|
Welcome to the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Portage/Wood Counties chapter! FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK:
The Iris, a quarterly publication of NAMI Wisconsin, is doing articles on some of NAMI Wisconsin affiliates this year. Watch for the next issue of The Iris as NAMI Portage/Wood Counties will be featured.
We need help folding, along with applying stamps and address labels to our monthly newsletter. The mailing has become so large it is too much for our present volunteers to handle. Please call or e-mail me to find out how you could help us. If you are not presently receiving the monthly newsletter by e-mail please let us send it to you this way to save us the high cost of postage and printing.
The trainings for Family to Family teachers for 2010 will be March 26-28, 2010 and July 28- Aug.1, 2010. We need to have at least two people trained this year as we would like to have a class in Stevens Point again this year. Please consider being a teacher as this is such a worthwhile program and is certainly needed.
--Marvin Lutz, President 
NEW INFORMATION! NAMI Wisconsin is partnering with Community Advocates and other groups to host "Making Parity Real" events throughout the state. We are looking for local advocates who can sit on a reactor panel to comment on what parity will mean and what policy or system changes might need to occur as parity becomes a true reality for Wisconsin citizens. Please contact Jennifer Lowenberg, 800-236-2988, if you have any questions. Jennifer Lowenberg is the Advocacy and Training Specialist for NAMI Wisconsin, Inc. You're invited to help shape the future of addiction and mental health treatment in Wisconsin.
The next Making Parity Real symposium will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 5 at Northcentral Technical College, Building E, Rooms 101/102 (1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau. Attendance is free, but registration is required by Wednesday, March 3.
Making Parity Real will feature a moderated dialogue among state policymakers and northcentral Wisconsin stakeholders -- including treatment providers, advocates, the recovery community, consumers and law enforcement officials -- to assess the major state policy challenges facing addiction and mental health services in Wisconsin.
Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) will co-host the symposium with Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) and Daivd Riemer, Director of the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.
Making Parity Real is a statewide series; based on information learned during this and other symposia, state lawmakers and policymakers will be presented with recommendations to improve the treatment of mental health and addiction illnesses and disorders in Wisconsin.
Through moderated discussion, panelists will explore:
· The quantity, cultural competency and location of providers.
· The adequacy of public and private funding sources.
· The ability of non-medical providers to administer treatment.
· Strategies to reduce stigma.
· Other non-financial barriers to receiving treatment services.
Making Parity Real will also feature updates on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), emerging Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations on addiction and mental health treatment, and Wisconsin legislative proposals including the Wisconsin Parity Act. The Wisconsin Parity Act will require most group health plans in Wisconsin to provide mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits at parity levels, increasing treatment for hundreds of thousands of people in Wisconsin, saving lives and lowering costs.
Tell Us Your Ideas
We are eager for you to share your ideas about how to provide improved coverage, access and outcomes for Wisconsinites seeking mental health and addiction care.
MINISTRY MEDICAL GROUP PSYCHIATRISTS LEAVING OUTPATIENT SERVICES
A recent letter sent to patients of Ministry Psychiatry from Mark Fenlon, M.D., Ministry’s Regional Vice President, gave the time line of its four psychiatrists leaving the Stevens Point outpatient services. Drs. Girod and Harter will see patients until February 5, 2010, after which time they will work for inpatient services at St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Stenovitch is scheduled to join Aspirus in Wausau, seeing patients here until January 20, 2010. Dr. Knapp will see patients here until February 18, 2010 and then join the Marshfield Clinic.
Ministry recognizes the changes will cause a disruption of services to many clients and is actively recruiting new psychiatrists. In the meantime, their office staff will be assisting with medication refills until April 30, 2010, will help identify other providers for psychiatric care, and will assist in the transfer of records at no cost. The ongoing counseling services at the office are not affected by these changes; counseling services remain available.
NAMI Portage/Wood Counties encourages everyone affected by these changes to take the necessary steps in locating another psychiatrist by working closely with Ministry’s staff until a new provider is established. To aid in the transition, it may be useful to consider the addition of counseling services and/or attendance at local support groups. Please see the listing in the column to the left of this article for the area NAMI support group schedule.
SUPPORT GROUP NEWS
Marshfield area Family and Consumer support groups will resume meeting in February at Immanuel Lutheran Church on the second Saturday and Thursday of the month. The Stevens Point Consumer support group will begin meeting twice a month, 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in March. The Wisconsin Rapids Consumer support group continues to meet the first three Tuesdays of each month at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. See support group column on front page of newsletter for more details. MARSHFIELD PLANNING PEER TO PEER, FAMILY TO FAMILY CLASSES FOR SPRING 2010
Peer to Peer and Family to Family programs will be held in the Marshfield area, probably starting in April. More information will be forthcoming, as plans develop. Anyone interested in helping with publicity or preparation of class materials, or in need of more information on these classes, call Phyllis Werner at 715-387-1016. For information on Peer to Peer teacher training contact Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522, or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
FIRST WINTER POT LUCK “SNOW-IN” A SUCCESS!
The first winter NAMI Portage/ Wood Counties pot luck "snow-in" was held in Stevens Point on Monday, January 18. It was a very enjoyable evening with over twenty of us meeting for a wonderful assortment of casseroles, salads, breads, snacks and desserts. More important, we met for conversa-tion and fellowship. We ended the evening with a spirited game of Bingo, lots of laughter, and a desire to get together again. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the fun.
~ Submitted by Kathy Hartman WISCONSIN PEER SPECIALIST PROGRAM PRESENTATION FOR FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING
Alice Pauser, Wisconsin Peer Specialist Program Coordinator, will offer information on this new, exciting program. Information on employment as a certified peer specialist and on hiring certified peer specialists will be addressed. Meeting will be at 7 pm, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 600 N. Wilshire Blvd, Stevens Point. See flyer below for more details on this valuable initiative. This program is free and open to the public. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST? WWW.SCE-PEERSPECIALIST.UWM.EDU
-OR-
ARE YOU PLANNING ON HIRING CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS?
A PRESENTATION BY ALICE F. PAUSER, WI PEER SPECIALIST PROGRAM COORDINATOR, 608-242-8484 EXT. 224,
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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.
MONDAY ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FEBRUARY 15TH 600 N. WILSHIRE BLVD.
7:00 P.M. STEVENS POINT
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information call Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522
NAMI Wisconsin 2010 Annual Conference
Taking the Journey Together: The Art of Living with Serious Mental Illness
Co-Hosted by NAMI Brown County, April 30 – May 1, 2010
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
NAMI Wisconsin’s annual conference has been providing nationally recognized speakers, informative workshops, print resources, and networking opportunities for mental health consumers, family members, and health care providers for over twenty-five years. Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be Friday's keynote speaker.
This year’s specialist topics will include: Depression and Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorders, Dual Diagnosis, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia Disorders.
NAMI Program introduction workshops will include: Crisis Intervention Training, NAMI- Past, Present and Future, In Our Own Voice, NAMI Basics, Peer to Peer, Planning for the Future, Launching a New Affiliate.
Other topics include: Pregnancy & Parenting with Mental Illness, Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Veterans.
Conference Registration Fees
• Members, Family, & Caregivers: 2 Day Registration- $115 / 1 Day Registration- $70
• Professionals: 2 Day Registration- $195 / 1 Day Registration- $105
• Low Income: 2 Day Registration- $65 / 1 Day Registration- $45
Scholarships have been offered in the past to cover registration costs; contact NAMI Wisconsin early for scholarship information.
Registration forms and speaker information coming soon. Visit NAMI Wisconsin’s website: www.namiwisconsin.org, or call NAMI Wisconsin: 608-268-6000, or 800-236-2988. E-mail is
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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. 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. |
