THE JOURNAL A grassroots organization serving families impacted by mental illness. VOLUME 28 No. 6
LEAP Seminar with Dr. Xavier Amador author of “I am not sick, I don’t need help” Saturday, June 30, 2012 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At Fuller School of Psychology’s Travis Auditorium
180 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena Special low registration fee: $25.00. To Register online for the LEAP Seminar, go to http://namiwestsidela.org/. If you prefer to register by mail, you will find an application on page 4 to send in with your check. LEAP is for therapists, family caregivers, crisis responders, and anyone dealing with a person who has poor insight into their illness and who resists treatment. You will learn to “LEAP”: listen, empathize, agree, and partner, because you can never win on the strength of your argument, but only on the strength of your relationship.
June 2012
Board Approves New Membership and Subscription Policy On May 9 the NAMI SGV Board approved a policy which states that a membership expires on January 15 of each year, and a former member with an expired membership will receive no more Journals after March. The board felt that as stewards of our organization’s finances, the money saved by this policy would be better used for our many programs.
Members to receive copies of new by-‐laws; vote at November Meeting Members will receive copies of the proposed new by-‐ laws in the mail in September. A vote to approve them will be taken at the annual meeting on November 7. Officers will also be elected at this meeting. If you would like to serve, please contact Robert Liljenwall by calling the office.
Distinguished Speaker Series
“How the New Medications Help in Recovery from Mental Illness” Kelan Thomas, Pharm D. MS, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Keck School of Medicine, USC School of Pharmacy June 13 Distinguished Speakers Meeting, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wilson Auditorium, northeast corner of Walnut and Altadena Drive, Pasadena
NAMI SGV is an affiliate of NAMI California and NAMI USA. Offices at 2550 E. Foothill Blvd. Suite 135, Pasadena, CA 91107 Telephone: 626-‐577-‐6697 Fax: 626-‐577-‐0381 E-‐mail: sgvnami@pacificclinics.org Website: http://sgv.nami.org NAMI USA Website at http://www.nami.org 1
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June President’s Message By Robert Liljenwall
Why NAMI?
A very simple question. But a very complex answer. NAMI San Gabriel Valley had its early beginnings in November 1979 in Pasadena when a group of troubled and challenged parents and individuals met to discuss their urgent needs of dealing with their mentally ill loved ones. It was a small group whose purpose was to find answers on how to deal with their mentally ill loved ones: There were not a lot of answers 33 years ago. Why join our N AMI family? We do have answers -‐-‐ where to get help...what to do when a loved one suffers an "episode". We are a band of volunteers. We have no professional staff, but we bring the top mental health professionals to you -‐-‐ and it's all free. We have a series of weekly "Care & Share" meetings where we gather for two hours each Thursday to listen to your challenges. We have many educational programs to help families through crisis to recovery. Since our humble beginnings over 33 years ago, we continue to have many questions about how to treat mental illness, but we have learned over the past three decades to b e smarter and stronger about this illness that strikes one in four families in America. Please join our family -‐-‐ as a volunteer or as someone who needs and wants vital, real-‐life support in the trenches. We're the real thing. We'll fight this together.
Altadena Sheriff Captain Agrees to Training The new captain of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, Captain John Benedict, has accepted the offer of NAMI SGV to pay for two officers to attend Pacific Clinics’ Mental Health First Aid course. We hope this will be the first of other collaborations with the sheriff’s department. NAMI SGV Journal
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“NAMI in the Lobby” Hospital Outreach to Families of Patients Remember the first time you saw your loved one experience a break from reality, or attempt suicide? Remember when you knew almost nothing about mental illness, and you waited in the hospital while your sister, your son, or your father was in psychiatric emergency? Remember the shock and dismay, and the questions? "Is there a cure? W hat can we do? What kind of life can she have?" How long was it before you knew about NAMI support groups and Family to Family classes? NAMI SGV, along with NAMI in the greater Los Angeles area, plans to be in the hospital meeting families during those difficult times, letting people know early that they are not alone, that there is hope. We are starting with Huntington Hospital with a view to expanding our outreach in the future. Our first group of NAMI in the Lobby representatives was trained on May 19th, and we'll soon be in the hospital helping families. NAMI in the Lobby promises to b e a strong new program, a new way of helping people, and a new way of helping people find us. If you would like to turn your memories of shock and dismay into gifts of hope by becoming N AMI in the Lobby representative,
NAMI SGV Member Elected to State Board of Advocacy Group Patricia Harrison has been chosen to be on the board of United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF). a non-‐profit organization with a mission to improve the quality of life for all children and youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges and to eliminate institutional discrimination and social stigma. As a result of her desire to help her own son and others like him, Patti became a wrap-‐around counselor at Hillsides, which is a treatment provider for children. She also taught several sessions of our Basics class. One of her goals is to bring about more collaboration between N AMI and UACF.
June 2012
Connections Support Group Needs Leaders The NAMI SGV Board has agreed to re-‐establish a Connections peer support group on a six month trial basis, provided we can find two people to partner in the leadership of the group. W e would also consider partnering with neighboring affiliates to create a shared NAMI Connections group. Potential group leaders should be stable and reliable, have a strong desire to share their success and encourage others, be willing to work with a partner, and to attend NAMI Connections facilitator training. Please call the NAMI SGV office at 626-‐577-‐6697 if you are interested in leading a Connections Group.
Family to Family graduates 15; second session set for July 9. Sign up now. Family to Family, a twelve-‐week class for family members and caregivers of adults with major mental illnesses, will be offered from July 9th through October 1st with a break for Labor Day. The class meets at 6:30 PM in Wilson Auditorium. There are still a few spaces left. Call the office at 626-‐577-‐6697 to sign up. On April 16, 2012 a graduation and celebration dinner was held at Hamburger Hamlet in Pasadena to honor the Family to Family class members who completed the class. Fifteen people graduated and were presented with certificates by Dennis Thompson. Dennis taught the class with co-‐teacher Jeri Gaudino. Many of the graduates have joined NAMI SGV and we welcome them into our family. Dennis and Jeri say they had a great experience teaching the class. They were especially impressed with the courage of these people who are dealing with mental illness in their families. Besides listening attentively to the lectures, they were open with their feelings and were quick to reach out to their classmates with support and understanding.
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Dear Supervisor Antonovich: Thank you for taking the time to meet with Marty Giffen and myself this afternoon, and to listen to our challenges as families wanting to help our loved ones with mental illness, and how we believe Laura’s Law would be a practical and cost effective tool where both families and government can partner to help our loved ones get back on treatment. More importantly, thank you for your willingness to guide and help us improve the system to better help individuals such as my sister, Marty’s daughter, and countless others like them to be productive members of our communities. As I shared, I only learned about Laura’s Law from an article in the local paper the day before my sister was horrifically killed at a place she felt safe for over 12 years. I got very hopeful because I had b een desperately trying to figure out how to intervene to help my sister get back on her medication and I was constantly informed by the Center that there was nothing I could do. My family and I worked tirelessly together with my sister (using love, compassion, p atience) to manage her mental illness and kept her safe in the community for over 12 years. I know first-‐hand the challenges and frustrations as a family member wanting and willing to help my sister in a compassionate and dignified way. Our and my sister’s dream was for her to successfully manage her illness, not to be ashamed or afraid of it, and for her to be able to independently pursue a “normal” productive life. That dream is no longer possible for my sister Jazmyne or for our family but it is still possible for families who want and are willing to help their loved ones suffering from mental illness. Laura’s Law may not be perfect but it is better than what is in place now and it can be improved, and is much needed for families like ours… …I still have much to learn about our mental health system but I am committed to do what I can to help improve it, including constructive changes with how law enforcement responds to calls for aid in a mental health crisis situation, to help individuals …to trust that they can be safe and productive in the community. We also want to know when we are no longer able to help our love dones, there will be a more responsive system in place. Sincerely, Nancy Eng Sister of Jazmyne Eng
June 2012
Care and Share: You are Not Alone. Care and Share support group meets every Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, including Communications Skills group led by Dennis Thompson. Wilson Auditorium, (northeast corner of Walnut and Altadena Drive, Pasadena). Groups open to family members and friends of people who struggle with mental illnesses. Call office for more information.
Beverly Noell, Longtime Member and Volunteer NAMI San Gabriel Valley has lost one of its most faithful volunteers as well as one of its sweetest and most compassionate members. Beverly Noell will be missed by all who knew her.
Volunteers for August Picnic Needed NAMI San Gabriel Valley traditionally has a picnic instead of a general meeting in August. We invite consumers, and this makes a nice outing for members and their friends and families. We need someone to head up the planning. You’ll get lots of helping hands and advice. Please call the office to volunteer for this fun and important job. MAIL-‐IN REGISTRATION For LEAP Conference with Dr. Xavier Amador Fuller School of Psychology, 180 N. Oakland, Pasadena, June 30, 9 am to 4 pm ______Registration Only ($25) ______Registration plus 6 CEUs ($85) Please mail your completed form by June 15 with payment to: NAMI Westside LA, ATTN: LEAP Registrar 941 Westwood Blvd., Suite 236 Los Angeles, CA 90024 NAME __________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________ Phone _______________________________ Email______________________________ Please check appropriate categories: _____NAMI m ember _______consumer ______family member _____law enforcement _____: mental health provider ______ Advocate Please retain a copy of this for your records
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NAMI San Gabriel Valley Elected Officers President: Robert Liljenwal Vice President of Programs: Lucienne M arie Vice President of Development: Dennis Thompson Vice President of Operations: Patty Aguilar Treasurer: Larry Hixon Recording Secretary: Julie Traughber Corresponding Secretary: Lynne Garcia Past Presidents: Eleanor Stemshorn Marty Giffen
Council of Chairs Advocacy: Shirley Spencer Quality of Life: Katherine Ellis Basics: David Czolba Newsletter: Jeri Gaudino Care and Share: Eleanor Stemshorn Carole Thuesson Frontline: Lynn Garcia Lecture Series: Patty Aguilar Website: Jack LaBrie, Max Schenker Membership: Bruce Elgin Data Base: Bruce Elgin NARSAD Liason: Roberta Gunderson Family to Family: Lucienne Marie NAMI Walk: Marty Giffen
NAMI SGV is a 501(c) 3 non-‐ profit. Dues and donations are entirely tax-‐deductible. Dues payable annually. Regular member: $35.00 Patron member: $100 Membership includes newsletter subscription.
June 2012
UPDATE ON MITRICE RICHARDSON By Shirley Spencer on Mother's Day The Mitrice Richardson Support Team still seeks justice for Mitrice as we approach the third anniversary of her disappearance after being released after midnight from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station on September 17, 2009. Mitrice had been arrested for not paying her restaurant bill in Malibu. Dr. Ronda Hampton, a clinical psychologist with whom Mitrice interned at CSU Fullerton in 2008, has led the effort. She is optimistic that someone will come forward with information. We have appeared before the Agoura Hills City Council and the Calabasas City Council to request that they each match the reward of $15,000 offered by Malibu for information about the cause of death of Mitrice. All three cities are served by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Department. DISAPPEARED, a documentary television show, will open their new season in September 2012 with a 60 minute focus on Mitrice. Mitrice was 24 years old when released from jail without transportation, money, or her cellphone. Her nude remains were discovered eleven months later eight miles from the Sheriff's Station. Some articles of her clothing were strewn nearby. An internal m emo obtained b y journalist Mike Kessler affirms that the arresting deputy knew that Mitrice was having mental issues when she was arrested, but because she was polite, and did not appear to be a danger to herself or others, she was not placed on a 5150 hold. Mitrice's journals revealed a distressed person who had not slept for several days as she wrote, trying to understand what was happening to her mind. She had not been previously diagnosed with a mental disorder. Law enforcement faces many challenges when they interact with the mentally ill. LASD deputies would benefit from more training to avoid e tragic outcomes. The most vulnerable among us deserve better. How can we in NAMI facilitate change? We are seeking those answers and will be contacting Captain Nee of LASD Temple Station, and Captain Benedict of Altadena Sheriff's Station to pursue a course of action.
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Team Captains Invited!
NAMI Walk Kick-‐off Luncheon Registered NAMI Wall team captains are invited to the Kick-‐Off Luncheon on August 9 at the beautiful California Endowment, just north of Union Station at 1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
There is ample free parking at the facility, but you can also take the Gold Line to Union Station and walk north about a block. This is a fun event designed to get Team Captains excited about recruiting walkers and sponsors. You can register as a team captain online at www.namiwalks.org.
Sincere Condolences to the Shatford Family on the loss of George Shatford. George was the son of Georgette Shatford, for whom our annual lecture series is named. His father, Judge Henry Shatford, has asked that contributions be made in his memory to NAMI San Gabriel Valley
Special Price for NAMI members
Mental Health First Aid Classes scheduled for 2012. Pacific Clinics Training Institute will offer more sessions of Mental Health First Aid 12-‐hour classes. A class is scheduled for August 6 and 13 from 9:30 to 4:30. The September class will be three hours a day on four days: September 8, 15, 22, and 29. A two-‐ day class is also scheduled for December 10 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. They are offering the classes to N AMI members at half-‐price, or $75. To register, or for more information about any classes offered by P CTI, call their Toll Free Line 1-‐877-‐9MY-‐PCTI (1-‐877-‐969-‐7284 or visit their website: www.MYPCTI.org.
June 2012
2nd ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH DAY RAISES AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Many NAMI members were among the crowd gathered at the Pasadena Senior Center Saturday, May 12, for the Second Annual Pasadena Mental Health Day. The event was sponsored by the Pasadena Mental Health Advisory Committee, with the goal of raising public awareness of the importance of mental health as part of over-‐all personal well-‐being. NAMI SGV hosted four well-‐received presentations. Special appreciation goes to Dr. Timothy Pylko for an informative “Ask The Doctor” session; to Leah Sullivan for sharing her knowledge and first hand experience regarding Borderline Personality Disorder,; to Fran and Tom from In “Our Own Voice” for sharing their recovery journeys; and to the Zumba demonstration troupe from Project Return. The theme of the day was: “Healthy minds, Healthy Families”, and it featured activities for all ages, from face painting and crafts for the kids, to informative presentations on mental health topics such as aging and mental health, substance abuse, marital relations and stress reduction, to free chair massages. Most attendees were particularly interested in exploring the information tables representing more than thirty local mental health providers. The Joe Galvin Band entertained those taking advantage of the b eautiful sunny day to relax in nearby Memorial Park. Special thanks also to NAMI members Katherine Ellis, Elizabeth Plunkett and Claudia Lovett for helping NAMI Chair Dennis Thompson by acting as hosts at our presentations, and for staffing our information table. Also thanks to Letty Baldero from Glendale NAMI for helping with the table, bringing special N AMI W alks materials, and for arranging the In Our Own Voice presentation.
“In Our Own Voice” Presents Journeys of Recovery at May Meeting Our program was an opportunity to hear Denise Hynes’ story of recovery from addiction and bipolar disorder in her own words, thanks to NAMI’s “In Our Own Voice” program, coordinated b y Letty Baldaro. Denise spoke about her Dark Days, Treatment, Acceptance , Coping Skills, and her Hopes and Dreams. Her personal story was interspersed with the inspiring stories of several other clients who appeared on video and addressed the same topics. Denise related how her illness first appeared at the age of five, and over her early years she was so depressed that she turned to drugs and alcohol for relief from her depression. She left home at an early age and engaged in risky behavior, while at the same time working and losing jobs. W hen she finally hit bottom, she was able to gain sobriety through a twelve-‐step program, and she has been clean and sober for twelve years. However, five years into her sobriety, Denise’s m ental illness hit her like a b rick wall: depression laid her low. She could no longer ignore the fact that she needed treatment for it, and finally accepted that a mental illness was at the root of her problems. She tried many medications, but it wasn’t until she decided to try electro-‐ convulsive therapy that she found relief. She has been in recovery for seven years, and she has realized many of her hopes and dreams. At age 37, with help from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from college, something she never thought she would be able to do. She works with NAMi Whittier to help others, and she works with the Whittier Art Gallery. Her life is filled with gratitude and peace. These stories of hope and recovery are inspiring to anyone. Contact “In Our Own Voice”, Letty Baldaro at 818-‐ 645-‐5043, or letty@laccc.org if you would like to book an appearance for your organization. NAMI SGV Journal
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June 2012
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Book Review: Neuroscience for Dummies by Frank Amthor, 2012, John Wiley & Sons
Understanding the Context of Mental Illness Reviewed by George Giffen
However, I recommend that you start at the In this introduction to neuroscience, Frank beginning. If you have any interest in how people Amthor writes authoritatively about our nervous think, feel, act and move around, this book m ay be for system from the tips of our toes to the tops of our you. Do you wonder how you recognize other people? heads. He gives both the big picture of how the How to cure paralysis? Alzheimer’s? Would you like parts of the nervous system work together and to know how your m emory works (or doesn’t work)? the minute detail about the mechanical/chemical Also, unless you have a lot more b iological vocabulary processes in individual nerve cells that generate than I do, you may not understand the last two parts if the electrical impulses inside the cells and the you haven’t read the b eginning. chemical messengers b etween cells. He shows how each cell in the system is a computer and Part I of Amthor’s book is an overview of the whole explains what we know so far about how the cells nervous system: the brain, the spinal cord, and the compute. peripheral nervous system, how it all works together and what parts are played b y each. Part II is devoted Parts IV & V of this book, authored by Marita to how the senses work, and Part III explains how our Pinkel’s son-‐in-‐law, may be of the motor system works. most interest to N AMI members. “I have a better Part IV, “The Thinking Brain and The University of Alabama at sense f or w here Consciousness,” discusses the Birmingham website says Frank Amthor various theories of consciousness. brain diseases fit is a professor in the psychology The last chapter in Part IV is called department. He is also part of the UAB in the human “Neural Dysfunctions, Mental Medical School Department of Illness, and Drugs That Affect the organism...and of Neurobiology, the School of Optometry, Brain.” and the Department of Biomedical what it means to Engineering. Because the main focus of this book be human.” is not mental illness, many NAMI His research has to do with how the members will already know more retina and the neural cells directly behind the retina about particular illnesses than is offered in these compute the visual data taken in by our eyes, before 12 pages. The value of this book for our members sending it on to the brain. Amthor’s long-‐term goal is is that it puts the illness in the context of the creating prostheses for blind people similar to entire human organism. Throughout the book, cochlear implants for deaf people. wherever he is describing a particular nervous system structure or process, Amthor describes There were lots of new concepts and a great deal of the associated illnesses. new vocabulary for me. Fortunately, Amthor redefines each new word several times as he reuses In Part V, the summary chapters, one chapter is them. When there are multiple terms for the same called “Ten Promising Treatments for the Future.” thing, he chooses one and sticks to it so as not to One of those ten is “Stimulating the Brain through confuse the reader. I certainly didn’t understand TMS and tDCS.” That’s transcranial magnetic everything I read, but I was entertained and educated. stimulation to treat depression, and transcranial I have a better sense of where brain diseases fit in the direct current stimulation to treat schizophrenia. human organism. And the book certainly enlarged my (Dr. Hutton recently spoke at our Distinguished idea of what it m eans to be human. Speakers meeting about TMS.) NAMI SGV Journal
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June 2012
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LACO DMH Arcadia Mental Health Center 626-8215858, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. DMH Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT) for crisis management Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm, 626-258-2004. DMH 24-hour Access Line: 800-854-7771 for information and crisis management after daytime hours. LA County Sheriff/DMH Mental Evaluation Team (MET) operates 5 pm to 1 am. Call local Sheriff station (or 911 if dire emergency) to request MET response. For general information and to request the team, call 626-258-3002. L.A. Police/DMH System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU): call local LAPD station or 911 to request MEU response. For information, call 213-485-4188. DMH Court Program (Diversion): Alisa Dunn 626-4034370 or Arlene Veliz 626-245-2160 (pager). Mental Health Justice programs: Ira Lesser, MD, Chair of Psychiatry at Harbor UCLA 310-222-3101. DMH Jail Mental Health Services: Beth Briscoe, Director, Phone 213-974-9083.
NAMI SGV Journal
Twin Towers Jail Inmate Reception Center: phone 213893-5385, fax 213-229-9991.
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RESOURCES for Emerging Situations: •
NON-‐PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ARCADIA, CA PERMIT #212
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Patient Information Center: 213-473-6080 or 213-4736100 or see website www.lasd.org; click on “inmate information center” then enter name or booking number. Jail Inpatient Unit: Neil Ortega, MD 213-893-5391 Men’s Outpatient Unit: Stephen Jacobson, PhD. 213-473-6183. Women’s Outpatient Unit: Michael Maloney, PhD 323.568.4678. Friends Outside Los Angeles County, Mary Weaver, Executive Director 626-795-7607. Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line 24 hrs. 7 days: 310391-1253. Trained counselors, no fee.
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NAMI SGV JOURNAL is published ten times per year. Subscription is included in membership dues. Submission deadline is the 5th of each month. Editor: Jeri Gaudino Asst. Editor: Marty Giffen Leave phone message at NAMI SGV office, 626-577-6697
June 2012