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,
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