What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious and challenging medical illness, an illness that affects well over two million American adults, which is about one percent of the population age 18 and older. Although it is often feared and misunderstood, schizophrenia is a treatable medical condition.

Schizophrenia often interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others.

The first signs of schizophrenia typically emerge in the teenage years or early twenties, often later for females. Most people with schizophrenia contend with the illness chronically or episodically throughout their lives, and are often stigmatized by lack of public understanding about the disease.

Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. A person with schizophrenia does not have a "split personality."

The World Health Organization has identified schizophrenia as one of the ten most debilitating diseases affecting human beings. Click here to read more about schizophrenia, including the symptoms, causes and treatments.

Picture This: Mental Health In Pittsburgh

On Friday, NAMI participated in a unique event called Picture This: Mental Health in Pittsburgh. The Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) coordinated this event along with WPXI-TV and Congressman Tim Murphy. The goal was to bring together people in the mental health community and the news media to raise awareness of mental illness.

With over 50 attendees, including directors of local organizations, medical experts, consumers of mental health services, communications professionals and the media, it was quite an interesting event!

They split the group into tables of 10. After lunch and remarks, each group deliberated the top issues we face today in regard to mental illness. Then each table reported its findings to the room.

Key media personalities, including news anchor David Johnson from WPXI (pictured below), Mark Roth from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Erika Beras from WDUQ-FM, explained how we can help them more accurately and positively cover mental illness in the news.

Our Development and Marketing Manager Darcey Garda sat at a table that included (pictured below) Lois Lutz from the Alzheimer's Association and Dr. Ann Mitchell from Pitt.

NAMI's volunteer advocate Dick Jevon is seen here with James Kindler of Allegheny HealthChoices.

And our Associate Director Debbie Ference is pictured below with Sara Salmon-Cox of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

The event took place in the new eco-friendly WPXI building on Evergreen Road in the North Hills.

Sewickley Family Connections Uses NAMI Walk $$$

NAMI Southwestern PA is located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh and serves a 10-county region in western Pennsylvania. Within those 10 counties, we have affiliates and support groups, which are volunteer-driven entities that provide support, information and education on a local level.

Many of our affiliates and groups participate in the annual NAMI Walk. A significant portion of the funds they raise goes directly back to them -- back into their own communities.

Last fall, the Sewickley Family Connections Group participated in the walk and found a great way to use the funds they received.

They purchased computers and donated them to local personal care boarding homes. Kathy Monohan, our support group contact and walk team captain, is coordinating college student interns to train residents on the computers. The computers have games and other rehabilitative activities and give residents a chance to work on writing skills.

Here are some photos of residents who are already enjoying the new computers!

With the remainder of its funds from the 2008 walk, the Sewickley Family Connections Group is beautifying a local drop-in center with flats of flowers, paint and possibly chairs and tables.

Thanks to Kathy and the gang at Sewickley Family Connections and Staunton Clinic for using their NAMI Walk funds in a positive way!

Mad Mex Fundraiser

Join the gang at NAMI for a fun and delicious benefit dinner at the popular Mexican restaurant Mad Mex in Robinson on Tuesday, April 21. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today!

The fiesta begins at 6 p.m. Your $25 donation to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania covers the cost of appetizers, entree, soft drinks, dessert and gratuity. Cash bar is available. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefits NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania!

This fundraiser is being coordinated by NAMI's Consumer Action & Response Team (CART). For reservations, call Alan at (412) 281-7333 or email acorn@cartallegheny.org.

Hope to see you there, amigos!

"What's On Your Mind" Debuts Tonight

The much-anticipated talk show “What’s on Your Mind” debuts tonight on PCNC (Pittsburgh Cable News Channel) at 7:30 p.m.

This innovative talk show promises to enlighten the mind, body and soul. Tonight we'll learn how to cope with daily stresses, particularly those related to layoffs, foreclosures and pinching pennies during tough economic times.

This new health & wellness show is hosted by noted psychiatrist and NAMI board member Dr. Safdar Chaudhary, founder and medical director of S’eclairer, and co-hosted by local television personality Susan Brozek Scott.

“What’s on Your Mind?” is designed to provide solid advice from a diverse group of professionals who will present state of the art medical information as well as holistic and natural alternatives designed to help improve the mind, body and soul.

An encore of tonight's program can be seen on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Featured Speaker at NAMI Conference

Our roster of speakers at this year's education conference Take Back Your Life on Saturday, April 18 is fantastic! We're pleased to announce Dr. John Seasock as a speaker and workshop presenter.

Dr. Seasock is a specialist/consultant with Renaissance Psychological and Counseling Corporation Inc. For the past 20 years, he has specialized in work and research with people affected by chronic mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, sexual victimization and trauma. He is a nationally recognized speaker who regularly presents at international, national and regional conferences.

In his morning plenary session -- Returning Home, Returning Memories: PTSD and Veterans -- Dr. Seasock will provide detailed information on the current difficulties our veterans are facing while transitioning home from regions of conflict. Unfortunately, many of our veterans during their tour of duty have experienced situations and events that have placed them at risk for emotional and psychological difficulty, as in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The symptoms of PTSD and how it develops in veterans will be presented, as well as recommendations to properly assist or intervene with veterans suffering from PTSD, which has been creating unique difficulties for families, communities and social agencies.

Dr. Seasock's afternoon workshop is entitled Caught by the Past: Understanding Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

As our society continually attempts to deal with the aftermath of global war, natural disasters, increased rates of domestic, personal and sexual violence, as well as everyday traumatizing experiences such as motor vehicle accidents, sudden death and chronic illness, it has become a necessity for all “helping” professionals and persons, as well as the general public, to become familiar with the specific effects of trauma.

This seminar will provide detailed information on how children, adolescents and adults react emotionally, cognitively and behaviorally to a traumatic event. Participants will learn to accurately identify Traumatic Reaction, Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD in all age levels, as well as receive information on the most appropriate treatment interventions for each difficulty.

For more information on the conference or to register, visit our website.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. These changes may be subtle or dramatic and typically vary greatly over the course of a person’s life as well as among individuals.

Over 10 million people in America have bipolar disorder, and the illness affects men and women equally. Bipolar disorder is a chronic and generally life-long condition with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months that often begin in adolescence or early adulthood, and occasionally even in children.

Most people generally require some sort of lifelong treatment. While medication is one key element in successful treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, support and education about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process.

To read more on causes, symptoms, treatments and medicine, click here. To learn about programs, services and resources that can help, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is filled with hope, optimism and celebration. That sounds a lot like our attitude at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania. As we work our way through 2009, we look forward to a year filled with...

Education
--Take Back Your Life
--Family to Family
--In Our Own Voice

Support
--NAMI Connections
--Support Groups
--Help Line (1-888-264-7972)

Advocacy & Awareness
--Call-to-Action Alerts
--NAMI Walks for the Mind of America
--Upcoming TV Talk Show Episode & PSAs

Stay posted to this blog and our website to read about these and many other NAMI endeavors this year. From the NAMI office (some of us pictured below), we wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Susan Covers CCAC Disabilities Fair

In acknowledgement of Disability Awareness Week (March 9-13), the North Campus of Community College of Allegheny County held an informational fair on Tuesday, March 10. The fair was sponsored by the CCAC Supportive Services Club.

In addition to the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania information table, some of my exhibiting “neighbors” that day were ACHIEVA, Mercy Behavioral Health, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Learning Disabilities Association of America and Three Rivers Center for Independent Living – just to name a few.

Not only was it a nice break to be away from the office for a morning, but it was refreshing to meet the diverse student body of CCAC North. I enjoyed listening to some of the students’ personal concerns and triumphs, and share in the enthusiasm and anticipation that some of them feel as they are about to enter the field of human services. But mostly what I enjoyed was the gratifying feeling I had when the fair was over knowing that I was able to educate others who were otherwise unaware of the NAMI supports that are available and free to the public.

CCAC celebrates Disability Awareness Week every year in order to spread awareness and give insight to students and faculty members to the daily challenges that people living with various disabilities incur every day. I look forward to attending next year!

--Susan Harrington

Administrative Coordinator

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania

Debbie Ference on the OMHSAS Meeting

On Tuesday, March 10, our Executive Director Chris Michaels and I attended the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Committees in Harrisburg.

What a surprise! At the meeting, my good friend from college, Beth Defibaugh (pictured to the right of me below), was present. Beth and I have not seen each other for 18 years! It was certainly good to catch up and talk about the state of the mental health system as Beth currently works for OMHSAS as a Human Services Program Specialist.

The meeting was very informative. Joan Erney, Deputy Secretary of OMHSAS in the Department of Public Welfare, presented the state budget and explained the impact on current programs and services.

It was interesting to learn about OMHSAS's objectives for the next fiscal year: expand the incident reporting process using Root Cause Analysis, implement D&A Coalition recommendations, develop technical assistance for Mental Health Procedures Act and develop a statewide communication strategy/implement Network of Care.

Some statistics on Service Area Planning:
During fiscal year 07/08, 719 people were discharged from the state hospitals (excluding Mayview).

Consumer Support Plans (CSPs) were developed for 123 (17 percent) of these people.

Readmission rates of those discharged without a CSP was 5.1 percent. The rate of readmission was only.4 percent for those discharged with a CSP.

These statistics reinforce the value and importance of a CSP in sustaining a person's discharge and ultimately their recovery.

For a synopsis of OMHSAS's mental health budget, email dgarda@namiswpa.org

--Debbie Ference
Associate Director
NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania

NAMI Walk Training

The weekend training for NAMI Walk Managers across the country turned out to be a worthwhile trip. It took place in a town called Ayrsley--uptown of Charlotte, NC. Ayrsley is a vibrant business district with a nice mix of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance from a brand new Hilton hotel.

We spent most of our time inside the hotel, getting to know our peers and learning a lot of great ideas, strategies and techniques for the NAMI Walk.

It was hugely beneficial to meet so many people who work for NAMI all over the country. We felt completely at home and comfortable with each other and shared the common bond of working for the NAMI mission. These photos show some of the people who attended the training session.

The greatest thing we took home is a renewed vision of the NAMI Walk here in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The NAMI Walk is the single best way to promote awareness and erase the stigma of mental illness. The Walk provides acceptance. It gives people a reason to talk about mental illness. More importantly, it makes it easier for someone to say, "I'm in recovery, and I'm proud of that."

Every time we at NAMI approach a sponsor, and every time a walker approaches a potential donor, we are raising awareness and chipping away stigma. Even if a person says "No," it's still a little victory because we've used the Walk to educate them about NAMI.

The NAMI Walk is the best way to educate the community about mental illness, and it's no wonder behavioral healthcare providers in our region are eager to come out and partner with us.

All of the objectives and priorities we have at NAMI can be driven by the Walk. It's the greatest tool for awareness raising that we have.

The money is important, as it directly supports our mission, but it's not the main objective. It's about creating visibility, building relationships and fostering acceptance. The money we raise is a good measure of our success.

I picked up a great quote this weekend. It's by Stephen Covey: "The greatest way to predict your future is to create it."

Here we are: NAMI Walk Managers from across the country. A really compassionate, talented group of people.

National NAMI Walk Training

This weekend, our resident Walk Manager -- Darcey Garda -- will be heading to Charlotte, NC, to participate in the first ever National NAMI Walk Training.

The NAMI Walk is a relatively new event. In Southwestern Pennsylvania, 2009 will mark our third year with the Walk. So far, it's been a highly successful endeavor. Last year, we managed to attract 2,000 people to the Walk, increase our fundraising total to $120,000, and reach nearly one million households with TV news coverage. The Walk is a great way to raise awareness for NAMI.

We hope Darcey comes home from Charlotte armed with new ideas and renewed motivation to launch another successful Walk season.

Darcey also operates this blog. So it will take a brief hiatus until her return to the office Wednesday, March 11.

In the meantime, please turn your attention to our previous posts and check out some upcoming events, particularly Family to Family classes (which start next week) and our Annual Education Conference in April.

Workshops at our Education Conference

The only problem with our Annual Education Conference on Saturday, April 18 is choosing which of the six afternoon workshops to attend. We have lined up exceptional presenters with topics that are interesting, informative and relevant. Take a look.

A) Lessons Learned from the Grassroots Action to Save the Lives of Montana's Heroes--Presenter Matt Kuntz will discuss strategies and tactics of a highly effective grassroots advocacy campaign and how to use these approaches to work for the changes you'd like to see in our government.

B) Caught by the Past: Understanding Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder--In this seminar, Dr. John Seasock teaches us how children, adolescents and adults react emotionally, cognitively and behaviorally to traumatic events ranging from global war and sexual violence to everyday traumatizing experiences such as car accidents, sudden deaths or illnesses. We'll learn about treatments and interventions as well.

C) Hearts & Minds: Mentally Healthy/Physically Strong--Co-presenters Mary Kay Clement and Catherine Hewitt will inform and inspire us about self care as it relates to issues of diabetes, weight management, exercise, diet, smoking and more. There is an undeniable connection between mental and physical health, and you'll walk away armed with coping skills and practical ideas to live a healthier life.

D) Surviving After a Loved One's Suicide--When someone you love dies by suicide, it complicates the grieving process. In this workshop, co-presenters Kathy Fowler and Sue Wesner illustrate that the key to healing is the realization that you will never get over a significant loss, but you can learn to accept it and find meaning in life. This workshop offers insight and information for clinicians as well as family members and other loved ones.

E) Eating Well for a Healthy Future--Join Registered Dietitian Meridith Paterson for a workshop that includes an interactive cooking demonstration to remind all of us the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Learn about proper portion sizes, healthier food substitutions and other practical ideas that can be applied immediately for a healthier life.

F) What's On Your Mind?--Mental health consumers and family members often have many questions that cannot be quickly answered in a short doctor's visit. Enter Dr. Safdar Chaudhary to answer your wide array of questions on physical and mental health and anything else related to living a more fulfilling, peaceful and happy life.

For more information or to register online, visit our website.

Always a Team at NAMI

Everything we do at NAMI is a team effort. Our office in the North Hills houses seven of our 28 staff members. We meet regularly to make sure projects are moving forward and everyone is on the same page.

Our team meetings are run by Executive Director Chris Michaels. She's a busy woman, in and out of the office at various meetings, committees and events.

Today she ran the meeting via conference call. It was productive as ever. No surprise.
Here are Darcey and Susan, who work very closely on many projects. As with most of the staff in this office, a lot of their work overlaps.

Below is Chris C. with Susan. Chris is our director's assistant but pitches in on a daily basis to help the entire staff with any project at hand.

Here are Debbie and Dick. Debbie wears many hats at the NAMI office from HR guru to finance whiz. She's good at everything. You've heard a lot about Dick and can read more here.

Today we met to talk about a lot of things, ranging from our annual report to this blog to our Spring newsletter. The major topic, of course, was our Annual Education Conference coming up on Saturday, April 18. Click here for more information.

Celebrate Women's History Month with Pittsburgh Cares

In honor of Women's History Month, our friends at Pittsburgh Cares are hosting a Fundraiser and Social-Awareness Event at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

DATE: Saturday, March 7, 2009
TIME: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2705 E. Carson Street

With this coupon, 20 percent of your purchases will benefit Pittsburgh Cares.

Enjoy refreshments, storytelling and great books. Learn more about organizations serving women in our region and contribute to their work by purchasing a special book or making a craft for a woman living in a shelter or transitional housing facility.

For more information, contact Kristin at kbrown@pittsburghcares.org or (412) 471-2114.