INVISIBLE JOURNEY 14

Oh my, God!  I could not wait to tell everyone near and far about the terrific, informative, very encouraging NAMI-MD State Conference this past weekend!  There was sooo much good information that I hardly know where to begin …. Let me see.… oh, I know.  I’ll start from the beginning.

 

First and foremost, NAMI-MD is definitely living up to its reputation to provide the best education for persons and families affected by a mental illness without discrimination, stigma, or stereotyping.  NAMI-MD continues to be an advocate grass-roots organization even though it is soo huge.  I say this because some, not all, but some huge grass-roots organizations lose that warm and cozy feel.  NAMI(MD) is a leadership training and development organization all around Maryland for positive changes continuously and it was great to see old and new faces.   The theme of joining communities and RECOVERY SUCCESS brought tears to my eyes.  Really!

 

Of course, NAMI welcomes all persons to join and volunteer and you can locate an affiliate anyway in the nation by visiting NAMI and locating your state.  I cannot emphasize enough that we have a moral obligations to reach back and help the next brother or sister affected by a mental illness whenever we can.  There are so many opportunities to do this and if you contact your affiliate or local NAMI, someone can help you become a participant and/or volunteer any way you can.  Another thing is that because we are becoming small business owners especially, we have to attend conferences and workshops like every other “professional.”  Amen?

 

Second, the Conference started began with speakers who provided insight into the role our government plays in mental illness, treatment, recovery, healthcare, and bringing communities together.  On that note, the workshops that followed underscored so many different aspects of living with a mental illness successfully.  This included ways to get involved and stay involved whether you are a person affected with a mental illness, a friend, family member, service provider, clergy, member, volunteer, business owner, or advocate.  I cannot express enough that FAMILY must always get involved and stay involved as well.  There has to be a change from the attitude of, “oh, he/she is just crazy” and then turn the other way.  ANYBODY can be affected by mental illness and each person is unique to how treatment helps him/her achieve stability and RECOVERY!  Persons with a mental illness fight internalized stigma’s impact daily in the community, workplace, church, and family and it must end.  Education and knowledge ensures continual positive changes all around the nation in this journey of life and mental illnesses.

 

Ok, now there was also a film shown that highlighted people and family members telling his/her own story about life with a mental illness or how he/she was affected by a member with a mental illness.  It even left me speechless.  One can never know the extent of pain a person lives with because of a mental illness on so many fronts.  IMMHO, the film should be shown on public television and movie theaters because it would definitely improve attitudes to prevent judging, stereotyping, stigmatizing, hurting and harming persons trying to manage mental illness.

 

Oh, I wish I could have attended all the workshops, but, of course, I could not.  However, the ones I attended (did I mention the food and snacks were delicious?  Ok, the food and snacks were delicious!

 

Third, alright, I have to tell you about the Person-Centered-Plan.  Briefly, this is the PCP that focuses on the person.  It involves a team of supporters and especially if you are entering into the mental health system.  The Plan is drawn up (should be) based on the needs and goals of the person.  The idea is to assist that person meet those goals in every positive way possible.  Decisions regarding the persons must always include the person in the decision-making process.  Now, I have done 23 years of PCP’s so it was encouraging to know that it is still key to the success of a person to live successfully in the community and that includes recovery.  So, in a nutshell, it works like this, if a person wants to live in the community and attend college so they can reach live independently, work, support themselves as much as possible, then that is what the PCP should look like barring any extreme mental disorders, etc.   The doctor is part of the Team.  Now if the person has three goals in that PCP, that is what everyone is cheering (supporting) the person to accomplish.  Nobody on the team should decide a goal is not worthwhile and remove it from the PCP and keep getting up.  Nobody/People.  A good example discussed in the workshop was a college student who drank coffee in the evening.  The Team decided to prevent him from having coffee in after a certain hour.  Nobody included the person in that decision and as it turned out, the person had coffee to aide him to stay alert to do his studies to counter the drowsy medication.  We see how important such a small thing makes a big difference.  The PCP must be delivered by service providers, caretakers, and the like.  It matters.

 

I have come to realize that when people are ready for a life with mental illness, they have realistic goals that should not be taken away from him/her.  This leads to a quality life, productive life, contributing to taxes, and mental stability, wholistic healing, spirituality, and recovery.  Shucks, it leads to owning a small business if given the opportunity.

 

I could not run fast enough to tell you about the Road Map to Better Services workshop.  It was truly after my own heart if I may say so myself.  Here’s why:  I was a parent of a severely multiple-disabled child for 23 years before God called him home.  It was challenging and I entered our family of persons affected with a mental illness when he was about seven.  Fast forward, NAMI was very, very instrumental n  helping me to manage my mental health when other just did not understand the struggle.  Well, this Road Map is like déjà vu.  It is a step-by-step guide o working smarter with agencies, insurers, doctors, family, and how to navigate systems that will never go away without GOING CRAZY!  If you are a parent of a family member with special needs, GET THE BOOK!  The author is Wendy Besmann.  (I actually got to shake her hand.  I will never wash that hand againJ ….).

 

Building NAMI Partnerships was another great workshop.  This workshop discussed the many ways persons, families, clergy, care-takers, etc. can get involved with NAMI and stay involved.  There are countless volunteer opportunities, training classes, donating through the workplace gift campaign, participating in distributing flyers, posters, ADVOCATING, and on and on.  Contact your local NAMI affiliate and sign up.  When that phone rings, please commit to do whatever you can.  No thing is too small.

 

Did you know that veterans who are affected by a mental illness are so much like us, but different, too?  They face stigma, stereotypes, and often homelessness.  They deal with obstacles to employment, discrimination, and you name.  These are men and women who served our country so we can have our ‘liberty.’  Their families make sacrifices as well.  They desire to live a quality life and have hopes and dreams as well.  So, let me share some ways I discovered we can help them and especially if we have family, community, church member who have served our country.  (1) The Veterans Administration has outreach to veterans and it can be accessed in several ways:  by calling (800) 273-8255 or (800) 463-6295; by visiting VETERANS Enrollment/, or accessing services from any ER.  Supports and services include coaching, healthcare, preventive care, shelter.  Did you know that Veterans can apply for HUDVASH?  HUDVASH is a unique housing voucher program specifically for Veterans.  It is similar to the Section 8 program except it only takes up to six (6) months for housing rather than 8 years on the wait list.  God is good!  I learned that because many Veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, they may not reach out for help because of lack of trust.  Also, there is a crisis line just for Veterans:  ((800) 273-8255 and press “1.”  Families and loved ones can reach out to Veterans on his/her behalf.  This always ends that overwhelming feeling that can lead to depression.  Amen, Amen?  AMEN!

 

Thank goodness the furlough drama is over.  Let’s giddy up to make sure it does not happen again on our watch as they say.  Smile.  Oh, last thing, a friend of mine who is an immigrant told me he was informed that it would cost him $8,000.00 up front to purchase health insurance in the healthcare marketplace!!!!  OMG!  Who would say such a thing?  Please, please, do not forget to assist our immigrant friends to purchase affordable healthcare.  Last I checked, about 400,000 persons enrolled.  WOW!  Let’s get the numbers moving upward….J

See ya next week,

INVISIBLE JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE 13

There is no way to turn back the hands of time and that is a wonderful thing!  Even when the bad days come to pass and the strife seems unbearable, we hold on to what the future holds.  Now we celebrate a major victory of finally opening the doors of Obamacare and the GOP slams (partially) the government doors shut!  Oh, the irony of it all as somebody once said.

 

So, we know the trickle-down effect of shutting down the government.  Many persons will be adversely affected.  Should we be starting our own business in this season?  Absolutely!  We do not turn back.  We will not be bullied.  We have waited far too long and we followed the rules when The Affordable Care Act was passed and when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it!

 

We extend compassion, hope, and outreach to those affected by the government shut down without regard to race, religion, creed, disability, etc. because we are still all in this together.  We stay the course because this is our test of faith.  There will be bumps, but they smooth out.  When Food Stamps first started a million years ago, there were bumps and resentment, etc.  Nobody likes welfare and handouts.  Everybody likes to feel self-worthy.  Having our own business is our opportunity to shine because we know a Savior who turned our lives around with recovery.  Our Creator has the glory and it cannot be taken from Him by bad politics. 

 

So, be sure to view the SBA Small Business video scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., EST.  There are so many thoughts and emotions running through my mind right now, but the one prevailing thought is to also attend the NAMI-MD State Conference (great workshops scheduled on recovery), celebrate Mental Illness Awareness week, and to provide whatever feedback we can to keep the Obamacare Market Place as bump-less as possible in the next few weeks.  Did you know you can apply for a scholarship to attend the State Conference!  We need the continuing education so we need to be there every year.  I cannot wait to see everybody!

 

Please lift up our brothers and sisters or fellowman or neighbors, whatever you want to call them who have been furloughed.  This is a very painful and emotionally frightening time for many persons who have homes, families, bills, etc.  This shut down must end as soon as possible!  We have to push the GOP with Action Alerts!!!  A sudden loss of a job can be the onset of a mental health condition.  Having said that, review the symptoms mental illness to refresh yourselves so that if you notice these symptoms in family members or friends, you can be of help:

Depression/Chronic Depression if not treated can lead to a more serious mental illness;

The lack of energy, sudden change in appetite (eat more/eat less), sudden periods of crying for no reason; reckless behaviors, unexplainable pain, sudden use in recreational drugs/alcohol, anger, fear, worry, debt, hopelessness, or increase in same; sexual promiscuity, isolating oneself that last for two weeks or more are reasons to make an appointment with your doctor and be seen for a mental wellness check-up!   

Comments/drawings and thoughts of suicide should be taken seriously!  When this is happening with someone in your family, household, community, church, etc., contact Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately!  1 (800) 273-8255.

See ya next week,