Family to Family Teacher and Peer to Peer Mentors trainings are to be held March 23-25 in Green Bay. Deadline to return signed application forms is February 15, 2012. For more information and forms contact Marvin Lutz, 6617 Old Hwy 18 Rd, Stevens Point, WI 54482, or phone 715-592-4522, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

There will be a NAMI Basics Class offered February 6th through March 12, 2012. The class will meet every Monday, for a total of six sessions. The class will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 600 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. NAMI Basics is free, but registration is required. Please call Laura or Mollie Deverell at 715-570-7348, or 715-303-8363 for more information.

The following information is taken from NAMI National:

NAMI Basics Education Program
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness

What is NAMI Basics?

NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.  The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.

The course consists of six classes, each lasting for 2 ½ hours.  
All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

"A BETTER WAY CLUBHOUSE" TO OPEN IN MARSHFIELD

We would like to invite you and any interested parties to visit “A Better Way Clubhouse” on Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:00 am for an open house. Snacks will be provided.

A Better Way Clubhouse was established to provide a safe and friendly environment for adults with mental illness. Its purpose is to assist individuals with their recovery by offering support, activities and independent living skills. We hope this will be a valuable community resource for individuals with mental illness as well as for family members and those who provide services for them.

We are located in Marshfield at 205 S. Cherry Avenue, next to Faith Lutheran Church. We are open Monday through Friday from 10:30 am–3:30 pm. We can be reached by phone at (715) 207-6622. Or you can call Robyn Siskoff at 715-344-4210 or 800-382-8484 for more information.

If you can’t be there on February 22nd, feel free to visit anytime during open hours.

Hope to see you soon!


Robyn Siskoff
Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc.

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