April-June 2016 - NAMI Minnesota

to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
Number 193 April-June 2016
Dayton’s Budget Adds Mental Health Funding
IN THIS ISSUE
Mental Health Funding con’t.
First Episode Programs
Community Paramedics
Expanding NAMI’s Outreach
Mental Health Rally
Affiliate Features
Mobile Mental Health Services
Research Dinner
New U of M Psychiatry Chief
Beyond the Baby Blues Conf.
May is Mental Health Month
Movie on Bipolar Disorder
Brackets for Good
NAMI Support Groups
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Gov. Dayton’s supplemental budget
contains a number of items of interest to
NAMI Minnesota in health and human
services, education, housing and corrections. He recommended over $58 million
for fiscal year 2017 (and even more funding in the next biennium) for a number
of initiatives in state operated programs.
This amount dwarfs the funding received
last year for community-based services.
Key provisions in the Governor’s budget
include:
• Creation of a stand-alone competency
Rep. Alice Hausman, a leading mental health
supporter, shared her views with advocates.
restoration unit in St. Peter,
• Fully staffing all the Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (typically only
10-12 beds in these state-run 16-bed
hospitals are funded)
• Increasing staffing at Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC) and
resources to come into compliance with
See “Mental Health Funding” p.2
Congress Taking Action on Mental Health
CALENDAR
April
Get to Know NAMI
Apr. 7
NAMI Spring Gala
Apr. 23
May - Mental Health Month
NAMIWalks Information Mtg.
May 4
Children’s MH Awareness Day
May 5
Get to Know NAMI
May10
NAMI St. Cloud Area MH Walk
May 14
Beyond the Baby Blues Conf.
May 19
June
Get to Know NAMI
June 9
July - Minority MH Awareness Month
National NAMI Convention
July 6-9
Get to Know NAMI
July 13
Looking Ahead
NAMIWalks Minnesota
Mental Illness Awareness Week
The 2016 legislative session began on
March 8 and is set to last a mere ten
weeks. This very compressed session
along with it being the second year of the
biennium has led NAMI Minnesota to
focus its efforts on several key areas.
Sept. 24
Oct. 2-8
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions has
approved the Mental Health Reform Act
of 2016, S. 2680 (Cassidy), and the U.S.
House Energy & Commerce’s health subcommittee has approved bipartisan mental health reform legislation, H.R.2646
(Murphy). There are similarities between
the two bills.
NAMI Minnesota and other mental health
organizations have met with Sen. Al
Franken and his staff to discuss the two
bills and how they might impact Minnesota. The efforts to eliminate the “IMD”
exclusion for treatment facilities (where
Medicaid doesn’t pay for mental health
treatment in programs with more than
16 beds) won’t help Minnesota since our
state hospitals are not “acute care” where
the average length of stays are 20 days.
There is hope, however, that an amendment will address the problem for
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U.S. Senator Al Franken met with mental health
community members on March 23.
children’s residential facilities where the
federal government is backing away from
the way they have allowed Medicaid to
be used since 2001.
Other issues discussed included expanding the Certified Behavioral Health Clinics to more states, addressing workforce
shortages, implementing mental health
parity, eliminating discrimination under
Medicaid and Medicare, and increasing
funding for First Episode programs.
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Through education, support, and advocacy, we strive
Mental Health Funding...continued from p.1
for special education students with complex needs.
licensing.
• Increasing staffing at the MN Security
Hospital
Efforts to break the logjam at AMRTC
(where over 50% of the people don’t
need that level of care) include additional funding to help people transition out
into the community, including those
people who are on a waiting list for
AMRTC. Funding is also proposed for
community-based competency restoration programs and additional Forensic
Assertive Community Treatment teams.
Two important provisions for the mental health community include giving
community providers a five percent rate
increase and funding the establishment
of the Certified Community Behavioral
Health Clinics.
In Education, the Governor recommended funding to increase the number of
schools implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and
to provide funding to districts so that
they can hire experts to help reduce the
use of restrictive procedures in schools
The Housing Finance Agency wants to
pilot a project that would provide incentives for landlords to rent to tenants who
have greater difficulty finding housing
such as people who are homeless, living
in an institutional setting or who have a
criminal record. There is also a request
for increased mental health services in
the prisons.
NAMI is advocating for a number of
issues that were not included in the
Governor’s budget such as increased
funding for school-linked mental health,
early childhood and intergenerational
mental health services, mental health
training requirements for police, suicide
prevention training for teachers, child
care for parents living with serious mental illnesses, school support personnel,
addressing workforce issues, affordable
housing and the high unemployment
among adults with mental illnesses.
To stay up-to-date on on the issues, sign
up for NAMI’s weekly legislative update.
Your voice needs to be heard!
NAMI Minnesota
Board of Directors
Deborah Erickson, President
Kathleen Westerhaus, 1st V. President
Carolie Collins, 2nd V. President
Joanne Freidlund, Treasurer
Patricia Lund, Secretary
Ken Barlow
Carrie Borchardt, M.D.
Nancy Dillion, RN, Ph.D., CNS
Darrell Gillespie
Tom Koch, Ed.D.
Fred LaFleur
Rick Lancaster
Barb Lindberg, JD, RN
Heidi Nordin
Beatric Officer, HRM, DM
Jan Ormasa
Mariah Owens
Carrie Roach, MS
Emily Ross, MSW, LICSW
Pat Seppanen
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Testifiers and Rep. Jim Davnie (3rd from L) gathered
in support of school-linked mental health grants.
House Parties Help Inform
Legislators on Needs
Prior to the 2016 session NAMI Minnesota worked with members and affiliates
to organize legislative house parties to
discuss mental health matters. A number
of hosts held the parties in their homes
while others chose locations out in the
community. NAMI had house parties
in Duluth, Shakopee, Roseville, Apple
Valley, Eden Prairie and Askov. Hosting
or attending a house party is a great way
to get involved, advocate and meet with
your state lawmakers.
NAMI Minnesota always receives positive
feedback from legislators and attendees
about these events. Representative Alice
Hausman from District 66A attended a
house party this year with her colleague,
Representative John Lesch (66B). She has
talked about issues and ideas gathered at
the house party during committee hearings and a press conference; bringing the
concerns of her constituents directly to
the legislature. Evidence that your voice
does make a difference!
We greatly appreciate the work of our
hosts and attendees and a sincere thanks
goes out to our state representatives and
senators who made time to meet with
their constituents to talk about the importance of mental health funding.
Parity Stories Sought
Sen. John Marty (L) and tesifiers helped pass a bill
through the Judiciary committee for police training
on mental illnesses.
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A new report from the University of
Colorado found that the Mental Health
Parity law had very little effect on access
or utilization of mental health services
for people with depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. NAMI Minnesota
wants to hear your parity stories. Email
us at namihelps@namimn.org.
www.namihelps.org
to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
First Episode Psychosis Programs Taking First Steps
In March the MN Department of Human
Services (DHS) issued an RFP for providers to develop First Episode Psychosis
Programs across the state of Minnesota.
This is a crucial first step in the process
of making these proactive services available to young people and their families
First Episode Psychosis programs
provide adolescents and young adults
the services and supports they need to
get back to school and work as soon as
possible, and support the key role that
families play in their recovery.
To increase awareness of these new programs at the local level, NAMI Minnesota hosted a free presentation for families,
young adults and professionals called
“The Importance of First Psychotic Episode Programs” on March 3.
Presenter Nev Jones, Ph.D., a research
psychologist and postdoctoral fellow at
Stanford University, discussed different aspects of early psychosis and the
development of interventions aimed at
improving functional outcomes.
Jones grew up with a parent with
schizophrenia and was later diagnosed
with schizophrenia herself. By sharing
her own life story, she also expressed a
message of hope and encouragement to
The symposium included a panel of family members who discussed the importance of having these services in place to
achieve positive outcomes for their loved
ones.
Presenter Nev Jones, Ph.D., shared information on
First Episode Psychosis programs from her research
and her own experiences.
others.
NAMI’s event was followed by a First
Episode Psychosis Symposium hosted by
DHS on March 4, where Nev Jones was
also the keynote speaker. The symposium was designed so that professionals,
educators and family members could
learn firsthand about the importance of
early intervention through First Episode
Psychosis programs.
Jones joined other mental health providers in describing the NAVIGATE model
which is a comprehensive treatment
approach for persons with First Episode
Psychosis. NAVIGATE’s evidence-based
practices include medication management, family education, Individual
Resiliency Training (IRT), and Supported
Employment and Education (SEE).
Community Paramedics Provide Proactive Support
HealthEast Care System has been using
community paramedics at St. Joseph’s
Hospital in St. Paul to assist mental
health patients following hospitalization
since 2014. Six HealthEast paramedics
have completed more than 200 hours
of clinical training to become state-certified community paramedics, and have
worked with over 100 patients since the
program began.
Social workers arrange for the community paramedics to meet with patients and
review treatment notes and discharge
plans. The community paramedics then
help patients readjust to their home
environment, manage their medications
and get follow-up care.
Patients in the program can receive up
to 12 home visits as they recover, and
they can call for more assistance between
appointments and receive extra visits
if needed. The community paramedics
have helped reduce preventable mental
health readmissions and prevented medication errors. This proactive approach
means people continue to get help when
they need it most to maintain their
recovery.
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NAMI Minnesota is enthusiastically
supporting the statewide initiative to
bring about more first episode psychosis
programs and is offering an Understanding Early Episode Psychosis class along
with educational materials including an
informative rack card entitled “Psychosis, Recognize the Warning Signs,” and a
54-page booklet called “Understanding
Psychosis - Resources & Recovery.”
Both the materials and class will help
young people who have experienced
psychosis and families learn how to
self-advocate and get back to work or
school and achieve recovery. Loved
ones and family members will learn how
to help and support a young person
through the recovery process.
For information on resources or upcoming classes, please contact NAMI Minnesota Youth and Parent Coordinator,
Nancy Howe at 651-645-2948 x106 or
email to nhowe@namimn.org.
Vail Place Members to
Present Show on Recovery
The History Theater and Vail Place will
present Recovery Theater: A Rare and
Revealing Look at Mental Illness on May
11, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. A reception
will follow. The show is free and open to
the public.
Through a variety of scenes, monologues, poetry, song, and dance, Vail
Place members – adults with serious
mental illnesses – reveal the often devastating challenges of living with a mental
illness, as well as the healing and recovery that is possible with understanding
and support. The History Theatre is located at 30 East 10th Street, in St. Paul.
www.namihelps.org
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Through education, support, and advocacy, we strive
Expanding NAMI Minnesota’s Outreach
NAMI Minnesota has been awarded a
large two-year grant through the Minnesota Department of Human Services
to greatly expand NAMI’s efforts to raise
awareness, educate and provide support.
The grant means NAMI will be able to
provide an additional 298 classes and
presentations to nearly 6,000 people.
The new funding will allow NAMI to
continue to provide Hope for Recovery
classes each month somewhere in the
state of Minnesota and in the metropolitan area. It also means NAMI will be able
to offer its Family Connections class for
families with a loved one living with borderline personality disorder three times
a year, including once a year in Greater
Minnesota.
grams alone will reach 3,400 people.
Thanks to this grant NAMI will also be
able to bring together a group of CEOs
and/or small business owners to more
fully assess the information that their
workplaces need to better retain and
hire employees who live with a mental
illness.
Two new ways to deliver NAMI Connection support groups will also be tested.
One will be a NAMI Connection Co-Occurring Disorders Support Group that
will be developed in collaboration with
Hennepin County Medical Center. The
other will be a web conference-based
peer support group for adults with mental illnesses who are underserved due to
barriers such as transportation, physical
disabilities, age, the symptoms of their
mental illness or the lack of peer support
groups in their community.
To increase mental health literacy and
awareness, Mental Health First Aid
(MHFA) will be funded along with
NAMI’s In Our Own Voice presentations. A Mental Health 101 class for
NAMI is excited about the possibilities
culturally diverse communities is also
this grant affords us to reach and help
funded under the grant. These three pro- more people.
Positive Report Issued on Certified Peer Specialists
The Mental Health Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS) has
submitted its report on the use of certified peer specialists to the legislature.
The report was required by legislation
passed in 2015.
A survey of providers was conducted. It
found that 93% reported added value
to their service delivery. Many (75%)
wanted peers to have better experience
or training on clinical documentation.
Barriers to hiring more included problems finding individuals and making it
financially sustainable to employ them.
A majority of the providers reported
paying between $12 and $20 an hour to
peer specialists. Lessons learned include:
• Peers need additional and on-going
training on several key topics: documentation, substance use co-occurring
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IOOV Speakers Trained
disorders, and boundaries.
• Peer services need more sustainable
payment rates.
• Providers would benefit from more
technical assistance and additional training on the role of peers and recovery
principles.
• Agencies that hire a number of peers
find that there is a transformational
effect on their organization.
Ten new In Our Own Voice (IOOV) presenters were
trained March 19-20 to share their message of hope
and recovery.
Eating Disorders are Serious
Mental Illnesses
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a
person’s eating behaviors and can sometimes be fatal. Obsessions with food,
body weight, and shape may be signals
of an eating disorder. Common eating
disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Some important basic facts about eating
disorders were shared recently by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
grantee Dr. Cynthia Bulik at the winter
meeting of the NIMH Alliance for Research in Rockville, Maryland. Her key
messages included:
- Eating Disorders do not discriminate,
they affect males and females, young and
old.
- You can’t tell by someone’s size whether they have an eating disorder.
- Families do not cause eating disorders – they can be patients’ best allies in
treatment.
Key recommendations included:
- Both genetic and environmental factors
1. Provide more clarity on the role of
influence eating disorders.
certified peer specialists.
- Eating disorders are serious biologi2. Recruit additional certified peer specally-influenced mental illnesses, not
cialists and improve the capacity of peers passing fads.
to be successful in the workforce.
- Complete recovery is possible.
3. Increase use of peers to support people transitioning between levels of care.
Much more information about eating
4. Address barriers to employing peers.
disorders is available through NIMH and
5. Explore opportunities to incorporate
also through the National Eating Disorthe use of peers in more service areas.
ders Association (NEDA).
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www.namihelps.org
to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
Mental Health Rally-Goers Support 2016 Initiatives
The 2016 Mental Health Day at the
Capitol was a great success despite a
last minute location change and the
sound system not showing up. As NAMI
Minnesota’s executive director Sue
Abderholden stated, this just shows how
resilient the mental health community
really is.
Over 400 people from throughout the
state attended the event on March 31, at
the St. Paul Armory, near the Capitol, to
hear speakers, get information on pressing issues and pay visits to their legislators to share their ideas and concerns in
person.
Advocates listened intently to a dozen rally speakers.
NAMI executive director Sue Abderholden got the
rally started by outlining this year’s key goals.
included Rep. Kim Norton, Rep. Alice
Hausman, NAMI Minnesota executive
director Sue Abderholden, Mental Health
Minnesota (MHM) executive director
Shannah Mulvihill, MHM client advocate
Kim Lutes, NAMI IOOV speaker Albert
A variety of speakers including persons
Garcia, NAMI youth and parent educator
living with a mental illness, family mem- Nancy Howe, NAMI policy coordinator
bers, legislators and advocates provided Lynn Sando, DHS mental health director
information on current issues. They
Alice Nichols, MACMHP executive director Claire Wilson, State Advisory Council member Rozenia Fuller, and MCCCA
executive director Mary Regan.
Rep. Alice Hausman shared her ideas.
The crowd was excited to share their stories with their state legislators and their
support for mental health initiatives.
Most wore buttons with the picture of
a hardhat on them and the slogan “We
Know What Works, Let’s Build on It!”
Lynn Sando, NAMI’s policy coordinator, talked on
housing and employment issues.
Later they handed out yellow cards to
legislators with a hardhat on them that
included the message: “Increase access,
Increase rates, Build our workforce,
Build our mental health system.”
NAMI is grateful to the hundreds of
individuals who drove across the state
or took one of six free buses to St. Paul
to make their voices heard. Thanks to
all for their continued support, letters,
emails and testimony on the issues. Your
efforts make a huge difference!
The rally was held at the St. Paul Armory this year.
Mental Health Day at the Capitol is
sponsored the Mental Health Legislative
Network, a coalition of over 40 organizations working to improve mental health
services in Minnesota. NAMI Minnesota
and Mental Health Minnesota are cochairs of the Network.
Some advocates created their own signs.
Rep. Kim Norton made a point.
Rally-goers appreciated calls for change.
State advisory council member Rozenia Fuller urged
people to call or email their legislators.
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www.namihelps.org
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Through education, support, and advocacy, we strive
Affiliate Features: NAMI St. Cloud & NAMI Duluth Area
NAMI St. Cloud Celebrates 30th Year
NAMI St. Cloud’s mission is to offer
hope and help for people with mental
illnesses and their families by providing support, education and advocacy.
NAMI St. Cloud sponsors twice monthly
family support groups and parent voices
groups, Community Conversations on
Mental Health, an Annual Mental Health
Walk, and an Annual Mental Health
Conference now in it’s 30th year!
The annual conference, titled “Our
Mental Health Journey,” is set for Oct. 7,
and the focus will be on what has been
learned about treating serious mental
illnesses in the last 30 years and how
the mental health system has changed.
NAMI Minnesota’s executive director
Sue Abderholden and KSTP meteorologist Ken Barlow will be the featured
speakers.
NAMI St. Cloud will hold a Community
Conversation on Mental Health on May
2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive.
Teams are forming now for the group’s
annual Mental Health Walk set for
Saturday, May 14, 11:00 a.m., at Lake
George. The Walk is filled with fun
events like team photos, silent basket
auction, a silly hat walk and of course
music and food.
NAMI St. Cloud Area consists of Stearns,
Benton, Sherburne and Wright Counties.
SurvivorVoices Training
On Feb. 27-28, NAMI held its first SurvivorVoices
training that teaches those bereaved by suicide how
to speak safely and effectively about their loss.
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New members are welcome and invited
to go to namistcloud.com for more information about events, monthly meetings,
support groups and membership, or call
320-654-1259.
NAMI Duluth Area
NAMI Duluth Area Affiliate is a regional grassroots organization dedicated
to improving the lives of children and
adults living with mental illnesses and
their families by providing education,
support, and advocacy.
NAMI Duluth Area sponsors a monthly
family support group meeting, weekly
NAMI Connection support groups for
adults living with a mental illness, educational presentations, and a 12-week
Family-to-Family class each year. This
spring the affiliate will sponsor a Hope
for Recovery class in Iron, Minnesota.
NAMI Duluth Area is seeking energetic
community members to join as leaders of
their affiliate to strengthen their organization and its mission. Qualified candidates will have a passion for grassroots
advocacy, willingness to learn and a concern for those affected by mental illnesses. If you interested in becoming a leader
of this affiliate, please contact the group’s
volunteer representative at namiduluth@
gmail.com.
Metro Affiliates Joining Forces
NAMI affiliates in Ramsey, Hennepin
and Washington counties are planning
to hold some joint events together in
the coming year to help strengthen their
efforts in the metro area. The groups
are also planning to publish a new joint
newsletter to share their news on support, education and advocacy efforts.
Mobile Mental Health Crisis Services Reach Entire State
The MN Dept. of Human Services (DHS)
says that thanks to a $3 million funding
increase passed in 2015, mobile mental
health crisis services now cover the entire state. Seven counties are now being
served by these programs for the first
time, and other counties have been able
to expand their existing coverage. The
newly covered counties are Kandiyohi,
Meeker, Renville, Chippewa, Swift, Lac
Qui Parle and McLeod. Total statewide
funding for the mobile mental health
crisis services is now at $13.6 million.
Mobile crisis services are mental health
teams that offer psychiatric services to
individuals at home and at other locations outside of traditional clinical
settings. The teams provide a rapid
response and will work to assess the individual, resolve a crisis, and link people
to needed services. Hours of coverage
vary with most teams providing services
after hours and weekends. DHS plans to
have all teams available 24/7 by 2018.
In a March 28 news release DHS Com-
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“When people are in crisis they need
the right help, right away.”
missioner Emily Johnson Piper remarked, “When people are in crisis, they
need the right help, right away. Mobile
mental health crisis services provide that
help to people wherever they are. Sometimes people need to go to the hospital,
and sometimes other mental health services would be more appropriate. With
these grants, mental health teams can
offer that flexibility statewide.”
According to DHS, “Research has shown
that not only are mobile crisis services
effective at keeping people in crisis from
needing psychiatric hospitalization,
they are also better than hospitalization
at linking people in crisis to outpatient
services and are effective in finding hardto-reach individuals. As a result, four
out of five people who receive mobile
mental health services do not go to the
hospital.”
www.namihelps.org
to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
NAMI Research Dinner Provides Forum on Major Reforms at U of M
NAMI Minnesota and the University of
Minnesota Dept. of Psychiatry held their
14th annual Research Dinner on Feb.
24, at the Ramada Plaza, in Minneapolis.
Over 100 people attended and heard
from three of the U’s top psychiatric
researchers, along with keynoter Dr.
Steven Miles who spoke about ethics in
research programs and fielded questions
from the audience.
Dr. Steven Miles spoke on research ethics and the
reforms at the U of M.
“Over the past 15 years, the University
has experienced too many research scandals. They are not confined to psychiatry,” Miles said. He then went on to describe 11 major changes/reforms that the
University is making or has already made
to correct the situation going forward.
Despite these solutions, Miles said, “The
system as presently designed empowers
corporations to pressure researchers to
take shortcuts, overstate the benefits of
products under development and to conceal the harms of those products.
“In my view, a better system would
require a company seeking FDA approval for a product to deposit funds
sufficient to test the product with the
NIH (National Institute of Health) which
would then grant funds to researchers to
conduct fair research free of corporate
pressures.” Miles added, “Perhaps NAMI
could advance such a reform.”
Miles said, “Consent to research is a gift
of a person with mental illness to advance knowledge to improve the lives of
persons and families and society struggling with mental illness. That gift and
Attendees talked with the research doctors.
those who give it must not be abused.”
He then opened up the floor for a lively
audience discussion with NAMI members who shared their views about the
reforms and offered further suggestions
for change.
“I want to answer any questions that you
have and from that conversation take
your proposals for reform back to the
University,” said Miles. “I promise that
every idea that comes forward from this
meeting tonight will be forwarded to the
office of the vice president for research
and that I will side with NAMI to implement fundamental reforms.”
The dinner also featured engaging presentations on promising research studies
Leading research psychiatrists Suzanne Jasberg,
Brent G. Nelson, Kathryn Cullen, and Kelvin O. Lim.
Audience members commented on the reforms and
asked questions.
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being conducted by three leading U of M
psychiatrists. Kathryn R. Cullen, M.D.,
presented on Current Research on New
Treatments for Adolescent Depression;
Brent G. Nelson, M.D., presented on
Neuromodulation Research for Schizophrenia; and Suzanne Jasberg, M.D.,
presented on the new Clinical Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation program that
the U of M has opened for people with
treatment resistant depression.
U of M Hires New Chief
of Psychiatry
The University of Minnesota has hired
internationally renowned schizophrenia
researcher Dr. Sophia Vinogradov to lead
its department of psychiatry as it moves
forward following a very rocky period
in its history. She replaces Dr. Charles
Schulz who headed the department for
16 years and left last year.
Vinogradov, who is currently vice-chair
of psychiatry at the University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine,
will oversee the implementation of major
reforms as she seeks to help raise the
standards for research policies at the U
of M back to high levels. Many of the
planned reforms have already been set in
motion, but still need to be carried out.
Vinogradov said she plans “to build on
the work of the implementation team
by creating a consumer advisory group
consisting of people with lived experiences of mental illness and other key
stakeholders from the community, such
as family members, advocates, and community providers.”
She added, “I will count on the advisory
group to provide me important viewpoints on ethical, compassionate, and
consumer-relevant approaches to all of
the department’s activities.” Vinogradov
will begin her new position at the U of
M in August.
www.namihelps.org
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Through education, support, and advocacy, we strive
Beyond the Baby Blues Conference - May 19 Going Green for May is
Mental Health Month
NAMI Minnesota will present a full-day
conference called Beyond the Baby Blues
on May 19, from 8:30-3:00, at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center, 1890 Bufford Avenue, in
St. Paul. The conference is designed to
educate professionals and families about
mood disorders and anxiety before,
during, and after pregnancy.
This year’s conference includes a keynote
presentation, three breakout sessions
with a choice from three workshops each
session, and a networking lunch. Experts
in the field of psychology, social work,
and maternal and child health, along
with women and family members whose
lives have been affected by postpartum
depression will offer presentations.
The keynote presenter will be Kim
Zittel-Barr, Ph.D., MSW. Her topic will
be “Perinatal Mental Health Complications: The Access to Care Conundrum.”
Dr. Zittel has been researching perinatal
mood and anxiety disorders for over ten
years. She has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on her work.
The conference educational objectives
are to:
- Develop an increased understanding of
the causes of postpartum depression and
other mood disorders and consequences
of not treating them.
- Understand the symptoms and treatment for depression and anxiety before,
during, and after pregnancy.
- Recognize the risks for mood disorders
and learn appropriate screening tools.
- Learn the importance of early attachment.
- Empathize with families and educate
them on the illness.
- Understand the impact of culture on
identification and treatment.
Beyond the Baby Blues has been approved for 4.5 CEUs by the Boards of
Social Work, Psychology, and Behavioral
Health & Therapy, and certificates of
attendance are available for professionals
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May is Mental Health Month and National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is Thursday, May 5, 2016.
NAMI Minnesota’s children’s program
team will help coordinate programs in
more than ten metro area schools this
year through its Walk in My Shoes and
Ending the Silence programs.
or students who need them. The cost is
$50 for students or $125 for individuals.
Registration is available online at https://
BabyBlues2016.eventbrite.com. For more
information, please call 651-645-2948.
Beyond the Baby Blues is sponsored by
NAMI Minnesota, Postpartum Counseling Center, University of MN School of
Social Work, Pregnancy and Postpartum
Support MN, UCare, Blooma Yoga Wellness & Education, Wild Tree Psychotherapy, Mama Gracie’s Pregnancy Shop &
Spa, and Amma Parenting Center, Inc.
NAMIWalks Information
Meeting
Planning for NAMIWalks Minnesota is
already underway! Whether you are new
to NAMIWalks, or a walk veteran, your
first steps begin here. Learn how to plan
your Walk team, how to volunteer with
NAMIWalks, and how NAMI Minnesota
is making a difference.
The NAMIWalks Information Meeting
will be held May 4, from 5:30-7:00 p.m.,
at Honey, 205 E. Hennepin Ave., in
Minneapolis. Please RSVP to Raquel at
events@namimn.org or sign up at http://
wimmn2016.eventbrite.com.
This year’s national theme, “Finding
Help, Finding Hope,” explores strategies
for improving access to behavioral health
services & supports for children, youth,
and young adults with mental and substance use disorders and their families.
The City of Minneapolis has declared
May 5, 2016 as Children’s Mental Health
Awareness Day and will light the 35W
bridge in Green on that date. The Lowry
Bridge in Minneapolis will also be lit in
Green in recognition of this day.
Green is the designated color for mental
illness awareness, and national efforts
include using green ribbons, wearing
green, and also lighting buildings and
structures in green on this date especially, as well as during Children’s Mental
Health Week, May 1-7 and throughout
May is Mental Health Month.
NAMI has scheduled many presentations
and classes for May is Mental Health
Month. Watch NAMI’s website for more
details and ways to help raise awareness
during May. Also join in by wearing
a green ribbon, or something Green
during May to show your support!
Walk Committee Members Sought
We are looking for dedicated, passionate
and driven volunteers to join our NAMIWalks Committee! Help plan our 10th
annual NAMIWalks Minnesota and support our important work. We can’t do it
without YOU! Contact Raquel at events@
namimn.org for more information.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
www.namihelps.org
to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
Movie Portrays Challenges of Bipolar Disorder
A screening and discussion of the recent
movie Touched with Fire was held Feb.
15, at the AMC Southdale 16 in Edina.
NAMI Minnesota helped with promotion
of the free event and with holding an engaging post-film panel discussion. NAMI
also had an information booth at the
event for those interested in finding out
more about mental illnesses and supportive resources.
Touched with Fire movie panel discussion members
Jeff Asfahl, Paul Dalio, Sue Abderholden, Marie
Olseth and Melissa Heinen view a clip from the film.
MNsure and Health
Insurance Basics
In late 2015 NAMI Minnesota was
awarded with another MNsure grant to
help people with mental illnesses and
their family members obtain health insurance. In addition, NAMI Minnesota is
working to educate individuals on how
insurance works and how to utilize the
benefits offered.
NAMI has created two new fact sheets
on health insurance basics that can be
Panel members included NAMI’s In Our found on the MNsure page of our webOwn Voice speaker Jeff Asfahl, filmmaker site at namihelps.org, or can be mailed
upon request. Presentations are also
Paul Dalio, NAMI’s executive director
being offered.
Sue Abderholden, psychiatrist Marie
Olseth, and Melissa Heinen who works
in suicide prevention for the MN Dept. of NAMI Minnesota is also working to educate people on the differences between
Health.
primary and emergency care, and what
typically happens when you go to each
type of provider. The hope is that people
Exercise Can Improve Mental Health
will be more informed of their healthcare
Living with a mental illness can make it
and focus on adding activity into your
options and feel ownership of the healthhard to find the motivation and energy
daily life by replacing time you usually
care choices they make.
to be active, but movement is one of the spend sitting. If it’s difficult to find a
most effective, cheapest, and safest ways 30-minute window to move, you can
To sign up for health insurance coverage
to boost mental wellbeing.
break your activity into three 10-minute through MNsure, if you would like a
sessions for the same benefits.
presentation on health insurance basics,
Several studies have shown that reguor if you would like to request copies of
lar exercise can prevent symptoms of
Some examples are a walk around the
the health insurance basics fact sheets,
depression and that moderate exercise
block after dinner, walking to the corner please contact NAMI Minnesota’s MNcan be just as effective as medication for store instead of driving, or a bike ride
sure project coordinator, Dara Larson, at
treating mild to moderate depression. Al- to visit a friend. Anything that gets you
dlarson@namimn.org, or call 651-645though the process isn’t completely clear, moving and breathing faster counts, but
2948 x117.
scientists know that movement increases people are more likely to stick to activifeel-good brain chemicals, encourages
ties that they enjoy and are convenient,
East Metro NAMI Affiliates
growth of new brain cells, and decreases such as biking or walking.
inflammation in the brain.
to Get Coordinator
Over several weeks try to increase the
The Katherine B. Andersen Fund of the
In addition to helping relieve symptoms length of time or intensity of exercise
Saint Paul Foundation is providing fundof mental illness, regular exercise can
until you are able to be active for 30
ing to hire a part-time affiliate coordinaboost your energy level throughout the
minutes at moderate intensity (you are
tor for Ramsey & Washington Counties.
day, help you sleep better, lower your
breathing faster and harder but can
stress, and improve your memory. And
still talk). It can take several months of
you can get all these benefits in just 30
practice before physical activity feels like NAMI’s local affiliates work to meet
the needs of their community through
minutes of moderate activity 5 days a
a habit, but consistency is crucial to get
week, but less than half of Americans
the full benefits from exercise, especially education, support and advocacy. The
coordinator will assist the efforts of these
meet this level of activity.
for the mental health benefits. You can
East metro NAMI affiliate groups to
find more information on exercising for
If you would like to increase your move- health and tips on getting started at pre- expand NAMI’s reach and strengthen its
impact.
ment to boost mental health, start small
scription4exercise.com.
Touched with Fire was named after a
popular book of the same title by Kay
Jamison, who has a cameo role in the
film. It centers on the lives of two poets
with bipolar disorder, portrayed by Katie
Holms and Luke Kirby, whose art is
fueled by their emotional extremes. The
film was inspired by writer/director/editor Paul Dalio’s experiences living with
bipolar disorder.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
www.namihelps.org
9
Through education, support, and advocacy, we strive
Memorials & Tributes
(Jan. 8, 2016 to Mar. 22, 2016)
STEVEN JACOBY
From
Michelle Schwartz
In Memory of
FISCHER ANDERSON
From
Bridget Allan Ales
Beth Althof
Barton & Yvonne Anderson
Bradley & Debra Anderson
Julie Anderson
Kevin Anderson & Erin Dooley
Sarah Andrew
Theresa Battle
Samantha Berger
Curt & Susan Bergmann
Beth Black
Mickey & Susan Bluedorn
Linda Borgen
Kirstin Bork
Central Girls Soccer Booster Club
Tim Chase
Deb Chenoweth
Caroline Coleman
Kevin & Ann Commers
Patrick & Jenifer Coyne
Bruce Eldevik
John William Elwell & Maureen
Elwell Peltier
Farber Family
Dave Gelhaye
Jill Guetschow
Lisa Habeck
Ruth Hamlin
Lisa Hannum
Kirstin Hargie
Jeffrey Hasse & Mary Rogness
Carol Herbert McKissick
Sierra Hinze
Sarah Hobbie
James & Pamela Holm
Frances Homans & Allan
Torstenson
Sheila Hougen
Pamela Jandl
Tamra Kehoe
Carolyn Kidd
Kristin Maier
Judith Malmon
Amanda Mott
Ann Mulholland
Susan & Manny Munson-Regala
T. Nadir-Reynolds
Susan & R. Navratil
Julie & Thomas Novak
Nicole Oertel
Tony Olufson
Allen & Lyla Omernik
Nathaniel & Linda Page
Lauren Parker
Kristin & Daniel Pederson
Cindy Radtke
Belinda & Charles Rogers
Diane Schmiesing
Gregory & Juli Smith
Lawrence & Helen Stanger
Lucy Stanger
Mark Stanger
David & Rhonda Stone
Judy Stuthman
Stanley & Jill Tead
Maria Tice & Donald Tienter
Brenda Trebesch
Hans & Kristin Ulland
Sara Veblen-Mortenson
Dennis & Diane Wagner
Rochelle Weber
Holly Weinkauf
Erin Whitcraft
Peri Yarosh
10
NANCY ROSE LaPLANT
From
Margaret & Richard Bonk
Ted & Alice Krebsbach
Ardelle & Martin McAlpine
Milica Mitterhauser
Tom & Cathy Plantenberg
MARINA ANDERSON
From
Paul & Jan Anderson
DAVID BRANSFORD
From
Carol & Curt Eslinger
Peter Friedlieb
Northland Counseling Center
LEE LOVERING
From
Ralph & Peggy Lovering
HEATH BOEGE
From
Carol Malone
DAVID McGOVERN
From
Gary Lundborg & Char
Nycklemoe
BECCA VARGO DAGGETT
From
Jennifer McNertney
ANA TAYLOR PLANTE
From
Joanne Freidlund
CARL JOSEPH DANIELSON
From
Polly Flynn & Ed Hanton
TIM POFERL
From
Melissa Hunter
JACK DAVITT
From
Lydia & Daniel Dahl
MICHAEL PRICE
From
Dwight & Elaine Anderson
Stephen Anderson
Lynn Bohm
Timothy & Ann Schinke
Michael & Rosemary Umland
CINDY DUPUY
From
Patricia Stewart
ANTHONY ECHOLA
From
Louise Echola
DEVIN RICE
From
Margaret Thorpe Richards
BEN ERICKSON
From
Ronald Okenfuss & Jenneke
Oosterhoff
Jeremy Sartain
FRED ROHLFING
From
Saint Paul Federation of Teachers
JACLYN ANN EVERT
From
Michael & Karen Boland
KURT ROUSSEAU
From
From his loving family
LEO FOLEY
From
Sue Abderholden & Lee Keller
Janice Allen
Stephen & Carol Askew
Sandra Coltman
Kathryn Foley
Judy & Gary Kreyer
Richard & Carol Linden
Gene Merriam
Joseph Palen
Gary Peper
Mary Lou Ratz
Erik & Brooke Reseland
John & Judith Sperbeck
Peter & Suzanne Thompson
Beverly Toppin
Zilla Way
James & Victoria Wilt
AMY JO HALLIN
From
Hallin Family Fund
JOHANNA HARSTAD
From
Carol Nelson
MEREDITH HOLTE
From
Gary Lundborg & Char
Nycklemoe
LINDA ELLEN SINGER
From
Brian Alton
Barbara Bach
TRACI SINGHER
From
Melissa Hensley & Virginia
Kranitz
ALBERT STORY
From
Carol & Lynn Belanger
Joan Christensen
Claudette & Terry Erholtz
Cindy Griffith-Story
Jacqueline Hjelden
Kellie McGinnis
Ranae Whitbeck
MILT SWANSON
From
Bob & Donna Swanson
VAN THOMPSON
From
Anonymous
TYLER THORESEN
From
Anonymous
Cathy Nelson & Janine Hradsky
NANCY WALLEN
From
Sandra & James Boler
James & Linda Busker
Susan Harney & William
Lounsberry
Thomas & Susan Rooney
Jane & Bruce Williams
KATHRYN WINCKLER
From
Louis & Jacqueline Gordon
Steven & Kimberly Heikkila
In Honor of
Alexander Berger
From
Brian & Gail Berger
Abby Feathers
From
Anne Swenson
Lisa Lundquist
From
Shayne Ernzer
Ann & Dee Moore
From
Phyllis Bellin
Hilary Greene & Alan Waugh
Elizabeth Richards
Bryan Piatt
From
Stephen Arnold
Workplace Giving
NAMI Minnesota is a member of Community Health Charities Minnesota
(CHCM). If you have a workplace giving
program, please consider designating
NAMI Minnesota as the organization
of your choice. Note that if you only
write NAMI, the donation will go to the
national NAMI since they also belong to
CHC. Remember you can also designate
NAMI Minnesota if you use United Way
or other workplace giving programs.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
Art Gallery Event to
Benefit NAMI
Mhiripiri Gallery is hosting an event for
NAMI Minnesota on May 5, from 4:008:00. The Gallery is located at 90th St. &
Penn Ave. in Bloomington and specializes in stone, bronze & wood sculptures,
paintings, African masks, and batiks.
Owner Rex Mhiripiri (a friend of Tom
Mork of Tom’s Big Ride fame) has donated two pieces of art, one painting and
one stone carving, valued at over $5,000
that will be auctioned off that evening
with all proceeds going to NAMI. Rex
is also donating 30% of anything purchased that day to NAMI.
NAMI will provide light appetizers and
refreshments. Anyone that is interested
in attending can contact Andree Aronson
at aaronson@namimn.org or 651-6452948 x104 and she will make sure you
get more information and an invitation.
Building Our Grassroots
The Otto Bremer Foundation recently
awarded NAMI Minnesota a two-year
grant to further engage our grassroots
affiliate members for their input on the
development and implementation of
Minnesota’s mental health system and to
ensure that their voice is heard by local
and state elected officials.
NAMI Minnesota’s work with its affiliates will be focused on how to educate
people and their communities about
the recent legislative investments made
in the state’s mental health system and
how to make sure that the new laws and
funding are implemented correctly.
Under the grant NAMI will create collaborations with local providers and counties in order to seek input and advice on
how to build the mental health system,
and to develop new tools in order to
reach new people to provide input into
the development of the mental health
system.
www.namihelps.org
to eliminate the pervasive stigma of mental illnesses.
Brackets for Good Shares NAMI’s Message
GRANTS KEEP NAMI GROWING
In March, NAMI Minnesota was one of
64 nonprofit organizations participating
in a fundraising and awareness-raising
event called Brackets for Good. The
organizations were paired against each
other to see who could raise the most
donations each week while at the same
time promoting one of their programs
along with their mission. NAMI’s featured programs were Ending the Silence
and Suicide Prevention.
IRIS CIRCLE ($10,000+)
• Otto Bremer Foundation – Grassroots
community engagement
• WCA Foundation – Parent support
and resources
• Hugh J. Andersen Foundation – East
Metro support
• Katherine B. Andersen Fund of the
Saint Paul Foundation – Coordinator for
East Metro NAMI affiliates
NAMI shared program information and gained social
engagement by participating in Brackets for Good.
vention work. Our participation raised
awareness and brought attention to
NAMI Minnesota in a new way, reaching
new audiences.
NAMI made it to the second round and
had an awesome showing of support!
Together we had many ‘shares’, thousands of tweets and re-tweets and NAMI
was featured in the Brackets for Good
video for week two, viewed by thousands, highlighting our Suicide Pre-
Thanks again for supporting and “sharing” NAMI Minnesota. We appreciate
you!
Skier Raises Funds & Mental Illness Awareness
It was the second year in a row that Greg
has helped NAMI and raised awareness
through the ski marathon. He thanked
donors on his giving page and wrote,
“By contributing to this campaign, by
sharing your story, we can help others
understand it’s okay to talk about mental
illness and its most devastating impacts.”
NAMI Minnesota thanks to Greg Reinhiller who skied The American Birkebeiner again this year in memory of his
brother who died by suicide. The 51K
ski marathon was held near Hayward,
Wisconsin on February 20. Greg’s effort
which he calls Birkie For My Bro raised
more than $3,000 for NAMI’s programs.
Pub Trivia - A Fun Way to
Support NAMI’s Work
NAMI Minnesota’s 6th Annual Pub
Trivia was held Jan 25 at Hell’s Kitchen
in Minneapolis. Over 90 people in teams
of up to six players joined in the event,
testing their wits with a variety of questions and quizzes by trivia master Adam
Coolong.
Hedgie’s Surprise took home first place in NAMI’s
Pub Triva 6.
Pub Trivia 6 offered fun and camaraderie
on a cold winter night and helped raise
$2,000 for NAMI’s programs of education, support and advocacy.
Congratulations to all the teams! The top
three team were: Hedgie’s Surprise took
home first place - $100 in gift cards and
some awesome Minnesota Twins Base-
ball swag. Sui Generis walked away with
second place, $50 in gift cards and more
great Minnesota Twins Baseball gear.
And, The Nimbles ended up in third
place, receiving $25 in gift cards and
some Minnesota Twins Baseball jerseys.
Once again, thank you so much for supporting NAMI’s important work.
1-888-NAMI-HELPS
VISIONARY ($5,000-$9,999)
• Foundation for Development of People
– For East Metro
• Susan K. Pederson Foundation
– General operating
BENEFACTOR ($1,000-$4,999)
• Brown Family Foundation – General
operating
• Deane C. Manolis & Nancy G. Manolis Charitable Giving Fund – General
operating
• Pickenpack Charitable Giving Account
– General operating
Grant for Children’s Programs
The WCA Foundation awarded a
$20,000 grant to NAMI Minnesota to
expand and update its programming
geared towards parents of children who
have a mental illness. This includes
conducting the Children’s Challenging
Behaviors class, Special Education and
Managing a Crisis workshops, along
with increasing the number of support
groups, particularly in western Hennepin County.
The grant has also enabled NAMI to
update and reprint two key booklets for
families, Keeping Families Together and
Managing a Crisis.
If you are interested in leading a support
group for parents of children and youth
with a mental illness in Hennepin County (a stipend is provided), please contact
Cynthia Fashaw at 651-645-2948 x108
or cfashaw@namimn.org.
www.namihelps.org
11
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities MN
Permit No. 30142
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
Andover
Becca: 612-790-0938
Austin
Shari: 507-433-2301
Brooklyn Center
Bob: 763-229-7202
Chaska
Jan: 612-554-0825
Duluth
NAMI Duluth: 218-409-6566
Eagan
Connie: 952-432-9278
Eden Prairie
Carol: 952-426-0343
Forensic Network
Joe: 651-484-8218
Grand Rapids
Mary 218-230-9553
Mankato
Diane: 507-931-6996
Minneapolis
Dorothea: 612-759-1977
Moorhead
Denise: 218-443-0161
Northfield
Call: 507-663-7950
Oakdale
Dan: 651-341-8918
Owatonna
Judy: 507-451-0043
12
Plymouth
Elizabeth: 612-432-0471
Rochester
Call: 507-287-1692
Roseville
Anna Mae: 651-484-0599
St. Cloud
Mike: 320-492-2024
St. Paul
Jennifer: 507-254-5524
Stillwater
Marie or Bob: 651-770-1436
Virginia
Dan: 218-290-5461
Willmar
Family support: 320-444-4860
Winona
Helen: 507-494-0905
PARTNERS & SPOUSES
Minneapolis
NAMI: 651-645-2948
St. Paul
Melissa: 651-354-0825
DAUGHTERS & SONS
Minneapolis
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Elk River
Sue: 763-633-0894
Hastings
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Minneapolis South
Susan: 612-424-1823
Prior Lake
NAMI: 651-645-2948
St. Cloud
NAMI: 651-645-2948
St. Louis Park
NAMI: 651-645-2948
St. Paul
NAMI: 651-645-2948 x130
Savage
NAMI: 651-645-2948
U of M Medical Center
NAMI: 651-645-2948
West St. Paul
NAMI: 651-645-2948
White Bear Lake
Jody: 651-645-2948 x109
Woodbury
Catherine: 612-384-9040
NAMI CONNECTION
SUPPORT GROUPS
Albert Lea
Sara: 507-377-5483
Bemidji
PARENT RESOURCE GROUPS Heather: 763-439-1315
Bloomington
Apple Valley
Maureen: 612-752-8374
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Burnsville
Dana: 612-888-4979
Cambridge
Danie at 763-219-6236
Chisago City
Bob: 651-257-6961
Coon Rapids
Tim: 612-669-5111
Crystal
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Duluth
Jodi: 218-576-4608
Hopkins
Leave message for Calynn:
952-938-9622 x0
Mankato
Brian: 507-317-3595
Minneapolis Mt. Olivet
Kim: 651-280-8527
Minneapolis North
Don: 651-334-1778
Minneapolis Uptown
Jack: 612-310-3628
Minneapolis (LGBT)
David: 612-920-3925
Moorhead
Marian: 218-443-5286
Morris
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Rochester (2 groups)
Contact: 507-287-1692
Roseville
Will: 651-578-3364
Wadena
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Willmar
PJ: 320-262-3224
Winona
Judy: 507-459-3475
YOUNG ADULT
NAMI CONNECTION
Apple Valley (ages 16-20)
NAMI: 651-645-2948
Minneapolis (ages 18-30)
Adam 651-329-4375
Red Wing (ages 16-20)
Mandy: 651-468-5677
St. Paul (ages 16-20)
NAMI: 651-645-2948
OPEN DOOR ANXIETY
SUPPORT GROUPS
East St. Paul
Rachel: 952-818-7343
Edina
Judy: 612-600-2134
St. Paul, Highland Park
Les: 612-229-1863
Minneapolis
Scott: 612-998-6160
Rochester
NAMI: 651-645-2948