Affiliated with NAMI California and NAMI USA NAMI SGV website: http//namisangabrielvalley.org

NAMI SGV email: sgvnami@pacificclinics.org NAMI National website: http// www.nami.org

T h e J o u r n a l

NAMI is a grassroots organization serving those impacted by mental illness.

We are guided by our belief in the reality of recovery. We reach out, educate, and advocate.

2550 E. Foothill Boulevard, Suite 135, Pasadena, CA 91107 Phone: 626.577.6697

Volume 33, Number 6 July/August 2018

Distinguished Speaker Meeting Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Speaker: Randy Shrewsberry

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Institute for Criminal Justice Training Reform

Subject: The Critical Intersection of Law Enforcement

Training & Mental Illness

Where:

Wilson Auditorium

2471 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena

Time:

Business Meeting: 7 PM Speaker 7:30 PM

In July we welcome Distinguished Speaker Randy Shrewsberry, executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Criminal Justice Training Reform (ICJTR). Founded in 2016, ICJTR is the nation’s first (and currently the only) non-profit advocacy that approaches reform by addressing how we educate law enforcement in our country. Its stated mission is to save lives by creating a more equitable criminal justice system through improved and increased training at all levels.

Shrewsberry, himself a former police officer, says he came to recognize that training failures in law enforcement significantly impact both public and police safety. He will explore the intersection of mental health and policing, including what is taught in basic training, the often tragic situations that can occur, and police officer mental health and PTSD. Examples of current training reform models that have created better police responses, along with a variety of positive steps everyone can take to encourage progress, will be shared.

Law enforcement interest began early for Shrewsberry, with training starting younger than for most. As a high school student, he attended Ohio Law Enforcement Training, a 2-year vocational program. Subsequently, he continued the pursuit of law enforcement education as a graduate of basic police academies in Ohio, South Carolina and Indiana, where he served as a police officer for more than a decade. In 1995, Shrewsberry was named Police Officer of the Year by the South Carolina Rotary Club, and has received commendations from judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys alike. He has attended hundreds of advanced trainings and received instruction at venues such as Northwestern University, The Institute for Police Technology Management and Eastern Kentucky University.

Shrewsberry has had experience as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Automobile Crash Reconstruction Investigator and Crash Data Recorder Analyst. Most recently, he has served as the Director of Forensic Services in the private sector, investigating both criminal and civil matters. He advocates for awareness surrounding racial justice, mental health, victims of domestic violence and child abuse/sexual assault victims.

NAMI San Gabriel Picnic

Coming

Sunday August 12, 2018

2—5 PM

See flyer on page 3

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -2- July/August 2018

NAMI San Gabriel

Valley 2018 Board of

Directors

President

Wayne Meseberg

Treasurer

Evelyne Glaser

VP Development

& Fundraising

Simone Porcu

VP Community

Liaison & Safety

Nancy Eng

VP Peer Education &

Support

Jackie Labrie-Pulido

VP Multicultural

Outreach

Emily Wu Truong

Recording Secretary

Diane Sipieter

NAMI SGV is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Dues and donations are

tax-deductible. Dues payable annually. Effective July 1, 2017

Household Membership: $60

Individual $40 Open Door: $5

Membership includes newsletter subscription. For more information contact 626.577.6697.

President’s Message

Wayne Meseberg

In the April 2018 issue of The Journal, I described the voting

process by which our NAMI SGV general membership, on March

14, 2018, in a vote of 31 to 4, approved that the board of NAMI SGV enter

into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations with NAMI LA County.

Upon approval by our SGV Board of Directors, NAMI SGV would then be one of

several chapters within a NAMI LA county-wide affiliate. Note: Hereafter, to avoid

confusion, I will refer to current NAMI affiliates as chapters and to NAMI LA

County as an affiliate. To date, several of the chapters in LA County have completed

the same process as NAMI SGV.

At present, seven NAMI chapters are confirmed for consolidation. These include San

Gabriel Valley, Glendale, Long Beach, Pomona, San Fernando Valley, South Bay,

Whittier, and LACC. The undecided chapters to date include Antelope Valley, East

San Gabriel Valley, and South Central. Those chapters voting not to consolidate are

NAMI Urban LA (NULA), and NAMI Westside.

During the month of May 2018, each chapter submitted to LA County Council

(LACC) a list of communities served by the chapter, as well as criteria for inclusion

of those communities. The criteria listed for San Gabriel Valley included things like

NAMI SGV membership from each community, programs held in the various

communities, and freeway traffic patterns. Also, in May, LACC completed a search

for legal professionals to conduct due diligence on each consolidating chapter.

During the months of June and July 2018, chapters are gathering and submitting all

financial and legal documents and issues as required for affiliation. In August

through October, third-party professional due diligence will be performed on all

chapters. In November, chapters are scheduled to consolidate operations, assets, and

good will into a single legal, consolidated entity to be known as NAMI LA County.

NAMI LA County will in turn submit application and supporting materials to NAMI

California and NAMI National for approval of re-affiliation with seven or more

individual chapters.

How to Survive and Thrive

With a Mentally Ill Loved One

Presented by Dr. Michael Di Paolo

Series of six begins Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Watch The Journal for more information

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -3- July/August 2018

NAMI San Gabriel Valley 2018 Presidential Appointees VP, Family Education Heba Turner

Chair, Advocacy Ellie Stabeck

The Journal Jeri Gaudino

Co-Chairs, Front Line Lucienne Marie Lynne Garcia

Chair, Distinguished Speaker Series Patricia O’Neill, PhD

Chair, Family Support Dennis Thompson

Chair, Quality of Life Katherine Ellis

Chair, Warm Line Lucienne Marie

Chair, Peer Education & Support Felicia Mollinedo

Corresponding Secretary Lorraine Carson

Join us for our annual Summer Pot-Luck

Picnic!

Sunday, August 12, 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor Alhambra, CA 91801

Location: Blue Gazebo next to Almansor Lake

(See map below)

Bring a dish for 8-10 people to share! To volunteer, please arrive between 12:30-2 PM! For more information, call 626.577.6697 or email sgvnami@pacificclinics.org.

RSVP: https://namisgvpicnic.eventbrite.com

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -4- July/August 2018

Review May 2018 Distinguished Speaker Marc Shulman Understanding and Setup of a Special Needs Trust Submitted by Patricia O'Neill, PhD

Marc Shulman, our May 2018 Distinguished Speaker, provided an engaging and thorough presentation on special needs trusts, sometimes called “supplementary” trusts. As founder of the National Center on Life Planning (NCLP), Shulman has extensive experience assisting families in setting up special needs trusts that avoid unnecessarily large taxes on money set aside for disabled loved ones. He shared that his interest arose long ago from family experiences surrounding the needs of his own brother.

Laws involved in setting up this important trust fund are complex. Even a single sentence can alter how funds can be used or taxed. Shulman explained how wording in a special needs trust can avoid potential loss of SSI funds. A change of words in a trust can enable beneficiaries with disabilities to retain their SSI funds when they receive trust money.

A special needs trust belongs to the person who sets it up, typically parents or other relatives. Thus, the money inside the trust does not actually belong to the beneficiary. So, with the correct trust documents and wording, SSI benefits are retained. If the money had been placed in a “regular” trust fund with the person as the beneficiary, a drastic difference could occur in the amount received from the trust because of inflated taxes and the loss of the SSI benefits. “Gifts to a child that reduce their government funds aren’t gifts to a child; they are a gift to the government.” The initial process is to set up the letter of intent. Although not legally binding, the letter of intent is an important document because it offers access to sensitive information that can be accessed by persons indicated in it. Unlike a will, which is only accessible after death, a letter of intent can be accessed at any time. This is especially useful during emergencies that may arise prior to death. Shulman emphasized the need for frequent review of wills, special needs trusts, letters of intent, and any other documents to assure that (1) they are updated to conform with changes in the law, and (2) they continue to accurately reflect your wishes. What is important now may not be what remains important,

even a year or two down the road. He highly recommended at least an annual review of these critical documents. A significant law is the A.B.L.E. Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience). Enacted in 2014, A.B.L.E., which works similarly to a college savings plan, is specific to disability-related accommodations such as education, housing, and transportation. Shulman was accompanied by attorney Jon Leventhal, with whom he works. Together, they described their full range of services. Leventhal, along with many audience members, noted how expensive it can be when even the most basic parts of a trust are written up by lawyers. Indeed, many lawyers are not knowledgeable in special needs/mental health. Thus, it is critical to identify a credible and knowledgeable lawyer who specializes in mental health/special needs laws. “Do you feel you’ve done everything you could have so your loved one with a disability can live a comfortable life when you’re gone?” This is the ultimate goal that Shulman and his organization attempt to provide help with. Working as a team, Shulman asserted that members of NCLP are dedicated to providing the support families need to make sure that their vulnerable loved ones are getting the most out of all available assistance intended for them. Shulman believes that special needs planning is a marathon, not a sprint. It is in the best interest of all that the planning process be taken seriously and executed carefully to make sure that, even many years down the road, your vulnerable loved one will be fully and comfortably cared for.

Shop at Amazon Smile and Amazon will

make a donation to

NAMI San Gabriel

Valley. It’s easy—login

to:

Amazon.Smile.com and

follow the directions to

choose NAMI SGV.

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -5- July/August 2018

Remember—You Are Not Alone Support Groups/Classes Offered by NAMI SGV

Connection Support Meetings

First and Third Mondays of

each month

4:00—5:30 PM

Aurora Las Encinas Hospital

2900 E. Del Mar Boulevard

Pasadena

Peer to Peer

September 10th—November 12th

Every Monday for 10 weeks

Aurora Las Encinas Hospital

2900 E. Del Mar Boulevard

Pasadena

Family Support Group

Every Thursday

5:30—7:30 PM

Wilson Auditorium

2471 E. Walnut Street

Pasadena

(For more information about the groups above

call the NAMI SGV office 626.577.6697.)

Frontline

For information: 818.478.5740 or

sgvfrontline@gmail.com

Family-to-Family July 2nd—September 17th

Familia a Familia September 8th—October 20th Learn about symptoms and treatments for anxiety, depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia and other brain disorders. You will learn coping and communication skills in a safe and supported environment. Please join us for these final 2018 scheduled Family-to-Family classes.

To register for these classes and or obtain additional information please visit our website namisangabrielvalley.org

and or contact our education coordinator Sylvia Gil sylvia@namilaccc.org or 323.351.0999/

Do you have a vehicle you wish to donate

to NAMI? Submitted by Wayne Meseberg, President

In the September

2017 issue of The

Journal, an article

appeared explaining

in detail how to

donate the proceeds

of a vehicle

donation to NAMI

San Gabriel Valley. Since then, NAMI members

have donated two vehicles to our SGV affiliate!

Below is an added note just to make the donation

process more user-friendly.

Instead of calling the NAMI SGV office to make this

donation, call Riteway Charity Services

at 888.250.4490, and tell their representative that you

wish to donate a vehicle to NAMI San Gabriel

Valley. The Riteway representative will then walk

you through the donation process.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered,

FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.

If you are kind, people may accuse

you of ulterior motives,

BE KIND ANYWAY.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous,

BE HAPPY ANYWAY.

The good you do today may be

forgotten tomorrow,

DO GOOD ANYWAY.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough,

GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.

For you see, in the end,

it is between you and God.

IT NEVER WAS BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.

—Mother Teresa

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -6- July/August 2018

own criminal offending, which the authors argue is

due to similar risk factors for both being arrested for

offenses as well as being victimized.

Violence and victimization in the United States

In his editorial on the piece, Swanson points out the

important differences between the two countries and

how these may explain some of the causal

mechanisms behind victimization and mental illness.

A 2005 study conducted in the United States found

that individuals with mental illness are at 12 times

greater risk of being a subject of a crime, compared

to the 2.5 times greater risk in the Denmark study.

This suggests that individuals with mental illness in

the United States are at a disproportionately greater

risk for victimization, which raises important

considerations as to what might make people with

mental illness more vulnerable to crime.

"Compared with Denmark, the United States has more of the factors that increase crime (such as poverty and inequality) and less of the factors that might ameliorate it (such as a strong social safety net and universal health insurance)," argues Swanson. An environment in which crime vulnerability increases when mental illness and poverty occur together suggests the importance of supportive resources for mental illness treatment and recovery, and that overcoming poverty is essential to reverse this association. Swanson ends the piece by reiterating the Danish authors' call for more research into the relationship between mental illness and becoming a victim of a crime but argues, "a larger lesson from their findings is that things could be worse in Denmark; certain other countries might do well to follow their example."

Violence, Victimization and Serious Mental Illness

By Elizabeth Sinclair, Director of Research Treatment Advocacy Center

Submitted by Ellie Stabeck, Advocacy Chair

The connection between

violence and mental illness is

seen in headlines almost

every day in the United States

and throughout the world,

often when trying to explain

inexplicable acts of mass

violence.

Although a very small proportion of individuals with serious mental illness who are untreated may

exhibit violent behaviors or commit violent acts, individuals with serious mental illness are more often the subjects of crimes, not the perpetrators.

New research utilizing the Danish National Registry and police data in Denmark brings first-of-its-kind evidence to the risk of being subjected to

crime for individuals with mental illness, published last month in JAMA Psychiatry. Jeffrey Swanson, PhD, arguably the most-renowned expert in serious

mental illness in violence, published a piece in the same periodical on how the results of the Danish study compare to the United States.

Using longitudinal data of more than two million individuals and multiple independent variables, the Danish study found that individuals with mental

illness are at 2.5 times higher risk of being subjected to any crime compared to the general population, and at even higher risk of being

subjected to violent crimes.

The authors found that the risk of being subjected to

crime varies depending on mental illness diagnosis,

sex and the individual's own history of crime.

For example, women are at significantly higher risk

of being a subject of a crime compared to men with

the same illnesses, and individuals with serious

mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar

disorder were at greater risk than other mental

illnesses. An individual's risk of being victimized

increases if the individual also has a history of their

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -7- July/August 2018

Some Selected Article Excerpts Submitted by Patricia O'Neill, PhD New Clinical Guidelines on Deprescribing Benzodiazepines By Hannah Emerson Mad In America, May 31, 2018

New guidelines recommend deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists for adults

New clinical practice guidelines have been published aimed at safely deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZ RAs). Employing a systematic review of deprescribing trials and a separate investigation of the harms of long-term BZRA use, the researchers — Dr. Kevin Pottie from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and colleagues — recommend that tapering protocols be offered to all adults who take BZRAs, especially those older than 65. An algorithm (see http://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/suppl/2018/05/14/64.5.339.DC1/Algorithm_eng.pdf) and client information pamphlet

(see http://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/suppl/2018/05/14/64.5.339.DC1/Patient_pamphlet_eng.pdf) were provided to assist clinicians in the deprescribing process.

Choosing Wisely Canada (see https://choosingwiselycanada.org/psychiatry/) does not recommend BZRAs as a first-line treatment for elderly patients with insomnia, as common side effects include increased risk of falls and accidents, memory problems, and daytime sedation. Furthermore, long-term BZRA use is associated with heightened risk of developing a physical or psychological dependence. Canadian family physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and geriatricians classified BZRAs as the “most important medication class for developing a deprescribing guideline” due to the adverse effects found in long-term use.

As no other evidence-based guidelines for tapering BZRAs existed prior to this one, the authors define deprescribing as the “planned and supervised process of dose reduction or stopping a medication that might be causing harm or no longer providing benefit. The goal of deprescribing is to reduce medication burden and harm, while maintaining or improving quality of life.”

The guidelines state: For elderly adults (at least 65 years old) who use BZRAs, we recommend the following: Taper the BZRA dose slowly (strong recommendation, low- quality evidence).

For adults (18-64) who have used BZRAs most days of the week for more than four weeks, we suggest the following: Taper the BZRA dose slowly (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence).

Pottie and colleagues found the following as the two biggest concerns in deprescribing: (1) how to approach the client to get “buy-in” and (2) lack of knowledge of other options in place of BZRAs. In

response, they found that while some clients may be reluctant, others are eager for the chance to regain control around sleeping behaviors and to diminish adverse side effects. The authors found that most clients were able to successfully discontinue BZRAs, mainly due to deprescribing interventions.

The GDT team acknowledges that family culture, individual values, medication information including risks and side effects, drug interactions, pill burden, and overall cost all play a role in the decision to continue, taper, or stop medication use. Therefore, they developed a patient pamphlet that addresses the following questions:

What is causing insomnia? How do I engage patients in deprescribing BZRAs? How should tapering be approached? What withdrawal symptoms can be expected and how

should they be dealt with? What nondrug approaches can be used to help with

insomnia? What monitoring needs to be done, how often, and by

whom? What if insomnia returns or persists?

The team found that many clients are “willing to stop taking BZRAs when they can expect improvements in cognition and reductions in other side effects,” and, in response, drafted a decision-support algorithm as well as corresponding information pamphlet mentioned above. Further, in order to provide more support in deprescribing BZRAs for elderly patients, they initiated the Deprescribing Guidelines in the Elderly Project.

In conclusion, the team writes: “A credible guideline developed with a rigorous evidence-based approach arms the clinician with a clear case for discussions about BZRA deprescribing with patients.”

Declared competing interests: Dr. Farrell received research funding to develop this guideline; received financial payments from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and The Commonwealth Fund for a deprescribing guidelines summary; and from the Ontario Long Term Care Physicians Association, the Ontario Pharmacists Association, and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists for speaking engagements. Dr. Boyd received funding from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute for a project related to improving patient-centered care for people with multiple chronic conditions and funding from the National Institutes of Health for a project related to medication regimen complexity in home health care. Dr. Sadowski is the primary investigator on an unrestricted grant from Pfizer Canada related to finding novel strategy to address the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of overactive bladder and urinary tract symptoms and is a member of the Alberta Expert Committee on Drug Evaluation and Therapeutics. None of the other authors has any competing interests to declare.

NAMI San Gabriel Valley -8- July/August 2018

RESOURCE INFORMATION (July 2018)

L A County DMH Arcadia Mental Health Center

626.254.1400 Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM.

DMH Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT):

626.258.2004 for crisis management in Service Area 3

Monday-Friday 8 AM—5 PM. For PMRT at other times use

Access Line listed below.

DMH 24-hr Access Line: 800.854.7771, for information &

consultation, and for Psychiatric Mobile Response Team after

hours and week ends. LACO Sheriff/DMH Mental

Evaluation Team (MET). operates 5 PM to 1 AM. Call Local

Sheriff Station (or 911 if dire emergency) to request MET

response. For general information: 626.258.3002.

LACO DMH Family Advocate: 213.738.3948.

LACO DMH Family Engagement and Adult Services:

213.738.2868.

DMH Court program (Diversion): 626.403.4370.

Mental Health Justice programs: Ira Lesser, MD, Chair of

Psychiatry at Harbor UCLA 310.222.3101.

DMH Jail Mental Health Services: Dr. Kidwell, Mental

Health Clinical District Chief, 213.974.9083.

DMH Clerical Office, 213.473.1734. Give booking number

for inmate information.

Twin Towers Jail Inmate Reception Center: phone 213. 893.5385, fax 213.229.9991.

Patient Information Center: 213 473.6080 or 213.473.6100 or on website www.lasd.org; click on “inmate information center” then enter name or booking number.

Jail Inpatient Unit: Neil Ortego, MD 213.893.5391.

Men’s Outpatient Unit: Sara Hough, Psy.D., Program Head 213.473.1752.

Women’s Outpatient Unit: Mary Whaley, LCSW, Program Head 323.568.4578.

Friends Outside Los Angeles County, Mary Weaver, Executive Director 626.795.7607 ext. 104.

Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line 24 hrs. 7 days 310.391.1253. Trained Counselors. No Fee.

New information as of 11/17/16: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has a new jail mental health liaison. You can reach Sergeant Shawn Barnes or his staff at 213. 974.1081 or scbarnes@lasd.org.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

ARCADIA, CA

PERMIT #212

The Journal

NAMI SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

2550 E. Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107

______________________________________

Address Service Requested

NAMI SGV JOURNAL is published ten times per year.

Subscription is included in membership dues.

Submission deadline is the 5th of each month.

Editor: Jeri Gaudino

Leave message for editor at the office. 626.577.6697.

Editor’s e-mail: jerigaudino@roadrunner.com.