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Welcome to the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Portage/Wood Counties chapter!  FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK:
I am pleased to announce that beginning in September, NAMI Portage/Wood Counties is moving the location of all Stevens Point support group meetings to ROCC Point, 2040 Jefferson Street. NAMI Portage/Wood Counties’ library materials will also be located there. Now that we have ROCC Point, we need to support it in whatever way we can. For more information you may call 715-344-4210.
The annual meeting with election of officers will be held on Monday, November 15, at 7 pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 600 N. Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point. After the meeting there will be an In Our Own Voice presentation. Plan now to attend.
Be aware and try to attend all the community events listed in the newsletter as this is a way to show our support for them.
--Marvin Lutz, President
 ************************************************************************************************** RETURN TO WORK ADVOCACY PROGRAM We can help you to overcome barriers to employment:
• Getting the help you need to find and keep a job
• Getting the support you need to succeed at a job
• Maximizing your vocational potential and avoiding low paying, dead-end jobs
• Maintaining social security benefits including Medicaid/T-19
Protecting Social Security benefits from reduction due to overpayments
Tuesday, August 31 1 pm ROCC Point, 2040 Jefferson St., Stevens Point Free For information call 715-344-4210 Sponsored by Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc.
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CHANGES FOR STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN RAPIDS SUPPORT GROUPS
• Beginning in September, all Stevens Point support groups will meet at ROCC Point, 2040 Jefferson St. Contact Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522, for more information.
• Stevens Point’s Family Support Group in September will meet not meet on the first Monday (September 6), which is Labor Day, but will meet instead on the second Monday, September 13. October’s Family Support meeting will again be on the first Monday.
• Wisconsin Rapids support groups will be meeting on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays; there are no meetings on 2nd Tuesdays at this time. Contact Marvin Konopa, 715-423-1657 for more information. ************************************************************************************************** ROCC POINT NEWS
ROCC Point, Stevens Point’s goal-driven recovery center for people experiencing mental health/illness issues, is now open Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Some of its offerings include: • A free lunch served at noon Monday through Friday (please sign up by 11:30 am each day). • Support groups on Mondays and Thursdays from 1-2 pm.
• Tuesdays: Project Opportunity at 1 pm (such as an art project, cooking lab, gardening, etc.). • The ROCC Point Resource Room (computer access, NAMI Portage/Wood Counties library, etc.) is open to use anytime during operating hours.
Any of the activities listed on the ROCC Point flyer can be done with staff before and/or after lunch anytime. These include community skills development, employment related skills, and illness management and recovery education. (See ROCC Point flyer on our website or in NAMI Portage/Wood Counties August newsletter.)
Midstate Independent living will host The Return to Work Advocacy Project to be held at ROCC Point on Tuesday, August 31 at 1:00 pm. There is no cost for this program, intended to help overcome barriers to finding and keeping employment. For information on any of these items, call ROCC Point at 715-344-4210.
Community Skills Development: Independent living skills development, social skills and community involvement, money management skills training, transportation training
Employment Related Skills: Identifying barriers, job searching, benefits counseling, assistance completing job applications, interviewing skills development
Illness Management and Recovery Education: Illness management, recovery education, managing medication, self advocacy, crisis planning, support system development
Activities: Support groups, cooking, art, rummage room, gardening, movies, games, special projects, social networking, education, volunteer opportunities
Location: 2040 Jefferson Street, Stevens Point
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Information: 715-344-4210
Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc.
“Working for persons with disabilities towards empowerment to make informed choices”
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NAMI TRAININGS, REGISTRATION DEADLINES COMING UP QUICKLY • NAMI Basics Teacher training will be September 10-12 at the Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids. Registration deadline is August 12.
• Parents and Teachers As Allies Facilitator training is October 9, from 9:30 am-5 pm at the Comfort Suites, Madison. Registration deadline is September 3. • Peer-to-Peer Mentor training is November 12-13 in LaCrosse. Registration deadline is October 1.
Please call Marvin Lutz (715-592-4522) for more information and for registration forms. ************************************************************************************************** BECOME A FACILITATOR FOR NAMI BASICS OR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AS ALLIES, MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS NAMI Wisconsin is sponsoring two important trainings this fall to help foster understanding and alleviate suffering of children with mental illness. NAMI Portage/Wood Counties would like to send members interested in becoming facilitators for these programs to the trainings.
NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness, whose onset started at or before age 13. Facilitator training is September 10-13 in Wisconsin Rapids. Registration deadline is August 12.
Parents and Teachers as Allies (PTA) is a NAMI-sponsored educational in-service program for school professionals to assist children/adolescents living with a mental illness. Training for PTA presenters will take place on Saturday, October 9 from 9:30 am-5 pm. A light breakfast, lunch and a snack will be provided. Some funds may be available for presenter trainees who are traveling more than 100 miles who need assistance with overnight costs for Friday night. If you require assistance with an overnight stay, please notify Marvin Lutz when you register. Registration deadline is September 3.
NAMI Basics Teacher Training requirements
This course is designed to be taught using a co-leader training model. Both teachers must have been trained in use of the curriculum by either a NAMI National trainer or a nationally certified state trainer. Those interested in being trained to teach the curriculum must meet the following criteria: • Be the parent or other primary caregiver of an individual who began experiencing symptoms at or prior to the age of 13 (although the child need not have been formally diagnosed prior to 13). • Be at a point in their life where they are familiar and comfortable with the emotional issues families face and can self-disclose about their own feelings of guilt, anger, shame, ambivalence and grief regarding their life situation. • Be willing to participate in an intensive weekend training on how to teach the curriculum. • Be willing to make the commitment to participants in the course, the co-leader and to the NAMI organization to complete the 15-hour course once it begins.
NAMI Parents and Teachers as Allies Facilitator Training requirements
The following four presenters are required to adequately conduct a PTA in-service in our community: • NAMI Facilitator: An adult volunteer who is an active NAMI member. This individual may be a family member, consumer or professional. As the NAMI Facilitator you will be part of the presentation team. You will also be the primary contact for schools who wish to set up a PTA in-service. As the NAMI Facilitator, you are asked to provide NAMI Wisconsin with information about the in-service sessions your PTA team provides. • School Professional: This volunteer should be a working or retired teacher, guidance counselor or social worker with an interest in ensuring school professionals better understand the needs of youth living with mental illness. He or she should be a NAMI member. • Parent of a Child with Mental Illness: Regardless of the current age of the child, this volunteer should be the parent of someone who developed symptoms of mental illness before the age of 13. He or she should be a NAMI member. • Young Consumer: This volunteer should be a young person who developed symptoms of a mental illness by the age of 13. He or she may be a young adult.
Additionally, team members must all meet the following criteria: • Be comfortable talking about emotional issues young consumers face. • Be willing to participate in an intensive, one day training on how to provide the in-service. • Be willing to present with the identified team. • Be willing to make the commitment to the team, the NAMI affiliate, and to NAMI Wisconsin to complete the entire 7.5-hour training once it begins. • Make a commitment to present the PTA in-service at least twice within 1 year after training. • Adults must maintain a current NAMI annual membership.
Please contact Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522, for more information on these programs, and to obtain registration materials for the trainings. ************************************************************************************************* CLUBHOUSE DEVELOPMENT - WOOD COUNTY An overview and planning about the proposed Clubhouses in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids was presented on June 15th by Pat Ellis, Director of Wood County Unified Services at a meeting in Pittsville. People from various professions and organizations in Wood County listened and gave imput and support, including NAMI Portage & Wood County representatives--Phyllis Werner, Marvin Konopa and Andy Adams. Discussed were possible grant funding sources and community contribution resources for the program, goals of the program for actively involved participants (mental health consumers and families), as well as involvement of the Wood County communities for support and help. Wood County Unified Services would not be running the clubhouses. The participants (members of the clubhouse) would run the clubhouses and informally and formally work on personal, educational, psycho-social and professional goals and receive help and support from people working on similar goals. The clubhouses are expected to open in 2011. Anyone interested in participating in future clubhouse planning meetings may call Phyllis Werner, 715-387-1016 for more information.
~ Reported by Phyllis Werner
************************************************************************************************ SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE GROUP MEETS 1ST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH
Ministry Medical Group in Stevens Point sponsors a Survivors of Suicide support group. The group will meet the 1st Monday of every month in the chapel at St. Michael’s Hospital from 6:30-8 pm. The next meeting will be September 6th. Contact Michelle Nelson, MSW, LCSW, CADC at (715) 346-5401 for more information.
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FIFTH ANNUAL WALK FOR HOPE SEPTEMBER 11
Come join us for a 3 mile non-competitive fitness/leisure walk and help bring awareness to suicide prevention in Portage County. Event kickoff is at 9 a.m. at St. Michael’s Hospital, beginning with registration, followed by the annual Providing Hope Award and the walk. Snacks are provided, celebration continues until noon. Fee for the walk is $20 per walker, or $30 per family; however, a limited number of scholarships are available. For information/registration, contact Gary Garske, 715-345-5958 or
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, or see flyer in our September newsletter. Proceeds will help sustain suicide prevention efforts in Portage County.
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LA CROSSE AREA SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 15 This year’s Suicide Prevention Summit will be September 15, from 8 am-4:30 pm at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse, Wis. Keynote speaker Dr. Shawn Shea is an internationally acclaimed author/workshop leader/innovator in such fields as suicide prevention, building resiliency and clinical interviewing; Stevens Point native Suzy Favor Hamilton is a family survivor, motivational speaker and Olympic athlete. Workshop topics include: Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper Training; Returning Veterans and Suicide; Chronic Mental Illness and Suicide Risk; Incarceration and Criminal Justice; Youth Prevention Issues; Grief Work and Survivors; Family Survivor Panel; and much more.
A free Music, Speakers and Awareness Event is scheduled for September 14, 6 pm, at Riverside Park in La Crosse. Suzy Favor Hamilton is scheduled to speak at this event as well.
Cost is $65, and includes the full conference, refreshments, lunch, materials and continuing education hours. For program information and registration contact Karen Langaard, 608-785-6508 or e-mail her at
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, or visit their website: www.uwlax.edu/conted/suicideprevention/ . ************************************************************************************************ MINISTRY MEDICAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP
PRESENTS
DR. JOSEPH GERWOOD
MINISTRY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TO SPEAK ON
SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTION: PRESCRIBED & NON-PRESCRIBED DRUGS/ALCOHOL Monday, September 27 Ministry Home Care Bldg. (old Rice Clinic)
6-7 pm 2501 Main St. Oak Room
Stevens Point
Free and open to the public
Takes the place of NAMI Portage/Wood Counties’ September General Meeting
For more information call Marvin Lutz, 715-592-4522. ************************************************************************************************** NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ELECTION OF 2011 AFFILIATE OFFICERS NAMI Portage/Wood Counties board member Marlene Broeske and affiliate president Marvin Lutz will serve on the nominating committee for election of new officers for 2011. Please contact either member with your nominations for president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.
Marlene can be reached by mail at 407 Hawthorn Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449; phone is 715-384-6790. Marvin can be reached by mail at 6617 Old Hwy 18 Rd., Stevens Point, WI 54482, or by phone at 715-592-4522.
Nominations for officers close on October 8. Election of officers will be held November 15 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 600 N. Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, as part of NAMI Portage/Wood Counties’ annual meeting. An In Our Own Voice presentation will follow directly after election.
Serving as an officer of our affiliate is a powerful way of providing direct input on the direction you would like to see our affiliate take. Voting for your officers is another way to give voice to your vision for our affiliate. We encourage you to make your voice heard, with your service to our affiliate and with your vote. ************************************************************************************************ FREE QPR (SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING) AVAILABLE FOR PORTAGE, WOOD COUNTIES Every 17 minutes someone in America dies by suicide... Spend an hour, save a life! QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a 60 minute training that teaches participants warning signs for suicide and the three-step QPR method. To schedule a FREE one-hour training for your organization or business contact: Wood County Health Department, 715-421-8911 or 715-387-8646 or e-mail Karen Brewer at
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. Or call Bobbi Bradley, Portage County Health & Human Services, 715-345-5958. Sponsored by Healthy People Wood County Mental Health Implementation Team and Healthy People Portage County Suicide Prevention Committee. ************************************************************************************************* NAMI LAUNCHES SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE FOR YOUNG ADULTS: Mental Health, Finances, Relationships, Music and More
NAMI has launched www.strengthofus.org, a new online community where young adults living with mental health concerns can provide mutual support in navigating unique challenges and opportunities during the critical transition years from ages 18 to 25. Linked to this site is www.halfofus.com, featuring personal stories of vets, celebrities, etc. living with mental illness.
************************************************************************************************** ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST? -OR-
ARE YOU PLANNING ON HIRING CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS?
Certified Peer Specialists’ goals are to:
• Focus on recovery
• Promote wellness
• Facilitate self direction
• Foster independent living
• Enhance the ability of service recipients
to achieve their chosen goals
Peer Specialists are examples of recovery with experience and training. Be part of a rewarding career experience by becoming a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist! Find out about the 2010 Employment Initiatives. For more information contact Alice F. Pauser, WI Peer Specialist Program Coordinator, 608-242-8484 Ext. 224,
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. ************************************************************************************************* NEW VA CLINIC OPEN IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS IN APRIL excerpt from piece by Nathaniel Shuda, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune staff, printed March 4, 2010.
A new VA clinic is set to open in Wisconsin Rapids in April. The new clinic will offer expanded primary care and mental health services as well as an on-site lab with overnight courier service to its 24-hour lab in Milwaukee. It also will provide psychiatry services via Web conferencing technology and a new audiology department, with officials hoping to add optometry services within the first year, according to Joanne Gernhart, community-based outpatient coordinator at the Tomah VA Medical Center. In addition, leaders want to hold classes for patients who have a diagnosis of morbid obesity. The Wisconsin Rapids Clinic is located at 710 East Grand Ave., PO Box 26, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, Ph: 715-424-3844.
Other VA clinics in our area include: Loyal Clinic, 141 N. Main Street, Loyal, WI 54446, Ph: 715-255-9799; Wausau Clinic, 515 South 32nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401, Ph: 715-842-2834; Parent Facility: Tomah VA Medical Center, 500 E. Veterans Street, Tomah, WI 54660, Ph: 608-372-3971 or 800-872-8662.
NAMI applauds the attention and understanding the Veterans’ Administration is giving to the medical needs of those who have served our country, and we thank them for their continued work in treating the mental health of our veterans. ************************************************************************************************* NEW RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES: VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK, VETERANS PRESS “1”
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.
VETERANS CAN CHAT LIVE THROUGH NEW ONLINE SERVICE
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Lifeline launched an online chat service for veterans in emotional distress available at: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans. Veterans are encouraged to chat online anonymously with a counselor during the operating hours of 4:00 pm-7:30 am EST Daily. Friends and family members of a veteran in crisis are also welcomed to use Veterans Chat. ************************************************************************************************** FIND HELP WITH THE COST OF MEDICINE AT NeedyMeds NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of helping people who can't afford to pay for their medications. This web-based organization features U.S. programs in all 50 states and serves as a clearinghouse for pharmaceutical assistance programs as well as state and local programs that provide financial or medical assistance. NeedyMeds has information on more than 2,400 programs such as Patient Assistance Programs (PAPS), which provide medicine at no cost or at a discount to people who qualify; a database of Free/Low Cost Clinics; Disease-Based Assistance - programs that help with the costs of specific diseases and conditions, including some insurance co-pays and premiums; State Programs - programs offering various types of assistance with healthcare costs for residents of specific states. Visit the NeedyMeds website: www.NeedyMeds.org, e-mail them at
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, or contact them by mail at PO Box 219, Gloucester, MA 01931.
************************************************************************************************** NATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION JOINS MedicAlert FOUNDATION TO OFFER MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® A 24-hour comprehensive protection system for children, adolescents, and adults with bipolar disorder or a related condition and their families (Press Release excerpt from the National Bipolar Foundation)
Bipolar disorder is said to affect at least 1 in 100 people and some say as many as 1 in 25. This cooperative effort between NBPF and MedicAlert Founda-tion will have a widespread impact on our society. Children, adolescents, and adults living with bipolar disorder or a related condition, who are involved in accidents and unable to speak for themselves will have the MedicAlert Emergency Medical Information Service speaking for them, informing hospital staff and medical providers of their diagnoses and current medications in order to avoid potential dangerous withdrawal and acute onset of instability in regards to any symptoms of bipolar disorder. And when a person with bipolar or a related condi-tion finds him/herself in an unfore-seen incident, responders will react in an appropriate manner; thus given the opportunity to defuse the situation or transport the person to an appropriate facility. It is expected that this will ultimately create jail diversion, thereby benefitting all of society. The MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® program will benefit individuals wearing the identification jewelry, reduce stress on their families and ultimately reduce the cost of their care for all taxpayers.
Each individual enrolled in the program will be provided with a personalized MedicAlert ID and a MedicAlert wallet card that provide emergency responders with identifi-cation information, and details on any additional critical medical conditions or life-threatening allergies. Additional information is provided to first responders when they call the MedicAlert 24-hour Emergency Response Center.
The MedicAlert® + Safe ‘til Stable® program also ensures that designated family members will be notified if an individual requires emergency medical treatment in a caregiver’s absence; caregivers will have the reassurance that any time a person wearing a MedicAlert ID has been located or treated, MedicAlert Foundation will contact them immediately.
For more information, call MedicAlert at 888-633-4298 or visit www.medicalert.org or www.nationalbipolarfoundation.org. |
