Inspiring the Hope of Recovery
Mary Madden, Executive Director of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, presented an overview of how NAMI serves individuals and families affected by mental health conditions. At no cost, NAMI provides services to Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Jefferson County residents. Mary was accompanied by Angela Reilly Director of Development and Marketing.
Nami “Inspires the hope of recovery, and deepens the understanding of mental health conditions for individuals, families, and communities” With a vision that “Individuals and families affected by mental health conditions thrive in communities that encourage recovery and where stigma does not exist”.
What makes NAMI unique is that everything comes from a “lived experience perspective”. The staff is comprised of individuals who have family members or are living with their own mental conditions.
The following classes are offered to individuals and families:
· NAMI Basics – 6-week group education for parents and family caregivers for children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or who have already been diagnosed.
· Family to Family – 8-session education program for families, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness.
· NAMI Peer-to-Peer – 8-session program for adults with mental illness who are looking to better understanding their condition and get help in their journey toward recovery.
· NAMI Family and Friends – seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them.
· Compassion Tool Kit – is a class for parents and caregivers feeling stressed out with strategies on how to take care of themselves.
· Ending Silence – an outreach program presented to high school freshmen and sophomores addressing how they can help themselves and others when confronted with mental health issues as individuals, friends, and family members.
· In Our Own Voice – a presentation where two individuals talk about their own stories of recovery.
· Crisis Intervention Team Training – a program that teaches police officers how to help someone in a psychiatric crisis with the goal of keeping the officer, community and individual safe.
Unfortunately, “Stigma, Shame and Fear of mental health conditions are very much alive today”. Currently there is a myriad of treatments and strategies available, ranging from therapy and medications to meditation, acupuncture, and Reiki. Education and programs like those offered by NAMI are key to understanding and addressing mental healthcare needs.
If you would like to learn more about NAMI and how you can support this vital organization, visit www.namisoutheastwi.org.
