Find Help. Find Hope A Publ icat ion of NAMI Tri -County I l l inois

P.O. Box 10167 Peor ia , IL 61612 309 693-0541 www.namitr i -countyi l l inois .org

Helping to meet the needs of people with severe and persistent mental illness and their families in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties in Central Illinois

December 2016—January 2017

You are invited

to a Christmas Party When: Thursday, December 8

5 p.m. setup; 6 p.m. dinner

What: Dinner—Spiral ham, turkey, cheesy potatoes, vegetables, and other great side dishes as well as drinks furnished by NAMI with appetizers and desserts provided by other attendees

Plenty of Christmas cheer

Why: Thank those with mental illness for the heroes they are

Thank our support group facili-tators and our class teachers

Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church 526 E Washington St, East Peoria, Illinois

Call 693-0541 with any ques-tions

Directions: Immanuel Lutheran Church is near Deiters Funeral Home; on the south side of Washington Street; the Deiters parking lot may be used for this event. A 2-step handicap accessibility is at the rear of the church.

On Santa's Team

My grandma taught me everything about Christmas. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," jeered my sister. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grand-ma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinna-mon buns. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me.

"No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe i

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.

"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for some-one who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.

(Santa cont. on page 2)

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 2

Educational Opportunities

NAMI Family to Family Class Class just ended; please call to register for the next class

Parents, spouses, friends, or adult children of people with mental illnesses are invited to participate in the next 12-week course. There is no charge for this NAMI signature pro-gram. Participants will learn valuable information to help them understand and support an ill relative while maintaining their own wellbeing. Please call 309 693-0541 for information or to register for the next class.

NAMI Peer to Peer Class Please call to register for the next class

The next class will be held when there are sufficient num-bers to offer it. Please call Dean at 840-0915 or Larry at 745-8359 to register. To take the 10-week class, you must be 18 or older, have a psychiatric diagnosis, and have someone with whom you can talk about any issues/problems the classes unearth. The classes teach information about the various men-tal illnesses, tell how different medications function, help you create a relapse prevention plan, and start you toward creating an advance medical directive. The class will be facilitated by Dean and Larry. There is no charge for this NAMI signature program.

NAMI Basics Education Program Please call to register for the next class.

This course is for parents and caregivers of children and ado-lescents with mental illness. Basics is taught by parents who have lived similar experiences with their own kids and have received training to teach the course. The class covers the biol-ogy of mental illness, treatment, school interventions, and the latest research as well as the trauma of brain disorders for the child and the family. If you are interested in this class, please call Beth at 691- 5830. There is no charge for this NAMI signature program but registration is required.

Also, check out www.NAMI.org "Basics" video on You Tube for further description of the course.

Inside this issue Christmas Party ................................................ 1

On Santa’s Team ............................................... 1

Educational Opportunities ................................ 2

President’s Letter .............................................. 3

Education Meetings .......................................... 3

January Educ Meeting ...................................... 4

Bipolar Disorder Report .................................... 4

New Years Resolutions ..................................... 5

Important Contact Information ........................ 5

Beat Back the Holiday Blues ............................ 6

NAMI Board, Phone Numbers ........................ 6

Calendar ............................................................ 7

Handling a Mental Health Crisis ....................... 8-11

Membership Form ............................................ 12

I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. I didn't see a price tag, but ten dollars ought to buy anything. I put the coat and my ten-dollar bill on the counter and pushed them toward the lady behind it.

She looked at the coat, the money, and me. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" she asked kindly. "Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie. He's in my class, and he doesn't have a coat." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it ... Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.

Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Suddenly, Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the pre-sent down on his step, pounded his doorbell twice and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie. He looked down, looked around, picked up his present, took it inside and closed the door.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said; they were: Ridiculous!

Santa was alive and well ... AND WE WERE ON HIS TEAM!

nts I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of every-body I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bob-bie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bob-bie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough; but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat.

(Santa cont. from page 1)

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 3

Letter from the President

To All our NAMI Friends: The season has changed and so have our activities and our clothes. Fall was a busy season for our local NAMI affiliate, espe-cially with our Mental Illness Awareness Week activities and then NAMI Illinois’ annual Educational Conference.

We who attended the Educational Confer-ence in Northbrook were able to hear and learn from state experts: Diana Knabe, Director of Illinois Division of Mental Health; Ralph Martire, Executive Direc-

tor, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, “The best way to get out of a hole is to stop digging”; NAMI National’s CEO Mary Giliberti; our new NAMI Illinois Director Mary Corcoran and many others.

One workshop that piqued my interest was entitled “Neuro-psychiatric Disorders: Causes of Treatment Resistance.” Dr. Steve Best and Dr. Dan Pavel of the Neuroscience Center in Deerfield, Illinois, presented an approach that has been used successfully in Europe. There is always a possibility that some-thing new may become widely used in the future, or not. They use SPECT functional imaging (Single Proton Emission Com-puterized Tomography) to look at the function of the brain’s cerebral cortex. These images read normal or diminished func-tion by the color readings of the scans as well as EEGs and bio-chemical and nutritional testing. The causes of treatment re-sistance are many: concussion, substance abuse, sleep disorders, epilepsy, adverse effects of medication, nutrition and metabo-lism, regulatory disorders of childhood, tick-born illness, envi-ronmental poisoning and personality factors. Subsequent treat-ment strategies may involve brain stimulation with TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), infusions of the drug keta-mine, ECT (electro convulsive therapy), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, peri-spinal injections of the anti-inflammatory drug etanercept or combinations of other medications. Will we see this used more widely in the future? Time will tell.

The NAMI Illinois Action Agenda 2017 was approved. Its Key Policy Objectives are to:

1. Increase Access to Effective Mental Health Care

2. Promote an Integrated Delivery System

3. Maximize Federal Financial Support for Mental Health Care

4. Strengthen the Mental Health Workforce

5. Eliminate Disparities in Mental Health Care

6. Ensure Transparency and Accountability

7. Improve the Mental Health of Children and Youth

8. Provide Housing for People Living with Mental Illness

9. Facilitate Employment Opportunities for People Living with Mental Illness

10. End the Inappropriate Involvement of People with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System

On the local level, our presentations of Ending The Silence have been inaugurated at both our Mental Illness Awareness Week presentation and a high school presentation to over 400

Education Meetings First Thursday of most months

ICC North, Poplar Hall, Room 132

7:00—8:30 p.m.

December 2016 No Education Meeting; please join us

at our Christmas party (see details on p. 1)

January 5, 2017 Topic: How Does the Tr i-County Area Handle

Mental Health Crises?

Speaker: Cindy Gilmer , VP of Clinical Services for the Human Service Center

students at the 2016 Teen Jamboree, Woodford County Con-ference held in Congerville in November. Susan O’Neal and Owen Johnson have shown themselves to be well trained, flex-ible with the treacheries of technology, adaptable and enthusi-astic.

We took a risk this season bringing Jason DeShaw here from Montana to present his program “Serenity in the Storm.” We received tremendous promotional support from ICC, local WMBD and WEEK TV, the Journal Star, and the Greg and Dan Talk Radio Show. We received generous sponsorships from an anonymous donor and from Immanual Lutheran Church. Though our affiliate actually lost money in this en-deavor, those of us who met and heard Jason call ourselves the richer. Jason came with a message of hope, sang and talked from his heart. We’re grateful to Roger Mohn for his encoun-ter with Jason in Montana and dream accomplished of bringing Jason to us. One guest said, “Thanks for inviting me to the NAMI event on Saturday. It turned out to be one of the best ‘cause’ programs I’ve ever seen. I like Jason’s style of country and I love his heart and soul. He bares all, has some fun, and surely inspires many people to have hope and seek help. It was great.”

On a personal front, the Lawrence sailboat the Daydreamer is now garaged for the winter. The sailing team must wait several months for the next attempt to gain skill.

Christmas blessings to all of you. I hope to see you at our party on December 8.

Beth Lawrence

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 4

Thank You!

Monetary Donations Amazon Smile

Anonymous donor for Jason DeShaw event John Brady Marjorie Knapp

January Education Meeting January 5, 2017

How Does the Tri-County Area Handle Mental Health Crises?

Speaker—Cindy Gilmer, VP of Clinical Services for the Human Service Center

Ms. Gilmer will speak to us about the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) that has been initiated with police in our area, the use and effectiveness of the Emergency Response Service (ERS), and the advantages of the Community Crisis Center. This program should help people know better how to handle a crisis if one emerges.

Cindy Gilmer, LCSW has worked for HSC since 1982. She obtained her mas-ters degree in social work from the University of Illinois - Urbana in 1982. Cindy, initially came to HSC to provide community based services for individuals with symptoms of mental illness. Her experience includes, residential group homes, community crisis work, and liaison activity between HSC and a variety of area organizations and services. In her role as VP of Clinical Services, Cindy works as a member of the executive management team to provide leadership to HSC's Community Crisis Center and Adult Outpatient Services, an array of services designed to assist individuals with symptoms of mental health and substance abuse issues.

November Education Night Speakers Discuss Bipolar Disorders

Dr. Amanda Vastag and Dr. Jay Rawal, both from the UICOMP Psychiatry Department and UnityPoint Health Meth-odist, gave an excellent and clear presentation of bipolar disor-ders including statistics of onset and prevalence, definition and symptoms as well as triggers that may start an episode.

Statistics:

Affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans

Median age of onset for Bipolar Disorder is 25 years.

Equal number of men and women develop it and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.

Sixth leading cause of disability in the world.

Results in 9.2 years reduction in expected life span, and as many as one in five patients with bipolar disorder completes suicide.

What are Bipolar Disorders?

Disturbances of mood that significantly interfere with the daily functioning of an individual.

Two types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II

Bipolar I

Have at least one manic episode

May have other mood episodes

Bipolar II

Have at least one major depressive episode AND

Have at least one hypomanic episode

Manic episodes A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, ex-pansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week and includ-ing at least three of the following:

inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

decreased need for sleep

pressure of speech

flight of ideas (thoughts racing one after another)

distractibility

increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation

excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with potential for negative consequences

May include psychotic behavior

May present with "mixed features"- depressive and mania

Hypomanic Episodes Same as for mania except less severe

Lasts at least 4 days

Uncharacteristic for usual behaviors of the person

Others notice the increased/expansive behaviors

Not severe enough for major impairment in life functioning

May present with "mixed features"

For more details about bipolar disorders, please refer to pp 8-11 of the October-November 2016 issue of Family Forum or go to nami.org.

http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Getting-Treatment-During-a-Crisis#sthash.VTavsMdu.dpuf

www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Being-Prepared-for-a-Crisis#sthash.hsaquFsc.dpuf

www.nami.org/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/Handling-a-Psychiatric-Crisis-The-Importance-of-Fa#sthash.DRgS3Ahi.dpuf

http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Calling-911-and-Talking-with-Police#sthash.3Vp32XPk.dpuf

Choicesinrecovery.com—guides for recovery strategies nimh.nih.gov/—National Institute on Mental Health samhsa.gov—substance abuse & mental health services admin-

istration psychcentral.com—getting help for a variety of mental illnesses http://www.adaa.org/— helpguide.org—help for mental & emotional help

Somehow not only for Christmas But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you.

~ John Greenleaf Whittier ~

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 5

Important Contact Information

Local NAMI Information 309.693-0541

www.namitri-countyillinois.org

NAMI IL – State Headquarters 1.800.346.4572

http://namiillinois.org

National NAMI Helpline 1.800.950.6264 http://nami.org

Hult Center for Healthy Living 309.692.6650

www.hulthealthy.org

Integrated Health Center 309.671.8084

Methodist Medical Center, Community Behavioral Health

309.672.4103

Children’s Home 309.685.1047

National Suicide Hotline 24-Hour Hotline

1.800.273.TALK

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

1.212.363.3500

Survivors of Suicide 309.697.3342 309.208.3027

Police – all counties Emergency Response Service:

Peoria County Woodford & Tazewell County

911

309.671.8084 309.347.1148

Human Service Center Tazwood Center for Wellness

309.671.8000 309.347.5579

VA Suicide Hotline 1.800.273.8255

5 New Years Resolutions That Will Benefit Your Mental Health

Every New Year, we think about what we can do to better our lives and ourselves as we start our new calendar. This year, think about what you can do on a regular basis to better your mental health. Here are a few options to get started:

1. Stand Up to Stigma Feeling ashamed and at fault for something that is out of your con-trol is a weight that no one should have to carry. If someone is us-ing language that you find offensive and improper, let him or her know. Inspire them to join our stigmafree movement, and make a commitment to learn more about mental health. We all need to see the person, not the illness.

2. Take Care of Your Physical Health Too We’ve all heard this time and time again and there are plenty of studies that prove how beneficial exercise, getting enough sleep, eating well, etc. are to reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being. The challenging part is finding the motivation, time and effort to do these things. Start by creating a simple routine and stick with it. For example, do grocery shopping and healthy meal prepa-rations for the week over the weekend or on your day off. Have set times during the week for working out or any type of physical ac-tivity. Having this kind of structure is hard to start, but makes stay-ing healthy so much easier once you get used to the routine. 3. Share Your Story Expressing yourself and opening up about your experiences is not only personally uplifting, but it also helps other people who can relate to you. To share your story, you can use one of NAMI’s plat-forms such as, Ok2Talk, YANA or the mobile AIR app. “The best way to encourage others, and to fight stigma, is to speak the truth about what we face every day,” said Anna, a member of our YANA Community. The great thing about these spaces is that you can remain anonymous if that is your preference and feel safe sharing your experiences.

If you are feeling really motivated to share your experiences with others, you can also start your own blog. This will give you the motivation to consistently write and express yourself on a regular basis. Skutler, a member of our Ok2Talk Community, wrote, “I've always loved writing but this is the first time I've shared my work with a larger audience and I can't believe how many people have read and appreciated my personal journey.”

You can also become a presenter for NAMI In Our Own Voice, a presentation series that changes attitudes, assumptions and stereo-types by describing the reality of living with mental illness.

4. Make a Commitment to Stay Informed Knowing what’s going on in the world of research can help you find out whether there are new ideas out there that might help im-prove your quality of life. For example, research shows that getting outside during the winter—even though it can be very cold—is important; getting enough vitamin D is essential to your mood and overall well-being.

Here is a list of credible websites compiled by Karen Moeller, Pharm D, DCPP, and Brantley Underwood, Pharm D, MBA, that can help people find information online:

MEDLINE Plus Healthfinder WebMd Health NAMI PubMed Health Drugs.com FDA CDC

Crisis Intervention Resources Youth: CARES (Crisis and Referral Entry Services);

1-800-345-9049 CARES is Statewide and will assess eligibility for SASS (Screening and Assessment Referral Services)

24-hour crisis lines: Nat’l Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Peoria County ERS: 309-671-8084 Tazewell & Woodford Counties: 309-347-1148

Dial 2-1-1 for a non-emergency number that connects people with essential community information and services: food, shelter, counseling, mental health, employment, elderly, children & families

If the individual is at risk: Contact the police department for an initial response. The police will contact ERS when the situation is secure.

If individual safety is not a concern: Contact ERS at 309 671-8084 ~ TTY Line: 309 671-3566. You will be asked for some brief information to assist our response.

Medical Detox: 309 689-3080

5. Do Something That You Love Every Day Even if it’s just 30 minutes each day, read, color, go

for a walk or have a conversation with someone that you care about. These are the activities that can bring you a sense of peace. It is so important to feel relaxed for at least part of every day. Our busy schedules frequently take over and stop us from making time for ourselves. But leaving a little bit of time to do something that you love is some-thing that is essential to fit into our hectic lives.

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 6

Beat Back the Holiday Blues

Once again, and seemingly out of nowhere, the holidays are upon us.

Lights and decorations, food and fam-ily, parties and presents. To paraphrase the classic song from A Charlie Brown Christmas, “The holidays are here. Happi-ness and cheer.”

Though many would argue that “bah, humbug” is much more reflective of their feelings at this time of year.

"I think a lot of people would say that the holidays are the worst time of the year," said Ken Duckworth, MD, medical director of NAMI. "Many feel misera-ble, and that's not only for people with clinical depression."

The “holiday blues” can stem from a variety of sources, such as current events, personal grief, loneliness, illnesses of all kinds, economic concerns, separa-tion from family members and relationship issues like separation or divorce.

These feelings can easily be exacerbated by stressors, many of which are ex-perienced in this season alone. Stressors include feeling obligated to host or attend holiday parties, decorating your home, visiting family members, purchasing gifts.

“There’s this idea that holiday gatherings with family are supposed to be joy-ful and stress-free,” said Duckworth. “That’s not the case. Family relationships are complicated.”

Being surrounded by family and friends, and watching the interaction between others, has a strange way of highlighting what’s changed in a person’s life, or what hasn’t changed. The complex swirl of emotions that is the “holiday blues” is a vicious cycle: I feel down, but it’s the holidays—I should be happy. I’m not, though, and that makes me feel even more miserable.

I’m stressed, which is limiting my enjoyment of the season, and I feel misera-ble because I don’t want to be stressed.

I wish things were the way they were before.

I wish my life was more like his or hers.

“These feelings don’t mean that the solution is to skip the holidays entirely,” said Duckworth. Instead, there are strategies one can follow to minimize the nega-tive aspects of the season.

Don’t worry about how things should be. Don’t compare yourself with oth-ers and idealized notions of perfect families and perfect holidays.

Be realistic. You can’t please everyone the rest of the year, so why try to dur-ing the holidays? Saying ‘no,’ to what stresses you out is okay.

Don’t try to be a superhero (or heroine). We all have complex family dy-namics. Try to limit your exposure to people who complicate your life.

Volunteer. Volunteering can be a great source of comfort, simply knowing that you're making a small dent in the lives of people who are not as fortunate.

Keep your own well-being in mind. Yes, the holidays are technically the season of giving. But that doesn’t mean you should take yourself completely out of the equation—instead, add yourself to it. Give yourself some time away from the hype, even if it’s just for half an hour a day. Exercise can also help, with its known anti-anxiety, anti-depression effect. Even a small amount of exercise, such as park-ing further from the store, can do much to improve your state of mind.

Give it some thought. Do you really have to do everything on your list? “Ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing things that make me miserable?’” Duckworth said. “Think about the reasons.” He suggests that you draw up a list of reasons why you engage in these holiday traditions, and then a list of reasons why you shouldn’t. Just making a simple pro and con list will remind you that you do have a choice.

You could be experiencing Recurrent Depression with Seasonal Pattern (previously known as Seasonal Affective Disorder) or another biological or psychological cause. If these are persistent feelings, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Practical Tips for avoiding the Holiday Blues:

Stick to normal routines as much as pos-sible

Get enough sleep

Spend time with supportive, caring peo-ple

Eat and drink in moderation; don’t drink alcohol if you are feeling down

Get exercise—even a short walk

Make a to-do list and keep things simple

Set reasonable expectations and goals for activities such as shopping, cooking, entertaining

Set a budget and don’t overextend your-self

Listen to music or find other ways to relax

N A M I Tri-County Illinois (309) 693-0541

Officers President ............................. Beth Lawrence Vice President ............................................. Secretary ................................. Roger Geiss Treasurer ................................. Roger Mohn Past President .................... Suzanne Spears Editor .................................... Lila Gammon

Directors Becky Dorman Larry Fordham Dianne Geiss John Mayfield Kimberly Modglin Susan O’Neal Craig Stanford Clark Wade

Family Support Group Facilitators Lila Gammon Gay Knapp Marjorie Schwebel Suzanne Spears

Larry Fordham Dean Harris Lori Knapp Eymarde Lawler

John Mayfield

Family to Family Class Instructors Brenda Bleichner Dianne Geiss Roger Geiss Carolyn Jakopin Angie Lamb Bill Lamb Bruce Leman Lisa Marie McKeown Kim Modglin Roger Mohn Lindsey Naffziger Susan O’Neal Dennis Staggs Jean Wallace

Peer to Peer Class Instructors Dean Harris Larry Fordham

Becky Dorman Beth Lawrence Pat Lindberg Pat Sefried

For any subject matter of interest or suggestions, please call Beth 309 691-5830 or

Lila 309 648-5420

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 7

NAMI TRI-COUNTY ILLINOIS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2016 & January 2017

~~New Meeting Location Change: Illinois Central College North, 5407 N. University, Peoria~~ Education Meetings, Poplar Hall, Room 132

Support Groups, Poplar Hall: Family—Room 132; Connections—Room 131

December

Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 22,

January Tuesday, January 3, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 5, Education meeting, meet in ICC Nor th, Poplar Hall, Rm. 132, Speaker: .Cindy Gilmer , VP for Clini-cal Services, HSC Topic: How Does the Tri-County Area Handle Mental Health Crises?

Thursday, January 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.

January 19 7:00–8:30 p.m. Monthly Support Groups, ICC North, Poplar Hall

Family and friends of people with brain disorders, Room 132. For fur ther information call Sue, 309-360-1143. Connections—individuals participating in recovery, Room 131. For further information call John 309 472-5907.

Thursday, January 26,

Looking Ahead: We are looking at future programs on Legal Issues, Personality Disorders and viewing the movie Unbro-

ken Glass.

Brighter Days Ahead 513 NE Madison (309) 222-2012

“Brighter Days Ahead” offers a positive and uplifting environment for people who have experienced a mental illness. Its purpose is for members to

Hours of Operation Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday from 12 noon–5 p.m.

If you have any additional questions, we would be happy to talk either by phone 309-222-2012 or at recoverycenter@fayettecompanies.org

Survivors of Suicide - Peoria http://www.afsp.org/coping-with-suicide/find-support/find-a-support-group/illinois/survivors-of-suicide-peoria Contact: Rev. Eimo Hinr ichs or Mrs. Pat Hinr ichs, 309 697-3342 or Sylvia Murphy, 309-208-3027 Meeting Place: Chapel at Proctor Hospital, 5409 Nor th Knoxville Ave., Peor ia, IL 61614 Meeting Day(s)/Meeting Time: 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Facilitated by: Peer/Professional Charge: None

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 8

What is a Mental Health Crisis?

Anyone can have a mental health crisis.

A person is mentally healthy if that person is in "a state of well-being in which that individual recognizes his or her own poten-tial, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work produc-tively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. (World Health Organization definition of Men-tal Health)

A person has a mental health crisis when they are in a state of mind in which they are unable to cope with and adjust to the recurrent stresses of everyday living in a functional, safe way.

Some signs that a person may be in a mental health crisis are: Inability to cope with daily problems and activities Restless and pacing Irritable, abusive Suicidal or homicidal thinking Hopeless Social withdrawal Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety Chronic pain Gastrointestinal disturbances Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits Fatigue Extreme mood swings Angry outbursts Racing thoughts, talking fast Provocative or aggressive behavior Alcohol or substance abuse Inappropriate sexual behavior Hear voices others don't hear Believes others are plotting to harm him/her Grandiosity (feels unrealistically powerful, important, and

invincible) Sees or hears things that are not there

What to Do In a Crisis

When you live with a mental health condition, your brain and body often send you a message that makes you feel like you are in a crisis situation. But sometimes you may find your-self in a dangerous situation.

For our purposes here, a crisis might mean getting in trou-ble with the law or injuring yourself accidentally or on purpose. It's also a crisis situation if you find yourself developing a plan to take your own life or are considering hurting others.

Evaluate the Situation What is the nature of your crisis? Is it something that re-

quires treatment urgently?

If you have developed a plan to kill yourself, that's an im-mediate mental health crisis and you should go to a hospital emergency room or call 911.

If you're not sure if it's urgent, ask yourself if you have already thought about what method you would use. If you've thought about where, how or when you would take your life, that means you've begun developing a plan.

If you're still hesitating, ask a friend or family member to stay with you while you may be at risk. Call the National Sui-cide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 as soon as possible. They have trained counselors available to speak with you 24/7 and assist in a crisis situation.

And get in touch with your mental health professionals. Tell professionals and the people around you what's going on and get their advice. You don’t need to be sworn to secrecy.

Avoiding a Crisis If you live with a mental health condition, it's important to

plan ahead. Talk with your treatment team and think about where to go for intensive treatment and how to get there, how to take time off work or explain your absence to others, and what methods you can use to calm yourself in an emergency.

Above all, you and those closest to you should know how to reach your mental health professionals in case of an emer-gency. It's also valuable to know the phone number of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), if your area has one, or ERS. CIT and ERS officers are police officers trained to handle crisis situa-tions involving mental illness.

If your health condition has grown worse recently, but you are not having thoughts of suicide, it could mean that you need to seek help or make changes to your treatment plan if you are already receiving treatment.

Talk with Your Doctor The first thing to do if you feel your health worsening is to

call your mental health professionals and explain the situation. Don’t be afraid to speak openly and honestly about what is and isn’t working with your treatment plan. If you don't currently have a mental health professional, make an urgent appointment with a primary care physician just as you would for the flu or an infection, so that you can begin finding professional support quickly.

Reach Out to Others In difficult times, many people benefit from reaching out

to friends, family and support groups for encouragement. The NAMI HelpLine—800-950-6264 or info@nami.org—can offer you sympathy and support and provide you information about resources in your community. Local NAMI: 309 693-0541

It can also be helpful to call a "warmline"—a phone num-ber where trained volunteers offer sympathy and support. To find a warmline in your area, dial 211, or go to www.211.info, for information on local social services. However, both support lines are often peers living with a mental health condition and are not trained crisis counselors.

Take Care of Yourself Think about what has helped stabilize you in the past and

create a “toolbox” of coping mechanisms. Would it help to talk to a friend? To meditate or take a nap? To exercise or go for a walk? Take action to help yourself, even if you doubt it will work. Doubt and feelings of helplessness may be symptoms of a mental health condition. Do something that might make you feel better and observe how you feel afterwards.

Your immediate discomfort will be easier to bear if you have a long-term treatment plan, because you can remind your-self that your difficult times are becoming fewer and less se-vere. Remember that you are not alone and help is available.

Handling a Mental Health Cris is

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 9

with personal experience in managing the challenges of mental illness but they are supported by other agency professionals such as nurses, social workers and emergency crisis workers.

Clinical stays in HSC’s Living Room are best described as very brief. The Living Room is not an alternative living ar-rangement but instead is a service model designed to help those who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Thus, lengths of stay are very individualized but can last anywhere from a cou-ple of hours to several days.

Hospitalization There may be times when a person is admitted to the hospi-

tal for intensive treatment. Private psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals with a psychiatric floor or state psychiatric hospitals are designed to be safe settings for intensive mental health treatment. This can involve observation, diagnosis, changing or adjusting medications, ECT treatments, stabilization, correcting a harmful living situation, etc. Local: UnityPoint Methodist for hospital admission

If a person and their doctor agree that inpatient treatment is a good idea, they will be admitted on a voluntary basis, mean-ing that they choose to go. Some private hospitals will only take voluntary patients.

If a person is very ill and refuses to go to the hospital or accept treatment, involuntary hospitalization is an option. The legal standard for an involuntary hospitalization requires that a person be considered a “danger to self or others.” This type of hospitalization usually results in a short stay of up to 3 days but can occasionally last a week or so longer.

For an involuntary hospitalization to be extended, a court hearing needs to be convened, and a judge and two doctors must agree that there is still a need for hospitalization. The rules for involuntary hospitalization are done at the state level. The initial criteria are typically based on whether or not there is an immediate safety risk to his or herself or others. In other states, other criteria, such as being severely disabled, may be used as criteria for involuntary hospitalization.

Before a person is discharged from the hospital, it is im-portant to develop a discharge plan with a social worker or case manager. Family members should be involved in discharge planning if the person is returning home or if they will need significant support. A good discharge plan ensures continuous, coordinated treatment and a smooth return to the community.

Partial Hospitalization Or Day Hospitalization Partial hospitalization provides care and monitoring for a

person who may be having acute psychotic symptoms without being a danger to self or others. It allows a person to return home at night and is much less disruptive. It can also be used as a transition from inpatient hospital care before a complete re-turn home. Local: OSF and UnityPoint

Emergency Rooms When it isn't possible to get treatment from a mental health

center or private doctor, or a situation escalates into an emer-gency and safety is a concern, a visit to an emergency room might be the only option. Local: OSF and UnityPoint

Situations that might require a trip to the emergency room include: A suicide attempt Assault or threatening actions against another person

(Treatment cont. on page 10)

Handling a Mental Health Cris is

Getting Treatment During A Crisis

Mental health crisis response services are a vital part of any mental health service system. A well-designed crisis response system can provide backup to community providers, perform outreach by connecting first-time users to appropriate services and improve community relations by providing reassurance that the person’s needs are met in a mental health crisis.

What Makes An Effective Mental Health Crisis Ser-vice?

Mental health crisis services vary depending on where an individual lives. Becoming familiar with the available services and how to access them is an important step towards being pre-pared for a psychiatric crisis. The better prepared a person is when faced with a crisis the better the outcome. The following are pieces that together make up an effective response system.

24-Hour crisis lines are often the first point of contact for a person in crisis or their loved one. Telephone crisis ser-vices provide assessment, screening, triage, preliminary counseling, and information and referral services. Local: ERS Peoria Co—309 671-8084; Woodford & Tazewell Co—309 347-1148

Walk-in crisis services, such as clinics or psychiatric ur-gent care centers offer immediate attention. They focus on resolving the crisis in a less intensive setting than a hospi-tal, though they may recommend hospitalization when ap-propriate. Walk-in clinics may serve as drop-off centers for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary arrests. Local: Community Crisis Center, 130 N. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria; call ERS 309 671-8084; TTY Line 309 671-3566

Mobile crisis teams intervene wherever the crisis is occur-ring, often working closely with the police, crisis hotlines and hospital emergency personnel. Mobile teams may pro-vide pre-screening assessments or act as gatekeepers for inpatient hospitalization and can also connect an individual with community based programs and other services. Local: ERS will come to homes

CommunityCrisis Center (this section is Local information) The Human Service Center (HSC) offers several programs

or types of services all under one roof at the Community Crisis Center (CCC) which is located within our 130 Richard Pryor facility. Programs include two long-standing HSC services that have operated for decades but at other locations in Peoria, our 12-bed inpatient Detox unit and our Emergency Referral Ser-vice (ERS) which is our 24/7 mobile psych crisis team. ERS is dispatched from the CCC; however, most services actually oc-cur within the community. As of August 2013, we added our newest program to the CCC—the Living Room.

HSC’s Living Room is a comfortable, non-traditional clini-cal space that provides an alternative to hospital emergency departments and some diversions from jail for individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency. It provides a restful, calm environment to allow participants to feel comfortable and safe so they can resolve issues without more intensive interven-tion. There are conversation areas with soft seating and a quiet area for rest. This approach creates an opportunity to decom-press and problem solve without seeking emergency department care. The program is staffed 24/7 by trained peer specialists

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 10

Handling a Mental Health Cris is

Hearing voices, paranoia, confusion, etc Drugs or alcohol use

If you are calling 911, be sure to tell the operator that it is a “mental health emergency” and ask for emergency responders with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training or ERS. Many first responders will approach a mental health situation differ-ently if they know what to expect.

A person can expect to be registered upon arriving at the emergency room. This will involve paperwork and answering questions about insurance, medical history, etc. Medical staff will then quickly make an assessment to determine how urgent-ly care is needed. A psychiatric examination will establish a “working diagnosis” and determine a plan of action. Most peo-ple will receive tranquilizing medications, crisis counseling, an explanation of what’s happening and a referral for treatment after discharge.

Having a crisis plan that determines steps to take to prevent a crisis and to handle a crisis once it's developed can help pre-vent emergencies

Being Prepared for a Crisis (Having a Crisis Plan)

No one wants to worry about the possibility of a crisis, but they do happen. That doesn't mean you have to feel powerless. Many healthcare providers require patients to create a crisis plan, and may suggest that it be shared with friends and family. Ask your loved one if he has developed a plan.

A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) can also be very helpful for your loved one to plan his overall care, and how to avoid a crisis. If he will not work with you on a plan, you can make one on your own. Be sure to include the follow-ing information: Phone numbers for your loved one’s therapist, psychiatrist

and other healthcare providers Family members and friends who would be helpful, and

local crisis line number Phone numbers of family members or friends who would

be helpful in a crisis Local crisis line number (you can usually find this by con-

tacting your NAMI Affiliate, or by doing an internet search for “mental health crisis services” and the name of your county)

Addresses of walk-in crisis centers or emergency rooms The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-

TALK (8255) Your address and phone number(s) Your loved one’s diagnosis and medications Previous psychosis or suicide attempts History of drug use Triggers Things that have helped in the past Mobile Crisis Unit phone number in the area (if there is

one) Determine if police officers in the community have Crisis

Intervention Training (CIT) Go over the plan with your loved one, and if he is comfortable doing so, with his doctor. Keep copies in several places. Store a copy in a drawer in your kitchen, your glove compartment, on your smartphone, your bedside table, or in your wallet. Also,

(Treatment cont. from page 9) keep a copy in a room in your home that has a lock and a phone.

Psychiatric Advance Directives You may also want to ask about a Psychiatric Advance

Directive (PAD), which is a legal document that allows a sec-ond party to act on your loved one's behalf if he becomes acute-ly ill and unable to make decisions about treatment. The PAD is written by your loved one when they are currently ‘competent.’ It details the individual’s preferences for treatment should they become unable to make such decisions due to their mental health condition. Planning ahead can make a huge difference in your loved one’s treatment experience in the future.

Conservatorship In some cases, a person who is suicidal refuses to seek or

accept treatment. They may engage in self-harm, risky behav-iors and multiple suicide attempts. Oftentimes a person in this condition has a serious underlying mental illness that they re-fuse treatment for. Unfortunately, because they present such a significant danger to themselves, they may need someone else to make these decisions for them.

A conservatorship is a legal relationship granted by a court that allows one person (the conservator) to make personal deci-sions for another (the ward), who has shown themselves to be unable to fulfill the basic requirements needed to protect their own health and safety. Unless otherwise specified, the conser-vator has all of the powers that a parent has over a minor, which would allow the conservator to direct the ward’s mental health treatment and suicide prevention measures.

Calling 911 and Talking with Police If a situation escalates into a crisis, you may have to call

the police. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep the situation as calm as possible.

On the Phone Share all the information you can with your 911 operator. Tell the dispatcher that your loved one is having a mental health crisis and explain her mental health history and/or diagnosis. If the police who arrive aren't aware that a mental health crisis is occurring, they cannot handle the situation appropriately. Many communities have crisis intervention team (CIT) programs that train police officers to handle and respond safely to psychiatric crisis calls. Not every police officer is trained in a CIT program, but you should ask for a CIT or ERS officer if possible. During a Crisis

Police are trained to maintain control and ensure safety. If you are worried about a police officer overreacting, the best way to ensure a safe outcome is to stay calm. When an officer arrives at your home, say "this is a mental health crisis." Men-tion you can share any helpful information, then step out of the way. Yelling or getting too close to the officer is likely to make him feel out of control. You want the officer as calm as possi-ble.

Be aware that your loved one may be placed in handcuffs and transported in the back of a police car. This can be extreme-ly upsetting to witness, so be prepared.

What Can the Police Do? Transport a person who wants to go to the hospital. A well-

trained CIT officer can often talk to a person who is upset, calm him down and convince him to go to the hospital voluntarily.

(911 cont. on page 11)

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 11

Handling a Mental Health Cris is

Take a person to a hospital for an involuntary evalua-tion. In certain circumstances, police can force a person in crisis to go to the hospital involuntarily for a mental health evalua-tion. The laws vary from state to state.

Check on the welfare of your family member if you are worried about him/her or can't reach him/her. Call the non-emergency number for the police department in your communi-ty and explain why you are concerned. Ask them to conduct a welfare check.

If you have questions about the laws in your state, talk to your local police department or contact your local NAMI.

“The nurses and doctor I came into contact with were not sym-pathetic to my mental health crisis and did nothing to ease my anxiety or fears instead threatening me to do as I was told or I would be restrained.” – Emergency Room psychiatric patient.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported that mental health and substance abuse cases accounted for 1 in 8 Emergency Room (ER) visits in the United States in 2010. However, ER nurses and doctors have less training in psychiat-ric emergencies than they do in broken legs and chest pain. In the ER an individual in distress often experiences a long wait time without mental health treatment. One person said, "[sitting in] the waiting area when you are in crisis is the most difficult part. Until you are taken back to a room, it can be very difficult to cope with all of the things happening [around you].”

In the fall of 2014, NAMI released a survey asking families and individuals who had a psychiatric emergency to share their experiences from the ER. With over 1,000 individuals respond-ing, 2 out of 5 rated their experience as “Bad” or “Very Bad.” (this represented slightly more dissatisfaction than from all patients in ER) Regardless of things like race, household

Staff treated me with respect Staff did not make me feel ashamed as a result of my men-

tal illness Staff provided me with community education and support

groups like NAMI

Of the 1,400 family members surveyed, the consensus was similar. They were concerned about staff communication, ac-cess to extra resources, wait times, and especially keeping the family in the loop.

According to the Emergency Nurses Association, the fac-tors that lower the quality of health care in these situations in-clude a lack of consistent guidelines and training. Programs like “Friends in the Lobby” and “NAMI in the Lobby” in Min-nesota and San Diego are pioneering the way in providing bet-ter post-ER resources. NAMI has jump-started efforts to edu-cate staff at various hospitals.

Together with the Hospital Corporation of America, NAMI created a Competent Caring training video to show the impact that compassionate, patient-centered care has on the patient experience. Additional tools for nurses and doctors include

(911 cont. from page 10) pocket cards with guidelines for patient-centered care, in-service training outlines and Emergency Psychiatric Care con-ference presentations.

Handling a Psychiatric Crisis: The Im-portance of Family and the First 24 Hours

Author: Hanem Ali – 6/10/2014

Individuals going through severe psychiatric crisis often have the experience of feeling not heard, and often feel misun-derstood. At the same time, family members often don’t get a chance to participate in their loved one’s treatment plan at the time of the crisis. With Open Dialogue therapy (begun in Fin-land), the individual’s voice is valued and the family and others who care about the person in crisis are invited into the process of figuring out what would be helpful.

Open Dialogue is a therapy model that provides help very rapidly to people in psychiatric crisis, ideally within 24 hours, in the most supportive and non-threatening setting possible. This is done by organizing a community health system made up of a team of clinicians and by working with the individuals and families within that system. A clinical team commits to helping the individual and family find whatever resources that would be helpful, including medications or hospitalization if necessary.

What’s involved with Open Dialogue Therapy? Open Dialogue is both a system of care and a process of

therapy. This system provides services to people in psychiatric crisis, including immediate crisis care; outpatient services; in patient services; and other psychosocial supports. To adapt the Open Dialogue system to the U.S., one of the first challenges is to have a mobile team that is flexible enough to see people and families as often as needed and, in the home if possible. Out of the dialogue, the team can identify what other services might be helpful – medication evaluation, individual psychotherapy, fi-nancial or other coaching, or whatever, including hospitaliza-tion—even involuntarily in extreme cases. The Open Dialogue team connects people with resources; it’s not the solution in and of itself.

How does it help someone with a psychiatric crisis? Especially for young people in the early stages of psychiat-

ric crisis, Open Dialogue can lessen the hurtful and unintention-ally discouraging and debilitating aspects of psychiatric care.

Another important element of Open Dialogue is that anti-psychotic medications are used, but they are used more selec-tively, in lower doses and for shorter periods of time than is often the practice in the U.S.

How is this therapy different from other similar thera-pies?

Open Dialogue has a lot in common with other family-based approaches to treatment, although it is unique in the sense that Open Dialogue brings this orientation into psychiatry. It offers an immediate, intensive psychosocial response to the crisis. In contrast to older form of family therapy, Open Dia-logue does not engage the family because the family is viewed as the problem, but because the family is an essential partner in the recovery process.

December 2016—January 2017 Family Forum Page 12

We provide education, support groups, and advocacy for families, friends, and individuals with mental illness in Peo-ria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties.

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NAMI Tri-County Illinois Membership Form

An affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

Membership dues also include membership in NAMI and NAMI Illinois

General Membership $35

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Open Door Membership $35

You may join on line rather than by sending in this form:

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NAMI Tri-County Illinois P.O. Box 10167 Peoria, IL 61612 309 693-0541 www.namitr i -county i l l ino is .org

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Alliance on Mental Illness

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