NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness, whose onset started at or before age 13. Facilitator training is September 10-13 in Wisconsin Rapids. Registration deadline is August 12. It would be great if we could get a team trained for each of these programs.
--Marvin Lutz, President
 ************************************************************************************************** NEW INFORMATION! ************************************************************************************************** ROCC POINT TO OPEN
AUGUST 2 ROCC Point is a goal driven recovery center for people experiencing mental health/illness issues. On site peers are available to share their experiences and recovery processes to help support recovery for participants. ROCC Point staff assist participants in setting and achieving goals and assisting participants to develop meaningful relationships and support systems.
Community Skills Development: Independent living skills development, social skills and community involvement, money management skills training, transportation training
Employment Related Skills: Identifying barriers, job searching, benefits counseling, assistance completing job applications, interviewing skills development
Illness Management and Recovery Education: Illness management, recovery education, managing medication, self advocacy, crisis planning, support system development
Activities: Support groups, cooking, art, rummage room, gardening, movies, games, special projects, social networking, education, volunteer opportunities
Location: 2040 Jefferson Street, Stevens Point
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Information: 715-344-4210
Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc.
“Working for persons with disabilities towards empowerment to make informed choices”
************************************************************************************************ August 14: NAMI Wisconsin Regional Mini-Conferences Northcentral Technical College, Center for Health Sciences Building, 2nd Floor, Room 2005, 1000 West Campus Drive, Wausau
9 am-2 pm
Event is free to any affiliate leaders and actively supporting members. Interested affliate members are asked to pre-register by August 2. Contact Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522 for registration materials and information. ************************************************************************************************
NAMI TRAININGS, REGISTRATION DEADLINES COMING UP QUICKLY • Family to Family Teacher training will be July 30-August 1 at the Ramada City Center, Milwaukee. Registration deadline is July 25.
• NAMI Wisconsin Affiliate & Membership Regional Conference will be August 14 from at Northcentral Technical College, Wausau. Registration deadline is August 2. • NAMI Basics Teacher training will be September 10-12 at the Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids. Registration deadline is August 12.
• Peer-to-Peer Mentor training is October 1-3 in LaCrosse. Registration deadline is September 10. • Parents and Teachers As Allies Facilitator training is October 9, from 9:30 am-5 pm at the Comfort Suites, Madison. Registration deadline is September 3.
Please call Marvin Lutz (715-592-4522) for more information and for registration forms. ************************************************************************************************** BECOME A FACILITATOR FOR NAMI BASICS OR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AS ALLIES, MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS NAMI Wisconsin is sponsoring two important trainings this fall to help foster understanding and alleviate suffering of children with mental illness. NAMI Portage/Wood Counties would like to send members interested in becoming facilitators for these programs to the trainings.
NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness, whose onset started at or before age 13. Facilitator training is September 10-13 in Wisconsin Rapids. Registration deadline is August 12.
Parents and Teachers as Allies (PTA) is a NAMI-sponsored educational in-service program for school professionals to assist children/adolescents living with a mental illness. Training for PTA presenters will take place on Saturday, October 9 from 9:30 am-5 pm. A light breakfast, lunch and a snack will be provided. Some funds may be available for presenter trainees who are traveling more than 100 miles who need assistance with overnight costs for Friday night. If you require assistance with an overnight stay, please notify Marvin Lutz when you register. Registration deadline is September 3.
NAMI Basics Teacher Training requirements
This course is designed to be taught using a co-leader training model. Both teachers must have been trained in use of the curriculum by either a NAMI National trainer or a nationally certified state trainer. Those interested in being trained to teach the curriculum must meet the following criteria: • Be the parent or other primary caregiver of an individual who began experiencing symptoms at or prior to the age of 13 (although the child need not have been formally diagnosed prior to 13). • Be at a point in their life where they are familiar and comfortable with the emotional issues families face and can self-disclose about their own feelings of guilt, anger, shame, ambivalence and grief regarding their life situation. • Be willing to participate in an intensive weekend training on how to teach the curriculum. • Be willing to make the commitment to participants in the course, the co-leader and to the NAMI organization to complete the 15-hour course once it begins.
NAMI Parents and Teachers as Allies Facilitator Training requirements
The following four presenters are required to adequately conduct a PTA in-service in our community: • NAMI Facilitator: An adult volunteer who is an active NAMI member. This individual may be a family member, consumer or professional. As the NAMI Facilitator you will be part of the presentation team. You will also be the primary contact for schools who wish to set up a PTA in-service. As the NAMI Facilitator, you are asked to provide NAMI Wisconsin with information about the in-service sessions your PTA team provides. • School Professional: This volunteer should be a working or retired teacher, guidance counselor or social worker with an interest in ensuring school professionals better understand the needs of youth living with mental illness. He or she should be a NAMI member. • Parent of a Child with Mental Illness: Regardless of the current age of the child, this volunteer should be the parent of someone who developed symptoms of mental illness before the age of 13. He or she should be a NAMI member. • Young Consumer: This volunteer should be a young person who developed symptoms of a mental illness by the age of 13. He or she may be a young adult.
Additionally, team members must all meet the following criteria: • Be comfortable talking about emotional issues young consumers face. • Be willing to participate in an intensive, one day training on how to provide the in-service. • Be willing to present with the identified team. • Be willing to make the commitment to the team, the NAMI affiliate, and to NAMI Wisconsin to complete the entire 7.5-hour training once it begins. • Make a commitment to present the PTA in-service at least twice within 1 year after training. • Adults must maintain a current NAMI annual membership.
Please contact Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522, for more information on these programs, and to obtain registration materials for the trainings. ************************************************************************************************* CIP (CRISIS INTERVENTION PARTNER) TRAINING IN POINT
CIP (Crisis Intervention Partner) training will take place in Stevens Point on August 17-18 at Mid-State Technical College. This two-day workshop is designed for individuals who work in professions related to crisis services. Registrations typically come from corrections officers, EMS personnel, hospital and emergency room personnel, receptionists and case workers in social service and mental health related fields, group home staff, and educators, etc. The training aids in furthering participants' understanding of mental illness and its related issues. For more information please call Kathy Hartman at 715-341-4483. ************************************************************************************************* CLUBHOUSE DEVELOPMENT - WOOD COUNTY An overview and planning about the proposed Clubhouses in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids was presented on June 15th by Pat Ellis, Director of Wood County Unified Services at a meeting in Pittsville. People from various professions and organizations in Wood County listened and gave imput and support, including NAMI Portage & Wood County representatives--Phyllis Werner, Marvin Konopa and Andy Adams. Discussed were possible grant funding sources and community contribution resources for the program, goals of the program for actively involved participants (mental health consumers and families), as well as involvement of the Wood County communities for support and help. Wood County Unified Services would not be running the clubhouses. The participants (members of the clubhouse) would run the clubhouses and informally and formally work on personal, educational, psycho-social and professional goals and receive help and support from people working on similar goals. The anticipatory time frame for opening the clubhouses would be approximately a year. ~ Reported by Phyllis Werner
************************************************************************************************ MINISTRY MEDICAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP
MONTHLY MEETING SPEAKER: DR. MARCO DOTTI TOPIC: SLEEP AND MENTAL HEALTH
Monday Ministry Home Care Bldg., Oak Room (old Rice Clinic Building)
July 26th 2501 Main Street
6-7 pm Stevens Point
Free and open to the public.
For more information call Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522 ************************************************************************************************* SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE GROUP TO MEET 1ST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH
Ministry Medical Group in Stevens Point will be sponsoring a Survivors of Suicide support group, beginning August 2nd. The group will meet the 1st Monday of every month in the chapel at St. Michael’s Hospital from 6:30-8 pm. Contact Michelle Nelson, MSW, LCSW, CADC at (715) 346-5401 for more information. ************************************************************************************************ MINISTRY MEDICAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP
MONTHLY MEETING
SPEAKER: DR. MARCO DOTTI
TOPIC: PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS Monday, August 23rd
6-7 pm
Ministry Home Care Bldg., Oak Room (in the old Rice Clinic) 2501 Main St. Stevens Point
Free and open to the public
Takes the place of NAMI Portage/Wood Counties’ August General Meeting
For more information call Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522.
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WALK FOR HOPE SEPTEMBER 11 Come join us for a 3 mile non-competitive fitness/leisure walk and help bring awareness to suicide prevention in Portage County. Event kickoff is at 9 am at St. Michael’s Hospital, beginning with registration, followed by the annual Providing Hope Award and the walk. Snacks are provided, celebration continues until noon. Fee for the walk is $20 per walker, or $30 per family; however, scholarships are available. Registration forms will be available beginning in August - watch for them in this newsletter. Contact Gary Garske, 715-345-5958 for more information. Proceeds will help sustain suicide prevention efforts in Portage County. **************************************************************************************************
LA CROSSE AREA SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 15 This year’s Suicide Prevention Summit will be September 15, from 8 am-4:30 pm at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse, Wis. Keynote speaker Dr. Shawn Shea is an internationally acclaimed author/workshop leader/innovator in such fields as suicide prevention, building resiliency and clinical interviewing; Stevens Point native Suzy Favor Hamilton is a family survivor, motivational speaker and Olympic athlete. Workshop topics include: Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper Training; Returning Veterans and Suicide; Chronic Mental Illness and Suicide Risk; Incarceration and Criminal Justice; Youth Prevention Issues; Grief Work and Survivors; Family Survivor Panel; and much more.
A free Music, Speakers and Awareness Event is scheduled for September 14, 6 pm, at Riverside Park in La Crosse. Suzy Favor Hamilton is scheduled to speak at this event as well.
Cost is $65, and includes the full conference, refreshments, lunch, materials and continuing education hours. For program information and registration contact Karen Langaard, 608-785-6508 or e-mail her at
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, or visit their website: www.uwlax.edu/conted/suicideprevention/ . ************************************************************************************************ FREE QPR (SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING) AVAILABLE FOR PORTAGE, WOOD COUNTIES Every 17 minutes someone in America dies by suicide... Spend an hour, save a life! QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a 60 minute training that teaches participants warning signs for suicide and the three-step QPR method. To schedule a FREE one-hour training for your organization or business contact: Wood County Health Department, 715-421-8911 or 715-387-8646 or e-mail Karen Brewer at
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. Or call Bobbi Bradley, Portage County Health & Human Services, 715-345-5958. Sponsored by Healthy People Wood County Mental Health Implementation Team and Healthy People Portage County Suicide Prevention Committee. ************************************************************************************************* NAMI LAUNCHES SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE FOR YOUNG ADULTS: Mental Health, Finances, Relationships, Music and More
NAMI has launched www.strengthofus.org, a new online community where young adults living with mental health concerns can provide mutual support in navigating unique challenges and opportunities during the critical transition years from ages 18 to 25. Linked to this site is www.halfofus.com, featuring personal stories of vets, celebrities, etc. living with mental illness.
************************************************************************************************* A Great Week for Wisconsin’s Mental Health
Wisconsin Parity Act Passes Assembly on 57 - 40 Bipartisan Vote
Mental Health America Applauds Passage of 3 Bills
For more information contact:
Shel Gross, Director of Public Policy, Mental Health America (April 20, 2010 Madison) - Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA) applauds Legislative action on three bills that, together, will serve to reduce the risk and impact associated with mental and addictive disorders:
• The Wisconsin Parity Act (SB362), which passed the Assembly on a 57-40 vote on Thursday, extends the provisions of the federal Wellstone-Domenici Act to smaller businesses ensuring that hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin citizens have adequate access to mental health and addiction treatment. The bill previously passed the Senate, also with bipartisan support.
• SB154 will require, among other things, that all school districts implement bullying prevention programs and policies. Bullying is a significant risk factor for development of emotional disturbances in our youth and, as we have seen again recently, can be a risk factor for suicide.
• AB296 will extend the reach of coordinated service teams to more families involved in multiple public systems of care; these families are often struggling with multiple issues that can put family members at risk. By coordinating the activities of these systems, these families can be stabilized more quickly. Funding to expand this program to additional counties was also provided.
“These bills represent three important policy initiatives that the mental health community has been working on for many, many years,” said Shel Gross, MHA’s Director of Public Policy. “We are thrilled to see the growing recognition that mental health is an integral part of health care and that we, as a society, need to be proactive in reducing the risk for mental and addictive disorders.”
MHA wishes to thank Sen. Hansen and Rep. Pasch, for their considerable efforts in moving the Wisconsin Parity Act through the Legislature. While there were concerns about the costs to businesses of adding this new requirement, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) confirmed last week that the premium impact would be small and that benefits could be considerable. The lagging economy is actually a reason for acting now: mental health risks are increased as workers and their families struggle with cuts in pay and hours, increased work loads and uncertainty about what the future holds.
SB154 came out of a Legislative Council Study Committee on School Safety, co-chaired by Sen. Lehman and Rep. Pridemore. Not only is bullying a school safety issue, but addressing bullying is essential if our children are to have an environment conducive to education. We also wish to thank Sen. Kedzie who has promoted the bullying piece of this legislation in prior sessions.
AB296 came out of a Legislative Council Study Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families. MHA wants to recognize the leadership of Sen. Taylor and Rep. Kestell in bringing the bill to life and the assistance of Sen. Miller in moving the bill through Joint Finance.
According to the Social and Financial Impact Statement prepared by OCI mental disorders affect about one in four adults and one in five children; all told approximately 1.4 million Wisconsin citizens have some form of mental illness. But treatment, which may involve both psychotherapy and medications, is highly effective and most individuals can recover and lead meaningful and productive lives.
“Treatment, especially when provided early in the course of the illness, can reduce overall health care costs, because the presence of a mental disorder can interfere with treatment compliance for other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease," noted Kristina Finnel, Interim President and CEO of MHA. “There are also considerable benefits to employers in reduced absenteeism, improved productivity and reduced disability claims.”
MHA is a private, non-profit organization that has been providing mental health information, education, advocacy and support to Milwaukee and Wisconsin since 1930. For more information, visit our website at www.mhawisconsin.org
************************************************************************************************** ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST? -OR-
ARE YOU PLANNING ON HIRING CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS?
Certified Peer Specialists’ goals are to:
• Focus on recovery
• Promote wellness
• Facilitate self direction
• Foster independent living
• Enhance the ability of service recipients
to achieve their chosen goals
Peer Specialists are examples of recovery with experience and training. Be part of a rewarding career experience by becoming a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist! Find out about the 2010 Employment Initiatives. For more information contact Alice F. Pauser, WI Peer Specialist Program Coordinator, 608-242-8484 Ext. 224,
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. ************************************************************************************************* NEW VA CLINIC OPEN IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS IN APRIL excerpt from piece by Nathaniel Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune staff, printed March 4, 2010.
A new VA clinic is set to open in Wisconsin Rapids in April. The new clinic will offer expanded primary care and mental health services as well as an on-site lab with overnight courier service to its 24-hour lab in Milwaukee. It also will provide psychiatry services via Web conferencing technology and a new audiology department, with officials hoping to add optometry services within the first year, according to Joanne Gernhart, community-based outpatient coordinator at the Tomah VA Medical Center. In addition, leaders want to hold classes for patients who have a diagnosis of morbid obesity. The Wisconsin Rapids Clinic is located at 710 East Grand Ave., PO Box 26, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, Ph: 715-424-3844.
Other VA clinics in our area include: Loyal Clinic, 141 N. Main Street, Loyal, WI 54446, Ph: 715-255-9799; Wausau Clinic, 515 South 32nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401, Ph: 715-842-2834; Parent Facility: Tomah VA Medical Center, 500 E. Veterans Street, Tomah, WI 54660, Ph: 608-372-3971 or 800-872-8662.
NAMI applauds the attention and understanding the Veterans’ Administration is giving to the medical needs of those who have served our country, and we thank them for their continued work in treating the mental health of our veterans. ************************************************************************************************* NEW RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES: VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK, VETERANS PRESS “1”
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.
VETERANS CAN CHAT LIVE THROUGH NEW ONLINE SERVICE
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Lifeline launched an online chat service for veterans in emotional distress available at: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans. Veterans are encouraged to chat online anonymously with a counselor during the operating hours of 4:00 pm-7:30 am EST Daily. Friends and family members of a veteran in crisis are also welcomed to use Veterans Chat. ************************************************************************************************** FIND HELP WITH THE COST OF MEDICINE AT NeedyMeds NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of helping people who can't afford to pay for their medications. This web-based organization features U.S. programs in all 50 states and serves as a clearinghouse for pharmaceutical assistance programs as well as state and local programs that provide financial or medical assistance. NeedyMeds has information on more than 2,400 programs such as Patient Assistance Programs (PAPS), which provide medicine at no cost or at a discount to people who qualify; a database of Free/Low Cost Clinics; Disease-Based Assistance - programs that help with the costs of specific diseases and conditions, including some insurance co-pays and premiums; State Programs - programs offering various types of assistance with healthcare costs for residents of specific states. Visit the NeedyMeds website: www.NeedyMeds.org, e-mail them at
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, or contact them by mail at PO Box 219, Gloucester, MA 01931.
************************************************************************************************** NATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION JOINS MedicAlert FOUNDATION TO OFFER MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® A 24-hour comprehensive protection system for children, adolescents, and adults with bipolar disorder or a related condition and their families (Press Release excerpt from the National Bipolar Foundation)
Bipolar disorder is said to affect at least 1 in 100 people and some say as many as 1 in 25. This cooperative effort between NBPF and MedicAlert Founda-tion will have a widespread impact on our society. Children, adolescents, and adults living with bipolar disorder or a related condition, who are involved in accidents and unable to speak for themselves will have the MedicAlert Emergency Medical Information Service speaking for them, informing hospital staff and medical providers of their diagnoses and current medications in order to avoid potential dangerous withdrawal and acute onset of instability in regards to any symptoms of bipolar disorder. And when a person with bipolar or a related condi-tion finds him/herself in an unfore-seen incident, responders will react in an appropriate manner; thus given the opportunity to defuse the situation or transport the person to an appropriate facility. It is expected that this will ultimately create jail diversion, thereby benefitting all of society. The MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® program will benefit individuals wearing the identification jewelry, reduce stress on their families and ultimately reduce the cost of their care for all taxpayers.
Each individual enrolled in the program will be provided with a personalized MedicAlert ID and a MedicAlert wallet card that provide emergency responders with identifi-cation information, and details on any additional critical medical conditions or life-threatening allergies. Additional information is provided to first responders when they call the MedicAlert 24-hour Emergency Response Center.
The MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® program also ensures that designated family members will be notified if an individual requires emergency medical treatment in a caregiver’s absence; caregivers will have the reassurance that any time a person wearing a MedicAlert ID has been located or treated, MedicAlert Foundation will contact them immediately.
For more information, call MedicAlert at 888-633-4298 or visit www.medicalert.org or www.nationalbipolarfoundation.org. |
