NAMI Shasta County

The Goal

Mental illness, or biologically-based brain disorder, affects one in four Americans.   Abraham Lincoln, Ernest Hemingway and more recently, Mike Wallace and Jane Pauley are some notable figures who have lived with mental illness. Mainstream society continues to stigmatize mental illness, which often prevents people from seeking treatment. NAMI Shasta County increases awareness and understanding of mental illness through:

• Community education
  
  
• Increased support to families and people with mental illness
  
  
• Expansion of current activities
  
  
• New programs and training opportunities for people with mental illness to help each other and to participate in increased outreach.
  
  

About NAMI Shasta County

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Shasta County is an affiliate of the nationwide grassroots movement of families, people with mental illnesses (also known as consumers), and advocate friends working to improve the quality of life for consumers and their families. NAMI was founded in 1979 by a group of parents wishing to bring about positive change for their adult children with severe mental illness. It has now grown into an organization with more than 1200 affiliate groups totaling 220,000 members nationwide.  NAMI Shasta County, founded in 1980 will celebrate its 29^th anniversary this year. NAMI goals include providing education, mutual support, and advocacy for all those whose lives are affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), depression, anxiety disorders, and other neurobiological disorders.

Highlights of Our Accomplishments

Education

•  Family-to-Family Education Program, the nationally acclaimed 12 week course comprised of education and support components, for the spouses, parents,  children, and significant others of those with mental illnesses. 
• Peer-to-Peer Education Program, a unique, 9 week experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery.
• Q.P.R. (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training presented by a certified instructor.
• Parents & Teachers as Allies, a training provided to teachers and other school staff.
• Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) is a four day training that we offer in conjunction with Redding Police Department, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and Shasta County Mental Health. NAMI participates by arranging for a panel of consumers and family members to provide their unique perspectives. We are proud to say that we were among the first regions in the nation to implement this program and will be presenting our 17th training in the fall of 2009.

Support

• Monthly General Meetings provide the latest information on mental illness, as well as support for consumers, families, and interested community members.  A variety of knowledgeable speakers are invited to present information on related subjects.
  
  
• Monthly  Family Support Group  is another avenue of information, support and hope.
  
  
• Two Peer Support Groups are available for individuals who are themselves coping with mental illness.
  
  
• We partner with NVCSS Second Home to join forces and leverage available resources to address our mutual goals.
  
  
• The nationally recognized Suicide Prevention Program, Q.P.R (Question, Persuade, Refer) is being taught to groups throughout our community through our NAMI Shasta County affiliate.
  
  
• During the holidays, we provide a special dinner and gifts for over 200 consumers.

Advocacy

•  In the first full week of October we present Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), which includes a Candlelight Vigil, a banquet honoring community members, hosting of a Chamber of Commerce Greeters meeting, and a depression –bipolar screening.
  
  
• We are connected to the community at many levels, including regular meetings with the Shasta County Mental Health Director,involvement in mental health programs at schools, participating on the Mental Health Board and subcommittees, and various additional activities.  Through these means, we ensure that the needs of persons with severe mental disorders are a top priority.

Envisioning the Future

Through our current activities, we have built a solid base of services that benefit many facets of our community. The next step is to incorporate more programs that empower people with mental illnesses to step into leadership roles and publicly share their experiences, thus helping to reduce stigma and discrimination.