LibertyJustice &Recoveryfor All

NewsJuly, 2013

NAMI YakimaFirst Edition - Volume One Issue Two

Produced and Distributed By:

Welcome!We hope you enjoy the July 2013 issue ofNAMI News.

From National Minority Mental Health AwarenessMonth ... To Medicaid Expansion and Health Care Reform ... To local and state System of Care projects ... To our very own NAMI Yakimasignature programs ...signature programs ... There is so much toknow, share and do to make sure that allfamilies impacted by mental health disordersfind resources and recovery.

We’ exist to help families find help and hope. We believe that there is no true health without good mental health. We know that wellness and recovery are possible. recovery are possible.

Contact us anytime to learn more or get involved. We’ll look forward to hearing from you soon!

In this issue ...

Book Reviews

Program News

Community Partners

NAMI Yakima Reunion

State & National News

Minority Mental Health Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Membership Info

Group Schedules

Class Updates

And so much more!

July, 2013

In 2008 the U.S. House of Representatives proclaimed July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell in recognition that:

“Improved access to mental health treatment and services and public awareness ofmental illness are of paramount importance.”

The month’s purpose is to:“enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.”-H. Con. Res. 134, May 2008, sponsored by Fm-H. Con. Res. 134, May 2008, sponsored by Fmr. Md. Rep. Albert Wynn

Bebe Moore Campbell was an accomplished author, advocate andco-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles. She received NAMI's 2003Outstanding Media Award for Literature for the book Sometimes MyMommy Gets Angry, written especially for children, about a young girl wholearns how to cope with her mother's bipolar illness. In 2005, her novel72-Hour Hold focused on an adult daughter and a family's experience withthe onset of mental illness.the onset of mental illness. The book helped educate Americans that thestruggle often is not just with the illness, but with the health care system aswell.

Campbell advocated for mental health education and support amongindividuals with mental illness and their families of diverse communities.National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created in her honor to carry out the goal ofcreating mental health awareness and eliminating stigma among diverse communities.

"Once my loved one accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entirefamily, but it took too long. It took years. Can't we, as a nation, begin tospeed up that process? We need a national campaign to de-stigmatizemental illness, especially one targeted toward African-Americans. Themessage must go on billboards and in radio and TV public serviceannouncements. It must be preached from pulpits and discussed incommunity forums. It's not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment.community forums. It's not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment.Recovery is possible." -Bebe Moore Campbell, 2005

“Mental health does not discriminate: it affects all of us regardless of race, class orgender. Mental wellness is just as important as physical wellness. We must all be partof the solution and work to invest in mental health services for those who need help.”-Calif. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, Congressional Mental Health Caucus Co-Chair, July 2012

Mental Health Awareness for All

July, 2013

NAMI Yakima Members ... Making Recovery Happen Everyday!Join NAMI Yakima TODAY to stay connected to and support the work

of family and peer owned support, education and advocacy programs. Your membershipdollars are shared with state and national NAMI offices to ensure that you stay connectedat EVERY level of our family! Local membership dollars help sponsor the cost of NAMI

Yakima’s much-needed FREE programs. Thank you for your support!

$35 - Regular Membership$3 - Open Door Membership

Please return cash/check/money order to:NAMI YakimaAttn: MembershipPO Box 10918YYakima, WA 98909

For assistance with credit cardpayments, other donations, or

anything else contact us anytime!509.453.8229

melissas@namiyakima.org

July, 2013

Learn more about bipolar disorderand recovery here:

http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/Bipolar1/Home_-_What_is_Bipolar_Disorder_.htm

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness ... Avoiding Burnout Burnout is a term that has been applied to a condition that some people develop when doing work that is constantly stressful, emotionally demanding, subject to disruptions and rarely without pressures of one kind or another. Many occupations and activities are prone to the occurrence of burnout, and being a companion, family member or caregiver to someone with a mood disorder certainly may be one of them.companion, family member or caregiver to someone with a mood disorder certainly may be one of them.

Some of the signs to be on the lookout for as possible early warnings that we might face this unfortunate condition in the future could include some of these:

•We are becoming more anxious, impatient and increasingly irritable•We’ve cut back on our personal time for leisure and relaxation•We’re having trouble sleeping•We’ve taken to eating (drinking, smoking) more••We’re feeling tired a lot, and our resistance seems down•We’re experiencing health problems of our own•We are beginning to feel very resentful.

Companions suffering the symptoms of self-neglect cannot continue to provide the quality care and support a loved one may need. Those of us encountering the warning signs of burnout should take measures to not only undo any damage our self-neglect may have already done, we must also build our resilience to the stressors which are sure to come by safeguarding our our resilience to the stressors which are sure to come by safeguarding our physical and emotional health.

Consider some of these helpful suggestions:

•Proper sleep and nutrition (no self-medicating with drugs or alcohol)•Regular rest and uninterrupted personal time•Regular exercise, meditation and spiritual strengthening•Stress management training•Problem solving skills and coping techniques development•Problem solving skills and coping techniques development•Support groups for companion caregivers (local and online).

Helping a loved one with a brain illness can be very rewarding, but it can also be very stressful. Know the warning signs and remember…it can be prevented.

Find a caregivers support group. Join it…Sooner rather than later.

Reprinted from: http://surfcitypress.org/

NAMI Yakima Family and Friends Groups:

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

A Community of Partners

La Casa Hogar is building a foundation for growth and empowerment through healthy kids, healthy moms, healthy families, healthy schools, and healthy community.

The organization serves members of the diverse population of Hispanic newly arrived immigrant women and children in the Yakima Valley participate in a faith-based community transformation opportunity while building a sense of family community and developing a variety of leadership abilities. These women are empowered to practice self-sufficiency through education, gaining highly valued skills in computer and family literacy, English as a Second language, and early learning activities in our children's learning center and leadership.as a Second language, and early learning activities in our children's learning center and leadership.

As a faith-based coalition of people serving to grow a healthy community, La Casa Hogar/Yakima Interfaith Coalition both provides and cultivates educational resources that meet the diverse needs of the Hispanic immigrant women and children of Yakima and its surrounding neighborhoods, creating a diverse, healthy, and self-sustaining resource for transformation in eastern Washington.

La Casa Hogar is supported by people who, believing in the sacredness of identity and dignity, relationship and communitand community, compassion and justice, hope and promise, and motivated by our faith are serving to transform community through educational opportunities.

God has called the Yakima Interfaith Coalition to serve as a transforming force within our community through:

•Creating places of welcome and hospitality for all persons; •Offering educational and learning opportunities for women and children; •Providing settings where barriers between people may be broken down; •Working toward the social and spiritual reconciliation and transformation of the whole community.

Look for this publication and lots of others at NAMI Yakima’s online resource library ... http://www.issuu.com/nami-news

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

people change. families reunite.

do you have an event that needsnami??? contact us anytime so we can join you! 509.453.8229 melissas@namiyakima.org

NAMI Yakima volunteers, staff and other supporters are always thrilled to get the chance to participate in so many wonderful community outreach events. On June 14, we hosted a resource table and activities at a fantastic event celebrating families’ resilience, strength and recovery in the face of significant challenges and hard times.

WWe are always committed to bringing NAMI’s unique message and mission of family and peer led support, education and advocacy programs to more of our communities, more often.

We know that support family, youth and peer support are central to recovery. We know that education empowers us all. And we know that advocacy brings change to systems.

July, 2013

What is NAMI Basics?NAMI Basics is a signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.The course consists of six classes. All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

WWhat does the course include?Introduction to the stages of emotional reactions of the family to the mental illness; including crisis, shock, denial, grief and acceptance.

Insights into understanding of the lived experience of the child living with the mental illness, including learning to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their behavior and abilities

Current information about Attention Decit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar DisoBipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Deant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders

Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents

Specic workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills

Examples of stExamples of strategies that have been found helpful in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents

Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness – the school system and the mental health system

Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems

Information on planning for crisis management and relapse

IInformation on locating appropriate supports and services within the community to build a community of support for the parent/caregiver

Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level

NAMI Yakima Basics courses are FREE to participants

thanks to funders like the United Way of Central Washington,

Yakima Valley System of Care, NAMI Yakima Members andother supporters!

NAMI YakimaBasics

FREE SummerClasses Start inAugust!

For more info andto register:to register:509.452.8229

melissas@namiyakima.org

NAMIBasics

StartsAugust 6th

EVEEVERYTuesday forsix weeks

1-4 p.m.

YWCA818 W Yakima Ave

Yakima

For more info andFor more info andto register:509.452.8229

melissas@namiyakima.org

July, 2013

July, 2013

What is NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer Program?

Peer-to-Peer is a unique, experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery.

The course was written by Kathryn Cohan McNulty, a person with a psychiatric disability who is also a former provider and manager in the mental health field and a longtime mutual support group member and facilitatolongtime mutual support group member and facilitator.

What does the course include?Peer-to-Peer consists of ten two-hour units and is taught by a team of two trained “Mentors” and a volunteer support person who are personally experienced at living well with mental illness.

Mentors are trained in an intensive three day training session and are supplied with teaching manuals. Participants come away from the course with a binder of hand-out materials, as well as many other tangible resources: an advance directive; a “relapse materials, as well as many other tangible resources: an advance directive; a “relapse prevention plan” to help identify tell-tale feelings, thoughts, behavior, or events that may warn of impending relapse and to organize for intervention; mindfulness exercises to help focus and calm thinking; and survival skills for working with providers and the general public.

NAMI YakimaPeer to PeerFREE P2P

Classes Start inSeptember!

For more info andto pre-register:to pre-register:509.452.8229

melissas@namiyakima.org

Do you have aparent, churchor other

community groupththat wouldlike to host a

NAMIPeer to Peercourse???

Our trainedinstructors want

to help!to help!

Contact us ASAP

Program Spotlight

May, 2013

Did You Know?

One in five young people have one or more mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.

One in ten youth have challenges that are severe enough to impair how

they function at home, school, or in the community.New Freedom Commission on Mental HealthNew Freedom Commission on Mental Health

July, 2013

NAMI Yakima volunteers, Board members and staff were honored to attend the East Valley LifesaversClub “Keep on Walking” event in early May. The EV Lifesavers have been promoting suicide awarenessand providing peer support for a number of years on East Valley’s campus and in the largercommunity. Their tireless and committee voices make a difference. Thank you all you do!

Support NAMI Yakima when you ...Search ... Shop ... Dine ... and More!Visit www.goodsearch.com and registerNAMI Yakima as your designated cause.All those pennies, dimes and dollars add up!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

July, 2013

What is Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from one day to months. This mental illness causes unusual and dramatic shifts in mood, energy and the ability to think clearly. Cycles of high (manic) and low (depressive) moods may follow an irregular pattern that differs from the typical ups and downs experienced by most people. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can have a negative impact on a person’s life. Damaged relationships or a decline in job or school performance are potential epotential effects, but positive outcomes are possible.

Two main features characterize people who live with bipolar disorder: intensity and oscillation (ups and downs). People living with bipolar disorder often experience two intense emotional states. These two states are known as mania and depression. A manic state can be identified by feelings of extreme irritability and/or euphoria, along with several other symptoms during the same week such as agitation, surges of energy, reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, pleasure-seeking and increased risktaking behavior. On the other side, when an individual experiences symptoms of depression they feel extremely sad, hopeless and loss of energindividual experiences symptoms of depression they feel extremely sad, hopeless and loss of energy. Not everyone’s symptoms are the same and the severity of mania and depression can vary.

More than 10 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Because of its irregular patterns, bipolar disorder is often hard to diagnose. Although the illness can occur at any point in life, more than one-half of all cases begin between ages 15-25. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally.

What Does Recovery Look Like?As people become familiar with their illness, they recognize their own unique patterns of behavior. If individuals recognize these signs and seek eindividuals recognize these signs and seek effective and timely care, they can often prevent relapses. But because bipolar disorder has no cure, treatment must be continuous.

Individuals who live with bipolar disorder also benefit tremendously from taking responsibility for their own recovery. Once the illness is adequately managed, one must monitor potential side effects.

The notion of recovery involves a variety of perspectives. Recovery is a holistic process that includes traditional elements of physical health and aspects that extend beyond medication. Recovery from serious mental illness also includes attaining, and maintaining, physical health as another cornerstone of wellness.

The recovery journey is unique for each individual.The recovery journey is unique for each individual. There are several definitions of recovery; some grounded in medical and clinical values, some grounded in context of community and successful living. One of the most important principles of recovery is this: recovery is a process, not an event. The uniqueness and individual nature of recovery must be honored. While serious mental illness impacts individuals in many challenging ways, the concept that all individuals can move towards wellness is paramount.

Bipolar disorder presents a special challenge because its manic, or hypomania, stages can be seductive. People with bipolar disorder may be afraid to seek treatment because they are afraid that they will feel flat, People with bipolar disorder may be afraid to seek treatment because they are afraid that they will feel flat, less capable or less creative. These fears must be weighed against the benefits of getting and staying well. A person may feel good while manic but may make choices that could seriously damage relationships, finances, health, home life or job prospects. (cont.)

July, 2013

(cont.)It is very common for people living with bipolar disorder to want to discontinue their medication because of side effects or because it has been a long time since the last episode of illness. However, it should be remembered that the progress one has attained is reliant upon continuing to take medication.

July, 2013

July, 2013

Annual state conference to focus on change and opportunity

This is “A Time of Change, a Time of Opportunity,” and that's the theme of the annual NAMI Washington state conference, set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10, at the Central Washington University Conference Center in Ellensburg.in Ellensburg.

This year’s conference presentations and workshops will highlight the fact that changes associated with health care reform are also opportunities to make long-sought updates to the way mental health services and programs are structured and delivered in Washington state.

Confernce Scholarships and Support are Available! Contact NAMI Yakima at 509.453.8229 or melissas@namiyakima.org to learn more.

By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

Childhood bipolar disorder, also known as pediatric bipolar disorder, is a form of bipolar disorder that occurs in children. While its existence is still a matter of some academic debate and disagreement, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that bipolar disorder can exist in children.

Unlike most adults who have bipolar disorder, however, children who have pediatric bipolar disorder are characterized by abrupt mood swings, periods of hyperactivity followed by lethargy, intense temper tantrums, frustration and defiant behaviofrustration and defiant behavior. This rapid and severe cycling between moods may produce a type of chronic irritability with few clear periods of peace between episodes.

Because the current diagnostic manual of mental disorders doesn’t recognize childhood bipolar disorder, there is no official symptom criteria. However, researchers have used criteria similar to that of adult bipolar disorder, requiring a child or teen to meet at least four or more of the following:

•an expansive or irritable mood •extreme sadness or lack of interest in play •rapidly changing moods lasting a few hours to a few days •rapidly changing moods lasting a few hours to a few days •explosive, lengthy, and often destructive rages •separation anxiety •defiance of authority •hyperactivity, agitation, and distractibility •sleeping little or, alternatively, sleeping too much •bed wetting and night terrors •strong and frequent cravings, often for carbohydrates and sweets •strong and frequent cravings, often for carbohydrates and sweets •excessive involvement in multiple projects and activities (cont.)

Symptoms of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

July, 2013

(cont.)•impaired judgment, impulsivity, racing thoughts, and pressure to keep talking •dare-devil behaviors (such as jumping out of moving cars or off roofs) •inappropriate or precocious sexual behavior •grandiose belief in own abilities that defy the laws of logic (ability to fly, for example)

Keep in mind that many of these behaviors, in and of themselves, are not indicative of a possible disorder and are characteristic of normal childhood development. For instance, separation anxietand are characteristic of normal childhood development. For instance, separation anxiety, by itself, is a normal fear of being separated from one or both of the parents (for instance, attending the first day of first grade or if the parents want to go out for a night).

Childhood bipolar disorder is characterized by many of these symptoms, taken together, and marked by rapid mood swings and hyperactivity. These symptoms must also cause significant distress in the child or teen, occur in more than just one setting (e.g., at school and at home), and last for at least 2 weeks.

Because the existing diagnostic manual doesn’t recognize pediatric bipolar disorder, and there is still debate within the professional community about the validity of this diagnosis, insurance companies may not within the professional community about the validity of this diagnosis, insurance companies may not reimburse for treatment of this disorder. In addition, some professionals may not recognize the disorder and misdiagnose the child or teen with attention deficit disorder or depression.

These and all sorts ofother great resources areavailable by contactingthe NAMI Yakima officeor by visiting our online publication library athttp://issuu.com/nami-newshttp://issuu.com/nami-news

Symptoms of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

July, 2013

Yakima CountyDept of Human Services

NAMI Yakima Members

Our Funders Make NAMI Yakima’s Work Possible ...

Thank you!

July, 2013

July, 2013PO Box 10918Yakima, WA 98909509.453.8229info@namiyakima.orgwww.namiyakima.org First Edition - Volume One Issue One

Produced and Distributed By: