Helping to meet the needs of persons with mental illness and their families in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties in Illinois

The National Alliance on Mental Illness

It is our mission to provide education, support, and advocacy for families, friends, and individuals with mental illnesses in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties.

 

We accomplish this mission by:

· Having a meeting each month with a speaker on some aspect of mental illness or services available to those with mental illnesses

· Having two support groups that meet monthly—one for family members and one for those with brain disorders

· Visiting with those who request help, advocating for them, and occasionally going to court with them

· Scheduling a week of programs in October to inform the public about mental illness and recovery

 

We are a dedicated group of volunteers.

We understand.    Treatment works.

 

“Say it Out Loud” Campaign

On May 15, 2008, the “Say It Out Loud” campaign was launched at ICC North with a press conference coordinated by the Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley.

The “Say It Out Loud” campaign has five steps that help promote good mental health for individuals and the people they care about.

· Talk with someone who seems stressed or down. Let them know you care.

· Ask for help from someone you trust if you think you or your child may need it.

· Speak with your child’s doctor or teachers about how to encourage your child’s social and emotional development.

· Encourage policy leaders to make children’s and adult mental health a top priority.

· Find out how you can promote good mental health by visiting the campaign’s web site at

www.mentalhealthillinois.org.

The website also has real people telling real stories of mental illness and recovery as well as links to resources.

The "Say it Out Loud" campaign is co-sponsored by the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health, and the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 5 – 11, 2008

 

 

October 5, Sunday

             Area churches use scripture and sermons to promote better understanding of mental illness.

 

The October 7 and 9 Programs are from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Methodist Medical Center, Morron Room

These programs are free and open to the general public

Reservations are required for the October 7 event

  

   October 7, Tuesday

Janssen Pharmaceutical will provide dinner and an informative speaker

 

   October 9, Thursday

Topic:             “Ask the Professional” Night

            Speakers:        Arun Pinto, M.D., Community Psychiatrist

                                  Christopher M. Gillette, Pharm.D.

                                Irene Kasambira, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse

                                Patricia Edwards, Licensed Therapist

These and other knowledgeable professionals will answer your questions

                  

   October 11, Saturday

             Dinner/           Lariat Club—doors open at 6:00 p.m.; at 6:45 p.m. food

             Auction           orders will be taken from a choice of Chicken, Orange

                                  Roughy, or Petite Beef Fillet

Education Classes to Begin Soon

 

Family to Family

You may call now to register for the

Fall Class that begins September 8

Parents, spouses, friends or adult children of people with mental illnesses are invited to participate in a 12-week course. The next class will be taught by Carolyn Jakopin and Jean Wallace; Roger Mohn will be the resource person.  There is no charge for this NAMI signature program that will be held in Peoria at Methodist Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evenings starting on September 8.  Participants will learn valuable information to help them understand and support an ill relative while maintaining their own well being. Please call Carolyn at 691-0261,  Roger at 696-1824, or Jean at 309 364-3208 for information or to register for this class.

 

Peer to Peer Class

Please call now to register for this class that

will begin this fall

A number of people have already registered, so please call if you wish to be part of this class which will help individuals live successfully with symptoms of a mental illness.  A new class will begin when we have enough participants to hold a class.

NAMI’s Peer to Peer class, taught by people in recovery, spans nine weeks. We teach that you have choices, that you are free to live well, and that there is a way to live with your brain disorder. You will develop a relapse prevention plan, share your fears of failure, and share your successes in an atmosphere of acceptance. Mindfulness exercises will help you live in the moment and stop being overwhelmed by mental illness. Please call Ruth Mayfield 691-2572 to sign up for the fall class.