NAMI News for January 2012!

The next NAMI Portage/ Wood Counties Board meeting is Monday January 9, 2012,  5:15 pm at ROCC Point, 2040 Jefferson St. Stevens Point.

The Stevens Point Family Support Group meets January 9th instead of January 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at ROCC
Point, 2040 Jefferson Ave., Stevens Point. It normally meets the first Monday of the month, or the
second Monday if there’s a holiday. For information call 341-4483.

The Stevens Point Consumer Support Group meets the first and third Thursdays at 6:30 pm at ROCC
Point, 2040 Jefferson Ave., Stevens Point. For information call 498-2809 or 824-7276.

The Wisconsin Rapids Consumer Support Group has been cancelled until further notice.

The Marshfield Consumer Support Group meets second Thursdays 7:00 p.m. at 604 S. Chestnut St.,
Marshfield. For information call 384-6790.

The Marshfield Family Support Group meets second Saturdays, 604 S. Chestnut, Marshfield. (387-1016)

Ministry Medical’s Emotional Support Group meets January 23rd and the fourth Monday of each
month at 2501 Main Street, Stevens Point (Oak Room) from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. This month’s meeting will
be an open discussion.

Mark your calendars for this year’s NAMI Conference, May 6th and 7th, at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn.
Details at namiwisconsin.org.

Mental health advocate and consumer Bill MacPhee is coming to town! Founder and CEO of the mental illness publications SZ Magazine and Anchor Magazine, MacPhee will share the story of his own illness of schizophrenia and how he was affected by paranoia, hallucinations, depression and suicidal ideation. He speaks candidly about his own personal journey and how mental illness affects not just the individual but the entire family. Don't miss this powerful presentation that provides hope and encouragement to all who are affected by mental illness.

What: Free Community Presentation sponsored by Ministry Medical and Healthy People Portage County
Who: Bill MacPhee, international speaker and mental health advocate
When: Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 8 p.m.
Where: Laird Room of the University Center at UWSP, Stevens Point, WI

NAMI of Portage of Wood County is offering two different FREE education programs for people affected by mental illness.

COURSE 1

NAMI Family To Family is a twelve week FREE course for family members or friends of those with a serious mental illness. Taught by local NAMI-trained facilitators, the class topics include:

- Information about and treatment of major brain disorders
- Developing coping skills
- Problem solving and self-care
- Locating community resources

This course is an invaluable resource for education, hope and support. Attendees will gain acceptance, understanding and compassion for their loved one with a mental illness.

The Family to Family class begins Thursday, September 15 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm and runs for twelve weeks (except Thanksgiving). It is held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 600 N. Wilshire Blvd. in Stevens Point. To register or for more information, call Kathy or John Hartman at 715-341-4483 or Marvin Lutz 715-492-4522.

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COURSE 2

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a nine week FREE course for any adult with a mental illness. Taught by local NAMI-trained facilitators, the class offers a holistic approach to recovery through a combination of lecture, discussion, interactive exercises and stress-management techniques.

One participant said, "Peer-to-Peer teaches in ten weeks what it took me twenty years to figure out for myself."

The Peer-to-Peer course begins September 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and runs for ten consecutive weeks. It is held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 600 N. Wilshire Blvd. in Stevens Point. To register or for more information, call Marlene Broeske at 715-384-6790 or Emily Fiedler at 715-344-5826.

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IMPORTANT

Class space for both of these free courses is limited, so it is important to reserve a seat as soon as possible.

NAMI Portage/Wood Counties has scheduled a special board meeting for August 4, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss what part our affiliate will play in the 2011 NAMI Wisconsin Conference in Stevens Point on April 19-21, 2012. The board meeting will be held at Rocc Point, 2040 Jefferson St. in Stevens Point. Anyone interested in this topic is welcome to attend.

I’m pleased to announce the addition of Lynn Gorzlancyk to our newsletter editors’ staff. Thank you for stepping forward.

Information has just been received of two NAMI Wisconsin trainings coming up. They are In Our Own Voices Presenters training and NAMI Basics Teacher training. Our affiliate needs to have people trained for both programs, but especially NAMI Basics. At the present time we need to have a teacher trained so we can offer a NAMI Basics class yet this year. Otherwise, we will need to return the funds we have received to hold the classes.

There is one person signed up for the In Our Own Voices Presenters training; however, we need two to make a team to train together. For more information about the trainings see the write-ups in our newsletter, or call me at 715-592-4522.

—Marvin Lutz, President