NAMI

NAMI EducationalPrograms : 

NAMI EducationalPrograms Training for Everyone about Mental Illness

Slide 2: 

What brought me here today? My children!

My Son’s Story : 

My Son’s Story This impactful story is featured in “Visions For Tomorrow “ and “Sick Can be Fixed” Chicken Soup For the Soul Series – “Children with Special Needs” And told entirely in the children’s book – “Josh Wears a Red Cape”

“As Seen Through Josh’s Eyes” : 

“As Seen Through Josh’s Eyes” After years of doctors, counselors and visits to the school, the words bipolar should have been a relief. My 13 year old son had always been different, unusual but the problems had escalated and even if it was my fault as one doctor told me, our family, my son, needed help. And we weren’t getting it. Until now. The words hung in the air and I swear I could touch them, they were so heavy and dense. Josh sat with my husband and I as the doctor told us what bipolar disorder was, described the symptoms and outlined the line of treatment that was needed. And all I remember hearing were two words –

Slide 5: 

Bipolar Disorder

Slide 6: 

My son and husband were picking up some literature so I offered to go warm up the car. There was snow on the ground. I remember that. And I remember I felt like my whole life was in a frozen picture. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t cry. At that very moment, my husband and son jumped into the car and he was grinning ear to ear. Then he said, “mom, let’s go celebrate.” At that very moment, I knew that my son was in the middle of what the doctor had described as a manic episode. Why else would he say something so ludicrous?! As calmly as I could, (I certainly, didn’t feel calm), I turned to him and said, “Son, I’d love to go celebrate, but what exactly are we celebrating?”

Slide 7: 

And with the most sincere voice I have ever heard, he looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t you get it, mom? We’re celebrating because I am sick. I’m not evil. Sick can be fixed.” It was at that moment, I realized it was time for me to start seeing things the way my son did. I thought we had been striving for normalcy and all along he had been fighting for his soul. Sick can be fixed!!!

Josh : 

Josh

What happened next? : 

What happened next? We found and joined NAMI, the Nation's Voice on Mental Illness. NAMI was founded in 1979 as the National Alliance on Mental Illness. There we got help. And help began with education – Visions for Tomorrow.

Two Types of Mental Illness : 

Two Types of Mental Illness Caused by psychological, biological, genetic, or environmental conditions Situational - due to severe stress which may be only temporary

Mental Illness is a Brain That is Sick! : 

Mental Illness is a Brain That is Sick! Neurobiological brain disorders are serious illnesses that can be treated Mental illness is an illness that affects the brain, just as other illnesses affect other organs in the body

What Mental Illness is NOT : 

What Mental Illness is NOT IS not the same as mental retardation which involves deficits in learning ability & intellectual processes IS not the result of weak character or bad parenting

About Mental Illness : 

About Mental Illness Brain disorders can be treated and managed effectively combination of: medication supportive counseling community support services including education

Slide 14: 

Anyone can have a mental illness, regardless of Age Gender Race Socioeconomic Level Mental Illness Facts

Slide 15: 

Mental illnesses are more common than: Cancer Diabetes Heart Disease AIDS Mental Illness Facts

Slide 16: 

Mental Illness can occur at any age. 20 - 25% of individuals may be affected by mental illness. Mental Illness Facts

Mental Illness and Young Adults : 

Mental Illness and Young Adults Approximately 20.9 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have a mood disorder. The highest rate of serious mental illness occurred among women in the 18-25 age group, with 17.3 percent of these women reporting a SMI within the past year.

Children and Mental Illness : 

Children and Mental Illness About 12 million children under 18 suffer from mental disorders such as autism, depression and hyperactivity. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24.

Teen Suicide : 

Teen Suicide Almost 1 in 5 had seriously considered attempting suicide; More than 1 in 6 had made plans to attempt suicide; More than 1 in 12 had made a suicide attempt in the past year. Out of 25 students, 5 have considered suicide and 2 have tried to kill themselves.

Slide 20: 

Mental illness can and should be treated Mental Illness Facts

Slide 21: 

With proper treatment, many people affected with mental illness can return to normal, productive lives. Mental Illness Facts

Which Person Is Mentally Ill? : 

Which Person Is Mentally Ill? One out of four people in the US has a mental illness. Can you tell who is ill in the photos? They are our family members and friends.