Vol. 15.11 November 2015 www.namiswwa.org

Location & Mailing Address:

5411 E. Mill Plain, Suite 4

Vancouver, WA 98661

Tel: (360) 695-2823

Fax: (360) 823-1088

Clark/Skamania Office

Address

Hours: Monday—Friday

9:00 am—5:00 pm

Location:

109 Allen Street

Kelso, WA 98626

Mailing Address:

5411 E. Mill Plain, Suite 4

Vancouver, WA 98661

Tel: (360-703-6722

Fax: (360) 823-1088

Cowlitz Office

Hours: Monday—Friday

10:00 am—4:00 pm

360-703-6722

Address

Email:

info@namiswwa.org

Website:

www.namiswwa.org

Facebook:

namisouthwestwa.com

Twitter:

@namisouthwestwa

Social Media

Art by Eric Johnson

IN MY OWN VOICE by Susan Correa

My SAD Experience

Growing up in Southern California, I always looked forward to winter. Rainstorms

rarely lasted more than a day, and the sun would peak out of the clouds by sunset.

The weather was most often clear and cool. It was a chance to bundle up in a

sweater or jacket.

The Northwest proved to be a whole different type of winter. The first year I was

here, I felt overwhelmed by the long stretches of grey. Many mornings I would wake

up in a literal and figurative cloud that hung around for most of the day. Those

crisp, clear days I'd known in California were a rarity here. By February, I was

depressed and feeling trapped. I would wake up every morning to more of the same

and nearly panic because I knew I was unable to escape the dullness.

Turns out I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Already suffering from depression and

anxiety, it was just one more unfortunate layer. It is a form of depression that

affects about 4% of the population when the short, dark days of winter roll around. I

discovered that it can also happen to people who find the long hot summer days

equally depressing. My doctor tweaked my antidepressant and suggested more

vitamin D. That helped some, but my husband came up with a great suggestion. He

had been the project manager for the remodeling of the psychiatric facility in our

California community, and the staff at the hospital requested the installation of

special lights that emit the closest frequencies possible to those of sunshine.

Research had found this to be therapeutic for a majority of patients. He went online

to the Verilux website, www.verilux.com/, where those lights had been purchased

and found a home version called a "Happy Light."

I talked to my doctor and he was all for it. I purchased the largest one because I felt

so swamped. The larger the lamp, the less time it takes for success. I used it for

about 1/2 hour in the morning and again at about 5:00 p.m. I often forgot it was on

and it did not bother me in the least. I know it does

not work universally, but I felt empowered right

away. Just knowing I could "escape" the dreariness

twice a day helped my depression so much that I

made it a daily habit.

I no longer feel overwhelmed because I am able to

use my lamp. A small version of the "Happy Lamp"

is available at Costco. I believe it takes longer to

get the same results with this version, but it is

more affordable. There is no guarantee that the

lamp will work for everyone, but it has been

positive for many people. If you, too, are dreading

winter because of the negative effects you have

felt in the past, you might want to consider a

“Happy Lamp”.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

President Ann Donnelly, Ph.D.

boardpres@namiswwa.org

Vice President Scott Brickley

boardvp@namiswwa.org

Treasurer Rebecca Anderson

treasurer@namiswwa.org

Secretary Michael Altig, LMHC

secretary@namiswwa.org

Board Members Ted Engelbrecht

Terry Gertsen

Adam Herreid, MA, CMHC

Adam Pithan

Craig Pridemore

Joe Tran, RPh

Darvin Zimmerman, Judge board@namiswwa.org

Executive Director Peggy McCarthy, MBA peggy.m@namiswwa.org

Executive Assistant

Melinda McLeod

Development/Marketing

Director

Suzanne Arnits

Mental Health Counselor

Janet Ragan, MA, LMHC

Jean Miller, LMHCA

Family Specialist

Lyn Pattison

Peer Benefits Specialist

Cindy Falter

IT Specialist

Jason Harris

Interns

Mary Seifert-Fleming

Page 2

Board Members

Office Staff

From the Director’s Desk

Dear Members and Friends,

October has been a busy month with a new, very large

Family to Family class starting as soon as the previous

class finished, a BASICS class opening, and Janet, our

Clinical Director is training our peers to conduct our revised

STRivE psychoeducational program. We also held another

annual fundraiser, the Donnelly Walk, which was hosted by

our Board President Ann Donnelly and her husband Mike. As always, the scones were

terrific as was the rest of the buffet breakfast, and the attendees enjoyed walking and

running the neighborhood and visiting with other NAMI SW WA supporters.

Our application to become a licensed mental health provider agency was filed with the

State of Washington; this will enable us to be contracted by the managed care

organizations that will be selected by the state to provide services in our SW WA region

to provide services to their members. Integration of services will be adopted on April 1,

2016 in Clark and Skamania counties; Cowlitz County will continue working with Grays

Harbor County before joining a new region next year.

We have held two days of genetic testing at our Vancouver office and will hold a third on

January 6th. A number of people who have completed the testing have found that they

are taking medications that they cannot metabolize; this information has been helpful

to both the prescriber and the individual. If you are interested in getting tested in

January, please call our office for the documents and other information you will need to

take part in this easy process.

A number of Cowlitz and Clark County residents joined together in the Kelso office

recently to welcome Bernie and Marcia Altman, co-founders of the original NAMI Cowlitz

as they reminisced about the founding of NAMI in that county and talked about their

lives as family members. Bernie and Marcia, now both in their 90s, are terrific

examples of the stamina, fortitude, and sheer determination that

the founders of NAMIs across the nation held on to as they fought,

and continue to fight, to get services for their loved ones. We love

you, Bernie and Marcia.

As we move toward the holiday season and end of the year we wish

you all the best and hope that, in this time of giving, that each and

every one of you will remember NAMI SW WA.

Peggy

Poetry by Paul Campbell

1,2,3,4 burners off

grab my coat, again

1,2,3,4, burners off

out the door, down the stairs.

Up the stairs, through the door

1,2,3,4, burners off

turn to go, glance back

1,2,3,4, burners off

AN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE ON VACATION

Out the door straightaway

down the stairs, in the car

pulling out, down the driveway

pausing anxiously, burners off?

Up the driveway, up the stairs

through the door

1,2,3,4, burners off, burners off!

Out the door, down the stairs

in the car...water off?

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 3

Clark

Melinda McLeod

Cowlitz

Janie Gislason

Skamania

Becky Anderson

Scott Brickley

Connection

Support Groups

Eric Johnson

Janie Gislason

Corrections

H-Pod/Workcenter

Eric Johnson

Ilse Schuurmans

Janine DeBacker

Family Support Groups

Don Greenwood

Kay Roberson

STRivE Psychoeducational

Program

Eric Johnson

Ilse Schuurmans

Janine DeBacker

Janie Gislason

Adam Pithan

NAMI Walks Coordinator

Suzanne Arnits

Library Coordinator

Nancy Marsh

Parents and Teachers as Allies

Ending the Silence

Keri Stanberry

HomeFront

Daryn Nelsen-Soza

John Niebert

County Coordinators

Support Groups

Event Coordinator

Vital Support

USE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR RECOVERY – MENTAL HEALTH APPS

You might be surprised to know that there are many apps that can be useful in promoting

mental health recovery. Be careful and make sure to check them out before using them.

They need to be based on sound, outcome based principles.

Some of the apps you might look at are:

DBT Diary – Based on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, this app contains many self-help

skills, listings of DBT principles, and helpful coping skills.

BellyBio – Teaches how to use deep belly breathing to help with anxiety and stress.

Optimism – This app helps relieve depression through journaling and charting recovery

progress.

iSleepEasy – A selection of guided meditations and tips for falling asleep.

My New Head - Learn new skills and create positive changes in thinking and behavior.

Mood Sentry – Designed by a person living with depression.

Let it Go - It’s a great app to help you relax, forgive, and be less stressed.

MindShift – This app is designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety.

Healthy Food & Fitness Network – Get fit by health choices – recipes, nutrition information.

Smiling Mind – Meditation made easy.

Booster Buddy – Designed to help teens/young adults improve their mental health.

NAMI air – Find unconditional support in a social community of people who can relate.

WRAP – Wellness Recovery Plan for your phone.

Sleep Cycle - This popular app analyzes your sleep and wakes you during the lightest part

of your sleep cycle. This intelligent alarm clock can detect your movement during sleep

and wake you up at the optimal time during a 30-minute alarm window.

Secret of Happiness - This app’s 30-day challenge just may help you find your own secret

to a happier life.

Depression CBT Self-Help Guide - The app helps you understand the causes of depression,

and it explains self-help behaviors you can adopt to reduce symptoms.

Positive Activity Jackpot - The app is based on a type of behavioral therapy called pleasant

event scheduling, which is used to treat depression.

Operation Reach Out - The app was designed for military families as a support system, but

could be helpful to anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts.

PTSD Coach - Created by the VA's National Center for PTSD, this program provides users

with information and exercises to help manage stress and depression after trauma

TRY THESE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR DEPRESSION Sometimes the symptoms of depression can be helped by using alternative strategies. These

approaches are ones that work for this author; they might not work for you. Any of the following can

also be used to supplement prescription medication.

Light therapy. I try to get ½ hour of light therapy each day, either from sunshine or from my light

box. Full spectrum light boxes (happy lights) can be prescribed and costs covered by insurance.

Making sure that your vitamin D levels are in the recommended range. These levels should be

monitored by your health care practitioner each year. Vitamin D supplements can also be

helpful.

Exercise. If you can get motivated, exercise and just moving around can help relieve symptoms of

depression and anxiety. Other choices for exercise can include yoga or tai chi.

Sam-e. This supplement has long been used in Europe for alleviating symptoms of depression. You

will feel full effects from this supplement in six weeks.

Acupuncture. Some studies suggest that acupuncture is as effective for treating depression as

counseling. A Chinese medicine practitioner can prescribe Chinese herbs formulated just for

you, and their holistic approach can be very effective in easing symptoms of depression.

Herbal tinctures. Many formulations can be explored at natural grocery stores where store

personnel have been trained to assist in helping make selections. Consider rescue remedy

formulas for in-the-moment help, aroma therapy, and other supplements.

Healthy eating. Changes in your diet can make substantial changes in your mood. Much

information can be obtained on the web as to what foods to avoid and what foods to add to

your diet. For example, if you have a gluten sensitivity, you might experience “brain fog” that

will affect your mood.

YOU CAN HELP NAMI

SWWA EARN DONATIONS

JUST BY SHOPPING WITH

YOUR FRED MEYER

REWARDS CARD!

Fred Meyer is donating

$2.5 million per year to

n o n - p r o f i t s i n

Washington, based on

where their customers

tell them to give.

Here’s how the

program works:

Sign up for the

Community Rewards

program by linking your

Fred Meyer Rewards

Card to NAMI at

www.fredmeyer.com/

communityrewards.

You can search for

us by our name NAMI

or by our non-profit

number 87058.

Then, every time

you shop and use your

Rewards Card, you are

helping NAMI SWWA

earn a donation!

You still earn your

Rewards Points, Fuel

Points, and Rebates,

just as you do today.

If you do not have a

Rewards Card, they are

avai lable at the

Customer Service desk

of any Fred Meyer

store.

For more information,

p l e a s e v i s i t

www.fredmeyer.com/

communityrewards

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 4

WHAT IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)? The symptoms of depression are very common. Some people experience these only at

times of stress, while others may experience them regularly at certain times of the year.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression,

usually in late fall and winter, alternating with periods of normal or high mood the rest of

the year.

While no specific gene has been shown to cause SAD, scientists have identified that a

chemical within the brain (a neurotransmitter called serotonin) may not be functioning

optimally in many patients with SAD. The role of hormones, specifically melatonin, and

sleep-wake cycles (also called circadian rhythms) during the changing seasons is still being

studied in people with SAD. Some studies have also shown that SAD is more common in

people who live in northern latitudes (e.g., Canada and Alaska as opposed to California and

Florida).

WHAT ARE THE PATTERNS OF SAD?

For all depressive episodes, it is important to understand the pattern of the condition, in

other words, what stresses or triggers contribute to the depressive symptoms. In SAD, the

seasonal variation in mood states is the key dimension to understand. Through recognition

of the pattern of symptoms over time, developing a more targeted treatment plan is

possible.

Symptoms of SAD usually begin in October or November and subside in March or April.

Some patients begin to “slump” as early as August, while others remain well until January.

Regardless of the time of onset, most patients don’t feel fully “back to normal” until early

May. Depressions are usually mild to moderate, but they can be severe. Treatment planning

needs to match the severity of the condition for the individual. Safety is the first

consideration in all assessment of depression, as suicide can be a risk for more severe

depressive symptoms.

Although some individuals do not necessarily show these symptoms, the classic

characteristics of recurrent winter depression include oversleeping, daytime fatigue,

carbohydrate craving and weight gain. Additionally, many people may experience other

features of depression including decreased sexual interest, lethargy, hopelessness, suicidal

thoughts, lack of interest in normal activities and decreased socialization. Many people with

SAD also report that their depression worsens or reappears whenever there is “less light

around” (e.g., the weather is overcast at any time of the year, or if their indoor lighting is

decreased).

Some people with bipolar disorder can also have seasonal changes in their mood and

experience acute episodes in a recurrent fashion at different times of the year. It has been

classically described that some people with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience

depressive episodes in the fall/winter and manic episodes in spring/summer.

A person with any of these symptoms should feel comfortable asking their doctors about

SAD. A full medical evaluation of a person who is experiencing these symptoms for the first

time should include a thorough physical examination as well as blood (e.g., thyroid testing)

and urine tests (e.g., pregnancy testing, drug screening). A medical evaluation is

appropriate because SAD can often be misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, infectious

mononucleosis or other medical conditions.

HOW IS SAD TREATED?

Many people with SAD will find that their symptoms respond to a very specific treatment

called light therapy. For people who are not severely depressed and are unable—or

unwilling—to use antidepressant medications, light therapy may be the best initial

treatment option.

Light therapy consists of regular, daily exposure to a “light box,” which artificially simulates

high-intensity sunlight. Practically, this means that a person will spend approximately 30

minutes sitting in front of this device shortly after they awaken in the morning. Treatment

usually continues from the time of year that a person’s symptoms begin, such as in fall, on

“Loving ourselves through

the process of owning our

own story is the bravest

thing we’ll ever do.”

— Brené Brown

“Old friends pass away,

new friends appear. It is

just like the days. An old

day passes, a new day

arrives. The important thing

is to make it meaningful: a

meaningful friend — or a

meaningful day.”

— Dalai Lama

“When I’m sad I stop being

sad and be awesome

instead.”

— Neil Patrick Harris as

Barney Stinson, “How I Met

Your Mother”

“Man is fond of counting

his troubles, but he does

not count his joys. If he

counted them up as he

ought to, he would see that

every lot has enough

happiness provided for it.”

— Fyodor Dostoevsky

“I like living. I have

sometimes been wildly,

despairingly, acutely

miserable, racked with

sorrow, but through it all I

still know that just to be

alive is a grand thing.”

— Agatha Christie

“Sometimes your joy is the

source of your smile, but

sometimes your smile can

be the source of your joy.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 5

(Continued from page 4) a daily basis throughout the winter months. Because light boxes are created to provide a

specific type of light, they are expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

Unfortunately, having lots of lamps in one’s house and spending extra time outside is

not as effective as this more expensive treatment.

Scientific studies have shown light therapy to be very effective when compared to

placebo and as effective as antidepressants in many cases of non-severe SAD. Light

therapy may also work faster than antidepressants for some people with notable effects

beginning with in a few days of starting treatment. Other people may find that it takes a

few weeks for light therapy to work, which can also be the case for most people who

take antidepressant medications. Although not explicitly recommended, some people

may elect for treatment with both light therapy and antidepressant medications and find

the combination of these treatments to be helpful.

Antidepressant medications have been found to be useful in treating people with SAD.

Of the antidepressants, fluoxetine (Prozac) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) have been

studied in the treatment of SAD and been shown to be effective. The U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) has approved these medications for treatment of major depressive

disorder but any person considering treatment with an antidepressant medication

should discuss the benefits and risks of treatment with their doctors.

Some people may require treatment of their symptoms only for the period of the year in

which they experience symptoms. Other people may elect for year-round treatment or

prophylactic treatment that begins prior to the onset of the season in which their

symptoms are most severe. This is yet another reason to discuss treatment options with

one’s physicians. While not explicitly studied for the treatment of SAD, psychotherapy—

specifically types of psychotherapy with documented clinical efficacy in the treatment of

depression including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—is likely a useful additional

option for some people with SAD.

People with a history of bipolar disorder should be very cautious in approaching how

they address depressive symptoms. Light therapy, like antidepressant therapy has been

associated with increasing the risk of experiencing a manic episode. The specifics of this

are beyond the scope of this review and again, should be discussed with one’s doctors.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE SAD?

Any person experiencing significant symptoms of depression should feel comfortable

discussing their concerns with their doctors. Some primary care doctors (e.g.,

pediatricians and general practitioners) may be experienced in treating SAD and will feel

comfortable treating this illness. Other doctors may want to refer people with SAD to a

psychiatrist for treatment of this illness. This is more common in people with complex

psychiatric illnesses or more severe symptoms. Before starting any treatment for SAD, a

person should make sure to meet with their doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of

treatment.

Friends and family members of people with SAD may be appropriately concerned for the

well being of their loved one. The best way to be helpful to a person with SAD is for the

people who care about them to be supportive in a non-judgmental fashion. This can

include encouraging a person with symptoms to seek help for their condition. http://www2.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/By_Illness/Seasonal_Affective_Disorder.htm

NAMI SW WA has a new Facebook Page: namisouthwestwa. Please “LIKE” our page! To do this, log into your Facebook profile and at the

top click “find friends”. Then in the search box, top left, start typing NAMI

Southwest and several NAMI pages will pop-up to select. Choose the one

that has a gold emblem, is in Vancouver WA, and has about 130 likes. Once

you like what you see, please “invite” your Facebook friends to like our NAMI SW WA Face-

book Page as well. The opportunity to “invite” all or selected friends just shows up. Be-

cause you have just “liked” the correct NAMI SW WA Page, your friends will automatically

be attached to that page if they choose to accept your invitation.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 6

You can work and keep your benefits! Come and learn about work incentives, SSDI,

SSI ,MEDICARE, MEDICAID, HWD and more. What is it all about? Cindy can answer that question!

Cindy is a federally and state trained peer benefits specialist and problem solver. She is passionate about recovery and ending the stigma associated with people receiving disability benefits. If you feel overwhelmed by paperwork, come and see Cindy.

Who should attend? Individuals receiving Federal or

State Benefits People needing information

about Work Incentives Employee Specialists Case Managers Anyone wanting to find out

more.

Vancouver Office: Tuesday, November 17th 3:00 to 4:30pm 5411 E. Mill Plain, Suite 4 Vancouver, WA 98661

360-695-2823

Cowlitz Office:

Thursday, November 19th 3:00 to 4:30pm

109 Allen Street Kelso, WA 98626

360-703-6722

If possible, please RSVP to ensure we have sufficient

materials prepared for your attendance.

Offices are ADA Accessible We are dedicated tio helping people affected by mental illness.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 9

Can Drinking Diet Coke Cause Depression? by Sara Ipatenco (http://www.livestrong.com/article/459166-can-drinking-diet-coke-cause-depression/)

Diet soda doesn't contain calories, but that doesn't mean it's healthy.

When it comes to drinking soda, diet is better in terms of sugar and calorie content when

compared to regular soda. Diet soda, however, comes with its own set of risks, and it's part-

ly the artificial sweeteners that make the beverage a poor dietary choice. There is a link

between drinking diet soda and depression, for example. That doesn't mean you're des-

tined for depression if you enjoy diet soda, but the connection is worth considering as you

make beverage choices in the future.

The Stats

A study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology that involved 263,925 adults

between the ages of 50 and 71 discovered a link between drinking diet soda and depres-

sion. The participants recorded their intake of drinks such as soda, coffee, tea and fruit

punch between 1995 and 1996. Ten years later, the participants told researchers whether

they had been diagnosed with depression since the year 2000, and 11,311 people stated

that they had been so diagnosed. Participants who drank more than four cans of soda per

day were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to people who

didn't drink any soda, and the risk was greater for participants who drank diet soda.

The beautiful changing of the seasons is definitely here. The lovely

colors in the foliage, the crisp morning air, floating veils of light fog,

low clouds against the hillside and smoke rising from chimneys. For

those of us having a hard time finding things in our lives to be

grateful for, because times are hard, and our lives feel like a

constant struggle, the beauty of nature is always there to give that

feeling of endless power and awe. We just have to be open to it and

see.

The one constant in many of our worlds is the daily challenges of

recovery. In mental health or addictions recovery, there are more similarities than differences. In this hectic busy world,

do we unthinkingly set ourselves up to stumble? Are we careful to set only reasonable expectations of ourselves while

reinforcing them with healthy boundaries? Have we learned to say “NO” when overwhelmed or unable and make it OK

for ourselves? As a mental health consumer, myself, I too struggle with these ongoing life lessons.

My drive to overachieve and prove myself to both myself and others is a trap, a trap many of us fall into. In our groups

and classes here at NAMI, I hope to remind all of our group members the need for us all to care for and nurture

ourselves. Be that best friend to ourselves that we are all searching for. Replace all those negative and critical

messages we silently tell ourselves in our heads with positive and hopeful ones.

I AM WORTHY

I AM LOVEABLE

I AM CAPABLE

I AM KIND

I challenge everyone reading this message, myself included, to repeat those 4 statements to ourselves daily. In the

morning while looking kindly at yourself in a mirror, and at night before sleep, writing them out to yourself. On what, it

doesn’t matter. Fancy journal, scrap of paper wherever. Just write it to yourself with conviction.

So until next time we meet, whether through printed word or over a warm cup of coffee or tea, at our Cowlitz office at

109 Allen Street, Kelso, WA.

Be well and be kind to yourself.

Janie Gislason

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF

MENTAL HEALTH

1. Think positively; it’s

easier

2. Cherish the ones you

love

3. Continue learning as

long as you live

4. Learn from your

mistakes

5. Exercise daily; it

enhances your well-

being

6. Do not complicate

your life unnecessarily

7. Try to understand and

encourage those

around you

8. Do not give up;

success in life is a

marathon

9. Discover and nurture

your talents

10. Set goals for yourself

and pursue your

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 10

For all NAMI SWWA

courses

CALL (360) 695-2823

to sign up or visit or

website to register.

Classes fiill up quickly

so sign up soon.

Do you have some spare time to volunteer

for NAMI SW WA? Are you interested but not sure if you could help

and/or find value in the time spent volunteering for

NAMI SW WA? We have volunteer opportunities in

both the Vancouver office, serving Clark and

Skamania counties and in the Kelso office, serving

Cowlitz County. We provide training and support!

Vancouver Office Volunteer Opportunities – contact Suzanne at 360-695-2823 to learn more

Experienced data entry person, a plus if experienced with Microsoft Excel

Experience with answering phones and greeting people who come into our office

Willing to do light housekeeping such as vacuuming, cleaning the restrooms and emptying the garbage

Available once a month to help with mailing the newsletter and other one-time projects

Represent NAMI SW WA at events with another volunteer; days are variable including weekends

Kelso Office Volunteer Opportunities – contact Janie at 360-703-6722 to learn more

Volunteers are needed Monday – Friday during business hours - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Duties will include answering the

phone, greeting visitors, providing NAMI SW WA information. Ideally the volunteer will be available one full day each

week or a minimum shift of 3 hours.

Represent NAMI SW WA at events with another volunteer, days are variable including weekends

We are also looking for people (who have a mental health disorder and are in recovery), and for family members or

caregivers (who provide support for someone in their lives who has a mental health disorder), to be trained to teach

NAMI Support Group classes and to participate as a speaker in SEE ME.

BOOK REVIEW A COMMON STRUGGLE: A Personal Journey Through the Past and

Future of Mental Illness and Addiction

by Patrick J. Kennedy and Stephen Fried

Patrick Kennedy, in writing about his own mental health struggles,

challenges the family code of not talking about Kennedy family

tragedies. Earlier, as a two-term congressman from Rhode Island, he went public about

his problems and, by doing so, encouraged others to shed their own fears and tell their

stories. Some were his colleagues in Congress and one was his mother, Joan. For many

years the public considered addiction and behavioral issues character flaws rather than

indications of brain dysfunction. This contributed to the stigmatization of mental illness.

By the time Kennedy was fifteen, he was drinking and abusing prescription drugs. For

years he was in and out of therapy for anxiety and bi-polar disorder, even after being

elected to Congress at age twenty-seven. He served for eight years. He finally committed

himself to recovery, ended his drinking and opiate-dependence, and has been sober for

four and a half years when this book was published. He has continued to champion

mental health issues through his work with non-profit organizations that support mental

health.

While in Congress, he and House/ Senate colleagues, including his father, worked to

make it illegal for diseases of the brain to be treated any differently than those in any

other part of the body. Enormous effort went into writing, holding hearings, and passing

legislation to create mental health parity, an effort that resulted in the Paul Wellstone and

Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. You’ll read how this came

about. You’ll also read Kennedy’s suggestions, for improving treatments, what worked for

him, and the efforts he and others are making to learn more about the brain. Reviewed by Nancy Marsh

National Alliance on Mental Illness Page 11

Bulletin Board

NAMI SWWA Help Line

M-F 9am-5pm

(360) 695-2823

(800) 273-TALK Suicide line

(800) 950-NAMI Info line

Mental Health Ombuds: (360) 397-8470

(866) 666-5070

Teen Talk: (after 4pm)

(360) 397-2428

CRISIS LINES

CLARK COUNTY

(360) 696-9560

(800) 626-8137

SKAMANIA

(509) 427-3850

COWLITZ

(360) 425-6064

(800) 803-8833

Resources:

Mental Illness & the Justice System, a free continuing legal education program (CLE)

program, will be held in Vancouver on Monday, November 23rd at the Commissioner’s

Hearing Room, 1300 Franklin ST #680 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The program is co-

sponsored locally by NAMI SW WA, and at all WA sites by NAMI WA. All defense and

prosecuting attorneys, investigators, law enforcement officers and others (such as social

workers who work in corrections) will find this program helpful. The program includes

presentations on mental Illness, recovery, challenges faced by those with mental health

diagnoses who confront the justice system, and ethical challenges in representing

people with mental health disorders. Total CLEs are 3.5 including 1.25 ethics credits.

Please register at mentalillnesscle@gmail.com or call 360-695-2813.

To participate in the January 6th genetic testing program to determine which meds you

can metabolize successfully with the hope that the test results will help you and your

prescriber eliminate meds that are of no use to you, please call our office to get forms

and other details about the program. (360-695-2823)

No new classes will start between now and the end of the calendar year. New classes

will begin in January. All existing classes and groups will continue as scheduled through

November and December.

NAMI SW WA will be sending our Annual Appeal letter in mid-November. Please keep us

in mind as you prepare your gift lists. Our fiscal needs will be great as we move into the

unknown realm of integrated services and contracts with managed care organizations to

help us pay our bills. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

The Neuroscience of Trauma: From Trigger Warnings to PTSD - Larry Sherman, MD, a

senior scientist in the Division of Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University

(OHSU), will explore the various ways the brain is modified following traumatic events

and will look at ways neuroscientists are trying to address these changes to help people

with PTSD, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Kiggins Theatre, 1011

Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, Wednesday, November 11th. Doors open at 6pm,

event starts at 7:00pm, $8 advanced tickets, $10 suggested cover at the door.

Note: I heard him talk and highly recommend that anyone dealing with PTSD attend this

presentation. Peggy

SIGN THE PLEDGE AT nami.org

NAMI Southwest Washington

5411 E. Mill Plain, Suite 4

Vancouver, WA 98661

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonprofit Org.

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Vancouver, WA

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National Alliance on Mental Illness

Help

support the

one in four

Americans

who will be

affected by

mental

illness

this year.

Thank you

for being

part of the

team!