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NAMI Illinois' Consumer Council

Who we are:

We are persons who live with mental illness and are committed to the mission of NAMI, to "improve the lives of persons with mental illness and their families."  We are part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 

Consumer Councils were created by NAMI to be a voice for consumers in each state.  NAMI Illinois has instituted our state Consumer Council.  The officers and members are all people living with mental illness.  The creation of this council demonstrates the value of persons with mental illnesses and their experiences to improve all areas of mental health services.

We are a strong, productive part of NAMI.  

Our personal stories, publicly expressed, provide others with an understanding of mental illness.  They also demonstrate the absolute necessity for improvement in current mental health services.  Our daily struggles with our illnesses require a voice and understanding by others.  If we all "unite" and start talking, it will be impossible not to be heard. 

There is help. . . As consumers of mental health services we know the pain first hand and we know how to help.  You don't have to be alone dealing with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and many other mental illnesses.  There is help and we are here for you.

We need you. . . We have a stronger voice when yours is united with ours.  By joining NAMI Illinois, you bring power to our numbers and a unique voice that many people with mental illnesses do not have.  Make a difference. 

Connecting with the NAMI Illinois Consumer Council

We need your voice because with increased membership comes power to work effectively for improved treatment of, and more research into, mental illnesses and a better quality of life for those who suffer from them.

As a member of NAMI you join forces with people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, parents, siblings, spouses, friends, professionals, and organizations.  You will benefit from membership in the State NAMI Illinois and the National NAMI and receive the Consumer Council's newsletters, conference information and legislative alerts, as well as information, announcements and newsletters from NAMI Illinois and NAMI.

You can join NAMI today.  Contact:

NAMI Illinois

218 West Lawrence

Springfield, Illinois 62704

Telephone:   (217) 522-1403 V/TTY

Fax:                (217) 522-3598

Toll Free:        (800) 346-4572

Email:  namiil@sbcglobal.net

Connie's Corner

November, 2007

As the incoming Vice-Chair and current Acting Chair of the NAMI Illinois Consumer Council (CC) Executive Committee (EC), I am looking forward to a rewarding year of renewed consumer interest, involvement and action by consumers statewide, both in their local affiliates and in the wider NAMI statewide activities.

                There are some new faces on the CC Executive Committee, some that are familiar and have been around for awhile and some who have served well and are passing the baton. I wish to recognize all for the work they have done and continue to do as members of the wider NAMI-IL Consumer Council.

Outgoing CC Executive Committee officers include:

Thank you all for the valuable contributions you have made to the NAMI Illinois Consumer Council Executive Committee. I look forward to continuing to call on your experience in empowering involvement in the consumer movement within NAMI-IL.

Familiar CC Executive Committee officers whose term continues are:

Incoming CC Executive committee officers are:

                Each affiliate also has a consumer representative and should have an alternate representative on the Consumer Council, with the voting member regarding consumer matters in the NAMI organization being the representative. The representative's vote reflects the voice of the affiliate consumers whom they represent.  So ask your affiliate President who your CC representative and alternate is so you can give a voice to NAMI Illinois CC.

The NAMI Illinois Consumer Council face is changing a bit. As the incoming CC Executive Committee Vice Chair, and currently Acting Chair, my vision is to ignite excitement, action and involvement in the Consumer Council and empower the voice of the consumer within all aspects of NAMI Illinois and its affiliates. Also, in maintaining our autonomy of personhood, it is a goal to continue putting a face on persons in recovery as we go about our daily lives; sometimes it is just survival to engage in living, but as we become more active participants in our own recovery, it is about thriving  beyond surviving and investing in the power of living and contributing, whatever that means to each and everyone of us. It is important to educate and help others by sharing our experience and personal perspectives in living with a serious mental illness, within the NAMI community and in as many outside venues as we can reach. Most importantly, it is important to provide outreach and support  to one another in the overall health arena, even as we tackle mental health related issues.

With the assistance and support of the well-rounded and qualified EC incumbents, incoming EC officers and those that have served, we anticipate the Consumer Council will grow and become stronger in leadership.     

                                                                      Yours in Recovery, Connie Clark, Acting CC Chair

NAMI Illinois Consumer Council Members

Feel free to contact the representatives in your area. 

Connie Clark, Acting Chair - NAMI Springfield - clarkbar1959us@yahoo.com