p.o. box 6971, rockford, il 61125 | 815-963-2470 ...€¦ · teenagers experience the negative...
TRANSCRIPT
This guide is dedicated to:
Each and every individual living with mental illness. Please know that many
people care about you and there is help available.
Every family that our organization crosses paths with in hopes to assist in making
the journey of a true advocate an easier one.
All of our local mental health professionals, for playing a sometimes thankless role
in treating countless individuals on the mental illness spectrum.
Our community, for all the support that NAMI Northern Illinois receives as we live
out our mission.
*Disclaimer: This resource guide is intended for informational purposes only. NAMI Northern Illinois does not advise or recommend any decisions made
based on the following material. For all emergencies, dial 911.*
Table of Contents
I. Introduction 2
II. Mental Illness: What is Mental Illness? 3
Common Signs 4
III. Major Disorders 5
IV. Navigating a Crisis 8
Planning Ahead 12
V. Seeking Treatment 14
VI. Financial Considerations 16
VII. Mental Health Court 17
VIII. For the Family 18
IX. Support 20
X. Education 22
XI. Community Resources 24
In America, 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental illness. Nearly 1 in 25 adults in America lives with a serious mental illness. While illness can occur at any age, 50% of chronic mental illness develops before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 24. If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health condition, you are not alone. NAMI Northern Illinois is here to ensure you have a guide to accessing the services and treatment that you or your loved one needs to live a quality life. The following is compiled information to assist you in finding your way through the mental health system in northern Illinois. Recovery is a journey. Remember to care for yourself.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers that work to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. Much of the educational material in this resource guide comes directly from NAMI.
Contact the national organization at 1-800-950-6264 or [email protected], from 10am-6pm ET, Monday-Friday. For more information, please visit the NAMI website: www.nami.org.
NAMI Northern Illinois will: Provide local information, education and resources. Promote new and remedial legislation that benefits mental health care. Press for quality treatment for persons living with mental illness. Promote community support programs, living arrangements, vocational rehabilitation and
employment programs. Provide support for family members and individuals impacted by mental illness. Support and advocate for research on causes, alleviation and eradication of mental illnesses. Improve private and governmental funding for mental health facilities and services, care,
treatment, and residential and research programs. Act as a liaison between other mental health organizations and with local professionals. Aid in the enforcement of consumer and family rights. Work with local media on stories about mental illness to increase community understanding. Offer encouragement to individuals living with mental illness to promote their full participation
as community members. Supply a listening ear for individuals who need the assistance and provide hope for all.
Contact NAMI Northern Illinois
815-963-2470 [email protected]
Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
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What is Mental Illness?
A mental illness is defined as a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis. Early engagement and support are crucial to improving outcomes and increasing the promise of recovery.
NAMI believes:
1. Mental illness is no one’s fault.
2. A full view of a person with a condition must include their biological, psychological and social dimensions. These three treatm ent dim ensions are in-terdependent. Changes in any of these areas can affect the other two. No single treatment alone is sufficient for recovery.
3. The emergence of mental illness is a traumatic experience. Mental illness is unexpected and is unlike any previous experiences. Mental illness has an intense emotional impact and can involve threat or danger to yourself or others.
4. The best mental health care is collaborative. For care to be collaborative, it m ust include the person in need of care, their family, and all the treatment professionals who are involved, from physicians to direct care workers. When we say “family,” we mean that in a broad way. Someone’s family may be their blood relatives, or it may be extended relatives or close friends who are highly involved in their life. Health care providers, family members and individuals are each uniquely positioned to provide critical insights into what builds re-covery. It may be difficult at times, but remember that you are all work-ing towards the same goal. Respect each other’s place on the journey.
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Common Signs
Trying to interpret signs of a mental illness isn't always easy. There is no simple test to let one know if thoughts or actions are typical behaviors of a person, the result of a physical illness or an underlying mental health concern. Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of men-tal illness may include the following: Excessive worrying or fear Feeling excessively sad or low Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger Avoiding friends and social activities Difficulties understanding or relating to other people Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite Changes in sex drive Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and
senses things that don't exist in objective reality) Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (“lack of insight” or
anosognosia) Abuse of substances such as alcohol or drugs Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomachaches, vague
and ongoing “aches and pains”) Thinking about suicide Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
Mental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children. Because children are still learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are behavioral. Symptoms in children may include the following:
Changes in school performance Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school Hyperactive behavior Frequent nightmares Frequent disobedience or aggression Frequent temper tantrums
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ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in young people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 9% of children ages 3–17 have ADHD. While ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, it does not only affect children. An estimated 4% of adults have ADHD.
With treatment, most people with ADHD can be successful in school and work and lead productive lives. Researchers are using new tools such as brain imaging to better understand the condition and to find more effective ways to treat and prevent ADHD.
Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety. Speaking in front of a group makes most of us anxious, but that motivates us to prepare and do well. Driving in heavy traffic is a common source of anxiety, but it keeps us alert and cautious to better avoid accidents. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress are overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday things, an anxiety disorder may be the cause.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. An estimated 40 million adults in the U.S., or 18%, have an anxiety disorder. Approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience the negative impact of an anxiety disorder at school and at home. Most people develop symptoms of anxiety disorders before age 21 and women are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than men.
Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. The most common types include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Phobias.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar disorder experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups and downs most people experience.
The average age of onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood. The condition affects men and women equally, with about 2.6% of the U.S. population diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 83% of cases classified as severe.
If left untreated, bipolar disorder usually worsens. However, with a good treatment plan that includes psychotherapy, medications, a healthy lifestyle, a regular schedule and early identification of symptoms, many people live well with the condition.
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Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition characterized by difficulties in regulating emotion. This difficulty leads to severe, unstable mood swings, impulsivity and instability, poor self-image and stormy personal relationships. People may make repeated attempts to avoid real or imagined situations of abandonment. The combined result of living with BPD can manifest into destructive behavior, such as self-harm (cutting) or suicide attempts.
It’s estimated that 1.6% of the adult U.S. population has BPD but it may be as high as 5.9%. Nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are women, but recent research suggests that men may be almost as frequently affected by BPD. In the past, men with BPD were often misdiagnosed with PTSD or depression.
Depressive Disorder Depressive disorder, frequently referred to simply as depression, is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, depression can be devastating for those who have it and their families. Fortunately, with early detection, diagnosis and a treatment plan consisting of medication, psychotherapy and healthy lifestyle choices, many people can and do get better.
Some will only experience one depressive episode in a lifetime, but for most, depressive disorder recurs. Without treatment, episodes may last a few months to several years.
An estimated 16 million American adults—almost 7% of the population—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. People of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds experience depression, but it does affect some groups more than others.
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders are an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection be-tween thoughts, identity, consciousness and memory. People from all age groups and racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience a dissociative disorder.
It’s estimated that 2% of people experience dissociative disorders, with women being more likely than men to be diagnosed. Almost half of adults in the United States experiences at least one depersonalization/de-realization episode in their lives, with only 2% meeting the full criteria for chronic episodes.
The symptoms of a dissociative disorder usually first develop as a response to a traumatic event, such as abuse or military combat, to keep those memories under control. Stressful situations can worsen symptoms and cause problems with functioning in everyday activities. However, the symptoms a person experiences will depend on the type of dissociative disorder a person has.
Treatment for dissociative disorders often involves psychotherapy and medication. Though finding an effective treatment plan can be difficult, many people are able to live healthy, productive lives.
Eating Disorders When you become so preoccupied with food and weight issues that you find it harder and harder to focus on other aspects of your life, that may be an early sign of an eating disorder. Studies suggest that 1 in 20 people will be affected at some point in their lives. Ultimately, without treatment, eating disorders can take over a person’s life and lead to serious, potentially fatal medical complications. Although eating disorders are commonly associated with women, men can develop them, as well.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions). Although people with OCD may know their thoughts and behaviors don't make sense, they are often unable to stop them.
Symptoms typically begin during childhood, the teenage years or young adulthood, although males often develop them at a younger age than females. More than 2% of the U.S. population (nearly 1 out of 40 people) will be diagnosed with OCD during their lives.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Traumatic events, such as military combat, assault, an accident or a natural disaster, can have long-lasting negative effects. Sometimes, our biological responses and instincts, which can be life-saving during a crisis, leave people with ongoing psychological symptoms because they are not integrated into consciousness.
Because the body is busy increasing the heart rate, pumping blood to muscles for movement and preparing the body to fight off infection and bleeding in case of a wound, all bodily resources and energy get focused on physically getting out of harm’s way. This resulting damage to the brain’s response system is called post-traumatic stress response or disorder, also known as PTSD.
PTSD affects 3.5% of the U.S. adult population—about 7.7 million Americans—but women are more likely to develop the condition than men. About 37% of those cases are classified as severe. While PTSD can occur at any age, the average age of onset is in a person’s early 20s.
Schizoaffective Disorder Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression.
Reading NAMI’s content on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder will offer many overlapping resources for schizoaffective disorder. Because schizoaffective disorder is less well-studied than the other two conditions, many interventions are borrowed from their treatment approaches.
Many people with schizoaffective disorder are often incorrectly diagnosed at first with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because it shares symptoms of multiple mental health conditions.
Schizoaffective disorder is seen in about 0.3% of the population. Men and women experience the disorder at the same rate, but men often develop the illness at an earlier age. Schizoaffective disorder can be managed effectively with medication and therapy. Co-occurring substance use disorders are a serious risk and require integrated treatment.
Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. It is a complex, long-term medical illness, affecting about 1% of Americans. Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. It is possible to live well with schizophrenia.
For an in-depth look at each illness: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions
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What to Do
When a mental health crisis occurs, friends and family are often caught off guard, unprepared and unsure of what to do. The behaviors of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable and can change dramatically without warning. If you’re worried that you or your loved one is in crisis or nearing a crisis, seek help. Make sure to assess the immediacy of the situation to help determine where to start or who to call.
1. Is the person in danger of hurting themselves, others or property?
2. Do you need emergency assistance?
3. Do you have time to phone a mental health professional for guidance and support?
A person experiencing a mental health crisis can’t always clearly communicate thoughts, feelings, needs or emotions. They may also find it difficult to understand what others are saying. It’s important to empathize and connect with the person’s feelings, stay calm and try to de-escalate the crisis. If the following suggestions don’t help, seek outside assistance and resources.
Techniques that May Help De-escalate a Crisis:
Keep your voice calm Avoid overreacting Listen to the person Express support and concern Avoid continuous eye contact Ask how you can help Keep stimulation level low Move slowly Offer options instead of trying to take control Avoid touching the person unless you ask permission Be patient Gently announce actions before initiating them Give them space, don’t make them feel trapped Don’t make judgmental comments
Don’t argue or try to reason with the person If you can’t de-escalate the crisis yourself, you can seek additional help from mental health professionals who can assess the situation and determine the level of crisis intervention required. If you don’t believe there is an immediate danger, call a psychiatrist, clinic nurse, therapist, case manager or family physician who is familiar with the person’s history.
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This professional can help assess the situation and offer advice, including obtaining an appointment or admitting the person to the hospital. If you can’t reach someone and the situation is worsening, consider calling your county mental health crisis unit, crisis response team or other similar contacts. If the situation is life-threatening or if serious property damage is occurring, don’t hesitate to call 911 and ask for immediate assistance.
When you call 911, tell them someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and explain the nature of the emergency, your relationship to the person in crisis and whether there are weapons involved. Ask the 911 operator to send someone trained to work with people with mental illnesses such as a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) officer. CIT officers are specially trained to recognize and de-escalate situations involving people who have a mental illness. They recognize that people with mental illnesses sometimes need a specialized response and are familiar with the community-based mental health resources they can use in a crisis. You can always ask for a CIT officer when you call 911, although they are not available in all areas.
When providing information about a person in a mental health crisis, be very specific about the behaviors you are observing. Describe what’s been going on lately and right now, not what happened a year ago. Be brief and to the point. For example, instead of saying, “My sister is behaving strangely,” you might say, “My sister hasn’t slept in three days, hasn’t eaten anything in over five days and she believes that someone is talking to her through the television.” Report any active psychotic behavior, significant changes in behaviors (such as not leaving the house, not taking showers), threats to other people and increases in manic behaviors or agitation (such as pacing, irritability). Once you call 911, there are two entities that may become involved—medical/first responders and law enforcement. You need to be prepared for both.
Medical Response/Emergency Department If the situation can’t be resolved on-site or it’s recommended by first responders or law enforcement, taking your loved one to the emergency department may be the best option. Be aware that if they are transported in a law enforcement vehicle, usual policy is to use handcuffs. This can be upsetting for everyone involved but may be the only option you have at the time. You may also be allowed to transport them in your vehicle, or they may be transported via ambulance. Remember, once first responders arrive, you are not in control of these decisions. The most important thing is to get to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.
A visit to the emergency department doesn’t guarantee admission. Admission criteria vary and depend on medical necessity as determined by a physician and insurance coverage. Be prepared for an emergency department visit to be lengthy, likely several hours. Bring anything that may help the person who is in crisis stay calm, like books, music, games, etc. Some hospitals have separate psychiatric emergency units. They’re typically quieter and are staffed by mental health professionals and practitioners. Make sure to bring any relevant medical information, including the names and doses of any medications and your crisis kit, if you have one.
Law Enforcement Response When the law enforcement officer arrives, provide them with as much relevant and concise information about the person as you can:
Diagnosis, medications, hospitalization history, previous history of violence, suicide attempts or criminal charges
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If the person has no history of violent acts, be sure to point this out. Share the facts efficiently and objectively, and let the officer decide the course of action. Remember that once 911 has been called and officers arrive on the scene, you don’t control the situation. Depending on the officers involved and your community, they may actually take the person to jail instead of an emergency room. Law enforcement officers have broad discretion in deciding when to issue a warning, make an arrest or refer for evaluation and treatment. You can request and encourage the officers to view the situation as a mental health crisis. Be clear about what you want to have happen without disrespecting the officer’s authority. But remember, once 911 is called and law enforcement officers arrive, they determine if a possible crime has occurred, and they have the power to arrest and take a person into custody. Law enforcement can, and often will, call mental health resources in your community. Nearby supports and services may assist in deciding what options are available and appropriate. If you disagree with the officers, don’t argue or interfere.
Once law enforcement has left, call a friend, mental health professional or advocate—like NAMI—for support and information. And if your loved one is not admitted to treatment and the situation worsens, don’t be afraid to call for help again. The situation can be reassessed and your loved one may meet the criteria for hospital admission later, even though they initially did not.
Family Reactions Feelings, reactions and responses to mental health emergencies vary from family to family and person to person within each family. Family members may feel: confusion and disorientation, isolation, distancing or denial, extreme fatigue, guilt based on the mistaken assumption that the “parents are to blame,” and fear for the safety of the individual, the family, and society
Remember to: Rem ain calm , explain that your loved one is having a mental health crisis and is not a criminal and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer, if available
They will ask: Your nam e, the person ’s name, age and description, the person’s current location, and whether the person has access to a weapon
Information you may need to communicate:
1. Mental health history, diagnosis(es) 2. Medications (current/discontinued) 3. Suicide attempts, current threats 4. Prior violence, current threats 5. Drug use 6. Contributing factors (i.e. current stressors) 7. What has helped in the past 8. Any delusions, hallucinations, loss of touch with reality Tips for while you wait for help to arrive:
1. If you don’t feel safe at any time, leave the location immediately 2. If you feel safe staying with your loved one until help arrives:
Announce all of your actions in advance Use short sentences Be comfortable with silence Allow your loved one to pace/move freely Offer options (for example, “Do you want the lights off?”) Reduce stimulation from TV, bright lights, loud noises, etc. Don’t disagree with the person’s experience naminorthernillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2018/04/Navigating-A-Mental-Health-Crisis.pdf
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Planning Ahead Planning ahead can make a huge difference in your loved one’s treatment experience in the future.
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) A Wellness Recovery Action Plan can also be very helpful for your loved one to plan their overall care and in avoiding a crisis. If they will not work with you on a plan, you can make one on your own. Be sure to include the following information:
Phone numbers for your loved one’s therapist, psychiatrist and other health care providers Phone numbers of family members or friends who would be helpful in a crisis Local crisis line number (you can usually find this by contacting your NAMI affiliate, or by do-
ing an internet search for “mental health crisis services” and the name of your county) Addresses of walk-in crisis centers or emergency rooms The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Your address and phone number(s) Your loved one’s diagnosis and medications Previous psychosis or suicide attempts History of drug use Triggers Things that have helped in the past Mobile Crisis Unit phone number in the area (if there is one) Determine if police officers in the community have Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Go over the plan with your loved one, and if they are comfortable doing so, with their doctor. Keep copies in several places. Store a copy in a drawer in your kitchen, your glove compartment, on your smartphone, your bedside table, or in your wallet. Also, keep a copy in a room in your home that has a lock and a phone.
To learn more about WRAP, please contact the NAMI Northern Illinois office.
You may purchase the materials for a WRAP plan here: www.wrapandrecoverybooks.com/store/wrap-books-workbooks.html
Guardianship
Guardians have court-ordered authority and responsibility to manage the affairs of those who can no longer make their own decisions about finances or health care. A guardian cannot consent to mental health treatment or admission for an objecting ward without a court order entered pursuant to the Mental Health Code. 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1© (West 2018); In re Gardner, 121 Ill. App. 3d 7 (4th Dist. 1984).
Wards with specific capacity to consent to admission can consent to voluntary admission to a mental health facility on their own even if they are under plenary guardianship of their person. 405 ILCS 5/3-400(a). And a ward may request that his or her guardian complete an application for voluntary admission on the ward’s behalf.
Wards with specific capacity to consent to psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy may also consent to these treatments on their own even if they are under plenary guardianship of their person. See 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1((a-5)(4)(E). Additionally, a plenary guardian of the person may consent to treatment with psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy for a “non-objecting” ward. 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(c).
Keep in mind that a guardian is imposed on a person after the person has been adjudicated “a disabled person” in the eyes of the law.
Guardians have other limits, too, which is why advanced directives are so important.
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Psychiatric Advance Directives Advance Directives – powers of attorney for health care and declarations for mental health treatment – allow the recipient (principal) to express treatment wishes in advance and to place an agent in their shoes to make decisions on their behalf if the principal becomes unable to make such decisions due to their mental health condition. The advance directive is written by your loved one when they are currently “competent.”
A Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) is a legal document written by a currently competent per-son who lives with a mental illness. A PAD allows a person to be prepared if a mental health cri-sis prevents them from being able to make decisions. A PAD describes treatment preferences, or names a person to make treatment decisions, should the person with a mental health condition be unable to make decisions.
There are two kinds of psychiatric advance directives:
An Instructive PAD gives instructions about the specific mental health treatment a person wants should he or she experience a psychiatric crisis.
A Proxy PAD names a health care proxy or agent to make treatment decisions when a person is unable to do so.
There are two advance directives that may be used to consent to treatment and/or admission for a person with a mental illness who currently lacks capacity to consent for himself or herself: the durable power of attorney for health care and the declaration for mental health treatment.
Both types of advance directives are powerful and empowering documents — powerful because they give agents (also called “attorneys-in-fact”) more power than guardians when it comes to making decisions on behalf of principals who have mental illnesses, empowering because the principals choose who will make decisions for them at a time when they cannot and because the principals can set limitations on the agent’s decision-making ability. See, e.g., In re Hatsuye T., 293 Ill.App.3d 1046, 689 N.E.2d 248, 228 Ill.Dec. 376 (1st Dist. 1997) (principal excluded power to consent to electroconvulsive therapy in her advance directive).
A declaration for mental health treatment does not require the principal to appoint an agent, and the document itself can be used to consent to mental health treatment or admission.
Mental Health First Aid Another great step to take if you have a loved one living with a mental illness (or happen to be a mental health provider) is to take a Mental Health First Aid class. This course is created for ALL individuals in our society. Just as CPR training helps a person with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a person assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis such as contemplating suicide. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn a single five-step strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and support-ing the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help and other supports. Par-ticipants are also introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance use problems, engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on in-dividuals and families, and learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
An action plan is put into place using five steps:
Assess for risk of suicide or harm. Listen nonjudgmentally. Give reassurance and information. Encourage appropriate professional help. Encourage self-help and support strategies.
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During the course, one learns how to apply this action plan in a variety of situations, including:
Panic attacks Suicidal thoughts or behaviors Non-suicidal self-injury Acute psychosis (i.e. hallucinations or delusions) Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use Reaction to a traumatic event
Avoiding a Crisis within Yourself
Talking with Your Doctor The first thing to do if you feel your health worsening is to call your mental health professionals and explain the situation. Don’t be afraid to speak openly and honestly about what is and isn’t working with your treatment plan. If you don't currently have a mental health professional, make an urgent appointment with a primary care physician just as you would for the flu or an infection, so that you can begin finding professional support quickly.
Reaching Out to Others In difficult times, many people benefit from reaching out to friends, family and support groups for encouragement. Your local NAMI office (815-963-2470 or [email protected]) can offer you sympathy and support and provide you information about resources in your community. It can also be helpful to call a "warmline" — a phone number where trained volunteers offer sym-pathy and support. However, both of these support lines are often peers living with a mental health condition and are not trained crisis counselors.
Taking Care of Yourself Think about what has helped stabilize you in the past and create a “toolbox” of coping mechanisms. Would it help to talk to a friend? To meditate or take a nap? To exercise or go for a walk? Take action to help yourself, even if you doubt it will work. Doubt and feelings of helplessness may be symptoms of a mental health condition. Do something that might make you feel better and observe how you feel afterwards. Your discomfort will be easier to bear if you have a long-term treatment plan, because you can remind yourself that difficult times are becoming fewer and less severe. Remember that you are not alone and help is available.
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Choosing the right mix of treatments and supports that work for you is an important step in the recovery process. Treatment choices for mental health conditions will vary from person to person. Even people with the same diagnosis will have different experiences, needs, goals and objectives for treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
When people are directly involved in designing their own treatment plan, including defining recovery and wellness goals, choosing services that support them and evaluating treatment decisions and progress, the experience of care and outcomes are improved. There are many tools that can improve the experience on the road to wellness.
Types of Mental Health Professionals Many types of mental health care professionals can help you achieve your recovery goals. Finding the right professional is easier when you understand the different areas of expertise and training. NAMI Northern Illinois can provide information on how to find various mental health professionals and resources in your area. Please note that we are unable to provide specific recommendations to individual providers, as we are unable to speak to the quality of their care.
Treatment Settings Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Where you go for mental health treatment depends on your situation and recovery needs. Knowing where to look and what to expect can help reduce confusion and stress.
Mental health care professionals who provide services include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric or mental health nurses, social workers and counselors. Psychiatrists prescribe and manage medications. Finding a professional who accepts your health insurance can help cover the cost of services, but some psychiatrists and other doctors do not accept insurance.
Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is when a person speaks with a trained therapist in a safe and confidential environment to explore and understand feelings and behaviors and gain coping skills. During individual talk therapy sessions, the conversation is often led by the therapist and can touch on topics such as past or current problems, experiences, thoughts, feelings or relationships experienced by the person while the therapist helps make connections and provide insight.
Studies have found individual psychotherapy to be effective at improving symptoms in a wide array of mental illnesses, making it both a popular and versatile treatment. It can also be used for families, couples or groups. Best practice for treating many mental health conditions includes a
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Mental Health Medications Please Note: You should discuss any information on this
page with your mental health care provider.
Psychiatric medications influence the brain chemicals that regulate emotions and thought patterns. They’re usually more effective when combined with psychotherapy. In some cases, medicines can reduce symptoms so other methods of a treatment plan can be more effective. For example, a medication can ease symptoms of depression like loss of energy and lack of concentration, allowing an individual to engage more in talk therapy.
However, predicting who will respond to what medication can be difficult because different medications may work better for one person than for another. Doctors usually review clinical records to see if evidence exists for recommending one medicine over another. They also consider family history and side effects when prescribing medication.
Be persistent until you find the medication (or combination of medications) that works for you. A few psychiatric medications work quickly, and you will see improvements within days, but most work more slowly. You may need to take a medication for several weeks or months before you see improvement. If you feel as though a medication isn’t working or you’re having side effects, consult with your provider to discuss possible adjustments. Many people won’t experience side effects, or they will go away within a few weeks, but if they continue, changing medications or dosage will often help.
Need help with the cost of medicine? Visit www.needymeds.org.
Psychosocial Treatments Psychosocial treatments include different types of psychotherapy and social and vocational training, and aim to provide support, education and guidance to people with mental illness and their families. Psychosocial treatments are an effective way to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families. They can lead to fewer hospitalizations and less difficulties at home, at school and at work.
Complementary Health Approaches Traditional medical and therapeutic methods have improved over the years, but often, they do not completely lessen or eliminate symptoms of mental illness. As a result, many people use complementary and alternative methods to help with recovery. These nontraditional treatments can be helpful, but it is important to remember that, unlike prescription medications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review or approve most of them.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is the main government agency for investigating nontraditional treatments for mental illness and other conditions. “Complementary health approaches,” the term favored by NCCIH, encompasses three areas of un-conventional treatment:
Complementary methods where nontraditional treatments are given in addition to standard medical procedures
Alternative methods of treatment used instead of established treatment Integrative methods that combine traditional and nontraditional as part of a treatment plan
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Social Security and Disability Income
ABLE Accounts
An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account that qualified individuals with disabilities may open. Contributions to ABLE accounts are made on an after-tax basis. Earnings from ABLE funds grow tax-deferred and are tax-free if used for qualified disability expenses. Contributions to the account may be made by any person (the account beneficiary, an employer, family, and friends). The beneficiary is the owner of the account, but legal guardianship and powers of attorney will permit others to control ABLE funds in the event that the beneficiary is unwilling or unable to manage the account.
Individuals with disabilities can only have $2,000 in assets at any given time in order to remain eligible for many federal means-tested benefits programs, such as SSI. Under ABLE, eligible individuals and families may establish ABLE savings accounts that will not affect their eligibility for such programs (up to $100,000, though the total annual contributions limited into the account is $14,000). Finally, individuals are able to save money for their future which may improve quality of life.
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Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP)
The Mental Health Court in Winnebago County, known as the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP), officially convened on February 9, 2005. This specialized court, similar to the drug court model, collaborates with Rosecrance to work with offenders who have a serious mental illness and to provide improved access to treatment and community services in an effort to reduce future criminal activity and incarceration in the jail.
Nationally and locally, a disproportionate number of persons with mental illness have continued to be incarcerated as funding for community-based treatment programs has decreased and most state-run psychiatric hospitals have closed. A snapshot of the Winnebago County Jail in 2004 revealed that an estimated 14 percent of our own jail population had a serious mental illness.
The Therapeutic Intervention Program, like other specialized problem-solving courts, offers innovative alternatives to traditional court proceedings and provides the potential for substantial savings to Winnebago County by stopping the revolving door of crime and mental illness. In this new program, soon after a person is arrested, a mental health professional conducts a detailed psychological assessment to diagnose any serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and then a team of legal, court services and mental health professionals screen the case for eligibility. If acceptable and eligible, a defendant may agree to participate in the program and be released from jail with an individual treatment plan and services in place. It is hoped that judicial monitoring, enhanced accountability and continued linkage with needed structure will encourage adherence to treatment and avoidance of future criminal behavior.
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It is not uncommon for families to become the primary caregivers of their loved ones. Family members may find themselves trying to help their loved ones in ways they are not prepared. This process can be challenging and frightening, not to mention stressful and exhausting. Knowing that every emotion you are feeling is normal can be beneficial. When mental illness strikes, families will experience predictable emotional reactions.
Dealing with the catastrophic event
Crisis/chaos/shock.
Denial: Resisting what’s happening to protect ourselves.
Hoping against hope: Hope that everything will go back to normal.
Needs: Support, comfort, empathy, resources, early intervention, prognosis, NAMI.
Learning to cope
Anger/guilt/resentment: Blaming the victim of the illness, believing the individual is doing this on purpose. Blame ourselves.
Recognition: Finding a new reality. Recognition that illness will change our lives forever.
Grief: Deeply feel tragedy. Grieve about past ideas of future.
Needs: Venting feelings, self-care, education, skill-training, networking, cooperation from the system, letting go, maintaining hope, NAMI.
Moving into advocacy
Understanding: Gaining a solid sense of family member’s experience. Develop empathy and respect for the courage it takes to cope with an illness such as this.
Acceptance: Accept this has happened and it is no one’s fault. Recognize we can continue to cope and live though this.
Advocacy/action: Use our anger and grief productively. Advocate for others and fight discrimination. Get involved in the cause.
Needs: Restore balance in life, activism, response from the system, NAMI.
Important points to remember:
1. These responses are natural. None of these responses are w rong. 2. People don’t experience these stages in any specific order. People m ay be in m ore
than one stage at a time. Families may cycle through these stages many times. 3. Family members may be in different stages from each other. Various fam ily
members are often at different places in the cycle. This is why family members often have difficulty communicating with each other and agreeing on what to do next. Please remember to be understanding.
4. There is no single right or normal way to experience stages of response to catastrophic stressors. This is an individual journey that offers hope to fam ilies.
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To ensure your loved ones get the quality care they deserve, remember these things:
1. Keep a record of everything. Lists of nam es, addresses, phone num bers, dates of crisis events, admission/discharge dates. Keep a notebook to have pertinent information in one place. Include a copy of birth certificate, Social Security card, insurance, letters, etc.
2. Be a part of the treatment team. Approach the rest of the team w ith your con-cerns and questions with a spirit of collaboration. Everyone’s input must be heard and respect-ed.
3. Be polite and keep conversations on target. Do not allow yourself to be intim idat-ed. Do not try to intimidate the professionals or caregivers.
4. Write letters of appreciation when warranted and letters of criticism when necessary. Send these to hospitals, agency directors, and others involved. Don ’t forget to keep a copy for yourself. Send these letters to your legislators as needed.
5. Do not accept vague or confusing answers to your questions. 6. Keep your loved one informed about things that you plan to do. He or she m ay
disapprove of your action or wish to handle it differently. Whenever possible, the wishes of the consumer should come first.
7. Do not be afraid or ashamed to acknowledge that you are a relative of a person living with a mental illness. This is the first step to rem oving stigm a.
8. Be assertive. You are entitled to inform ation, respect, and courtesy.
We understand that being a caregiver for someone living with a severe mental illness can be overwhelming. You are assuming a large responsibility. Burnout is existent in all aspects of life, especially in this case. Ensure that you are caring for yourself first and foremost. You can do anything, but you cannot do everything.
Symptoms of Burnout Physical exhaustion Headaches, muscle tension Emotional exhaustion Depression, boredom, apathy, indecisiveness Emotional stress Signs include insomnia, irritability, increased anxiety, hopelessness Lowered self-regard Signs include self-doubt, self-blame, blaming others Being absent (not participating in duties) Worsening performance at duties Increase in “escape” activities Smoking, overeating, excessive drinking
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NAMI Northern Illinois offers support groups throughout the month, whether you are an individual who needs the assistance or a loved one of a child or an adult who lives with a mental illness. Here is what we offer:
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who've been there. The groups meet on a weekly basis.
What You’ll Gain
By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you gain hope and develop relationships. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group will help you:
See the individual first, not the illness. Recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers. Understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events. Aim for better coping skills. Find strength in sharing experiences. Reject stigma and not tolerate discrimination. Not judge anyone’s pain. Forgive yourself and reject guilt. Embrace humor as healthy. Accept that we cannot solve every problem.
Work for a better future in a realistic way.
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NAMI Northern Illinois Adult & Teen Group Hope Group Hope meetings are support and mutual help groups for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental illness. This program is offered as a no-charge opportunity to talk with, and listen to, others who know the personal nature of mental illness. Our discussions are safe and nonjudgmental. These are facilitator-led groups. Not only are the groups open to people with lived experience*, but those who support them and others who are ready to learn.
*All teen groups are solely open to adolescents 13-19 living with a mental health condition or experiencing symptoms.
NAMI Parents & Caregivers Support Group NAMI Parents & Caregivers Support Group is a peer-led support group for parents and caregivers of children or adolescents living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
Free of cost to participants Designed for adult loved ones (18+) Led by parents of individuals living with mental illness Meets monthly No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended Confidential
NAMI Family Support Group NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
Free of cost to participants Designed for adult loved ones (18+) of individuals living with mental illness Led by family members of individuals living with mental illness Meets monthly No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended Confidential
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NAMI Northern Illinois also offers evidence-based education courses for all. Offered in spring and fall, NAMI Basics and NAMI Family-to-Family offer toolkits to help your loved ones receive the quality of life they deserve.
A free, six-week education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been diagnosed. NAMI Ba-sics is offered in a group setting so you can connect with other people face to face.
You'll learn the facts about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school and when they're getting medical care. Last year, 99% of participants told us they would recommend the program to other parents.
The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience — they know what you're going through because they've been there. The six-session program provides critical strategies for taking care of your child and learning the facets of recovery.
What You’ll Gain At NAMI Basics, you'll learn that you're not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI Basics provides mutual support and shared positive impact—you can expe-rience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. You also can help others with your own experience.
NAMI Basics covers:
Managing crises, solving problems and communicating effectively. How to take care of yourself and handle stress. Developing the confidence and stamina to support your child with compassion. Advocating for your child's rights at school and in health care settings. Learning about current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side
effects. Gaining an overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems
and supporting resources to help you navigate these systems. Understanding the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on your entire family.
Now offered NAMI Basics OnDemand!
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A free, 12-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness. It is a designated evidenced-based program. Research shows that the pro-gram significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to an individual living with a mental health condition.
NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there and includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises
What You’ll Gain
NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides critical information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you'll also find out that you're not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive im-pact —you can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your sit-uation. You can also help others through your own experience. In the program, you'll learn about:
How to manage crises, solve problems and communicate effectively. Taking care of yourself and managing your stress. Developing the confidence and stamina to provide support with compassion. Finding and using local supports and services. Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain. Current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects. The impact of mental illness on the entire family.
Courses are offered biannually in spring and fall. Register for an upcoming course today at 815-963-2470,
[email protected] or naminorthernillinois.org
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In Case of Emergency 911
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Advocacy Equip for Equality: 312-341-0022
NAMI Illinois: 217-522-1403
NAMI Northern Illinois: 815-963-2470
NAMI Sauk Valley: 815-284-6417
RAMP Center for Independent Living: 815-968-7467
Winnebago County CASA (Child Court Advocacy): 815-319-6880
Child/Adolescent/Teen Camelot Therapeutic Day School of Belvidere: 815-597-8760
Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford: 815-399-4300
Catholic Charities Diocese of Belvidere: 815-544-5434
Children’s Home and Aid of Illinois: 815-962-1043
Family Counseling Services: 815-962-5585
Lutheran Social Services: 815-969-8836
LYDIA Home Association: 815-966-0039
Northern Illinois Academy (Aurora, IL): 847-391-8000
Richardson School (Beloit, WI): 608-473-3244
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling Crisis Line: 815-636-9811
Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus: 815-391-1000
Rosecrance Berry Campus: 815-332-8003
Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC): 815-965-1106
Youth Services Network, Inc.: 815-986-1947
Youth Services Network Crisis Line: 815-986-1953
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Hospitals with Behavioral Health Units Mercyhealth: 815-971-5000
SwedishAmerican Hospital – A Division of UW-Health Center for Mental Health: 779-696-4400
Early intervention is vital. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the 24-hour Assessment Line. Swedes offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation over the phone. Staff will listen to your situation and work with you to help determine the best course of action.
Non-Emergency Police Phone Numbers Belvidere Police Department: 815-544-9626
Byron Police Department: 815-732-2136
Cherry Valley Police Department: 815-332-3432
Freeport Police Department: 815-235-8222
Loves Park Police Department: 815-654-5015
Machesney Park Police Department: 815-877-5519
Oregon Police Department: 815-732-2162
Rockford Police Department: 815-966-2900
Rockton Police Department: 815-624-4351
Roscoe Police Department: 815-623-7338 Community Mental Health Aunt Martha’s-Rockford Community Health Center: 877-692-8686
Crusader Clinic: 815-490-1600
Family Counseling Services: 815-962-5585
Oak Street Health: 815-668-7810
Rosecrance Ware – Adult & child mental health & substance abuse treatment: 815-391-1000
Rosecrance Belvidere – Outpatient adult mental health & substance abuse treatment: 815-544-4849
Rosecrance Griffin Williamson – Teen substance abuse & mental health treatment: 815-391-1000
Rosecrance Harrison Campus – Adult substance abuse treatment facility: 815-391-1000
Rosecrance Mulberry Center – Crisis & triage center: 815-968-9300
Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc.: 815-963-0683
Mental Health Professionals Psychologytoday.com is a great search engine for mental health professionals in our area. You can search by location, insurance type, illness, etc. Give it a try yourself, or call the NAMI Northern Illinois office for assistance.
Nursing Homes with Psychiatric Wings Alden Debes: 815-484-1002
Forest City Rehab: 815-397-5531
Park Strathmoor: 815-229-5200
Rock River Health Care: 815-877-5752
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Legal Services Boone County Legal Self Help Center: 815-319-4526
Boone County CASA: 815-547-6599
Guardianship & Advocacy Center of Illinois: 815-987-7657
Illinois Attorney General: 815-967-3883
Prairie State Legal Services: 815-965-2902
Problem Solving Courts: 815-319-4805
Winnebago County Legal Self-Help Center: 815-965-7606
Winnebago County CASA: 815-319-6880
Employment Assistance Bridgeway, Inc.: 815-962-8333
Goodwill of Northern Illinois: 815-965-3795
The Workforce Connection: 815-847-7574
Low-Income Assistance Catholic Charities (Bill assistance): 815-965-0623
Northwest Community Center (low income & single moms): 815-964-6885
The Bridge Clinic (free medical care to ages 18+): 815-494-1594
Carpenter’s Place (homelessness): 815-964-4105
City of Rockford Human Services Department: 815-987-5782
The Salvation Army (basic needs): 815-226-4400
Housing Assistance Boone County Housing Authority: 815-544-0084
Rock River Homeless Coalition: 844- 710-6919 ext. 5
Rockford Housing Authority: 815-489-8500
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): 202-708-1112
Winnebago County Housing Authority: 815-963-2133
Veteran Support Rockford Veterans Association Center: 815-227-0081
Rockford Vet Center: 815-395-1276
Veteran’s Drop In Center: 815-713-8843
Public Transportation Rockford Mass Transit District: 815-961-9000
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Support Services Carrie Lynn Children’s Center (domestic & sexual violence): 815-319-4150
Easterseals & The Autism Program: 815-965-6745
Equality Illinois (LGBTQ+): 773-477-7173
Illinois Warmline (Peer support by phone for individuals and loved ones): 1-866-359-7953 or TTY: 1-866-880-4459 from 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Lifescape Community Services (60+ and disability): 815-963-1609
Miss Carly’s (Community & meals): 815-275-9465
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline: 1-800-931-2237
One Body Collaboratives: 815-282-4384
OSF Behavioral Health Link: 309-308-8150
Postpartum Support: Crisis Line: 866-364-6667 Mercyhealth support group: 815-971-7979 OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center’s Postpartum Clinic: 815-227-2744 Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois Warmline: 1-847-205-4455
PFLAG (LBGTQ+): 630-415-0622
Ray of Hope Suicide Survivors Support Group: 815-636-4750
Remedies Renewing Lives:
24-Hour Domestic Violence Line: 815-962-6102 Addiction Treatment Phone: 815-962-0871 24-Hour Gambling Addiction Line: 815-547-4502
Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry (Community Re-entry): 815-319-6625
Shelter Care Ministries’ Jubilee Center (Community for those with mental illness): 815-964-5520
The Trevor Project (LBGTQ+): 866-488-7386
Alternative Inpatient Care AMITA Healthcare/Alexian Brothers (Hoffman Estates): 800-432-5005
Chicago Children’s Center Behavioral Health (Chicago): 312-491-5055
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital: 877-692-7477
Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital (Chicago): 773-265-3700
Northwest Community Healthcare (Arlington Heights): 847-618-1000
Northwestern Medicine (Various locations): 312-926-2000
Riverside Healthcare (Kankakee): 815-933-1671
Rogers Behavioral Health (Skokie): 800-767-4411
Sinnissippi Center Crisis Line (Dixon, Oregon, Rochelle): 1-800-242-7642
Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System (Irving Park): 630-837-9000
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Thresholds (Chicago, IL): 773-572-5500
Trilogy (Chicago, IL): 773-508-6100
Mobile Apps This is a list of mobile apps that may help some individuals in their recovery; however, we do not endorse any particular app. Your results with these apps will vary. Please be aware that experts believe that these apps will work best when used in conjunction with medication and/or in-person therapy. Note: Data and subscription charges may apply.
7 Cups: Anxiety & stress chat
BetterHelp: Online counseling & therapy
Calm: Meditation, sleep, & relaxation
Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
NotOk– A digital panic button to receive immediate support
Pixels: Health & mood tracker
Stay Alive: Suicide prevention for everyday life
What’s Up? - A Mental Health App: A little extra help getting through tough days0
Youper: An emotional health assistant
Useful Links Affordable Care Act Coverage Rights: www.healthcare.gov/coverage/mental-health-substance-abuse-coverage/
American Association of Suicidology: suicidology.org
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance: dbsalliance.org
Federal government’s website for health coverage: healthcare.gov
ForLikeMinds, online peer-based support: forlikeminds.com
Illinois’ health insurance exchange: getcoveredillinois.gov
The Kennedy Forum: thekennedyforum.org
Mental Health America: mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid: mentalhealthfirstaid.org
National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov
National Council for Behavioral Health: thenationalcouncil.org
Parity Policy & Implementation: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/advisory-committees/mental-health-parity/task-force/resources/index.html
Shatter Our Silence: shatteroursilence.org
Start Your Recovery: startyourrecovery.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): samhsa.gov
Treatment Advocacy Center: treatmentadvocacycenter.org
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