Number 174 July-Sept 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
More on Possible Cuts
p.2
Gala has Swing Era Theme p.3
Parent Leaderhsip Network
Joins NAMI
p.4
Trauma Conference Held
p.5
NAMIWalks Kickoff
p.6
NAMIWalks Poster
p.7
NAMI State Conference Flyer p.8
Survey Aids Hospital Project p.9
Workplace Giving
p.10
Contributors
p.11
NAMI Support Groups
p.12
CALENDAR
July - Minority MH Awareness Month
NAMI National Convention
July 6-9
Get to Know NAMI
July 19
August
NAMIWalks Kickoff Breakfast
Aug. 3
Older Adults Teacher Training
Aug. 6
Hope for Recovery Teacher
Training
Aug. 20
Teen Connection Support Group
Leaders Training
Aug. 27
September
NAMIWalks Sept. 24
October
Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct. 2-8
NAMI Connection Facilitator
Training
Oct. 14-16
November
NAMI State Conference
Nov. 5
Family Support Group Faciliator
Training
Nov. 18-19
Huge Mental Health Cuts Remain in Limbo
It was a very tough legislative session.
The looming budget deficit and cries for
no new revenues resulted in legislative
proposals that cut millions from the human services budget – including mental
health services. As this newsletter goes
to print, the legislature and the governor
still had not reached an agreement on
the next biennial budget. NAMI held a
candlelight vigil for mental health services on June 28 on the steps of the State
Capitol.
NAMI was out in full force during the
session, with members at the Capitol
every week educating legislators about
the impact of the proposed cuts. During the first week in May – which is also
Mental Health month – NAMI organized
“Mayday” activities at the Capitol to send
distress signals to legislators. Each day
highlighted a different issue.
“Mayday” Week of Protests
On Monday, advocates exclaimed “Mayday!” with signs and wore life vests.
Notes were handed out to legislators
Regions Breaks Ground on
New Mental Health Facility
Regions Hospital in St. Paul broke ground on a $36
million, eight story mental health building on June
28. Brock Nelson, CEO at Regions, said, “We need
to do it to reflect the importance of mental health.”
Attending the ceremony was NAMI’s executive
director Sue Abderholden (in white jacket). NAMI
is partnering with Regions on a hospital anti-stigma
project (see story on p. 9).
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Throughout the legislative session advocates sent
distress signals to legislators about the impact of
proposed mental health cuts.
with a candy lifesaver on it asking them
to help save the sinking mental health
system. Tuesday was national Children’s
Mental Health Awareness Day and a
press conference was held on cuts to
children’s services. Wednesday focused
on Jails: The New Mental Health System.
Thursday protesters held signs with the
Peanut’s character, Lucy, in her psychiatrist’s booth with a closed sign on it. On
Friday advocates formed a mock waiting
line for emergency room services that
stretched far down the Capitol steps.
For Children’s Mental Health Day, NAMI
organized a press conference to highlight
the cuts to the children’s mental health
system. Members of the press were provided with the Governor’s proclamation
for Children’s Mental Health Day along
with information on each of the grants
that would be eliminated or cut.
At the press conference NAMI’s executive director Sue Abderholden said, “In
Gov. Dayton’s proclamation, he states
‘addressing the complex mental health
needs of children, youth and families
today is fundamental to build the health,
resilience, and future of Minnesota’ and
that ‘all those interested in meeting every
child’s mental health needs should unite
See “In Limbo,” p.2
www.namihelps.org
11
Mental Health Cuts Remain in Limbo...con’t. from p. 1
Anoka Regional Treatment Center.
on this day.’ We stand here united to
address, not ignore, the mental health
needs of Minnesota’s children.”
NAMI is very relieved and grateful that
Governor Dayton vetoed the health and
human services bill, which included all
the devastating funding cuts, along with
the policy provisions.
Meanwhile the Senate was proposing
eliminating many of the children’s mental health grants (such as school-linked,
cultural providers) and reduced others
(crisis services) resulting in a loss of over
$40 million while the House proposed
few cuts in mental health grant funding.
A group of students with Sen. Torres Ray, at far
right, wait to join in a press conference organized by
NAMI for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
The final agreement between the House
and the Senate included roughly $20
million in cuts to mental health. Many
of the children’s grants and metro crisis
services grants were cut in half and the
adult mental health grants were cut by
10%. The school-linked grants were
kept whole. The agreement also would
reduce the Children and Community
Services (CCSA) grant by $22 million.
Of this grant, 16% goes for children’s
mental health services and 6% is for
adult mental health services.
The committee also chose to eliminate
funding set aside for an alternative
program for the thousands of people
who lost their PCA services on July 1,
many of whom are children living with a
mental illness. It also decreased the PCA
payment rate by 20% when provided by
a family member.
Award Nominations Wanted
NAMI Minnesota Awards recognize
outstanding efforts to support NAMI’s
mission and goals. To nominate someone, write a note of 100 words or less
about the person or organization you are
nominating.
Nominations are due by Sept. 5. Send
to: NAMI Minnesota, 800 Transfer Rd.,
Suite 31, St. Paul, MN 55114, or FAX to:
651-645-7379. The 2011 awards will be
presented at NAMI’s Annual Conference
on Nov. 5. Find more about the award
categories at www.namihelps.org.
2
The bill would also make dramatic
changes to the MinnesotaCare program
and repeal the early opt-in of Medical Assistance for single adults, turning
down over $1.2 billion in federal healthcare funds. In addition, it would create a
“high-deductible plan” under the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association,
Minnesota’s high-risk pool for people
who are denied coverage, and offer
people the option of having a reduced
premium if they forgo coverage for mental health and chemical dependency.
Policy Issues
There were also several policy provisions
in the bill that NAMI has been following. Language was adopted to restrict the
number of times a person could receive
residential chemical dependency treatment lasting at least 30 days, to three
times in four years and four times in a
lifetime. However, there is a provision
to allow DHS to exempt people with
co-occurring disorders from these limits.
Adult foster homes could provide adult
day care to people under age 65.
Most of the House language related
to mental health policy was adopted,
including the certification of Integrated
Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT) for
people with co-occurring mental health
and chemical dependency issues, review
of the use of community behavioral
health hospitals (CBHH), and repeal
of the language regarding downsizing
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Legislation that did pass this year included:
- Creating standards for youth ACT
teams.
- Establishing a statewide rate for ACT,
IRTS and ARMHS programs.
- Requiring an opt-in for mental health
screening in the juvenile justice system.
- Requiring parents to be on the out-ofhome placement county screening teams
and requiring counties to make a decision within 15 days of a request.
- Allowing PrairieCare to add 30 beds to
its children’s psychiatric hospital.
- Allowing mental health professionals on crisis teams to be health officers
under the commitment act.
- Allowing crisis team members to meet
people in emergency rooms and to take
into account people’s preferences as
laid out in their health care directive or
WRAP plan.
NAMI plans on holding events this summer to educate people on the final results of this legislative session. See www.
namihelps.org. for more information.
Advocates let legislators know that mental health
services would soon be in short supply if more cuts
were made. On the 5th day of a week of protests at
the Capitol, they formed a mock ER waiting room
line that stretched down the steps of the Capitol.
www.namihelps.org
Music for the Mind has Swing Era Theme
NAMI’s Annual Spring Gala – Music for
the Mind was held on April 30th, 2011
at the historic Metropolitan Ballroom. An
air of elegance and sophistication from
the 30’s & 40’s filled the room as guests
arrived dressed to swing the night away.
The theme was the Swing Era and
featured The Classic Big Band and the
Nostalgics. The atmosphere was electric
with guests generously outbidding each
other during the silent and live auctions.
The Classic Big Band and the Nostalgics brought
back the sounds of the Swing Era.
Anna McLafferty and her sister Jane Meyer sold
tickets to pose with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren
Bacall cutouts.
Over 200 items were donated by businesses, artists and by NAMI members including a luxury home in Ft. Lauderdale
donated by Michael Schneider & Russell
Sassani M.D., a Joe Mauer autographed
baseball bat and a private airplane ride
with board president, Bill Bond.
NAMI volunteers dressed as cigarette
girls and sold tickets to pose with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in our
first ever Swing into Focus photo booth.
Guests left with four memorable photos
of the evening.
advocacy for improved opportunities for
education, employment, housing and
community services.
Music for the Mind was made possible
by our generous sponsors:
HealthPartners & Regions Hospital,
Eli Lilly & Co., PhRMA, PrairieCare,
Sunovion, Peggy and Ilo Leppik,
Michael Schneider & Russell F. Sassani
M.D., Daniel & Cheryl Schulte,
Scott Craven, John & Janet Carey,
Shari & Derek Erickson
Thank you to our generous in-kind supporters:
Mod & Company - invitation design
Impressive Print - invitation printing
A. Johnson and Sons Florist - flowers
Kathy Krone –live Auctioneer
Bryan Erickson- Minuteman Press Printing
Sarah Meyer – created the photo booth
Stephen Kmetz – created the photo
booth
The dinner and program began with a
warm welcome by board president Bill
Bond and executive director Sue Abderholden shared NAMI’s impact and
achievements of the past year. A new
video called NAMI Helps was viewed
featuring NAMI members sharing their
personal stories of hope. The audience
was genuinely touched to see the many
ways in which NAMI makes a difference in the lives of children and adults
affected by mental illnesses and their
families.
Thank you to all of the businesses and
individuals that donated items to the
silent and live auctions.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, guests and donors this was the
most successful gala to date, raising over
$65,000! That is $15,000 more than last
year.
Proceeds from this event will fund free
education classes for families across Minnesota, support groups for people with
mental illnesses and their families and
And finally this event would not be possible without the outstanding efforts of
the Spring Gala committee: Sue Abel,
Robby Anderson, Gail Gislason, Michelle
Greene, Laura Ibsen, Sandy Menge, Mary
Schulte and Connie Whitaker. Thank
you for the many hours of time and
money you donated to make Music for
the Mind wildly successful.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Couples found the music ideal for dancing.
Where would the world of the 1930s and 40s be
without men in hats?
Into the theme, these Gala guests wore bright
lipstick, pearls and poka-dots.
Making an art of the chance to wear period costumes
were Patti Krause and Anna Mae Hogan.
www.namihelps.org
3
MN Parent Leadership Network Joins NAMI
The Minnesota Parent Leadership Network (MPLN) has merged with NAMI
Minnesota and will now become a project of the organization.
MPLN began as a vision during a historical Parent Leadership Summit held in
October of 2000, sponsored by MACMH, PACER and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. From this
meeting emerged a group of dedicated
parent leaders from across the state that
continued to meet to define and develop
a vision and mission of what became the
Minnesota Parent Leadership Network.
The vision of the MPLN was a parentdriven and family-affirming children’s
mental health system of care and its mission was to connect, educate and sup-
port parent leaders to command change,
demand solutions and transform systems
of care. As a fairly new organization,
MPLN struggled to maintain funding.
Its mission and vision is very compatible
with NAMI’s.
A representative from MPLN will join
the NAMI board and their members will
join NAMI’s existing advisory committee
on children’s mental heath. The curricula
that was developed by MPLN will be reviewed and where appropriate be added
to NAMI’s listings of education classes.
MPLN members will be recruited to run
support groups and provide educational
classes. NAMI is pleased to have MPLN
join in its efforts to make sure that there
is a strong voice advocating for children’s
mental health care.
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is National Minority Mental Health
Awareness Month, first designated by
the U.S. House of Representatives in
2008. Mental illness affects one in four
American families and people in diverse
communities are no exception.
The U.S. Surgeon General reports that
minorities:
* Are less likely to receive diagnosis and
treatment for their mental illness
* Have less access to and availability of
mental health services
* Often receive a poorer quality of mental health care
* Are underrepresented in mental health
research
“Unfortunately, disparities in mental
health care still prevent people from
getting the treatment they need. The
outcomes of poorer quality of care come
at a high cost to our communities,” said
Cynthia Fashaw, Children’s Programs
and Multicultural Outreach Director for
the National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) of Minnesota.
“Our goal is to educate people about
4
“All people deserve access to
quality mental health services.”
mental illnesses, treatment and research,
and eliminate stigma. All people deserve
access to quality mental health services.”
For information, contact Cynthia Fashaw
at 651-645-2948 x108.
Capitol Vigil
Training Set for Teen
Connection Leaders
NAMI Minnesota will begin a new program this Fall in Dakota county, called
Teen Connection, which is a series of
classes aimed at young people ages 15 to
21 who are dealing with mental health
issues. This six-week class will educate
youth about mental illnesses, recovery,
finding supports and allies, self-advocacy tactics and transition issues. The
classes will be facilitated by peer leaders
and young adults. The curriculum was
developed by NAMI Utah and has been a
resounding success.
NAMI is looking for peer leaders and
young adults who experienced mental illness as a child and/or adolescent
and are now living in recovery who are
interested in teaching this curriculum.
The training is scheduled for Saturday,
August 27 at the NAMI Minnesota office in St. Paul. If you are interested in
this opportunity please contact Suzette
Scheele at [email protected].
Security Hospital Changes
The Minnesota Security Hospital (MSH)
is in the process of revising its purpose statement and has begun utilizing
concepts of Trauma Informed Care as a
result of its work with the Trauma Informed Care Collaborative – comprised
of people receiving services, family members, NAMI, and others.
The Collaborative has outlined a set of
initiatives designed to promote culture
change at the MSH by providing an
environment that promotes recovery
and hope for the patients and has as a
goal the development of person centered
plans for each individual patient that will
assist them to live free of restraint and
seclusion and protective isolation.
About 150 people from around the state attended a
candlelight vigil on the steps of the State Capitol on
June 28 to remind elected officials of the importance
of funding mental health services. The event drew
media interest and was picked up by FOX-TV,
WCCO-TV, MPR and the Austin Herald.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
The changes have already begun to show
promising trends in the reduction of the
utilization of seclusion and restraints and
injuries, and the Collaborative plans to
continue monitoring the progress.
www.namihelps.org
Conference on Traumatic Stress Held
The Minnesota Statewide Confernce
on Traumatic Stress in Children and
Families was held May 19, 2011. Morning topics included a presentation of the
Impact of Trauma on Development, and
Impact of Systems on Traumatized Children. Trauma in children and adults,
and the prevalence of secondary trauma
among staff who work with traumatized
families were covered during the course
of the conference. A shift in how services
are provided to people who have experienced trauma, called trauma-informed
service delivery, was explained in detail.
Trauma-informed care is an approach to
engaging people with histories of trauma
that recognizes the presence of trauma
symptoms and acknowledges the role
that trauma has played in their lives.
When a human service program takes
the step to become trauma-informed,
every part of its organization, management, and service delivery system is
assessed and potentially modified to
include a basic understanding of how
trauma affects the life of an individual
seeking service.
Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an
understanding of the vulnerabilities or
triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may
exacerbate, so that these services and
programs can be more supportive and
avoid re-traumatization. Trauma-specific
interventions are designed specifically to
address the consequences of trauma in
the individual and to facilitate healing.
For example, an aspect of a trauma
informed sexual assault system would
include trauma training of police officers
and all involved in the investigation of
a sexual assault. The trauma informed
system would be set up such that only
one identified person would interview
the child after a sexual assault and pass
the information on to police, investigators, social services, etc., rather than
have the child relive the assault over and
over with multiple interviews.
The conference also brought to light that
staff that work with traumatized families and directly see or hear of traumatic
events, can experience extreme distress
and, sometimes, secondary traumatic
stress. Processing the experience of
working with traumatized clients with
a supervisor, taking a walk at lunch,
or recognizing when you are getting
overwhelmed or frustrated can make a
difference.
The afternoon part of the conference
featured a panel entitled “Voices of Families,” moderated by NAMI Minnesota’s
director of operations Suzette Scheele.
NAMI’s parent leader Lynne Peterson,
Police Captain Teresa Bobo, and Marsha
VanDenburgh, were on the panel.
Hope for Recovery Teachers Needed
NAMI is looking for individuals interested in teaching Hope for Recovery classes
in their own communities. Participants
must have a family member who lives
with a mental illness, and must attend a
one-day training that will qualify them
to teach the 6-hour class.
Hope for Recovery offers information
and practical strategies for dealing with
the complexities of mental illnesses.
Participants will learn to teach on the
NAMI Connection Leaders
subjects of mental illnesses, treatments,
recovery, coping strategies, the mental health system and local resources.
Applicants who have attended NAMI’s
Family-to-Family education course are
encouraged to apply.
The training will take place Aug. 20,
in St. Paul. To apply for this training
or get more information, call volunteer
resources director Laura Winterstein at
651-645-2948 ext. 110.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Twelve new Connection support group leaders were
trained May 13-14 in St. Paul. Included were leaders
for a new Vet Connection group and a GLBT group.
Allies in Recovery Training
Keys on Natural Supports
Natural supports for people with mental
illnesses are often not recognized as critical in a person’s recovery. Data practices
laws are used as barriers and excuses for
not involving natural supports in treatment planning.
The exclusion of family and friends
results in providers not having full
information as to the symptoms or the
progress of their patient. It also leaves
their patients operating “without a safety
net.”
With funding from the Minnesota
Department of Human Services and the
F.R. Bigelow Foundation, NAMI Minnesota has begun designing a training for
providers of mental health services called
Allies in Recovery. This two-hour training will create a greater understanding of
the need for natural supports in the lives
of people living with mental illnesses.
Training goals are to help providers
understand the importance of natural
supports, know how to develop natural
supports for their clients, and fully understand what information can be shared
under data practices laws. The end
result will be that mental health services
will be “family friendly” and people with
mental illnesses will have natural supports available to them to help them on
their road to recovery.
www.namihelps.org
5
Take a Walk to Reduce Stigma
The NAMIWalks committee is busy
planning the fifth annual NAMIWalks to
be held on September 24th in the Twin
Cities and in St. Cloud. The goal is to
have 3,500 walkers and to raise over
$300,000 to support NAMI’s programs
of education, support and advocacy.
Our generous sponsors have already
contributed $97,100! In addition, free
transportation will be provided by Metro
Transit, the band High and Mighty is
back by popular demand, and Jimmy
John’s will provide 3,000 sandwiches!
More than 50 teams have registered to
walk, and former U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad,
and Rick Kupchella, founding partner
and president of Bring Me the News, will
appear in our NAMIWalks video clips!
Become one of the thousands who walk
each year to raise public awareness
about mental illnesses and to eliminate
the stigma. Take the journey and make
a bold stand to share your story and let
others know why you walk. Let them
know that children and adults with
mental illnesses deserve a life of dignity,
respect and hope.
Ways to participate:
• Form a team, pick a team name,
determine your goal, register online and
invite family and friends to join you.
Family Support Group
Leaders Trained
• Walk as an individual: register online
or the day of the walk.
• Volunteer: we need over 100 volunteers help out on the day of the walk.
• Like” us on the NAMIWalks Minnesota
Facebook page and help us spread the
word about NAMIWalks by sharing why
you walk.
Register soon and receive regular NAMIWalks email updates on team building,
creative fundraising tips, inspirational
stories, park logistics and more. To register, go to namihelps.org and click on
the NAMIWalks logo. Choose the Twin
Cities or the St. Cloud location.
Are you a small business or mental
health organization? There is still time
to become a sponsor of NAMIWalks.
For more information about NAMIWalks contact Michelle Greene at
[email protected] or 651-645-2948
ext. 104.
Welcome to our newest sponsors!
Behavioral Healthcare Providers
The Emily Program
Human Services Inc. (HSI)
Pediatric Consultation Specialists
Northwestern Mental Health Center
RESOURCE, Inc.
Get to Know NAMI
More than 20 people attended the family support
group leader training held April 1-2 in St. Paul.
6
Get to Know NAMI provides a deeper
understanding as to how NAMI’s mission directly affects the lives of children
and adults with mental illness and their
families. The next Get to Know NAMI
meetings will be held July 19 and Sept.
13, from 11:30-12:30, at the NAMI
office. For information or to RSVP,
contact Kay at 651-645-2948 x113 or
[email protected].
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
NAMIWalks Kickoff
Breakfast
Join us for the fifth annual NAMIWalks
Kickoff Breakfast on August 3, at the
Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. This breakfast is for sponsors, team
captains and walk participants to come
together and get fired up for another
very successful walk. You will receive
your team captain’s packets at the breakfast. Please RSVP by July 28, by calling
Samantha at 651-645-2948 ext.115.
Guild Incorporated to
Launch Moving Matters
Guild Incorporated has received a grant
from the Minnesota State Arts Board to
produce Moving Matters. This project
is a community arts learning opportunity specifically designed for the mental health community, which includes
mental health providers, people with
mental illnesses and their friends, family
members and supporters.
The project will feature award-winning
Minneapolis-based interdisciplinary
artist Vanessa Voskuil, who will teach
a series of free interdisciplinary arts
workshops in August and September.
She will also lead participants in creating a performance that will be presented
Oct. 25-26 at the Landmark Center in
St. Paul.
Please attend a Moving Matters information session on August 8, from 6-7:30
p.m., at Guild Incorporated’s Community Support Program (CSP), 1740
Livingston Avenue, in West Saint Paul.
To RSVP contact Anna Andahazy at
[email protected], or call
651-457-2248, ext. 15. At this session
you will have the chance to meet Vanessa Voskuil, hear about her vision for the
project, and learn how you can participate in the program. No experience is
needed to join the fun! To learn more,
visit www.guildincorporated.org.
www.namihelps.org
The National Alliance on Mental Illness - Minnesota
Saturday
September 24, 2011
5K
Minneapolis: Minnehaha Park
St. Cloud: Whitney Memorial Park
Registration: 11:30 a.m.
Program: 12:30 p.m.
Walk: 1:00 p.m.
NAMIWalks—Changing minds one step at a time.
Register at www.namihelps.org
(click on the NAMIWalks logo)
For more information, Call 651-645-2948
or 1-888-NAMI-HELPS or e-mail [email protected]
PREMIER SPONSOR
PRESENTING SPONSOR
ST. CLOUD SPONSORS
HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics
St. Cloud Hospital
GOLD SPONSOR
Raise Awareness.
Take Action.
End Stigma!
SILVER SPONSOR
START/FINISH LINE SPONSOR
Debra Hohag Anderson
Denis & Josie Daly
Al & Pat Rousseau
BRONZE SPONSOR
SUPPORTER
Lou & Allan Burdick
Choices Psychotherapy, Ltd.
Fraser
Human Services Inc. (HSI)
John & Janet Carey
Northwestern Mental Health Center
Pediatric Consultation Specialists
Scott Craven
NAMI Minnesota’s State Conference
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Minneapolis Convention Center
From: 9:00 – 5:00
Cost: $75 Members, $100 Non-members, lunch included
Area parking lots are $9-$16 per day, also on bus line
Limited partial scholarships (call to apply)
Register at www.namihelps.org or call 1-888-NAMI-Helps
The Conference includes 15 workshops on a wide
range of mental health topics including: complementary
therapies, children’s mental health, parents living with mental
illnesses, anxiety disorders, Medicare, legislative issues,
veterans, criminal justice, dual diagnosis, and borderline
personality disorders. Plus the annual awards luncheon.
Xavier Amador
Opening Keynote Speaker: Xavier Amador, Ph.D.
Topic: “I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! How to Help Someone
With Mental Illness Accept Treatment.”
Dr. Amador is an internationally sought-after speaker, clinical
psychologist, professor at Columbia University Teachers
College in New York City, the Founder and Director of the
LEAP Institute and author of eight books including the
national best seller “I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help!” His
expertise has made him a regular contributor to the Today
Show and a featured guest on ABC Good Morning America,
Prime Time Live, CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, 60
Minutes, CNN, Dateline, ABC’s World News Tonight, Fox
News, New York Times and many others. Dr. Amador has
over 25 years experience working with adults, families
and couples.
Closing Keynote Speaker: BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya,
Ph.D., L.P.
Topic: “Creating Change Through Cross-Cultural Collaborations:
Finding the We in Power”
Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with
over 30 years experience. She is the Executive Director of the
African American Child Wellness Institute, and President of
Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, which offers
culturally competent mental health consultation services that
meet the needs of children, adults, families and organizations.
NAMI Minnesota’s Annual Meeting will be held
immediately following the Conference. It will include the
election of new board members.
BraVada Garret-Akinsanya
NAMI Survey Aids Hospital Anti-Stigma Project
NAMI Minnesota’s survey responses
of psychiatric hospital experiences are
providing valuable feedback to guide
NAMI’s new project aimed at reducing
stigma within hospitals, starting with
Regions Hospital in St. Paul. The project
is funded by HealthPartners.
and focused on patient comfort, care and
recovery.”
To date, more than 350 responses have
been received from people living with
a mental illness, family members, and
mental health providers. A respondent
observed, “Stigma surrounds us everywhere, the hospital, work, the family.”
Typical family member responses included: “Make available some type of educational or support group or program for
family and friends.” Another wrote, “We
were never given any information on a
treatment plan or anything that was being done at the hospital.” A third person
responded, “Make an effort to involve
those who will be the patient’s support
system after discharge. Provide information about resources available after
discharge.”
Another theme expressed by all groups
was the need for information and education about mental illnesses, medications
and how to help their loved one.
Several themes that impact the hospital
experience and recovery of the person
experiencing a mental illness were found
throughout the survey. Respondents
indicated they wanted to receive empathy, care and respect, and professional
treatment of the person’s mental illness.
“Treat people like human beings with
illnesses and emergencies, like they do
with other physical injuries and emergencies,” wrote one family member.
One mental health provider observed,
“By educating family members and
friends, we can break many barriers
about mental illness and the negative
perceptions about mental illness.”
“I believe the philosophy of the Twin
Cities hospitals is to simply be satisfied
to ‘keep someone safe until they can be
discharged’ is ... a missed opportunity,”
wrote a person who was a patient in
the hospital. “Why not offer real treatments... make sure the groups, staff
education, the physical space is designed
A total of 66% of inpatient survey respondents indicated that they did not
see materials that promoted hope and
recovery from mental illnesses. And
another 79% did not hear speakers that
promoted hope and recovery.
goals are being developed for educating
mental health providers, family members
and people living with a mental illness.
Efforts already underway include:
• Personal story posters on recovery
from a mental illness are being created
for use in hospitals to offer encouragement and hope. If you are interested in
sharing your story, call Cheryl Maser
Hakimi at 651-645-2948 ext. 116.
• In Our Own Voice presenters will be at
the hospital to share their personal stories on living with a mental illness with
staff, family members and friends.
• A brochure is being developed for family members and friends who visit the
hospital on what to expect during their
loved one’s hospitalization.
• NAMI in the Lobby volunteers are
being recruited to help provide information and resources to family members
and friends visiting the hospital. If you
would like to volunteer, contact Laura
Winterstein at 651-645-2948, ext. 110.
• Regions Hospital and St. Joseph’s
Hospital will be providing NAMI’s online
learning program, Compassion in Action: Recognizing and Responding to Patients with Mental Illness, to their staff.
As a result of the survey, clear project
Educating about Postpartum Depression
Day. In his remarks he stated that this
issue affects not just women, but also
men, families and children. Council
member Carter also presented a similar
resolution from Mayor Coleman. One
hundred people attended a variety of
workshops relating to screening, treatment, parents with mental illnesses, the
impact on fathers, early childhood issues
The conference was kicked off by St.
Paul City Council member Melvin Carter and supporting at-risk moms. Many
thanks to the sponsors of the event – U
who presented a resolution from the St.
of M School of Social Work, UCare, Park
Paul City Council declaring June 21st
Nicollet and NAMI.
as Perinatal Mental Health Awareness
The Sixth annual Beyond the Baby Blues
conference took place on June 21st in St.
Paul. The conference keynote speaker
was JoAnne Solchaney, PH.D., ARNP
who spoke about the cutting edge issues in mental health and the perinatal
period.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
St. Paul City Council member Melvin Carter spoke
at the Beyond the Baby Blues conference on June 21.
www.namihelps.org
9
Designate NAMI in Your Workplace Giving
NAMI Minnesota is now part of Community Health Charities Minnesota
(CHCM). If you have a workplace giving
program, please designate NAMI Minnesota as the organization you wish to have
your donation go to.
In the first year of being a part of
CHCM, NAMI Minnesota will ONLY
receive designated funds. Thus it is not
enough to simply have your donations
BENEFACTOR ($500-$999)
• NAMI National – Sharing Hope grant
go to CHCM, you must write in NAMI
Minnesota. You can also designate NAMI
Minnesota if you use United Way or
other workplace giving programs.
Carol Bender Retires as Walk Manager
Carol Bender will be retiring as walk coordinator this summer. Carol first came
to NAMI in 2004 as the office manager
and kept operations flowing smoothly
during a major growth period for NAMI.
In 2007 she became walk coordinator
and, along with former board member
Pat Rousseau, helped organize Minnesota’s first NAMIWalks.
NAMI’s executive director Sue Abderholdend remarked, “She has been such
an incredible asset to NAMI. Her calm
demeanor, attention to detail, editing
skills and positive attitude are just some
of the qualities that have endeared her
to everyone.” Carol will stay on to train
In Memory of
MARY JO SHIELDS
From
Gina & BernardArmada
Betty & Bob Bergeron
Thomas Chapple
Rosemary & Michael Conway
John & Jean Matheson Dahlke
Roger & Rosemary Dickhausen
Mary Theno & Dorothy McCauley
Kenneth & Debra Godbout
Susanne & Scott Lawson
Margaret Lindlof
A.F. & J. M. Marchio
Susan Marie Murray
Sara Malin & Patrick MacKey
Phyllis Peterson
Bonnie R. Russ
Thomas Selseth
Thomas & Jeanne Shields
John & Linda Shields
John & Marla Simmet
Ruth Sobiech
Dan & Connie Stockness
Laura & Timothy Stockness
Ann Urman
James O’Connor & Vickie Lind
James & Carol Weisbecker
10
GRANTS KEEP NAMI GROWING
her replacement Samantha Kolles, who
is a former NAMI intern. She will also
continue to work part-time on special
projects. NAMI thanks Carol for her excellent work and commitment to NAMI.
NAMI at the State Fair
NAMI Minnesota will have a booth at
the Minnesota State Fair again this year,
Aug. 25 to Sept. 5. NAMI staff and volunteers will be in the education building
from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day to
offer fair visitors information on mental
illness. If you can help, contact Laura
Winterstein at 651-645-2948, ext. 110.
DOUGLAS VANEK
From
Carol & Daniel Backes
James R. Bealke
Jeffrey & Sheila Billstein
John Paul & Peggy Wilson Borchert
Bruce David Brager
Chris & Larry Crew
Dianne Bjornson & Lewis Damer
Judith Anne Fust
Mark L. Jaworski
Barbara Ludtke
Molly Lyddy
Mary & Jerry Martin
Nancy & Andrus Peterson
Donna M. Pomplun
Michael S. Rogers
Barbara Soderquist
Jean & Joan Strommer
Steven & Constance Tallen
Jackie & Greg Zakerzewski
LEA HOGAN
From
David & Carolyn Czaplewski
Peter Rocca
JACLYN ANN EVERT
From
Jeffrey & Amy Wensman
DORIS E. LARSEN
From
Connie Larsen
HILDE MENGE
From
Dick & Sue Abel
John Gislason, Jr. & Gail Gislason
Herman & Mary Schulte
LISA JANE MESSER
From
Keith & Luey Messer
Keith & Lynn Stotts
JOE SWENDSEN
From
Frank & Doreen
CAROLYN LAPP JOHNSON
Neal & Sandy Gale
Jerry & Joey Laurie
Harvey Zuckman & Phil Oxman
CATHERINE SCHNEIDER
From
Helen & Hubert Schneider
Herman & Mary Schulte
BARBARA HANSTAD
From
Randy Reinke
DR. ERNEST SOWADA
From
Joel Kroening
MARY BALSHAW
From
Daniel & Jennie Bennett
ADVOCATE ($1,000-$4,999)
• Park Nicollet – PPD Conference
• Prairie Care – Spring Gala
• Sunovion – Spring Gala
• UCare – PPD Conference
VISIONARY ($5,000-$9,999)
• Hugh J. Andersen Foundation – East
Metro Family Education
• Eli Lily & Co. – Spring Gala
• HealthPartners/Regions Hospital –
Spring Gala
• PhRMA – Spring Gala
IRIS CIRCLE ($10,000+)
• F.R. Bigelow Foundation – for Allies in
Recovery
• Evert Foundation – Family-to-Family
education
• The Martha and William Muska Fund
of the St. Paul Foundation – General
operating.
2010 Annual Report
NAMI Minnesota’s 2010 annual report is
available at www.namihelps.org. Printed
copies of the report are not being made
available in order to save funds. Copies
have been sent to NAMI members and
contributors who are on our email lists.
Next to Normal
LINDA GEADERS
From
Betty & SandyPalmer
Shirley Perkins
KATHLEEN DONOHUE
From
Chad & Sharon Frank
In Honor of
Abbigail Rose’s Graduation
From
The Isabel Rose Foundation
Julie Silverman & Bard Borkon
Judy & Dick Corson
Stanley & Carol Dobrin
Eileen & Jay Seeger
Susan & Elihu Rose Foundation, Inc.
Glenace Edwall’s Birthday
From
Timothy & Jane Kretzmann
Sue Abderholden & Lee Keller
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
NAMI members and friends socialized at a special
reception on May 21 before seeing the Broadway hit
show Next to Normal at the Ordway in St. Paul. The
reception was sponsored by Barb & Jerry Lindberg
and Ivan Sletten.
www.namihelps.org
NEW & RENEWING
MEMBERS
Contributions March 1
to May 31, 2011
Individual & Family ($3$49)
Susan Abderholden & Lee
Keller
Marva Abel
Janet Adams
Joe & Catherine Amato
Shirley Anderson
Barbara A. Anderson
Warren Anderson
Mark & Valarie Andryski
Lori Anthony
Diane Arneberg
Adam E. Aslani
Gerald & June Jean Audette
Olukayode Awosika
Linda Backstrom
Kathy Bahma
Art & Martha Bailey
Bob Barnes
George & Alys Barr
Harpreet Bassi
Lynn & Elaine Bauer
Michael & Maya Beach
Mike Bedtka
Judy A. Belaen
John & Joanne Benson
Tammy Bertram
Irene R. Boe
Cecilia Boggio
James & Verdella Borrell
Mary Bowman
Julie Bram
John L. & Bridget K. Brose
Allan & Mary Lou Burdick
Rick Burnstein
Sheila Burquest
Deeanne Carlson
Steve & Polly Carlson-Voiles
Colette Carner
Michael & Ann Carr
Robert D. Jr. & Mary Carter
Glenna L. Case
Jeff Chamberlain
Tiffany Charles
Donna Chysman
Neal Cohen
Steve & Barb Coleman
Eunice Collette
Jennifer Cook
Jeremy Cooper
Vickie Crisler
Thomas & Debie Crittenden
Mark Crompton
Phyllis Dahl
Beverly Dahlen
Jim Davidson
Kevin Davitt
Mary B. Delong
Katrina DeYoung-Harper
Jean Dickson
Charlie Doering
Kris Doneer
Holly Dowds
Theresa Downing
Bill Drury
Sandra Drvota
Pam Durand
Louis & Peggy Erdrich
James & Bonnie Erickson
Shari Erickson
Leanne I. Esch
Bob & Mary Evans
Marcia A. Ferguson
Leah Fernelius
Zachary Ficocello-Tabor
Lisa Fischer
Jessica Flynn
Paula Foerster
Lauri Funk
Carla Gillson
Richard & Mary Graves
Stephen & Linda Gray
Constance Grigsby
Daniel Grooters
Robert & Gerri Gustafson
Jim & Yvonne Haberle
Cheryl Hakimi
Fred & Lois Halberg
Luanne Hanson
Kevin Hanstad
Gail Harbeck
Maren Harrison & Jim
Lavelle
Judy Hawkinson
Ruthanne Hazelton
Glenn Heil
Donna Heins
Shirley Hennen
Quinn Herman
Paula Hildman
Tim Hildman
A. Hill
Thomas & Julie Hofer
Debra Hohag Anderson
Tony & Carmen Holder
Patti Holm
Heidi Holmes
Dorothy Holmes
Sheila & Andrew Holt
Ron & Joan Honzay
Gary & Julianne Hovind
Margaret Howes
Robert Hughes
Bob & Pat Hunstad
Bryan Hunter
Cecilia Huston
Joyce Ilola
David & Sandy Jacobson
Jennifer Janacek
Karla Jans
Laura Jensen
Michelle Joans
Kakia-Katherine P. Johnson
Edward Johnson
Glenn & Karen Johnson
Rodney & Lori Johnson
Rosemary & Harry Johnson
Linda Jean Johnson
Nick & Ella Johnston
Brian Jost
Lynette Kapel
Rhonda Karels
Emma Lee Kehoe
Liz Kellner
Heather Kerfeld
Melissa Kestner
Richard T. Kingsbury
Dawn Klingman
Krista Kloempken
William & Bonnie M.
Konrad
Terry Krampitz
Nancy Kraulik
Joel Kroening
Kim Kruise
Elizabeth Kruta
Brian Kuhn
Therese Kujawa
Dawn Kultala
Stacie Kutzorik
Barb Lafferty
Jennifer LaForgia
Karen Land
Pam Larkins
Lynn Karin Larson
Leslie Laub
Florence Laughter
Judy Lee
Carol Lee
Martin Lee
Joyce & Gery Leko
Maggie Leslie
Carol Lindberg
Jo Ellen Lippitt
Diane Loudon
Steve Lubahn
Janet Lund
Kathryn Lund-Reed
Tom Lysfiord
Beryl Marsolek
Mirna Martinez
William Matson
Pat & Shirley McCarthy
Patricia McDonald
Travis McDowell
Grant McGinnis
Pat McGrath
Joyce Medrud
Taunja Meers
Nancy Mehus
Lisa Meiners
Keith & Luey Messer
Kris Metzger
Jeanne Keller & Mike Hoskin
Carol Miles
Frank & Juliana Molek
Gaylon Moody
Larry & Sandy Moorhouse
Mert Morpheu
Tom & Kathy Morris
Mary Jean Mulherin
Sue Mulligan
Colleen Murn
Joan Murray
Martha Muska
Patricia Nelson
Gloria Nelson
Tracey Newman
Pauline Nixon
Tomas Normile
Colleen Oftedahl
Michelle Olson
Dustin Patrick
Macie Paynter
Darlene Peterson
Cerenity Petracek
Anna Phillips
Annette Phillips
Bonnie Ploger
Curtis & Eva Poppen
Beth Prewett
Rachel Proctor
Robb Provost
Judy K. Pulcher
Betty Rath
Cindy Lehman & Rick Rios
Doreen Roberts
William J. Rood
Jason Ross
Arlen Roste
Al & Pat Rousseau
Kari Sandstrom
Patricia Savanick-Anderson
Barbara Scaia
Mary Schmitz
Zeno & Joan Schmitz
Richard Schnetzler
Dori Schou
Sara Schramm
Joan Schultz
Richard & Monica
Schulzetenberg
Dan Seward
Bonnie Shand
Ellsworth Simon
Ramona Smerer
Nancy Sopkowiak
Paul & Pat Sperry
Nancy Spika
Dominic Sposeto
Peggy Staat
Fran Stasson
Jana Steck
Karen Stone
Joan Stovall
Mary Sullivan
Will Susens
Le Anna Sutherland
Kathy Swanson
Rebecca Tessum
Jennifer Thomas
Sandra Thompson
Maria Thorsell
Lee & Shirly Tomlinson
Bernice Tschida
Amy Unger-Weiss
Marsha Van Denburgh
Anja Vernick
Leigh Ann Viche
Mary Vorhes
Tom & Joann Wiita
Sandra Williams
Alison Wolbeck
Anna Woods
Pat Wright
Sheryl Wright
Stuart & Dian Yellen
Linda Zarrett
Valeria Zwak
Donald A. Zylstra
Supporter ($50-$74)
Ruth Abraham
Atashi Acharya
Sidney & Mavis Boushek
Brenda Caya
Jill Cihlar
Jean Fagerstrom
JoAnn Garber
Orrin & Marianne Hager
Janet Havens
Jim & Norma Hingeley
Lorrie S. Hoffman
Jerome Jungquist
Kateri Mancini & Mike
Gallagher
Susan O’Nell
Barb A. Smith
Sue Swendsen
Anne Marie Thelander
Kathleen Thompson
Ruth Wittrock
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Organizations/
Professionals ($50+)
CIP, John Everett
Hanisch House
Project Clean Start
Ramsey County Children’s MH Collaborative
St. Cloud Hospital
Vail Place
Karen Szeitz
Ari Telisman
Lawrence & Gail Turner
Adella Wacker
Cliff & Connie Whitaker
Jim & Mary White
Katie Wilkin
Merrill & Laurel Zieman
Mark Zimmer
Patron ($100-$249)
Edward & Shirley Carlson
Jim Bartol & Chris St
George
Bryan & Karen DeYoung
Marita Ener
John & Becky Gronquist
Kelly Jones
Dennis Levendowski
Joselynne Little
Tom Neukom
Thomas C. Plunkett
Nancy Silesky
Roger Wierman
Associate ($100-$199)
Floyd & Sue Anderson
Paul Brambilla
John & Catherine Cich
Carolyn R. Cooper
Katherine Doerr
Kathryn Dunmire
Jim & Yvonne
Haberle
Charlene Hatfield
Janet Havens
Anne D. Herreid
Kevin & Kristina Homstad
Lorraine Ittner
John Kaul
Bob & Sandy Klas
Jennifer Lenzen
Ronald McNamara
David & Judith Nass
Joseph & Jo Ann Nathan
Douglas & Jane Nemecek
Cathleen O’Leary
Kelly Regan
Anita & John Speltz
Sponsor ($250-$499)
Irving Gottesman
DONORS
Friend ($1-$99)
Mark & Valarie Andryski
Bernadette Blakzyl
Bill & Sue Bond
Harry & Linda
Bonney
Emily & J.P. Carlin
Mary Kay & John Carney
Dan Casar
Tracy Cosentino
Scott Craven
Sandra Drvota
Leslie Duncan
Martha Early
Carole Gaskell
Sheila Graham
Kate Havelin
Anne Henry & Jerod Hugo
Peterson
Margaret Hubbs
Gail Klein & Dave Beno
Barbara A. Kleist
Sue Kmetz
Verna Kruse
Dorothy Raetz Kunze
Nancy Marth
Sandra McDonald
Abigail McKenzie &
Richard Lancaster
Kathleen Muench
Cathleen O’Leary
Rhonda Palm
Daniel Parnell
Michael R. Peterson
Danielle Pierce
Stephanie Pierson
Cathy Plantenberg
Ron & Nancy Reed
Michael Rohrbeck &
Andrea Raila
Patrick & Dana Rondeau
Margaret Ryan & George
Baboila
William & Becky Scheig
Jeanie Snell
Sponsor ($200-$499)
Zol & Kathy Heyman
Anna Mae Hogan
Kirstin & Chris Jacobson
Steve Larson
Eric Brown & Lisa Cowley
Mark & Jinjer Menge
KJM Wechsler
Advocate ($1,000-$4,999)
Jerry & Barbara Lindberg
Ivan Sletten
Greg Walker
Iris Circle ($10,000+)
Trisha Stark
In Kind
Lisa Hawkey
Patricia & Robert Mack
Heidi Nordin
www.namihelps.org
11
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities
Permit No. 30142
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
Alexandria
6:00 p.m., 2nd Thursday,
Marie: 763-291-4241
Brooklyn Center
7:00 p.m., 1st Thursday,
Bob: 763-533-1729
Cambridge
6:30 p.m., Thursdays,
Sarah: 320-396-0443
Duluth
6:00 p.m., 2nd Thursday,
Brian: 218-525-6649
Eagan
7:00 p.m., 4th Monday,
Connie: 952-432-9278
Forensic Network
Joe: 651-484-8218
Golden Valley
7:00 p.m., 3rd Tuesday,
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Grand Rapids
5:30-6:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday,
Susan: 218-245-2077 or
Ruth Ann: 218-326-1847
Minneapolis
6:30-7:45 p.m., 1st & 3rd Fri.
Lee: 952-894-9109
12
Minneapolis Partners/Spouse
6:30-8:30 p.m., 1st Friday,
Susan: 612-308-1883
Owatonna
7:00 p.m., 1st Monday,
Pat: 507-835-7036
Roseville
6:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed.
Anna Mae: 651-730-8434.
Rochester
7:00 p.m., 2nd and 4th
Wednesday, and 6:00 p.m.,
1st & 3rd Monday,
Call: 507-287-1692
St. Paul (Redeemer Arms)
6:30 p.m., 4th Tuesday
Marc: 763-227-9446
St. Paul (Snelling Office Pk.)
5:45 p.m., 2nd Tuesday
Sonja: 651-357-2077
Stillwater/Mahtomedi
7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday,
Rob: 651-439-3800
Winona
7:00-9:00 p.m., 2nd Monday,
Helen: 507-494-0905
PARENT RESOURCE GROUPS
Apple Valley/Lakeville
Suzette: 651-645-2948 x102
Burnsville
Suzette: 651-645-2948 x102
Elk River
Sue: 763-633-0894
Little Falls
Lori: 320-469-6573
St. Cloud
Suzette: 651-645-2948 x102
OPEN DOOR ANXIETY
SUPPORT GROUPS
St. Paul
1st & 3rd Thurs., 6:30-8:00 p.m.,
NAMI: 651-645-2948
St. Louis Park
2nd & 4th Monday, 6:30 p.m.,
Judy: 612-377-2467
VET CONNECTION
Bemidji
Steve: 218-333-1541
St. Paul
Brian: 651-261-1185
To form a Vet Connection group,
contact Molly at mblack@nami.
org or 1-888-NAMI-Helps
ext.112
NAMI CONNECTION
SUPPORT GROUPS
(Most groups meet weekly)
Aitkin
Karen: 218-392-0143
Austin
Scott: 507-433-5646
Bloomington
Maureen: 612-752-8374
Brainerd
Karrie: 320-232-9630
Browerville
Melodie: 320-533-0764
Cambridge
Louise: 651-592-6989
Coon Rapids
Tim: 612-669-5111
Crystal
Calynn: 763-560-1394
Duluth
Sharyl: 218-879-4978
Eagan
Cristina: 651-283-4821
East Bethel
Laura: 763-639-8785
Little Falls (2 groups)
Karrie: 320-232-9630
Mankato
Julie: 507-317-3595
Minneapolis North
Annette: 612-246-1711
Minneapolis Uptown
Jack: 612-310-3628
New York Mills
Maureen: 218-385-3689
Perham
Renee: 218-346-7944
Rochester (2 groups)
Contact: 507-287-1692
Roseville
Will: 651-578-3364
Wadena
Roselene: 218-296-0491
Winona
Richard: 507-454-5472
NAMI-CARE GROUPS
Golden Valley
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Minneapolis
Call: 651-645-2948
Zumbrota
Gayla: 507-824-2448