the crab is safe and delicious crash course launched
Transcription
the crab is safe and delicious crash course launched
NAMI Contra Costa 1 Contra Costa’s Voice on Mental Illness The NAMI Contra Costa Newsletter is available on the web at: Email: [email protected] Phone Number 24/7: (925) 465-3864 February 2016 July 2014 61714 1200P www.namicontracosta.org Office Number: (925) 942-0767 If Your Family Faces The Challenge of Serious Mental Illness . . . Email: [email protected] and 5150crisis.com THE CRAB IS SAFE AND DELICIOUS The fundraising committee has done its research. We have checked with other non-profits, and they are enjoying delicious Dungeness crab and people are delighted with it. Buy your ticket now! You will have a great time with the great food, entertainment and a wonderful evening with friends. There will be a raffle, with much better odds than the lottery. Prizes are items to pamper yourself, support your exercise, enjoy fine spirits, and even something for the grandkids. $20 dollars will get you an amazing number of tickets. We need your support to continue our programs: Family to Family, Peer to Peer, NAMI Basics, In our own voice, etc. When: Fr iday, Febr uar y 26, 2016, 6:00 to 9:30 pm Dinner will be served at approximately 7:00 pm Where: Centr e Concor d, 5298 Clayton Road, (Next to Clayton Bowl) Concord. CRASH COURSE LAUNCHED The first orientation to the mental health field will be on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm. And it will be offered every Wednesday thereafter. It will be the same program each time. It will not be a series of classes like the Family to Family program. The people that attend the 90 minute seminar will go on to the other NAMI educational programs. It will always be in the same place and at the same time. Location: Family Justice Center 2150 Salvio Street Concord, California If you have questions about mental illness, the Crash Course is the place to go. February 2016 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2015 GENERAL MEETING Speakers Roberto Roman Stephen Boyd Jonathan San Juan Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services Office for Consumer Empowerment Topic OCE staff will present an overview of its programs directed towards reduction of stigma and discrimination, including: Committee for Social Inclusion W.R.E.A.C.H. Speakers’ Bureau (including family member Presentation) Photo Voice Empowerment Project Meeting Location John Muir Hospital 2540 East Street, Concord Open To The Public Free Admission Tickets: $60 per person/$600 per table of 10. On-line at www.namicontracosta.org by check to NAMI CC Crab Feed, 550 Patterson Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. Matching Donation Challenge of $10,000 will be matched by a generous donor and supporter of NAMI NAMI Contra Costa 2 February 2016 NAMI-CC Care and Support Groups Central Contra Costa County 3rd Monday of Each Month, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., J ohn Muir Medical Center , 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek Campus, downstairs in the Epstein Conference Room. Park in the FREE public garage on the La Casa Via side of the hospital. The group is facilitated by Sharon Madison and Bob Thigpen. Email: [email protected], or call: (925) 256-9640, (925) 676-5771. NAMI Connection A weekly recovery support group run by Peers 1st and 3rd Saturday each Month: 1:00 –2:30 pm John Muir Behavioral Health –2730 Grant St, Concord. Classroom A- Facilitated by Roberto Roman 925-957 5105 NAMI Contra Costa Writers’ Group All writing levels welcomed. 1st Tuesday of Each Month 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon Rainbow Center-2118 Willow Pass Road, Concord Roberto Roman 925-957 5105 Margaret Netherby, facilitator, [email protected]. NEW HOPE SUPPORT GROUP Offering support, education and resources to parents, caregivers of children, teens and young adults diagnosed with a mood disorder or neurobiological disorders (bipolar, depression, anxiety and more). Meets the 2nd Monday of Each Month Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church 49 Knox Drive, Room 204, in Lafayette 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Christina Mellin 925-899 0862 NAMI CC Mandarin Programs NAMI Richmond Support Group 3rd Monday of Each Month, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Latina Center-3701 Barrett Ave., Richmond Enter Through 38th Ave. Call: Veronica-925-250 4032 [email protected] Educational Program: 2nd Saturdays-March-May-August-Sept. Family Support Group: 2nd Saturdays-April-June-August-Oct. Time for above programs: 10 am – 12 noon. Family-to-Family Class: J an. 9, 2016 – Feb. 13, 2016 every Saturday 8 am – 12 noon. Pre-registration is required. Location: Both Pr ograms: 10:00 am to Noon. Danville Chinese Bible Church, 2278 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, 94583 Contacts: 925-487-8288 Gloria or 925-216-9592 Susan Additional Support Groups — www.namicontracosta.org Open Our Hearts Family Member Support Group For family members of adults with mental illness. All faiths welcome! 4th Monday of Each Month 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Temple Isaiah Support Group for Parents of Children with Mental Illness Meets the 2nd Sunday 2-3:30 pm San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church 902 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA 94507 Karen Scalzi: (925) 820-7495 or [email protected] Marilyn Clarke: (925) 837-5243 Office: (925) 837-5243 945 Risa Road, Lafayette (In The Talmud Torah Center, Room E204) Call Karen at (925) 945-7272 or email at [email protected] www.openourhearts.net Bi Polar Chill Mood Disorder Support Group Wednesday 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. 710 Broadway #3F, Walnut Creek Contact Lisa or Scott at (925) 743-1160 PITTSBURG SPANISH LANGUAGE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP 1ST TUESDAY EACH MONTH 7-8:30 pm Faith Based-Everyone Welcome! Church of the Living God-12th and Santa Fe (Pittsburg) Call Veronica: 925-250 4032 NAMI Contra Costa 3 NAMI Contra Costa National Alliance on Mental Illness PRESIDENT’S COLUMN By Charles Madison OFFICERS: Charles Madison, President (925) 256-9640 [email protected] Douglas Dunn 1st Vice President [email protected] Michele Lamb 2nd Vice President [email protected] Mark Cohen, Secretary [email protected] David Kahler, Treasurer (925) 676-5771 [email protected] BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kay Derrico Barbara Scott Susan Horrocks Lauren Rettagliata Al Farmer Gene Schulting Gloria Chang Executive Director: William Taylor COMMITTEES: Gloria Chang Mandarin Groups Susan Horrocks Membership Kimberly Krisch NAMI Newsletter David Kahler Publishing Veronica McManus F 2 F Spanish Barbara Scott Scrip Program Nancy Seibert Family-to-Family Clare Beckner Database Richard Derrico Behavioral Health Court Julia Bonacich Family-to-Family Gigi Crowder FaithNet Coordinator Mae Bragen Clubhouse Liaison Gene Schulting Internal Auditor Tonya Williams In Our Own Voice Sharon Madison Volunteers Kay Derrico Outreach Committee Lisa Honegger Peer to Peer Newsletter Group Caroline Jackson Fran Martin Peggy Luna Dick Owens David Kahler Karin Baker Greg Beckner Rich and Yvonne DeAndre Email: [email protected] Website: www.namicontracosta.org Phone: (925) 465-3864 12716 W943P Final Newsletter Deadline: 20th of Each Month There will be a giant Crab Feed, February 26th at Centre Concord. The fund raising committee has been busy working on this program and I want to thank Barbara Scott for chairing this event. We have lined up an excellent crab company that will get us crab from Oregon and/or Washington. We have reports back from other organizations that have utilized this company and have received raving reports on the quality of the crab. Again this is not only an extremely important event to raise funds for all the free programs we provide but it will also be a lot of fun. We all look forward to seeing you there. The Crash Course that David Kahler is heading will commence on February 3rd. This program will provide an essential orientation to families in crisis and people who work in the mental health field. The program will address valuable information to people new to the journey of those living with a SMI and what is available in our community. It is important that they know that they are not alone. I want to welcome Nora Daly to NAMI Contra Costa. Nora will be a part-time employee and she will report to and work with Will Taylor on grant writing. Will has indicated that she has a lot of proven experience in this area and it is another important step in our ability to acquire the funding needed to enhance, improve and expand our wonderful programs. Welcome, to NAMI CC Nora. (Continued on page 7) February 2016 NO ROOM AT THE INN The vast majority of patients who arrive at California hospitals with a psychiatric emergency are not admitted. That has been true in Contra Costa County for quite some time. 60% of those taken to the Psychiatric Emergency at the County hospital are released within hours. The staff knows they have just 23 beds on the acute care ward to send a patient to. Such was the case with William Shultz who after a few hours went free and returned home and later stabbed a 9 year old boy, in his bed, to death. Shultz’s cycle of in and out is unfortunately not unusual. NEWSLETTER PROOFING NAMI California tells us we have one of the finest newsletters in the state. The members who are responsible for catching the errors are our longtime proofreaders: Fran Martin Peggy Luna NAMI Contra Costa Office and Library 550 Patterson Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 942-0767 [email protected] Hours: Tuesday and Thursday Not Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. NAMI Contra Costa 4 AOT STARTS FEBRUARY 1 NORA HEELAN DALY TO WORK WITH NAMI CONTRA COSTA Cynthia Belon, Behavioral Health Director has announced that on February 1, our county will begin providing Assisted Outpatient Treatment services (AOT) to people with severe mental illness, in accordance with Laura’s Law. Our new AOT program, developed with Contra Costa Superior Court, the Public Defender’s Office and County Counsel, is critical for community members whose mental health challenges put them or others at risk. NAMI CC is proud to announce our new Development Consultant! Nora Heelan Daly is a non-profit development specialist, working with charitable organizations to maximize all aspects of marketing and development. Ms. Daly has a degree in Anthropology and Gender Studies from University of California, Los Angeles. She is a Bay Area local and California native, who has been working for 7 years with local non-profits. Ms. Daly brings extensive experience with grant writing, social media, branding, and community egagement. She is commitNora Heelan Daly ted to the mission of NAMI Contra Costa, and aspires personally and professionally to help individuals with mental health concerns to live safely and independently in our community. Our new Executive Director, Will Taylor and Ms. Daly will be working hard to develop a future for NAMI Contra Costa where the organization can maximize its ability to reach individuals in need through government and foundation grants, expand its membership, and continue to provide crucial services for family members of those with mental health concerns and their loved ones. AOT is designed to break the cycle of repeated hospitalization or incarceration many of these community members face, delivering safe, effective and respectful treatment as well as access to services such as primary health care, substance abuse counseling and supportive housing. While a process for court ordered treatment is now in place, we are optimistic that it will remain a last resort. Our AOT program emphasizes voluntary participation, and the experience of other counties with similar programs suggests that most patients do engage services without court involvement. NOTE: The speaker at the General Meeting in March will be Crystal Luna-Yarnell, LMFT, Program Manager of MHS Contra Costa Action (2280 Diamond Boulevard, Concord.) She will speak on Laura’s Law, the basic design of the program and how the ACT model can support services. February 2016 LETTER FROM A PARENT Editor’s Note: This is a letter from a concerned Contra Costa parent, Barbara Serwin, NAMI member and chair of the Mental Health Commission’s Quality of Care Committee. My experience with medication and kids comes primarily from working with my own three children who all take medication. Their diagnoses are or have been ADD and ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression and mood instability. I also talk with many parents regarding medication for kids and I read up on it as well. I am an unequivocal supporter of kids receiving doctor recommended medication, especially for their own benefit, but also importantly for the benefit of their family/caregivers, educational setting/school, and society at large. Any child who does NOT receive required medication is a tragedy in the making on many levels and this is a total failure on the part of those responsible whether it be a caregiver, court system, insurance company or funding agency. Medication is rarely a cure-all, but when it is prescribed, assuming a skilled physician, it is an absolutely critical component. FAMILY ADVOCATE Bob Thigpen 925-521 5121 Bob Thigpen is the County’s Family Advocate. He is an employee of the county with a wealth of information. NAMI Contra Costa 5 MENTAL HEALTH REFORM One thing that most Americans can agree on is that the mental health system is broken. In many parts of the country, mental health treatment, services and supports are not available until a crises occurs. In some communities, jails and prisons have become the default place for mental health treatment. The facts make one thing clear: mental illness is a major public health crisis in the U.S. today. However, changes to our mental health system can help address this crisis. Improve integration and program coordination across federal agencies that serve people living with mental illness. Improve integration of mental healthcare and physical health care in Medicaid. Promote early intervention in the treatment of psychosis and use of evidence-based interventions. Emphasize and work on outcome measures and data collection. Remove discriminatory barriers to acute inpatient treatment in Medicaid. See more at: http://www.nami.org/ mentalhealthreform#sthash.VfqdNnyp.dpuf What Is Congress Doing? The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 will also: Two major pieces of legislation have been introduced in Congress to comprehensively improve the mental health system. Representatives Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) have introduced HR 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 and Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy (RLa.) have introduced S 1945, the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015. The Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 (S 1945) and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 (HR 2646) will: In addition to multiple provisions that are widely applauded, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 includes issues that provoke discussion and even disagreement among mental health advocates and organizations, including: Enhance enforcement of the Mental Health Parity Law. Provide resources for suicide prevention. Improve the use of health information technology in mental health care. Remove the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric treatment in Medicare. Both bills will improve our nation’s mental health system by realigning federal policy and funding to better support effective treatment for mental health and substance use conditions. February 2016 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and access to information for caregivers The role of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) The role of the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System The role of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) The Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion Want more information on comprehensive mental health reform? See more at: http://www.nami.org/ mentalhealthrform#sthash.VfqdNnyp.dpuf 2016-2017 GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET Good news! Mental Health Services Act (Prop. #63) revenue is continuing to increase, with 2014-15 revenue estimated to be $1.9 billion and 2015-16 revenues projected to be $2 billion. The state proposes an increase to SSI/SSP with a nearly 3% cost of living increase in payments beginning in January 2017 and $20 million is allocated for grants to cities to promote positive relations between city police departments and the homeless community. Not so good news . . Proposition 47 savings are much lower than predicted, at $29 million for this year. NAMI Contra Costa 6 Book Reviews Bipolar Disorder A Systematic Approach to Treatment Schizophrenia Revealed Author: Michael Foster Green Publisher: W.W. Norton– 1971 Review by Dick Owens This is an engaging and comfortable book to read on a subject that is a mystery to most people. It will be very helpful in understanding schizophrenia. The book is mainly free of jargon and that makes it a quick read. For those that only know schizophrenia from the media, movies and television, this will bring them up to speed. The author makes many clear statements that some might disagree with: “Childhood emotional trauma or skewed family relationships do not cause schizophrenia.” He says (pg.5) schizophrenia can be viewed as a disorder that starts with problems in establishing connections between neurons. The problems in neural connections lead to neurocognitive deficits including problems in the areas of attention, memory, perception and problem solving. . . The psychotic symptoms are part of the illness, but they are not central to it. As described by Ming Tsuang “psychosis is the ‘fever’ of severe mental illness, a serious, but nonspecific indicator.” “Optimism and schizophrenia are rarely mentioned in the same breath. Nonetheless, an impressive amount of light has recently been shed on the world’s most enigmatic disorder and better days lie ahead.” Authors: Gary S. Sachs, MDF, and Michael E. Thase, MD Publisher: Martin Dunitz, Ltd. Published: 2000 Review by: William J. Boyle This is an excellent book and a must for anyone interested in or concerned about Bipolar Disorder. For example his definition: “The term ‘bipolar disorder’ describes a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by episodes at the two ‘poles’ of mood disturbance. Mania, a sev ere state of psychomotor activation and euphoric or irritable mood, defines one pole. The second pole is depression, although perhaps about 90% of people who have manic episodes will also suffer major depressive episodes.” The author reprints from the DSMV the exact list of bipolar symptoms. He adds: “Although mania is not, by definition, a psychotic disorder, up to two-thirds of acutely manic individuals will report delusions or hallucinations.” His comments on Lithium salts are interesting. “Although many medications are believed to have prophylactic mood-stabilizing effects, only lithium salts have been proven to reduce the risk of recurrent episodes of mania and depression by multiple studies using double blind, placebo controlled discontinuation designs.” Rapid cycling he says is defined by the occurrence of four or more episodes or two complete cycles in a 12 month period. It is a book well worth reading. February 2016 A CRY FOR HELP The manager of a housing facility in Martinez called one of the NAMI members January 21, and related a sorry story of a mentally ill, sight impaired man who was about to be given an eviction notice. The room he has been renting for years has deteriorated to such an extent and is so filthy that the facility owners were going to issue an eviction notice. Somehow the county has not become aware that this person was and is entirely unable to manage his own affairs. The unacceptable condition of the apartment was predictable. The solution is certainly not to put a seriously disabled person on the streets in mid-winter. The facts of this situation will be presented, by an ad hoc committee of concerned citizens, to the facility’s owners and to the Behavioral Health Administration seeking a resolution to this dilemma. The scene below is the sleeping area with no bed. (Continued on page 7) NAMI Contra Costa 7 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN (Continued from page 3) February 2016 NAMI CONTRA COSTA DONATIONS Dr. Marti Wilson and Rich Derrico presented an excellent program at our January General Meeting. They provided us with an in depth look at the Behavior Health Court (BHC). They provided us with a little of the history of BHC and a comprehensive discussion on the who, what, when andwhy. It was a great presentation and all in attendance learned about BHC and gems that we can all utilize in their lives. In Memory of: Ryan Mork The Donors are: Melvin Wells, Jr. D.D.S. Edward and Marianna Schaefer Richard and Marcella Savage J.H. Gianakos Kurt Brombacher Wayne Sheridan Our February General Meeting will feature the Office of Consumer Empowerment which is part of the Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services. Roberto Roman, Stephen Boyd and Jonathan San Juan will provide us with an overview of its important programs directed towards the reduction of stigma and discrimination. I Look forward to seeing you on February 18th. In Memory of: Lyman Dyson Please let us know of topics you would like to be presented. Also let others know about this wonderful series of speakers and bring a friend. (Continued from page 6) As this newsletter was going to press, Matthew Luu, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health e mailed: “I have instructed Central County Adult Mental Health clinic manage Kennisha Johnson to Assign the subject a case manager. In the meantime Robert Thigpen will work with this consumer immediately and will see him this morning. (February 25).” So things are looking up! From: Michael Wilson Donation Donation Martin Auto Supply Elisabeth Jackson In Memory of: In Memory of: Walter Sweet From: George Beddor David Myers From Joy Gausman Donation: Mark and Judy Cohen NAMI Contra Costa 8 NAMI Contra Costa P.O Box 21247 Concord, CA 94521 February 2016 3rd Monday Support Group Phone: (925) 465-3864 Email: [email protected] Stamp February 15, 2016 7:00 p.m. John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Epstein Meeting Room Basement Area (See page 2) Email: [email protected] NAMI CRAB FEED NAMI’S ANNUAL GALA For All the Information: See Page 1 Friday, February 26 6:00 pm APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP NAMI CONTRA COSTA DONATION FORM Amount ________________________________ Make check payable to NAMI Contra Costa Complete this information and please return to: Treasurer NAMI Contra Costa P.O. Box 21247 Concord, CA 94521 Mail to: Treasurer, NAMI Contra Costa P.O. Box 21247, Concord, CA 94521 Note: Tax ID #68-0209474 (No goods or services have been received from the following donor or donors) Name _______________________________________ Name ____________________________________ Address ______________________City ___________ Address __________________________________ Zip _________Phone ___________ Cell ___________ City _________________ Zip ________________ Email Address _______________________________ Phone ________________ Cell _______________ Renewal Open Door General Membership New Member $3 $35 Email Address ____________________________