"Suggestion
Box"
Welcome to NAMI Illinois'
discussion groups, "Communicate." Here's your opportunity
to learn what others are talking about and to share your opinion and ask
questions.
Good communications is the heart of any
relationship and this includes your relationship with NAMI (National,
State and local Affiliates). NAMI Illinois is starting a new service
for its members and local chapters called "Communicate."
Its purpose is to share helpful information. In order to do this you can
ask questions for problems you have or you can share information that has
been helpful to you and/or your organization.
"Suggestion
Box"
Help build a
stronger NAMI! Submit suggestions to ensure all levels of the NAMI
organization meet your needs.
To
submit a suggestion click here.
Postings will be listed below.
Mental Health Insurance Parity -
Posted 11-3-07
I recently became aware of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2006 and
realized that most insurance companies are not following it. Is there
a legislative issue? Do you have any discussion on this? I checked out
the legislature links and they did not provide me much help because I
don't know the numbers of the submitted bills.
Lindsey Ritter
Mentally ill persons obligated to register as sex offenders
- Posted 9-28-07
A couple of us public defenders in Chicago have
discussed the anomaly of UST and NGRI clients being prosecuted
for failure to register as sex offenders, when they are mentally
disabled and forgetful. There's probably not much we can do about the
homeless folks, but some of our clients live with their parents and
they just forget. How about a regular mailing as a reminder? Isn't
that cheaper than a felony prosecution and filling up bed space in
jails and correctional facilities?
Stuart Smith & Steve Baker.
Do any NAMI IL members have any similar experiences?
If a Cook County group wants a criminal defense
attorney to address some NAMI ally questions, contact the Chief Public
Defender: Ed Burnette @ 312.603.0600
We Need a Self Injury
Support Group - Posted 8-30-07
I want to start support groups for
people who self injure. I know of many people who would come.
Self injury is a growing problem in teens and young adults. They
need a place to go where they will feel comfortable to talk about what
is going on and deal with their self injury.
Thanks
Jen
Chicago-land Bookstores - Posted
8-9-07
The
Chicago Tribune published a list of their readers' favorite
bookstores throughout Chicagoland on Thurs. July 5th.
The NAMI
Affiliates in these areas should take advantage of this info and make
sure these merchants have some of NAMI's most recommended books in
stock for behavioral health.
Also, if
I find a book that is recommended by NAMI, our local library will
suggest that we purchase it because of the price we get and they will
reimburse NAMI and stock on their shelves.
Paulette
Sheedy
NAMI-NCI
Police Follow-Up - Posted 8-4-07
I
encourage NAMI affiliates to follow-up with Police Depts. if NAMI
guests/members claim they are being mistreated by an officer if their
loved one is behaviorally ill. Even if this is not true, at
least the police dept. will soon learn there is a Watch Dog group for
these issues.
Our
local hospitals are paying for rides to a discharged patient's next
destination if they have no $ means so be sure your families ask for
this service.
Paulette
Sheedy
NAMI-NCI
Ottawa,
IL
Library
Presence - Posted 8-4-07
Make sure
your NAMI has a presence on your local library shelves next to some
relevant/recommended books to read. We inserted an 8-1/2" x
11" "Book Smarts" page into a clear acrylic frame
which our librarian put on our local library shelf along next to these
relevant books with our phone number. This is in addition to the
NAMI brochures in the racks at the entrance of the library and other
racks throughout the library.
Paulette
Sheedy
NAMI-NCI
Ottawa,
IL
CNN - Posted 7-23-07
Pardon if
this has been suggested before but I just saw "Criminally
Insane" on CNN and it mentions NAMI. I encourage any NAMI
Affiliate and their members to watch it. It's commentated by
Soledad O'Brien.
Paulette
Sheedy
NAMI-NCI
Ottawa,
IL.
Response - 12-27-2007
I did see this show and purchased the
DVD if anyone is interested. I am willing to let it be used for
NAMI purposes.
Tonya Kaberna
tawny@ItsHealthy4Me.com
Please update your websites - Posted
10-30-06
Would it be possible for local NAMI groups to update their web sites occasionally?
Some of them have had the same information for a long time as if nothing
changes and there is nothing new.
Richard Kelch
Questionnaire- Posted 10-2-06
Is it possible NAMI can have/link a
Questionnaire so people across the country and most certainly, within
our Affiliate areas can log on in the privacy of their own home and
complete a Questionnaire to see if they have symptoms of a bi-polar,
major depressive, etc. illness? I believe this would be an
extremely helpful vehicle and if the person took the Questionnaire and
chose to get help albeit outside of their own community, at least they
would be getting help.
Did anyone hear Dr. Tom Insel on the Today
Show this past week? In essence, he said the word stigma is its
own stigma.
Paulette Sheedy
NAMI-NCI
Ottawa, Illinois
Legal Concerns - Posted 9-30-05
I wish that local chapters would have a roster of
lawyers that would help consumers with any legal concerns pro bono or at
a sliding scale fee.
Reply - posted 8-6-2007
To
answer 09/30/05 posting. It was suggested by a local attorney
that I get on the agenda for their local bar association meeting and
give a presentation about NAMI and see if any pro bono offerings
result. I haven't had a chance to do that but it was a good
suggestion.
The
other thought would be to send letters to local attorneys asking if
they would be open to NAMI contacting them relative to doing any pro
bono work and specifically, in what specialty area.
NAMI Illinois expressly disclaims responsibility for,
and liabilities resulting from, any information or communications from and
between users. Messages
that are offensive or misleading will not be posted.
Illinois'
Voice on Mental Illness - NAMI Illinois