families helping families presentation january 18, 2007 co-presenters: heidi sanborn, president

Serving Youth with Mental Illness 1

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIESPresentation January 18, 2007

Co-presenters:

Heidi Sanborn, President NAMI Sacramento

Lael Walz, PresidentNAMI Nevada County


PRESENTATION AGENDA What is NAMI? What does NAMI do? NAMI’s focus on children's issues The Heart of the Matter: Children Robbed of

Childhood Parents and Teachers Becoming Allies Understanding Family Reactions NAMI Resources to Strengthen the

Parent/Teacher Alliance


WHAT IS NAMI? National Alliance on Mental Illness Nation’s largest grassroots mental health

organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families

Founded in 1979 by parents NAMI organizations in every state 1,100 local “affiliates” across the country Meet the NAMI mission through advocacy,

research, support, and education


Mission

NAMI Sacramento provides mutual support, resources, advocacy, and education for families friends, and persons with mental illness to improve their general welfare and treatment.


Vision All people nationwide can turn to a seamless NAMI

organization for help, and receive it when they need it.

All vestiges of stigma and discrimination have been eliminated.

The best evidence-based and emerging science-based treatments and support are delivered to all people who live with mental illness and their families.

Mental illness is no longer an obstacle to a full and satisfying life; it has either been eliminated or its impact greatly diminished as a result of research, early intervention, and treatment.


Our Goals Provide a means for the family and

friends of mentally ill persons to share experiences, explore solutions, obtain mutual support, and become better informed.

Educate NAMI members and the community about mental illness.

To eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.


Our Goals (continued)

Establish and improve community support programs for persons with mental illness.

Establish and improve treatment facilities and services for persons with mental illness.

Maintain a well informed membership, particularly concerning the treatment and legislation and advocacy opportunities around mental illness.


Our Goals (continued)

Encourage the inclusion and active involvement of family members in the operation of the mental health system at all levels, particularly as it pertains to the treatment and care of family members.

Support continuing research on mental illness and promising alternative treatments for mentally ill persons.


NAMI Programs

Family Family to Family Classes Support Groups/General Meetings

Consumer Peer to Peer In Our Own Voice Support Groups/General Meetings


NAMI Programs (cont.)

Law Enforcement Training Public Speakers Bureau Walk for Mental Health Advocacy in 2006:

Mental Health Court Housing Funding for Improved Services Assisted Outpatient Treatment


Plans for the Future

Stronger Community Outreach Parents and Teachers as Allies??? Support group for parents of school –

aged children with mental illness????


Children Robbed of Childhood

“What I remember most is the suffering. Kids are supposed to be happy. Boy, that’s a joke. I was depressed for years and felt totally odd and isolated, almost despised. Growing up was a miserable experience until I got help.”By a young man in therapy, recalling his childhood.


President s NFC Recommends Schools Play a Bigger Role …

Goal 4 of President Bush’s New Freedom Commission Report on Mental Health, issued in July 2003, calls for schools to play a larger role in the early identification of mental health treatment needs in children and in linking them to appropriate services.

This is just what Parents and Teachers as Allies program targets.


The Words of the NFC …

“The mission of public schools is to educate all students. However, children with serious emotional disturbances have the highest rates of school failure. Fifty percent of these students drop out of high school, compared to 30% of all students with disabilities. Schools are where children spend most of each day …


Need for Early Identification of Mental Illness The overwhelming majority of children and

adolescents with mental illnesses fail to be identified and linked with services.

There are often tragic and avoidable consequences.

Many school professionals lack an understanding of early onset mental illnesses.

In Sacramento, we have Early Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment (EDAPT) Clinic at UCD….


NAMI National Website:www.nami.org

Research, Services & Treatment Schools and Education For Parents, Caregivers & Youth Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare Federal & State Policy Legislation


Parents and Teachers As Allies

Two-hour in-service program helps school professionals identify the early warning signs of early-onset mental illnesses in children and adolescents.

Focuses on the specific, age-related symptoms of mental illnesses in youth, how best to intervene, and share the lived experiences of consumers and families.


The Role of Schools in Early Identification …

NAMI recognized the tremendous value of having parents and school professionals working together as allies……which led to the development of the Parents and Teachers as Allies publication in 1999 (updated in 2003).


The Words of the NFC cont.

“While schools are primarily concerned with education, mental health is essential to learning as well as to social and emotional development … Schools must be partners in the mental health care of our children.”

(NFC Report, 2003)


For Parents & Caregivers FREE SUBSCRIPTION to NAMI Beginnings, a

free quarterly magazine developed by the Child and Adolescent Action Center that publishes articles about children's mental health issues. Contact Dana Crudo at [email protected].

Fact Sheets on the illnesses NAMI Child and Adolescent Resource Guide

Recommended resources for children and adolescents living with mental illnesses and their families as well as for children who have a parent with a mental illness. The guide includes books, DVDs, websites and VHS tapes.

Much more support information at www.nami.org


Discussion Groups Teen Consumers

For youth who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and want to discuss their experiences with their peers.

Parents and Caregivers of Child/Teen ConsumersFor parents and caregivers who have a child with a mental illness and want to share their stories, ask questions, and find support from others.

CAAC Leaders Networking DiscussionLimited-access discussion group exclusively for NAMI State and Affiliate leaders on child and adolescent mental health issues.


Parents and Teachers as Allies in Sacramento?

Consider this as a possible outcome of the conference

NAMI Sacramento will consider starting these programs if there is a desire by the parents and schools

To start these programs and parents support groups, we must work together as a community


Understanding Family Reactions

1. Dealing with a catastrophic event Crisis/shock, denial, hoping against hope NEEDS: Support, comfort, empathy for

confusion, connection to resources,2. Learning to Cope

Anger/guilt, recognition, grief NEEDS: Vent feelings, keep hope, education,

self-care, networking, co-operation from system 3. Moving Into Advocacy: Charge!

Understanding, Acceptance, Advocacy/Action NEEDS: Activism, Restoring balance in life,

Responsiveness from the system


NAMI Nevada County Parent Support Program Meetings: 1-2 times a month to discuss the

challenges with helping our children; we email and phone to help each other with specific issues

Diagnostic issues: the complexities and comorbidities especially with anxiety and for some, substance abuse

Treatment issues: medication trials and titrations, side effects; how to find/talk with the doctor; have a crisis plan; talk therapy; substance abuse; illness management and education

Family issues: stress reduction; how much should you expect from your ill child; siblings, non-understanding family members; how to self-care as a parent who can be and have a family in crisis….


NAMI Nevada County Parent Support Program cont.

School/Community Challenges Disconnect that can occur between parents and

schools: as parents, we focus first on keeping our kids alive and minimizing disability

IEP or 504? OHI or ED? SED? And the stigma that kids and families face in community systems

Understanding symptoms to optimize accommodations and modifications, independent living skills; how to talk with teachers and school administrators; school placement

Attend school meetings to support parents and kids and offer information to educators


NAMI Nevada County Parent Support Program cont.:

Then there’s the Juvenile Justice System… In Nevada County 10 to 15 percent of kids

in Juvenile Hall have a severe mental illness, the most common being bipolar

We help parents whose kids are in the juvenile justice system, its complexities and inadequacies

We work with juvenile justice officials, educating and advocating for better understanding of the issues these kids and families face.


NAMI Nevada County Parent Support Program cont.:

And now they’re adults… We help each other with issues regarding

medical insurance, higher education, work—getting the job isn’t usually the issue, it’s keeping it…

Independence….how to keep your sanity while honoring their journey…

Is your young adult disabled? The associated challenges with Social Security, how they spend their time

What and how much do parents do now? Where do your kids live?


Website Resources www.nami.org NAMI National www.namicalifornia.org NAMI California www.namisacramento.org NAMI Sacramento www.earlypsychosis.ucdavis.edu UCD Early Diagnosis

and Preventative Treatment Clinic www.bpkids.org Child and Adolescent Bipolar

Foundation www.starfishadvocacy.org For parents of children with

neurological disorders www.mentalhealthrecovery.com Mary Ellen Copeland,

mental health recovery educator www.nimh.nih.gov National Institute of Mental Health www.dbsalliance.org Depression and Bipolar Support

Alliance


NAMI Sacramento General Meetings

When: Second Monday of each month - 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Where: SMUD Auditorium 6201 “S” Street Sacramento, CA 95817


For More Information

NAMI SacramentoWebsite: www.namisacramento.orgOffice: (916) 874-9416Heidi Sanborn - [email protected]_____________________________NAMI Nevada County

www.nccn.net/~ncami/Contact: (530) 272-4566

Lael Walz - [email protected]


Thank you!

Questions?

NAMI Presentation

families helping families presentation january 18, 2007 co-presenters: heidi sanborn, president

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