NAMI yearly awards

Tonight was the annual awards night at the McHenry County Chapter of NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Four awards were given for 2010, with a special note made tonight that all awards are not given every year.

The awards were 1. Spirit of Recovery; 2. Media Award; 3. Excellence in Education; and 4. Volunteer of the Year.

It was exciting tonight that so many attended, including many first-timers. The meeting room at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, was full! After introductions and a short break, the group divided, with consumers (those who are receiving mental health services) going to one meeting room, and family members meeting in a separate room.

The Chapter donated $2,000 to the Mental Health Board for its prescription medicine fund, which helps those who need assistance with paying for prescription drugs on an emergency basis.

Meetings are monthly, on the third Thursday from 7:00-9:00PM. If you are a person with a mental health diagnosis or a family member or a person with a sincere interest, you are invited. If you would like to speak with someone about the Chapter or mental health services, call 815.444.9991.

If you are in crisis or want information about what to do in a crisis, call the McHenry County Crisis Line at 800.892.8900 Visit www.namimchenrycounty.org and www.nami.org for more information.

Mental Illness grade for Illinois: D

Today I visited the website again for NAMI - the National Association on Mental Illness.

I had watched the movie, reign over me (Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle) - it's available from the shelf of the Woodstock Public Library. The story is about a dentist, played by Sandler, whose grasp on reality dives off the cliff after his wife, children and dog perish in one of the 9/11 plane crashes.

On the NAMI website are grades for the states on the services they provide for persons with mental illness. NAMI grades Illinois with a D. You can check this out for yourself at http://www.nami.org/

I have no doubt that Illinois gets the D, instead of an F, because of the services provided in McHenry County. We might take these for granted, such as the Crisis Line, Family Service & Community Mental Health Center (in McHenry; http://www.familyserviceonline.org/), NAMI (http://www.namimchenrycounty.org/), and the many other agencies funded through the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Also, check out the Network of Care website at http://mchenry.il.networkofcare.org/ for a large listing of services available in our area. The Network of Care is a system that exists nationally. If you are outside McHenry County, Illinois, you can search for services in your area at http://www.networkofcare.org/ Follow the links to your locale and the information for the service that will be helpful to you or someone you know.

Sopranos' star production at Opera House

On Wednesday, October 7th, at 7:00PM "No Kidding, Me too" will be presented at the Woodstock Opera House (9/25/09 N.B., location change - see Comment below). This program, produced by Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano, is a fascinating and humorous reflection of seven people affected by mental illness in different ways.

You will enjoy this event whether you are a Joey fan, a mental health professional, a concerned community member, or have friends or family impacted by a mental illness.

The program is free, but reservations are recommended. Call the Mental Health Board for reservations at 815/455-2828.

The program is presented as part of the McHenry County Mental Health Board's Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 3-10, 2009.