to - NAMI Southwestern Illinois

NAMI SWI
Gateway Regional Medical Center
2100 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
Granite City, IL 62040
August - September 2016
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jessica Gruneich, JD
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Marie Krysnoski, MBA
Website: http://namiswi.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (618) 798-9788
“USED CLOTHING
& MORE” COLLECTION
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Kami Bonnell
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Beverley Watkins, PhD, LCSW, President
Peter J. Dodge, JD, Vice President
Sonja Vauters, Second Vice President
Mary Pat Dejarnette, Secretary
Royal Boeder, Treasurer
DIRECTORS
Karoline Carstens
Kris Gamm-Smith
Jennifer Gerlach
Victoria Gonzales
Amber Kaan
Kimberly McClellan
Kelly Medlin
Larry Stevens
Angela Townsend
Tai Venuti
Katie Venvertloh
Susy Woods
DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
FROM AUGUST 1ST - 31ST.
NAMI SWI will raise money & you get rid of items you no longer
want or use, offering them a second life at Savers. Donations
can be gently-used Clothing, Shoes, Towels, Sheets, Blankets,
Pillows, Curtains, Tablecloths, Hats, Scarves, Ties, Socks, Bags,
Purses, & Wallets.
YOUR DONATION WILL MAKE
A DIFFERENCE.
NAMI Southwestern Illinois proudly
serving the twelve IL counties of:
Bond
Calhoun
Clinton
Greene
Jersey
Macoupin
NAMI SWI in conjunction with
Savers, a new local thrift store,
will be holding a “used clothing
& more” collection.
Madison
Monroe
Montgomery
Randolph
St. Clair
Washington
See page 2 for HOTLINE phone #s
& state crisis psychiatric services for
the 12 counties of NAMI SWI.
Main Drop Off: Gateway Regional
Medical Center Main Entrance, 2100
Madison Ave, Granite City. We will
have a sign and a bin where you can
leave your items.
Secondary Drop Offs: Call the NAMI
SWI Office to see if there’s a location
that’s closer for you.
Contact Marie Krysnoski at
(618) 558-7938 or call the
NAMI SWI Office at (618)798-9788.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE
THIS FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!
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Hotline Information
“Used Clothing & More” Collection
Table of Contents
Moving???
Newsletter Due Dates
Social Media
Hotline Information
Report from Executive Director
NAMI SWI Support Group Meetings
Other Local Support Group Meeting Information
Do You Shop at Amazon, eBay, and/or Schnucks?
Exercise for Mental Health
NAMI SWI Volunteer Spotlight Is On…
Report on 2016 Annual Race /Walk
A Message from NAMI SWI President
Bimonthly Business Meeting
Volunteer Page
Congratulations, Pat Rudloff!!
Introducing Our New Administrative Assistant
What Hurts Most is Suicide is Preventable
Save the Date - October 7, 2016
NAMI Basics
Take the StigmaFree pledge!
NAMI Homefront
NAMI Family-to-Family
Certified NAMI Specialty Support Group
New Specialty Parent Support Group
Clinton County...here we come!!!
Notes from the 2016 NAMI National Convention
NAMI IL Visit - You’re Invited
Welcome Rebeccah Bennett!!
Message from NAMI Llama
What is NAMI SWI?
BOND COUNTY
Prairie Counseling Center
(618) 664-1455 (8:30AM - 4:00PM)
After hours, call Greenville Hospital (618) 664-1234
CALHOUN COUNTY
JERSEY COUNTY
CenterStone
(618) 639-2016 (Call 24/7)
or (618) 465-4388
CLINTON COUNTY
Community Resource Center
(618) 533-1391 (Call 24/7)
GREENE COUNTY
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Locust Street Resource Center
Weekdays only - (217) 854-3166
After hours/weekend - (217) 854-3135 calls go to
Police Department who will notify a crisis worker
NORTHERN MADISON COUNTY
CenterStone
(618) 465-4388 (Call 24/7)
SOUTHERN MADISON COUNTY
Chestnut Health Systems
(618) 877-0316 (Call 24/7)
MOVING: If you move, don’t forget to call the NAMI SWI
Office at (618) 798-9788 with your new address, and phone
number or send an email with info to: [email protected].
Newsletter Article
Due Dates
Email your articles to
Newsletter Editor, Sandy,
[email protected] &
CC Webmaster, Mary,
[email protected]
on or before
due dates listed.
Website
WordPress
Issue
Oct-Nov
Dec-Jan
Feb-Mar
Apr-May
Jun-Jul
Aug-Sep
Article Due *
Sep 15
Nov 15
Jan 15
Mar 15
May 15
Jul 15
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
County Health Dept. - Hillsboro
1-888-324-5052 (Call 24/7)
WESTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Comprehensive Behavioral Health
(618) 482-7330 (Call 24/7)
*These are the regular due
dates unless otherwise
noted in newsletter.
Twitter
MONROE COUNTY
Human Support Services
(618) 939-4444 (8:00AM-4:30PM)
After hours, dial 911; Police will contact crisis worker
Facebook
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EASTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Chestnut Health Systems
(618) 877-0316 (Call 24/7)
RANDOLPH COUNTY
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Human Service Center
(618) 282-6233 (8:00AM-4:30PM)
After hours, dial 911; Police will contact crisis worker
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July 6, 2016
ANNUAL REPORT: FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 NAMI SWI ACTIVITIES BY THE NUMBERS
by NAMI SWI Executive Director, Jessica L. Gruneich, JD
NONE OF THIS IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU…THANK YOU!!!
EDUCATION: 188 people attended either Family-to-Family, Basics, Parents and Teachers as Allies,
Ending the Silence, or Peer to Peer educational programs.
SUPPORT: 342 people attended affiliate Support Group sessions
ADVOCACY: 304 people attended an In Our Own Voice Program
REFERRAL: 389 mental health helpline calls for information, emotional support, and referral contacts during office hours, weekend, and after hours
OTHER: 6,011 NAMI SWI Newsletters/E-Newsletters Distributed
696,749+ “hits” on www.namiswi.org (since inception as of this writing)
90 Active NAMI SWI Volunteers In Signature Programming
2,853 volunteer hours contributed FY 2015-2016
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS:
 Welcome! Marie Krysnoski, Associate Director, NAMI SWI
 Past President, Pat Rudloff, named to NAMI National Hall of Fame, certificate and honors presented June 2016
 New Monroe County Connection & Recovery Support Group, Waterloo, Illinois.
 New De Familia a Familia de NAMI Spanish Family to Family Education Program Fairmont City, Illinois.
 New Clinton County Family to Family Education Program, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese, Illinois.
 New Peer to Peer Education Program (Three Classes FY15-16)
 NAMI SWI awarded 2016 NAMI National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Grant /Continued Sharing Hope Grant
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FY 2015-2016
NAMI SWI was selected to participate in United Way of Greater St. Louis’, Professional Development Training Series, the
affiliate participated in Fund Development Training & Strategic Planning Training.
NAMI SWI hosted Connection and In Our Own Voice Program Trainings at Gateway Regional in Granite City (Sept 2015 and
April 2016)
We look forward to working with all new program volunteers! Thank you volunteers!
FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS FY 2015-2016
 13th Annual NAMI SWI Race for Recovery & Walk for Awareness, Gateway Grizzlies GCS Ballpark
 NAMI SWI Amazon Smile Fundraising
 NAMI SWI E-BAY Charitable Giving Fundraising
 NAMI SWI Schnuck’s E-Scrip Fundraising
EXPANDED FUNDRAISING FY 2016 - 2017
 Savers, Inc. Clothing Drive Fundraiser (August 2016)
 Glow Bingo Fundraiser Greenville, IL (Jan/Feb 2017)
 14th Annual NAMI SWI Race for Recovery & Walk for Awareness, Gateway Grizzlies Ballpark (May 2017)
 NAMI SWI Trivia Night Fundraiser (August 2017)
PROGRAM/OPERATIONAL GOALS 2016-2017:
 New Specialty Support for Parents and Caregivers of children with mental health conditions beginning Sept. 7, 2016 in
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Maryville, IL.
New Family Member Support Group beginning Sept. 19, 2016 in Carlyle, IL. (Clinton County)
New Connection and Recovery Animal Assisted Therapy Support Group beginning Sept. 20, 2016 in Edwardsville, IL.
New Connection and Recovery Support Group beginning Sept. 2016 in Carlinville, IL (Macoupin County).
New NAMI Homefront Education Programming Fall 2016
New NAMI Provider Education Programming Fall 2016
As of September 2016 NAMI SWI will have active NAMI National Signature Programming in Nine IL Counties:
Bond, Clinton, Franklin, Jersey, Madison, Macoupin, Monroe, Randolph, and St. Clair.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!!!!
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Jessica Gruneich, J D
Executive Director, NAMI SWI
NAMI SWI SUPPORT MEETINGS
A support meeting for
family & caregivers of
persons with mental illness.
A support meeting for
individuals living with
mental illness.

BELLEVILLE (St. Clair County)
Second Friday of each month, 3:30-5:00PM, Chestnut
Health Systems 12 N. 64th St., Belleville, IL 62223. Contact
Matt G. at [email protected]
 BENTON (Franklin County)
Third Tuesday of every month, 5:30-7:30PM at the Benton
Public Library, 502 S. Main St., Benton, IL 62812. Contact
Cara E. at [email protected].
 EDGEMONT (St. Clair County)
First Wednesday of each month, 2:00-3:30PM at Call For
Help, 9400 Lebanon Road, Edgemont, IL 62203. Contact
John Person at [email protected]
 GRANITE CITY (Madison County)
First Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:00PM at Gateway
Regional Medical Center, 2100 Madison Ave, Granite City,
IL 62040, in the Pascal Hall Meeting Room. Use the main
entrance, sign in, and then immediately make a left. Pascal
Hall is the last room on the left. Contact Matt G. at
[email protected].
 WATERLOO (Monroe County)
Third Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:00PM at Human
Support Services, 988 North IL Route 3, Waterloo, IL 62298.
Contact Marie Krysnoski (618) 558-7938 or email her at
[email protected].
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Specialty
Groups
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CARLYLE (Clinton County) New Meeting
Second Monday of each month, starting September 12,
7:00-8:30PM, First Christian Church, 1025 Lake Road,
Carlyle, IL 62231. Contact Linda Methvin at 618-541-2407.
 EDWARDSVILLE (Madison County)
Fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30PM, First Baptist
Church,534 St. Louis St., Edwardsville, IL 62025; use church
parking lot entrance. Contact Pat Rudloff at (618) 656-6781.
 GREENVILLE (Bond County)
Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30PM, St. Lawrence
Catholic Church, 512 S. Prairie Street Greenville, IL 62246.
Contact Linda Methvin at (618) 541-2407.
 O’FALLON (St. Clair County)
Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30PM, Faith Lutheran
of O'Fallon, IL, held in the Youth House, 520 E. U.S.
Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269. Contact Mike or Kathy
Janik (618) 277-5459.
 WATERLOO (Monroe County)
Second Monday of every month, 7:00-8:30PM, at the
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 522 S. Church Street, Waterloo,
IL 62298. Contact Royal Boeder at (618) 340-9911.
_____________
Military Family
Support Group
See each meeting for
intended participants.

A support meeting
for military and
veteran families.

EAST ST. LOUIS (St. Clair County)
Third Monday of each month, a support group meeting for
parents/caregivers of children & adolescents with brain
disorders, 6:00-8:00PM at 908 N. 11th St. Emerson Park
Metro Station, East St. Louis, IL. Contact Kim McClellan at
(618) 407-9081 or email [email protected].
 EDWARDSVILLE (Madison County) New Meeting
Third Tuesday of each month (beginning September
20th), a support meeting for individuals living with mental
illness, 7:00-8:30PM, at Stillwater Senior Living Center, 1111
University, Drive, Edwardsville IL 62025. This meeting
will provide educational and therapeutic need-based support
by connecting pet therapy teams to people who experience
mental and emotional challenges. Contact lead facilitator
Tricia Hogan at (618) 558-5386.
 MARYVILLE (Madison County) New Meeting
First & Third Wednesdays of each month (beginning
September 7th) , a support meeting for parents & caregivers
of children and adolescents living with a mental illness plus
who are dealing with the juvenile justice system, 6:308:00PM, Oliver C. Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL. Use the
main hospital entrance then take elevator to the basement;
exit to the right and go to the first classroom on the left.
Meeting offers a safe, non-judgmental and confidential outlet
for sharing with others who have experiences similar to your
own. Contact facilitator Donna Sheard at (618) 567-3228.
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NAMI Military and Veteran Family Support
Contact Peter Dodge, JD, at [email protected] or
call (734) 330-6776. Homefront Coming Soon!
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You Are Not Alone!!
NOTE: For questions or more information about any of these
meetings, please contact the listed facilitator at the phone
number/email provided for that particular meeting or call the
NAMI SWI Office at (618)798-9788.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: When Southwestern Ill College
(SWIC) classes are cancelled because of bad weather, NAMI
support meetings will also be cancelled. SWIC cancellation
notices will be broadcast on all major TV and radio stations in
the St. Louis area. If there is a tornado watch or warning for an
area during the timeframe where a support meeting is to be held,
that meeting will be cancelled.
SEE ARTICLES:
On Page 11 for more information on
“Homefront” and on Page 12 for information on the two new
Specialty Group Meetings and our first meeting in Clinton
County!!!
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OTHER LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT MEETINGS/WEBSITES/PHONE NUMBERS
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St. Louis Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Support Group:
3rd Saturday of each month,
10:00AM to Noon at Missouri Baptist Hospital
Auditorium #1, 3015 N. New Ballas Road, Creve
Coeur, MO 63141. Contact: Jan at (314) 291-7556.
DBSA of Madison County: Every Monday at
7:00PM, Anderson Hospital, 6800 Hwy 162, Maryville,
IL, on Level B, behind vending area by cafeteria.
Facilitated by Nicole Meyers (618) 225-7709.
DBSA of Hope-Belleville: Every Tuesday, 7:00PM,
St. Mary Catholic Church, 1701 W. Main St.,
Belleville, IL 62226, in the convent to the right of
church front. Park on 18th St., then walk past carport,
and enter on your left. Facilitated by Lisa Wojick, 618581-4179 and Marie Krysnoski at (618)558-7938
DBSA of Hope, Belleville: Every Thursday at 5:45PM
and every Saturday, Noon. Both groups meet at Call
for Help-Recovery Support Center, 9400 Lebanon Rd,
Edgemont, IL 62203, 1st building, side entrance.
Facilitated by Roger Wegener, (618) 444-6927 and
Deanna Kelsay, (618) 799-2851.
Nar A Non: meeting for families seeking help and
support who are facing dual diagnosis issues. Every
Monday, 7:00PM at Bridge Church, Steiss Road, Glen
Carbon, IL 62034. For information call 618-973-6863.
Karla Smith Foundation Support Group for family
and friends of anyone with mental illness: 1st and 3rd
Thursday of each month, 7:00–8:30PM, Peace Chapel,
10101 W. Main St., Belleville. For more information
call Tom or Fran Smith at (618) 624-5771 or email to
[email protected].
Belleville Location - Karla Smith Foundation Suicide Survivor Support Group: 2nd & 4th Thur. of each
month, 7:00 – 8:30PM, Peace Chapel, 10101 W. Main
St., Belleville. For more information or questions, call
Tom or Fran Smith at (618) 624-5771 or send an
email to [email protected].
St. Louis Location - Karla Smith Foundation
Support Group for families and loved ones of anyone
who has lost a loved one to suicide: 4th Tuesday of
each month, 7:15-8:30PM, at Clayton Behavioral, 9890
Clayton Road, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63124. For
more information contact Tom and Fran Smith at
[email protected]
by
phone
at
618-628-3129.
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Youth M.O.V.E. meets on the 3rd Monday of every
month and meets in conjunction with NAMI SWI East
St. Louis Child and Adolescent Support Group, 6-8PM,
908 11th Street, Emerson Park Metro Station, East St.
Louis, IL For information email Jennifer Johnston at
[email protected]
GROW has weekly meetings in two locations.
Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00PM at St. Bartholomew’s
Episcopal Church, 2167 Grand Ave., Granite City, IL
62040. On Thursdays, 7:00-9:00PM at St. Matthews
Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville, IL
62223. For more information, contact Sharon at (618)
581-9101 or 1-888-741-GROW.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call toll-free 1800-273-TALK (8255) or go to their website at http://
suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Stop Bullying: See information on website at
www.stopbullying.gov.
IL Warm Line (866) 359-7953: Phone support for
persons with mental health and/or substance use challenges, their families, friends, and community. Staffed
by Recovery Support Specialists who live out recovery.
Monday through Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM. From Main
menu, select option #2, then #5.
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DISCLAIMER:
Please note that these support group
meetings are not affiliated with NAMI SWI. Although we
strive to keep all information up-to-date, sometimes we are
not notified of any changes and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We suggest you call the facilitator
before going to that specific meeting to verify that the
location, time, etc. is still current or if you have any other
questions regarding that meeting. Thank you.
FACILITATORS: Please contact newsletter editor at
[email protected] if you have any changes to your
meetings or if they have been suspended. Thank you.
____________
Do You Shop at Amazon, eBay, and/or Schnucks?
NAMI SWI is a recipient of three fundraising programs. Once you’re registered with each company, anytime you
purchase from AmazonSmile, eBay or Schnucks, you’re helping NAMI SWI earn money, but don’t forget:
 When buying from Amazon use smile.amazon.com.
 If buying from eBay, use this website: http://givingworks.ebay.com.
 When you shop at Schnucks, pick up and register your eScrip Fundraising Card, then show your card to
the checkout person each visit for NAMI SWI to get credit.
NAMI SWI will receive a donation from the purchases you make from these three sellers at no extra cost to you. If
you have any questions or need help with any of these programs, please contact the NAMI SWI Office by phone at
618-798-9788. Thank you!
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5
social and spiritual well-being. To receive the benefits of
exercise, however, we must first believe that exercise can heal
body, mind and soul.
2. Improve Your Self-Esteem with Exercise
Exercise improves self-esteem, which is associated with
greater mental health. Exercise has also been shown to increase
self-confidence, self-efficacy, self-acceptance and self-concept.
When we exercise, we feel more loving, positive and confident.
3. Exercise as a Family
Family has a big influence on how we perceive exercise and
mental health. Family beliefs can either promote or impair
mental health. Exercising as a family not only gets the entire
family moving to reap the benefits of exercise but also models
healthy beliefs about physical activity and improves family
relationships.
4. Get Motivated
Motivation, or rather lack of it, is probably the biggest block
to exercise for mental health. We know we should exercise. We
may even want to exercise, but we often can’t make ourselves do
it. Remember that motivation is a skill that can be learned and
improved upon.
5. Change How You Think about Exercise
What thoughts do you have about exercise? What promotes
physical activity? What holds you back? As we identify these
thoughts, we can choose to change them. One tool for this is
called a “thought record.” As we list our thoughts and feelings
about exercise on a thought record, we have the power to
question and change our thoughts. We can put new, healthier
thoughts into our brains—thoughts like, “I know if I go for a
walk, I will feel more energized and less depressed.”
6. Overcome Roadblocks
While exercising can be physically challenging, exercise is
just as much, or even more, about mental fortitude. What are
your biggest roadblocks to exercise? If you look carefully, you’ll
see that almost all of them have to do with mental perceptions
and beliefs. Lack of time or energy? Not being able to get to the
gym? Perhaps you face the challenge of having young children,
or a job that’s taking over your life. Whatever the roadblocks,
you can overcome them as you acknowledge and challenge them.
7. Get FITT—Physically and Mentally
To stay with exercise for mental health, you must first build
mental fortitude. That’s why I’ve waited until Key 7 to discuss
how to set up an exercise program. The FITT Principle shows
how. FITT stands for Frequency (how often you exercise),
Intensity (how hard you exercise), Type (of exercise you’re
doing) and Time (how long you exercise). Through FITT, you
can create a tailored program for your unique needs.
8. Implement Your Vision and Flourish
Finally, we need a long-term vision of health and wellness to
keep exercising for mental health for the rest of our lives.
Exercise is beneficial at all ages and stages; as we look to the
future, we find that by exercising for our mental health, we can
help overcome mental illness and become who we are meant to
be. We will flourish.
Exercise for Mental Health:
8 Keys to Get and Stay Moving
Mental illness has deeply impacted my life. I have experienced the flooding of anxiety and the drowning of depression. I
have waged, and won, several battles with postpartum depression and been through loss and grief. I know how painful it can
be to find oneself in the throes of mental illness and how
helpless it can feel when a loved one is caught in its grasp. As a
clinical psychologist, I have witnessed the sting of mental illness
and the struggle to find healing. People come desperate to learn
the tools that can break the chains of mental and emotional
symptoms. Too often, individuals and their friends and family
are ready to seek and find help, only to find barriers halting their
progress.
Barriers to Mental Illness Treatment
An astonishing 60% of American adults, and almost half of
children ages 8–15, receive no treatment for their mental illness
diagnoses. Though valid treatments—like mental health medications and psychotherapy—are available, too many people
encounter barriers to treatment. This occurs for many reasons,
but the most common are the stigma of mental illness and its
treatments, like medication and therapy; the side effects of
medication treatments; and the cost of long-term therapy or
medical interventions.
Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health
Exercise has been researched and validated for treating a variety of mental issues and mental health conditions, including
depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, addictions, grief, relationship problems, dementia and
personality disorders. Additionally, exercise alleviates such conditions as bad moods, stress, chronic pain and chronic illnesses.
Exercise is not only free from negative stigma, it is safe when
done appropriately, with a doctor’s approval. Any side effects
are ultimately positive, and even better, exercise is free of
charge, easy to access and available for everyone. Exercise can
be used as a stand-alone treatment for some mild-to-moderate
conditions or, more effectively, in conjunction with other mental
health treatments.
Like medicine in the treatment of mental illness, exercise can
increase levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the
brain. It improves and normalizes neurotransmitter levels, which
ultimately helps us feel mentally healthy. Other important benefits include enhanced mood and energy; reduced stress; deeper
relaxation; improved mental clarity, learning, insight, memory
and cognitive functioning; enhanced intuition, creativity,
assertiveness and enthusiasm for life; and improved social health
and relationships, higher self-esteem and increased spiritual
connection.
8 Keys to Mental Health through Exercise
If exercise is so good for physical and mental health, why
aren’t more of us exercising for mental health? Why aren’t medical and mental health practitioners not only recommending
exercise but also showing us how to safely start and continue
exercising for mental health? The following overview of my 8
Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise can help you, your
loved ones and those who provide medical and mental health
care tackle underlying beliefs about exercise, change exerciserelated thinking, overcome barriers and implement an effective
exercise program.
1. Heal Your Mind and Body with Exercise
If you struggle with a particular mental illness, exercise has
specific abilities to help you, too. From calming the anxious
mind to regulating mood swings in bipolar disorder, exercise
may be the best thing we can do for mental, physical, emotional,
About the Author: Christina G. Hibbert, Psy.D. is a clinical
psychologist specializing in women’s mental health,
motherhood, grief/loss, self esteem and personal growth. She is
the author of This Is How We Grow, Who Am I Without
You? and 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise, and host
of the weekly series “Motherhood” on WebTalkRadio.net.
For more on this topic, visit Christina’s website:
www.DrChristinaHibbert.com_
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NAMI SWI VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT IS ON……………….
Royal
Boeder!!
Our affiliate is proud to announce that Royal Boeder is the NAMI SWI spotlight volunteer!! Royal has been a member of NAMI since 2012. He has been instrumental in helping
our affiliate grow into the organization we all know today, by providing leadership and enthusiasm for NAMI’s mission of education, support, and advocacy for
persons affected
by brain disorders and their families. In 2013, Royal completed the Family to Family
Teacher Training. Royal has led Family to Family classes in St. Clair County. Additionally,
since June 2013, Royal has served on the affiliate Board of Directors, as an officer, serving
as affiliate Treasurer. In 2014, Royal completed Family Member Support Group Facilitator
Training. In 2015, Royal helped expand our affiliate programming in Monroe County.
Royal facilitates a monthly Family Member Support Group in Waterloo, Illinois. Without
his efforts, many NAMI members would not have had the opportunity to participate in our
affiliates educational programs, like Family-to-Family or Family Member Support Groups.
Royal has also dedicated his time to CIT advocacy and has attended numerous annual CIT Trainings at Grace Church in
Fairview Heights, Illinois. Royal has also been a tremendous support in the success of the affiliate’s annual site visits
with representatives from United Way of Greater St. Louis. Royal also represents our affiliate at meetings with the Randolph and St. Clair County Mental Health Boards.
Thanks Royal, for your many efforts on behalf of NAMI Southwestern Illinois!!
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http://namiswi.org/newsletter/june-july16_newsletterrs.pdf )
Thanks to David Rudloff and Mary Gauen who served as
NAMI SWI photographers. Thanks to NAMI SWI
Facebook manager Ann Barnum; NAMI SWI Webmaster,
Mary Gauen; and NAMI SWI Newsletter Editor, Sandy
Giger, for helping to promote the event!!!
A special thank you goes to the sponsors, exhibitors, and
volunteers for their hard work, support, and contributions,
as well as the runners and walkers. Our event was a huge
success due to the dedication, generosity, and teamwork of
all involved. Families expressed that they learned about
NAMI programs, resources, and services when they visited
various booths while having fun at the race/walk. The
event has earned to date $12,000.00; with $3,000.00 in
sponsorship revenue still to be paid to the affiliate. Special
thanks to Dawn Jasper, Fox Sports Midwest, for In Kind
Marketing with Fox Sports Midwest “Drop Ins” advertising
our event during St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals
games. The committee also wants to thank NAMI member
Debbie Snider, Kuna Food Service, for arranging Kuna’s
donation of bottled water and runners/walker’s snacks.
Finally, a special thanks to NAMI SWI Board Member, Tai
Venuti, Allsup, Inc., who provided wonderful “swag bags”
for all the participants!! The affiliate appreciated Matt Taetz
and his llamas, helping to lead the walkers! Matt operates
“Santa Needs Help” a non-profit organization whose
purpose is to support non-profit children’s organizations.
Preparations are already underway for next year’s Race/
Walk by our 2017 Chairperson Katie Venvertloh. We look
forward to seeing everyone again next year!!
Annual Race for Recovery/Walk for Awareness
by Jessica Gruneich, Executive Director
and Mary Pat Dejarnette, Walk Chairperson
The 2016 NAMI SWI 5K
Race for Recovery, 1 Mile
Walk for Awareness was
held on Saturday, May 7th at
GCS Gateway Grizzlie’s
Stadium. The weather was
perfect – no rain and warm. Over 150 family members,
friends, sponsors, and volunteers were present on May 7th..
We had 30 runners and almost 100 walkers set off at a brisk
pace at 8:15 am. This year we added “virtual runners” to
our line up and had 10 virtual runners supporting the event.
Top race finishers were: Pat Devine, Tai Venuti, Susan
Kurilla, Jackie Gruneich, Amber Meitzenheimer, Rodney
Brown, Brad Yount, and Moanes Khawalid.
Beverly Watkins, President – NAMI SWI, welcomed the
participants and thanked everyone for their ongoing support
for our organization and signature programs. Dana
Rosenzweig, Executive Director – St. Clair County Mental
Health Board, addressed the crowd prior to the start of the
race.
Mint Green designed the shirt and other materials for the
Race/Walk featuring the NAMI Llama tying his shoes. He
eloquently shared the story behind the design and had a
poster with the story at the stadium for all to see. This can
be found on Page 13 of the June-July newsletter. (See link:
Gateway Grizzlies
Fox Sports Midwest
GCS Credit Union
St. Clair County Mental Health Board
Kuna Food Service
Allsup, Inc.
2016 SPONSORS
Gateway Regional Medical Center
Genoa Healthcare
Chestnut Health Systems
St. Clair County Medical Society Alliance
Ameren Illinois
Country Financial (Lea Sommers’ Office)
7
Molina Healthcare
Family Farms, Inc.
Touchette Regional Hospital
Madison County Mental Health Board
Hortica, Inc.
Bank of Edwardsville
July 15, 2016
A Message from NAMI SWI President,
Dr. Beverley Watkins, PhD, LCSW
The Annual Meeting on June 14th, 2016 was an exciting event for our affiliate. We welcomed new Board
members, and said goodbye to a couple of long-serving members. We welcomed Karoline Carstens, Victoria
Gonzales, Angela Townsend, Sonja Vauters, and Tai Venuti. Katie Venvertloh returned to the Board and will be
taking over as 2017 Run/Walk Chairperson. Our new members are quite an accomplished group and bring a variety
of perspectives and skill sets. Sonja is serving as our new Second Vice-President, a recently created position designed
to help us as we move forward with more conscious succession planning and continuity of leadership. We said
goodbye to Jim Isaac and Jim Fraser. Jim Isaac has been active with the Marketing Committee, the Annual Run/
Walk, many committees and projects; and he has been our liaison with Gateway Regional. Jim Fraser is retiring from
full-time work as
Director of Development with Chestnut Health Systems and will be moving to New Mexico. He
has been a great liaison with Chestnut and other mental health agencies and has kept us abreast of funding and policy
issues on the state and federal level. Both will be missed. Thanks to both Jims for your years of service!
Our speaker for the Annual Meeting was Jackie Hudson, NAMI St. Louis Director of Advocacy. She shared about
ways to take advantage of mental health advocacy opportunities and federal legislation impacting mental health
services. NAMI SWI In Our Own Voice presenter Theresa San Luis gave a live viola performance.
We are embarking on a new year and have set new goals and objectives for the next two years in our strategic
plan. The Executive Committee met for two four-hour planning sessions with Rebeccah Bennett, a wonderful consultant who came highly recommended by United Way. Rebeccah was truly awesome in guiding us as we developed the
new strategic plan.
Tricia Hogan, Marie Krysnoski, and Kami Bonnell will be completing In Our Own Voice Training in Wheaton,
Illinois on July 23rd and 24th. Thank you ladies for committing to In Our Own Voice and helping us to share the
special perspective and insight of lived experience with mental health issues.
Our own Matt Gauen, artist and creator of the NAMI Llama, is our NAMI SWI Connection and Group Program
Coordinator. A big shout-out to Matt for all you do and your many years of service to our affiliate. Matt, you help
with many things behind the scenes, and are a great asset.
Peter Dodge and David Noble traveled to Monteagle, Tennessee in June to be trained as NAMI Homefront
facilitators. Homefront is similar to Family to Family, but specially designed for military-connected families. We will
be launching this program soon.
In September, Cortnie Stone and Judi Baker will begin teaching a Family to Family class in Edwardsville.
Kami Bonnell and Marie Krysnoski are chairing a Savers clothing drive. NAMI SWI is collecting clothing and
any small household items for the drive. We hope to donate 400 bags, as Savers will then donate $1000 to us. Drop
off and storage locations are being identified in both Madison and St. Clair counties. (See article on Page 1.) Please
watch your email or call the office for locations.
On July 23rd, the second annual Minority Mental Health Awareness event will take place at the SIUE campus in
East St. Louis at 10:00am. Kimberly McClellan, Board member and East St. Louis Initiative Project Director, is
coordinating this event and wrote the grant which was funded by NAMI National. The movie Paper Tiger will be
shown and lunch will be served, along with a panel discussion.
As you can see, we have several upcoming opportunities for our members to support our affiliate and mental
health awareness activities. Please support our efforts: the fundraiser by donating clothes and other items; and by
attending the Minority Mental Health Awareness event on July 23rd. The state budget crisis continues to threaten a
variety of services to vulnerable citizens in our state. Please continue to advocate for an appropriate resolution, e.g.,
continued funding for vital services.
Thanks once again to all of you, our members and allies, partners, staff, board, communication team, and awesome
volunteers! You are the best, and your commitment continues to move us forward in reaching more and more individuals and families who need us.
Dr. Beverley Watkins, Ph.D., LCSW
President, NAMI Southwestern IL
BI-MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING LOCATION RETURNS TO PASCAL HALL CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF GATEWAY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. Business meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the odd months: January, March, May,
July, September, and November and meet at 7:00PM. These business meetings are open to volunteers, project leaders, and all
NAMI SWI members.
Next business meeting is September 13th 2016; see article on Page 13 for speakers!
8
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Volunteers Representing NAMI SWI
May 16 through July 16, 2016
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Peter Dodge and David Noble attended NAMI
Homefront Training June 11-12 in Monteagle, TN.
Dan Crockett, Katie Crockett, Donna Sheard,
Cortnie Stone, attended NAMI IL Signature Programs training June 18-19 in Champaign, IL.
Tai Venuti and Victoria Gonzalez represented our
affiliate at the NAMI National Convention July 6-9 in
Denver, Colorado.
Beverley Watkins, Peter Dodge, Royal Boeder,
Mary Pat DeJarnette, Sonja Vauters attended a
Strategic Planning session on July 9 in Granite City,
IL.
Victoria Gonzalez and Tricia Hogan began a new
Peer to Peer Education Class on July 16 in Granite
City, IL.
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Monthly Volunteers Representing NAMI SWI
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Webmaster Mary Gauen for keeping the website
current and user-friendly.
Tom Giger for coordinating NAMI SWI brochures,
resource guides, community directories, and overseeing the office equipment!
Marie Krysnoski and Kami Bonnell for distributing
and stocking Gateway ER and Kettler Center with
newsletters and NAMI brochures/pamphlets!!
NAMI SWI Social Media Coordinator Ann Barnum.
NAMI SWI Helpline Volunteers: Bill Jeffreys, Ann
Barnum, Amanda Corrado, Joan Foster, Claudia
Voris, Bev Churchill, and Kami Bonnell!!
Linda Methvin who facilitates the Greenville, IL
family member support group!
Mike and Kathy Janik who facilitate the NAMI SWI
Support Group Meeting in O’Fallon, IL!!
Pat Rudloff who facilitates the NAMI SWI
Edwardsville Support Group Meeting!
Peter Dodge who facilitates the Military Families
Support Group!
Kim McClellan who facilitates the new NAMI SWI
Child & Adolescent Family Member/Caregiver
support group meeting in East St. Louis, IL.
Royal Boeder who is facilitating the Waterloo, IL
family member support group in Monroe County!
Marie Krysnoski who is lead facilitator for the
Connection Recovery Support Group in Waterloo, IL.

Cara Emrich who is facilitating a NAMI Connections
Meeting in a new location of Benton, IL.
John Person & Geri Touchette who are co-chairing
the new NAMI Connections Meeting in Edgemont, IL
Our NAMI SWI IOOV Presenters: Katie Crockett,
Dan Crockett, Sharon Diaz, Dani Robinette,
Heather Harris, Jen Gerlach, Pat Norris, AJ
French, Melody Corbin, & Jeremy Lincicum!
Kami Bonnell, Shirlee Byrd, Jen Gerlach, Matt
Gauen, John Malson, and Patrick Norris who facilitate the Connection Recovery Support Group meetings in Belleville and Granite City!
Jim Isaac, Mary Gauen, Matt Gauen, Ann
Barnum, and Marilyn Vise for working on the marketing team!
Tom Johnson who is our NAMI SWI CIT Project
Leader!
Chestnut Health Systems & WellSpring Resources
who have been printing our newsletters for many years
as a service to NAMI SWI!
Pat Rudloff for coordinating NAMI SWI press
releases in Madison County!
NAMI SWI TEAM NEWSLETTER including: Kami
Bonnell, Mary Gauen, Tom and Sandy Giger,
Jessica Gruneich, Marie Krysnoski, David Malear,
Carol Morrow, Lynn Piggott and NAMI Llama!
Jessica Gruneich for setting up NAMI SWI as an
available charity with AmazonSmile, eBay Giving
Works, and eScrip at Schnucks too!
Kami Bonnell, Shirlee Byrd and Lisa McMichael
have volunteered weekly at the NAMI SWI office!
Bill Jeffreys is the NAMI SWI Helpline Coordinator!
Board Development Committee consisting of Bev
Watkins, Peter Dodge, Royal Boeder, Mary Pat
DeJarnette, Tom Johnson, Jim Isaac, and Jessica
Gruneich!
NAMI Llama for being an awesome mascot!!
_________
Special thanks to NAMI SWI volunteers
for your awesome work!
Don’t forget to send your volunteer hours to:
[email protected].)
ONE PERSON CAN
MAKE A DIFFERENCE,
AND EVERYONE
SHOULD TRY.
~ John F. Kennedy
9
Congratulations,
Pat Rudloff!
Pat Rudloff, Past President,
NAMI SWI, has been awarded NAMI
National Hall of Fame Honors!
Congratulations Pat!
As President, Pat was able to network with community
mental health providers Chestnut Health Systems,
Centerstone of IL, and Southern IL Healthcare Foundation,
which increased the number of individuals and family
members served by NAMI SWI programming.
Pat also worked with the Madison County and St. Clair
County 708 Community Mental Health Boards to increase
funding and public awareness of our NAMI SWI affiliate.
After her term as President ended, Pat remained committed to NAMI outreach efforts and assumed the role of
NAMI SWI Support Group Program Coordinator. As
program
coordinator, Pat has recruited, trained, and
mentored many support group facilitators to help raise
awareness of brain disorders and the education and support
available through our NAMI SWI affiliate. Pat has
personally led NAMI SWI support groups in Belleville,
Granite City, Edwardsville, and Litchfield. Pat has volunteered with NAMI for over twenty years.
Pat has also dedicated her time to co-coordinating the
NAMI SWI Helpline with NAMI SWI member, Alice
Adcock. Together they oversaw a volunteer staff of six
helpline volunteers. Our NAMI SWI Helpline is a critical
resource for family members and those who are living with
a mental health condition. The NAMI SWI Helpline
provides information on support groups, education opportunities, and other local community mental health information.
Pat continues to lead the Edwardsville NAMI SWI
Family Member Support Group with co-facilitator Beverley
Churchill. Pat is also a long-time member of the affiliate
Walk-Race Committee and has contributed very generously
to our affiliate’s annual fundraiser!
On behalf of the board of directors and general
membership, many congratulations Pat!!!
____________
NAMI SWI New Administrative Assistant!!
Welcome, Kami Bonnell!
Kami Bonnell has been a member of NAMI SWI since
2013. Since this time, Kami has volunteered weekly in the
NAMI SWI office helping with affiliate paperwork,
brochures, and membership renewal processing. Kami has
also represented our affiliate at various community health
fairs and resources fairs. Kami is dedicated and committed
to community outreach efforts. In September of 2015, Kami
completed Connection and Recovery Support Group Facilitator training. She facilitates our monthly Granite City and
Waterloo Connection Support Group meetings. In the Fall
of 2015, Kami joined the Annual Recovery Conference
planning committee in partnership with the Division of
Mental Health Region 5 Leadership Council. Kami was
instrumental in planning and coordinating our affiliate’s
NAMI SWI Winter Party held on January 17, 2016. Kami
attended In Our Own Voice Presenter Training on behalf of
the affiliate in Wheaton, IL from July 22-24.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Kami
has accepted the position of Administrative Assistant as of
July 1, 2016. Kami says, “Before I joined NAMI SWI I did
not talk about my illness, my goal now is to help empower
others to help reduce the stigma of mental illness. I am so
excited to move into this new position and look forward to
supporting our affiliate.
Jessica Gruneich, Executive
Director, says, “I am thrilled to welcome Kami to this new
position with our affiliate. She is a fabulous edition to our
NAMI SWI team! I thoroughly enjoy working together and
I am excited about continuing to grow our affiliate’s
programming with Kami’s help!” Marie Krysnoski,
Associate Director, says, “I am so excited Kami accepted
this position. She brings an awesome skill set which will
enhance NAMI SWI’s outreach and so much more!
Welcome to the team, Kami.” Kami will be assisting with
donor database management, volunteer management, and
affiliate fundraising and marketing efforts.
We appreciate her work helping to ensure NAMI’s
mission of empowerment, wellness, and recovery continues
to positively impact individuals and families across our
region!
____________
What Hurts Most is Suicide is Preventable
(NAMI Advocacy Alert, April 25, 2016)
The rate of suicide in U.S. is increasing. It breaks hearts
and scars communities. Access to mental health care can
help.
Where is Congress? In the Senate, the Mental Health
Reform Act of 2016 (S. 2680) has passed committee, but
that’s not enough. It needs to be voted on by the full Senate.
Reach out to your Senators. Let them know that S. 2680
will help the suicide epidemic by:
 Investing in mental health services and supports that are
evidence-based, so people know they are getting care
that works.
 Prioritizing early identification and intervention, so
people can get the right mental health care at the right
time.
 Emphasizing outcome measures, so we know if people
are getting better or not.
 Establishing a suicide prevention and technical
assistance center, so people are trained to prevent
suicide in every state.
Contact your Senators today. Use the bulleted points
above when talking or writing to them. Please urge your
colleagues to bring S. 2680 to the Senate Floor for a vote.
To find your IL legislators, click here: http://il-nea.capwiz.com/nea/il/directory/statedir.tt?
state=IL&lvl=state and put in your zip code. Then start
advocating!! S. 2680 will help save precious lives, but,
only if it passes.
___________
10
20th Annual
Recovery Conference
October
7
Friday, October 7, 2016
NAMI SWI will offer
NAMI Homefront Education
In August-September 2016
9:00AM - 3:15PM
8:00AM Registration
NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and vets with mental health conditions.
Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-toFamily program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address
the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those
who have served or are currently serving our country. The
program is taught by trained family members of service
members/veterans living with mental health conditions.
NAMI Homefront teaches you how to: manage crises;
solve problems and communicate effectively; learn to care
for yourself, including managing your stress; develop the
confidence and stamina to support your family member
with compassion; identify and access federal, state and
local services; stay informed on the latest research and
information on mental health, including posttraumatic
stress disorder and substance abuse; understand current
treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects; navigate the challenges and impact
of mental health conditions on the entire family.
To learn more about the NAMI Homefront Education,
go to https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMIPrograms/NAMI-Homefront#sthash.PJLPeOt1.dpuf
NOTE: The affiliate is determining specific class
location, start date, and time. Please check the website
or call the NAMI SWI Office at (618) 798-9788 or email
[email protected].
____________
th
IL Region 5 Metro East will be hosting their 20
Annual Recovery Conference on Friday, October 7th. The
conference will be held at The National Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows, 442 South DeMazenod Drive (Route
15), Belleville, IL. The cost of conference is FREE and
lunch is provided.
The 2016 theme is “Think Positive for a Better
Tomorrow”. Keynote speaker will be Nanette Larson,
Director of Recovery Support Services for the Illinois
Department of Human Services/Division of Mental
Health.
Other highlights:
 Afternoon Recovery & Wellness Workshops
 Information Tables
 Consumer Art Show
For more information, contact Cindy at (618) 474-3813
or by email at [email protected].
____________
NAMI Basics Education Class Fall 2016
NAMI SWI will offer Basics Education in September
2016 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois. The
affiliate is determining the start date, so please check the
website or the call the office for more information.
The class will meet from 6-8pm. There is no cost to
attend the class. The course is designed for parents and
other caregivers of youth and adolescents living with a
mental health condition. The course offers vital
information regarding medication, diagnosis, communication skills, coping skills, educational rights for your child
and much more!!
For more information, please call the NAMI office at
(618) 798-9788 or email [email protected]. Families
can also log onto www.nami.org to learn more about
NAMI Basics.
Education Class Forming Now!!
NAMI’s Family-to-Family Education Program provides evidenced based information about brain disorders,
treatment options, and community based resources. The
course teaches the knowledge and skills that family
members need to cope more effectively. PLEASE NOTE:
There is no charge for the program. Classes will be held
for 12 consecutive weekly sessions beginning Thursday,
September 8, 2016 at 7pm at First Baptist Church in
Edwardsville, IL. Classes fill quickly, please call the
NAMI SWI office at (618) 798-9788 to register or email
[email protected] to register. More information about
the program is also available on www.nami.org.
___________
____________
Have you taken the StigmaFree Pledge?
Click
HERE to take the Pledge
___________
11
Certified NAMI Specialty Support Group
What do you get when you cross a NAMI Connection
Recovery Support Group with a Furry Friends Recovery
Group? You get a certified NAMI Specialty Support
Group!!!
This certified NAMI Specialty Support Group, like
other NAMI Connection Groups, is for persons with a
mental illness. It’s purpose is to provide educational and
therapeutic need-based support by connecting pet therapy
teams to people who experience mental and emotional
challenges.
This new Specialty Support Group will begin on
September 20, 2016 and continue on the 3rd Tuesday of
each month. The location is at Stillwater Senior Living
Center, 1111 University Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025
from 7pm-8:30pm.
For more information, contact lead facilitator Tricia
Hogan at (618) 558-5386 or email [email protected].
____________
Notes from the 2016 NAMI National Convention
by NAMI SWI Board Members,
Vicky Gonzales & Tai Venuti
The NAMI National Convention in Denver, July 6-9,
2016, with the theme of “Act. Activate. Achieve.”, was
attended by 1,900 people from all over the United States,
Singapore and Mexico. NAMI SWIL board members
Vicky Gonzales and Tai Venuti were among them, and
share the following highlights:
Vicky met former U.S. Representative Patrick
Kennedy (D-R.I.), who had a book signing and
spent time with as many people as he could. He
along with the Governor of Colorado, John
Hickenlooper, both gave inspiring speeches at the
opening general session.
One of the foremost psychologists in America,
Dr. Kay Jamison spoke at a workshop. Jamison
wrote Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive
Illness and the Artistic Temperament, often called
the definitive work on the profound and surprising
links between manic-depression and creativity.
NAMI hosted a viewing and panel discussion of
Touched by Fire, a movie inspired by her book
that documented the relationship between two
poets with bipolar disorder.
Special activities included an open mic night
where talented people sang, recited poetry,
rapped and told their stories to a packed house.
There was also candlelight vigil at a nearby park
for veterans who committed suicide. Currently, 22
veterans a day commit suicide.
“The exhibits were fabulous and poster
sessions were very interesting,” said Vicky. The
dozens of workshops addressed topics that included Advancing Recovery Through Research and
Technology, Cutting Through the Election Noise,
How to Build a Criminal Justice Partnership, How
to Help your Child Handle Stress and Anxiety and
more.
“I appreciated the scientific updates on new
and promising treatments,” said Tai. “Having access to the best and brightest minds on mental
health is a rare opportunity.”
Both Vicky and Tai agreed that one of the best
parts of the conference was the opportunity to
meet with NAMI members and supporters from
around the country.
“As a member of the NAMI National Board of
directors I sat down with many consumers like
myself and family members and they shared what
they are doing in their states,” said Vicky. “I hope
to see many of you in Washington DC next year
June 28-July 1, 2017!”
New Specialty Parent Support Group
This new specialty support group is for parents and
caregivers of children and adolescents living with a mental
illness plus who are dealing with the juvenile
justice system. This support group offers a safe, nonjudgmental and confidential outlet for sharing with other
parents and caregivers who have experiences similar to
yours.
The meeting will take place on the 1st and 3rd
Wednesdays of each month beginning September 7th and
held at Oliver C. Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.
Use the main hospital entrance then take elevator to the
basement. Exit to the right and go to the first classroom
on the left. The meetings will run from 6:30 to 8:00PM.
The meeting facilitator is Donna Sheard. For more
information, she may be contacted at (618) 567-3228 or
send an email to the NAMI SWI Office at
[email protected].
____________
Clinton County...Here We Come!!!
Our first Family Member Support Meeting in Clinton
County will begin on September 12, 2016 in Carlyle, IL
thanks to Jessica and Linda Methvin. Meetings will
continue to be held on the 2nd Monday of each month
from 7:00-8:30PM. The location is at the First Christian
Church, 1025 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL 62231.
For more information contact lead facilitator Linda
Methvin at (618)541-2407 or email the NAMI Office at
[email protected].
___________
____________
“We Must Replace Stigma with Hope”
12
and is currently serving a second term as President of
NAMI Tri-County Illinois. She is active on Rep.
Leitch’s mental health committee. She also serves on a
mental health committee for the Hult Center, and is a
member of a Heart of Illinois United Way task force.
____________
Visit from NAMI Illinois
September 13, 2016!!
NAMI SWI will welcome NAMI Illinois Board
President, John Schladweiler, and Interim Executive
Director, Suzanne Spears, at the affiliate board meeting
Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Mr. Schladweiler and Ms.
Spears will be speaking at 7:00pm in Pascal Hall, Gateway
Regional Medical Center, Granite City, Illinois. They
will share information from our state organization, fundraising strategies, programming updates, and information
on the IL state budget. All members, donors, and volunteers are welcome to attend and participate at the meeting.
More about John Schladwiler: On November 14,
2015 John Schladweiler was elected President of NAMI
Illinois. He has been a Director since 2013. His role will
be to work with the Board and Staff to strengthen NAMI
Illinois, and to work with Affiliates to make NAMI
throughout the State a more effective organization. NAMI
Illinois received a shock in July when the State of Illinois
due to its budget crisis canceled contracts with NAMI Illinois that provided about one half of its budget. The experienced Board and Staff immediately began a review of
strategic options, and one of John’s roles will be to help the
organization re-focus and become strong in this new
environment. John brings a professional background in
business
strategy and information technology. His
family has had first-hand experience with mental illness,
and NAMI has been a big help. He has been a NAMI
Cook County North Suburban Director since 2006, having
served as Treasurer, and currently serving as Co-President.
He has been part of its growth from a budget of $20,000
per year to today’s budget of almost $400,000 per year,
allowing explosive growth in services provided. Prior nonprofit experience includes serving as Board member (20+
years) and Board President (10 years) of the Chicago
Youth Symphony Orchestras where he presided over
growth in revenues from $150,000 per year to over $1.5
million per year with parallel growth in music programs for
youth, and was recognized in 2010 as Board President of
the Year by the Illinois Council of
Orchestras.
Now about Suzanne Spears: Sue Spears is a Registered Health Information Administrator. Her first husband,
the father of her four daughters, was diagnosed with a
mental illness in 1963. Two of her daughters also live with
mental illnesses. Suzanne’s experience with mental
illness predates NAMI when there were no support groups
for either patients or family members. She helped to
organize and start up two family support groups in the
metropolitan Chicago area — one in Elgin, IL and one in
the Skokie, IL area. Suzanne has assisted her family
members in getting hospitalizations and treatment. She has
experienced the painfully slow changes to the laws governing mental illness, the differences in insurance coverage, as
well as personally felt the stigma associated with mental
illness. One of her roles as Vice President of the NAMI
Illinois Board will be to Chair the Organization
Development Committee. She lives in Metamora, Illinois,
Welcome, Rebeccah Bennett!!
NAMI SWI is pleased to announce that Rebeccah
Bennett will be attending the affiliate Board Meeting on
Tuesday, September 13, 2016!
Rebeccah has been
working with the Executive Committee in completing a
new Strategic Plan for our affiliate. We hope all members,
project leaders, and volunteers will plan to attend the board
meeting to meet Rebeccah!
More about Rebeccah: Rebeccah Bennett is Founder
and Principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC – a forward
thinking social enterprise that helps individuals live
empowered lives; leaders build impactful organizations,
and communities advance brighter futures. At Emerging
Wisdom, Rebeccah and her team design and facilitate
personal and professional growth programs, organizational
improvement efforts, and social transformation initiatives.
Within these focus areas, they help clients expand their
growth and impact through an array of offerings, including
coaching, training, consulting, facilitation and planning,
and professional speaking.
In her nearly 20-year career, Rebeccah has helped tens
of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations
effect positive change in the areas of organizational and
community leadership, economic development, educational
equity, environmental sustainability, diversity and
inclusion, health and wellness, and women and girls’
empowerment. Though her areas of interest and expertise
are wide-ranging, her work is singularly focused on elevating the human condition. Rebeccah is supported in this
work by corporate, non-profit, government and individual
clients. Among her institutional clients are Anheuser-Busch
InBev, Wells Fargo Advisors, the St. Louis Regional
Chamber, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, the Deaconess
Foundation, Focus St. Louis, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Ferguson Commission.
___________
13
Hey Friends,
Remember this...
NAMI Southwestern IL
Gateway Regional Medical Center
2100 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
Granite City, IL 62040
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
TO:
What is NAMI SWI?
NAMI Southwestern Illinois
(NAMI SWI) is an affiliate of the
National Alliance on Mental Illness.
It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, self-help,
volunteer organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life for people with mental illnesses and their
families.
There are more than 950 NAMI
Affiliates in communities across the
country in addition to NAMI State
Organizations.
NAMI SWI is one of the 26
affiliates in Illinois and serves the
following 12 Illinois counties: Bond,
Calhoun, Clinton, Green, Jersey,
Macoupin,
Madison,
Monroe,
Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair,
and Washington.
We provide free education and
support programs for persons with
mental illnesses and their families.
We provide a voice for individuals
affected by mental
illnesses by
advocating for them with public and
private policy makers for better legislation and more effective treatment
options. NAMI SWI is here to
help. Please call the office at (618)
798-9788 or send an e-mail to
[email protected] or attend one of
the support group meetings listed on
page 4.
What Are the Benefits
of NAMI SWI Membership?
All NAMI members receive the
benefits of membership at all three
levels of the organization, including:
 NAMI Affiliate, NAMI State
Organization, and the NAMI
National organization;
 Eligibility to vote in all NAMI
elections;
 A subscription to The Advocate,
NAMI's flagship magazine, as
well as access to optional subscriptions to specialty newsletters
and information at the national,
state and local levels;
 A subscription to NAMI SWI
Newsletter;
14

Member discounts on brochures,
videos, promotional items and
registration at NAMI's Annual
Convention and many state and
local conferences;
 Access to exclusive membersonly material on www.nami.org;
 Access to NAMI SWI library;
 And maybe the best of all,
you’ll meet a great group of folks
who share your same concerns.
Not a NAMI SWI member yet?
Call the NAMI SWI Office at (618)
798-9788 to have a registration form
mailed to you or register today by
clicking:
http://namiswi.org/
namiswiMembershipAPP.pdf.
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