FORT BEND NEWS
A grassroots coalition of families, consumers, and friends . . .
May – June 2010
Programs
May - June 2010
___________________________________________________________________
Inside This Issue
1
Programs: May - June
1
GIVE Award
2
Will You Volunteer?
2
NAMI’s RAG TIME
3
Mental Health Emergency Guide
4
Members’ Contributions
5
NAMI Fort Bend Stomps Out Stigma
6
Information
7
Map and Meeting Details
Editor: Mary Ann Watson
Photographs: Larry Davis
May 6, 2010
Program:
Amy Works, Wellness Coordinator
The Gathering Place
Topic: The Gathering Place is a psychosocial clubhouse
founded as a refuge for people with mental illness. Individuals
who join are part of a supportive environment that focuses on
strengths rather than limitations, learning constructive,
positive ways of coping with their illnesses. The Gathering
Place was founded in 1986.
June 3, 2010
Program:
Each year the June meeting and program at
NAMI Fort Bend is designated as the annual business meeting,
election of officers, awards presentations, and social.
Except for the Past President, officers and at-large board
members serve two-year elected terms:
Expiring Term
President – Mark Johnson
Treasurer – Jorge Alonso
At Large – Richard Aldridge
At Large – Bertha Martin
Existing Term
Vice Pres. – Barbara Stegmann
Secretary – Jackie Holley
At Large – Lynn Bannan
At Large – Anitra Johnson
At Large – Mary Ann Watson
At Large – Pat Young
Nominations are still being accepted for all positions in the
EXPIRING term column. Phone 281-494-5193 to express your
interest in serving on the Board. A nominating committee
member will get in touch with you.
A $500 check was awarded to Mark Johnson,
in behalf of NAMI Fort Bend, by the Center
Point Energy’s GIVE (Grant Incentives for
Volunteer Employees) program. Thank you
Mark for devoting your personal time and
talent to NAMI Fort Bend and to Center Point
Energy for their generosity.
Program location:
Time & Place: 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the First United Methodist
Church of Missouri City, Fellowship Hall, located at 3900
Lexington Boulevard, Missouri City TX 77459. First United is
located at Lexington Blvd. and FM 1092 (Murphy Road).
Enter the Fellowship Hall from the Lexington Blvd. entrance.
Programs are open to the public: family members, friends,
clients / consumers.
_________________________________________________________
PAGE 2
NAMI FORT BEND
NAMI’S RAG TIME
Will You Volunteer?
As outlined on page one of this
newsletter, NAMI Fort Bend works
under the direction of our elected
Officers and Board of Directors.
However, our organization cannot
function without the help of
additional volunteers.
We are in critical need of chairpersons
for
committees
to
accomplish our many goals.
NAMI Fort Bend offers education
classes, support groups, monthly
programs, an information hotline,
and social activities. We interact
with city and county government
to advocate for our mentally ill
loved ones. We publish five newsletters
a
year
keeping
our
members informed.
Jobs for our heroes who want to
work and housing for our mentally
ill loved ones are high on the wish
list. There are no hospital beds in
Fort Bend County for the mentally
ill. We must advocate. Please
step up to help with, or to chair
one of these committees:
Social Activities
Public Relations
Education
Fund Raising
Housing
Jobs
Membership
Newsletters
Refreshments
Grant Writing
Programs
Hotline
Government Affairs
Website
Mental Health Liaison
Communications
Reading Analyses Group
by Bertha Martin
What: NAMI’S RAG TIME is a group of individuals
interested in understanding and learning more about
mental illness through reading, analyses and discussions.
Who: For anyone interested in reading the book or
attending the discussion.
Why: To help us cope with the illness of our loved one
with knowledge, understanding and guidelines. To
promote advocacy for our loved ones who have to deal
with this very serious illness.
Where:
When:
Los Gallitos Restaurant
3835 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land TX 77478
281-313-1401
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Pick of the Month: “When Someone You Love Has a
Mental Illness” A Handbook for Family, Friends, and
Caregivers
Author: Rebecca Woolis, MFT
“Woolis presents easy-to-follow practical guidelines for
coping with the multitude of problems that regularly
confront families. In minutes the reader can find helpful
suggestions for dealing with any problems that might
arise” by Christopher S. Amenson, Ph.D., Director, Pacific
Clinics East
Available: Amazon.com $4.99
Barnes and Noble: $17.27 includes tax
Preparation:
y Read the book
y Write down important page numbers
y Write down any questions or points you want to
discuss
If you plan to attend please RSVP:
[email protected]
Positive Thinking – If you want to influence behavior effectively, the best thing to do is ignore
negative behavior as much as you can, and praise positive behavior every chance you get. Study after
study shows that if you “accentuate the positive” people will want to perform the behaviors that earn
them recognition and approval. Many reliable studies indicate that criticism, conflict and emotional
pressure are most highly related to relapse.
NAMI FORT BEND
PAGE 3
Mental Health Emergency Assistance Guide
If someone you know is exhibiting signs of mental illness, it is important to access
mental health services before the situation becomes a crisis. You can access these
services by calling the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) at 1-800-633-5686.
If someone due to their mental state is acting out and there is an immediate
threat of danger to that person or to someone else, call 911. An immediate threat
of danger can include threats to hurt himself or to hurt someone else.
Calling 911
In an emergency when you call 911, it is important that you remain calm. You will
need to provide law enforcement with important information in order for the
emergency to be successfully resolved. Try to speak calmly to the 911 operator and
do not shout. Provide the following information to the 911 Operator.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Your name and address / the location of the incident
Name of the person in crisis / your relationship to that person / provide a
description of the person in crisis
That the person has a mental illness / known diagnosis if possible
Any medications the person takes / has stopped taking medications
Do you feel threatened / any history of violence with the person in crisis
If there are any weapons at the location / if so attempt to remove them
before calling 911 if you can safely do so
What the person in crisis is doing at the time, saying, hearing voices, etc.
Request a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officer if available
When Law Enforcement Arrives
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have all lights turned on in the house if indoors so that everyone can be
clearly seen by the arriving officers.
Have nothing in your hands if you come out to meet the officer.
Do not run up to the officers, they do not know who you are. Responding
officers need to know who the person in crisis is and that, while you may be
agitated, you are not a threat.
Calmly identify yourself and answer any questions the officers might have
regarding the person in crisis.
Don’t assume that the officers have received all of the information you gave
to the 911 operator. Offer any information you think might be helpful, but do
not ramble on.
Be clear and concise. Be aware that the officers will attempt to de-escalate
the situation verbally and that this type of situation can take time. Be patient
and do not interfere once the officers begin to speak to the person in crisis.
Mental Health Emergency Assistance Guide is provided by the Houston Police Department Crisis
Intervention Team (CIT) and the Harris County MHMRA. This guide is modified for resources in
Fort Bend County.
PAGE 4
NAMI FORT BEND
Letter from a member…
Poem submitted by a member…
Austin State Hospital and other hospitals for the
mentally ill are way overdue for funds to improve
the facilities for patient rooms and activity
buildings.
Until The Room Is Filled
Ed and I wrote Governor Perry. His reply letter
made us think he cared for the mentally ill. He
said ASH [Austin State Hospital] is overseen by
the Texas Department of State and Health
Services located in Austin Texas. Our response
from that agency let us know that Governor
Perry and his staff have tied their hands and the
hands of other agencies that help the mentally
ill. The governor said that there aren’t any funds
to help improve hospitals and other agencies for
the mentally ill. ASH hasn’t received any help in
30 years. There are 3 to 4 patients sharing a
room. A staff member at ASH said conditions
could get worse.
Ed and I have written our senator, our
representative, and Senator Dan Patrick of
District 7. We are in District 18. However, we
think Sen. Dan Patrick would be helpful. When
we wrote the above persons, we included Larry’s
[Davis] Fort Bend Herald interview article.
The superintendent of ASH wrote us a really nice
response to our letter. We have been invited to
tour the facilities and observe some of the
programs in existence. The workers are proud of
the programs they provide for the patients. The
superintendent admits that the facilities need
improvement.
By: Tim Cody Stringer
Was it you,
Calling the shots all along?
Putting a stop to my song?
In the background,
Seemingly behind the scenes,
When in reality, you’re still
Holding the reins?
Disguising your voice as that
Of an angel sent from the heavens.
I should have seen through your false light.
I should have perceived your true intentions.
You talk to me all night long,
Whispering until the room is filled
With my own thoughts,
Simmering in the depths of a tomb so chilled.
You claim to be so righteous.
You seem to know the way.
You tell me: “Do not fight this!”
Escaping from you is like trying
To erase the blackened night from the sky.
I don’t want your hate.
I don’t want your objectives.
I feel your pain,
But there’s far more suffering
Upon me that you’ve inflicted.
Sincerely yours,
Please leave and stay gone.
Please go and remain absent.
You are welcome no longer.
You say you’re a blessing,
But I know better.
You’re a destructive burden
That I need to discard.
So get out of my mind.
Go away, away, far!
Maree and Ed Merta
Written about mental illness on Tuesday, 1-20–2009
Ed and I pray that NAMI members will flood the
offices of their state senator and state
representative with letters and phone calls.
Texas Senate
District 13 – Rodney Ellis
District 17 – Joan Huffman
District 18 – Glenn Hegar
Texas House of Representatives
District 26 – Charlie Howard
District 27 – Ron Reynolds (prev. Dora Olivo)
District 28 – John Zerwas
For addresses and phone numbers of these Fort Bend County and surrounding area senators and representatives:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/Members.htm
NAMI FORT BEND
PAGE 5
Stomp Out Stigma
Sandra Vernon, Teresa O’Riley and Bev Davis accept
a $1000 check for NAMI Fort Bend, awarded by Telfair,
recognizing Teresa as one of the top five fund raisers.
A 5K walk around Telfair’s beautiful lake took place on April 10 when NAMI Fort Bend, with the theme “Stomp
Out Stigma” participated as one of the 14 charities in the 3rd annual Telfair Charity of Your Choice Walk. A
tremendous thank you goes out to our two co-chairs for the walk, Teresa O’Riley and Sandra Vernon. Our fund
raising efforts brought in over $6,000!!
PAGE 6
NAMI FORT BEND
Information
TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Intergroup Association
24 hour help line: 713-686-6300
Advocacy Inc. 713-974-7691 or www.advocacyinc.org
or [email protected]
Attention Deficit Disorders Association Southern Region:
www.adda-sr.org or 281-897-0982
PLEASE REMEMBER NAMI FORT BEND WHEN YOU
SHOP: The following grocers will make a donation
to NAMI Fort Bend if you do the following:
KROGER – Have this number scanned one time at
any Kroger checkout. You will be registered for
future purchases at all store locations.
Borderline Personality Disorder National Education Alliance:
www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com
DARS (Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services)
281-342-5685, Rosenberg office
DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
713-600-1131 or www.dbsahouston.org
Fort Bend locations:
3900 Lexington Blvd. Missouri City 281-499-3502
3103 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land 281-265-5774
Gathering Place – 5310 South Willow, Houston 77035
713-729-3799
RANDALLS - Specify charity number 1132 NAMI Fort
Bend for your Remarkable Card at check-out one
time. This will register 1132 for use with your
Remarkable Card for future purchases at all store
locations.
Housing Authority of the City of Rosenberg: 281-342-1456
NAMI Fort Bend
New Membership and Renewal Form
Lawyers Care Fort Bend – 281-325-1015, affiliate of the Fort
Bend Bar Association
Names_______________________________________
Meds (free) for the Financially Challenged:
1-800-762-4636 or www.phrma.org/pap/
______________________________________________
MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) 1-800-633-5686
Address_______________________________________
MHA (Mental Health of America) of Fort Bend County
281-207-2480
______________________________________________
NARSAD (National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia
and Depression): www.narsad.org
State____________ Zip______________
Needs Ministry - East Fort Bend: 281-261-1006
Home phone______________________________
Schizophrenia Digest: www.schizophreniadigest.com
Work phone ______________________________
Second Mile Mission Center – 281-261-9199
504 FM 1092 Suite I, Stafford 77477
Email address______________________________
St. Joseph Clubhouse – 713-523-5958
3307 Austin St., Houston TX 77004
Membership type:
TEXANA Center (MHMR): crisis hotline 1-800-633-5686
Sugar Land: 281-276-4400 Rosenberg: 281-342-6384
NAMI Fort Bend: 281-494-5193 or
website: www.namifortbend.org
NAMI Metropolitan Houston: 713-970-4419 or
website: www.namimetrohouston.org
NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness:
800-950-6264 or www.nami.org
__ Individual / Family ($35.)
__ Clients / Limited Income ($5.)
__ Donation
__ Fort Bend newsletter only
$____________
$____________
$____________
(no charge)
Make check payable to NAMI Fort Bend and
mail to: NAMI Fort Bend
P. O. Box 1223
Sugar Land TX 77487-1223
NAMI FORT BEND
PAGE 7
For your calendar:
Public meetings - 1st Thursday of the month, 7:00 PM, Fellowship Hall
Location: First United Methodist Church Missouri City
3900 Lexington Boulevard, Missouri City TX 77459
Lexington at FM 1092 (Murphy Road)
Support groups - 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 7:00 PM
Location: St. Laurence Catholic Church, Social Concerns Workroom
3100 Sweetwater Boulevard, Sugar Land TX 77479
Officers
NAMI Fort Bend
Board Members
_____________________________________________________________________________
Mark Johnson – President
Barbara Stegmann – Vice President
Jorge Alonso – Treasurer
Jackie Holley – Secretary
Larry Davis – Past President
Reach us at: 281-494-5193
Richard Aldridge
Lynn Bannan
Anitra Johnson
Bertha Martin
Mary Ann Watson
Pat Young
website: www.namifortbend.org
PAGE 8
NAMI FORT BEND
Fort Bend
P. O. Box 1223
Sugar Land TX 77487-1223
Upcoming Public Programs at NAMI Fort Bend
May 6, 2010
Program:
Amy Works, Wellness Coordinator – The Gathering Place
June 3, 2010
Program:
Annual business meeting, election of officers, awards presentations, and social.
Crisis hotline number: 1-800-633-5686
NAMI Fort Bend thanks TEXANA Center for printing this newsletter