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Connections and peers NAMI’s Peer to Peer and Connections programs By KAREN BOSSICK
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free Peer-to-Peer program for those suffering from mental illness will start up again Wednesday, Feb. 23. And participants are reminded they can also take advantage of a new program called Connections. The National Alliance on Mental Illness—also known as NAMI-Wood River Valley—will offer its award-winning 10-week Peer-to-Peer class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 616 S. Main St. in Hailey beginning Feb. 23. The class will educate participants about the nature of such conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. And it will offer suggestions for different types of treatments, coping skills and recovery plans that can help people work towards recovery and maintain wellness. The class and its materials are funded by the Hearts of Gold Fund through the Idaho Community Foundation. “Mental illness is a physical disorder of the brain, caused by the neurotransmitters in the brain not functioning properly. It’s estimated 52 percent of all Americans will suffer some form of mental illness at some time in their life,” said Wendy Norbom, one of the facilitators. “But we help them with tools they can use to get well. Many people don’t realize that recovery is involved. Mental illness is a cataclysmic diagnosis but people
Wendy Norbom shares a smile with her daughter Kami, who helped raise funds for NAMI as part of a Girl Scouts project this past fall. COURTESY PHOTO
can recover from it, just like anything else. Unfortunately, some people try to self-medicate themselves with alcohol or drugs.” Connections is a confidential program held for graduates of the Peer-to-Peer Program. Started in September, it is held Monday evenings at St. Luke’s. “It’s not therapy but it’s therapeutic with people being empowered by a shared common experience. Whereas Peer-toPeer is more of a teaching format, Connections is more like a support group for people to share what’s going on in their lives,” said Norbom. “Maybe a person’s medications have changed and they’re not coping well with it. Or maybe someone wants some suggestions for how to deal with co-workers who don’t understand them. Or maybe something happened at home and they need ideas for how to deal with it.” To enroll in either program, call Wendy at 208-309-1987. twp
COURTESY PHOTO: MRS. IDAHO AMERICA PAGEANT
Queen’s Court (L-R): Nadia Archer, Mrs. Capital City (3rd runner up), Kaley Sparling, Mrs. Ada County (1st runner up); Kristie Bear, Mrs. Idaho America 2011; Suzanne Buchanan, Mrs. Sun Valley (2nd runner up); and Lindsay Campbell, Mrs. Boise (4th runner up)
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he 2011 Mrs. Idaho America pageant was held Feb. 12 at the Columbia High School Auditorium in Nampa, Idaho. This event featured 12 of Idaho’s most beautiful and accomplished married women from across the state. Kristie Bear, Mrs. Eagle was crowned Mrs. Idaho America 2011, winning an all expense paid trip to the national competition and a prize package worth over $10,000. In April, Kristie will join 50 other state winners at the world famous Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia to compete in the nationally televised Mrs. America Pageant. Kristie also won the Physical Fitness Award, Best Costume and Photogenic. Kristie is married to Josh Bear, son of Janine Bear and Evan Bear of Bellevue. The Mrs. Idaho America Competition is an exciting and rewarding program that recognizes Idaho’s married women and is the official state preliminary to the prestigious Mrs. America Pageant. Delegates must be of good moral character, married, at least 18 years of age, a US Citizen and a resident of Idaho. Areas of competition include Personal Interview, Physical Fitness and Evening Wear. Past contestants range in age from 19-60. twp
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Tuesday - Saturday 10 – 5 .odel: Lara Spencer, owner of The Dollhouse 1hotography: Sarena Mantz/Romantz Photography/Giacobbi Down Under | romantz.photo@gmail.com • 208.727.7912
www.DollhouseConsignment.com/facebook link | 208.726.8332 | 100 E 5th Street, Ketchum
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