LINKS
related to mental health.

  
The 2008 NAMI National Annual Convention will be held June 13-16, 2008, In Orlando, Florida.

The NAMI Illinois 2008 Annual Educational Conference will be held October 17-19, 2008, at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, Illinois.

Film release:  See Canvas, opening October 12 in Chicago, with Joe Pantoliano and Marcia Gay Harden.  The director writes:

"Write what you know."  It is cliche, but true. "Write what you care about."  I cared about mental illness. I grew up watching my mother battle schizophrenia and those harrowing memories had a profound impact on me.  I had no desire to write an autobiographical novel, publish my memoirs or even make a movie about my life.  And yet I still felt compelled to make a movie about mental illness. . .  I decided to just tell the truth -- the emotional truth.  I wanted to make a film about mental illness that was not only true to my experience, but also universal. 

Not everyone grows up with a parent suffering from schizophrenia.  But everyone knows what it's like to be embarrassed, angry and frustrated by a family member.  For the theme, I looked to one happy memory from my childhood for inspiration.  While my mother was in the state hospital, my father took me out on his sailboat.  Mom never came sailing with us, but we always hoped she would.  That hope was my story.  I decided that a sailboat could be a simple yet powerful metaphor. 

Support NAMI.  Visit NAMI Illinois Action Alerts.  Then write to your legislators.

Fight against the stigma of mental illness!  Visit the NAMI Stigmabusters Stigma Alert website.
Visit the new SAMHSA anti-stigma campaign website, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FRIEND MAKES   Learn / Support / Listen

For users of e-mail:  The NAMI Office of Consumer Affairs offers a listserve for messages that relay information of interest regarding consumer initiatives, conferences, teleconference opportunities, and other topics relevant to consumer involvement, integration, inclusion, and leadership development.  Members and interested others may automatically subscribe by sending a message to ocainfo@nami.org with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message.  If you have any questions about the list, contact Tom Lane, Director, Office of Consumer Affairs at tlane@nami.org. Thank you.

Campaign for the Mind of America.  At a Capitol press conference on April 13, 2005, NAMI Illinois and partners from Illinois' law enforcement, medical, education and social service communities released a new report, "Answering the Call: Reducing The Costs of Untreated Mental Illness in Illinois, While Improving Care".  The full report is available at www.nami.org/report/il.

Two members represented NAMI Jackson County at the NAMI Illinois 2007 Conference, in Springfield, Illinois. 
Four members represented NAMI Jackson County at the NAMI Illinois 2006 Conference, in Northbrook, Illinois. 

Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 1-7, 2006) was recognized in Jackson County with two events hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd, an interfaith worship recognizing those touched by mental illness, on Sunday, October 1, and a special screening of Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness, on Thursday, October 5.

Four members represented NAMI Jackson County at the Women's Health Conference on Saturday, September 16, 2006, at John A. Logan College, Carterville, Illinois.

Federal Mental Health Action Agenda Released.  On July 25, 2005, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with seven cabinet level federal agencies, released an Action Plan describing initial steps to be taken as part of a multi-year effort to alter the form and function of America’s mental health system.  In the coming months, decisions will be made about programs such as Medicaid, Section 8 housing vouchers and other programs of vital importance to people with severe mental illnesses.

Three members represented NAMI Jackson County at the NAMI Illinois' Annual Education Conference for families and professionals, with the theme Hope in a Changing World, October 14-16, 2005, at the Springfield Crowne Plaze Hotel.

On December 9, 2004, in accordance with our Christmas tradition, NAMI Jackson County provided Christmas gifts for residents in the Adapt of Illinois program of City Care Center of Cobden, Illinois.  Members of NAMI participated by shopping, wrapping gifts, contributing food, and attending a party for the residents.  Residents and members enjoyed the festive time together. 

Children's Mental Health Act.  Illinois has taken steps to develop a new children's mental health system to implement the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003 (Public Act 93-0495).  Click here for more info.

Illinois Mental Health Code is Revised.  On August 22, 2003, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law, SB 199, which amends and revises the Illinois Mental Health Code.  The full text of the bill can be found at the Illinois State Legislature website.  NAMI of Illinois, together with many other advocacy groups, assisted in the drafting of these changes to the Illinois Mental Health Code, and your efforts with your legislators and in writing to the Governor made this happen.

On July 22, 2003, the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health issued its final report to the President.  This is the report from a 22-member group that Mr. Bush formed in April 2002.  View the report at www.MentalHealthCommission.gov.

       Visit NAMI Illinois' web site.
       Visit NAMI national's web site.

Additional links.