Thoughts on NAMI
Our NAMI Walks Team Donation Link
As my husband and I are organizing another NAMIWalk Team this year, I am thinking back on all the reasons why we support NAMI and the programs that they sponsor. Twenty plus years ago when my son was first diagnosed with schizophrenia, we both attended the NAMI Family to Family group with other couples and individuals experiencing mental illness in their families. The program offered just what we needed at the time: social connection with others who truly understood what we were experiencing, resources in the community, strategies that we could use to facilitate our son's recovery, and most importantly a way for us to find ways to communicate our different experiences and connect as a parent team.
It is not unusual for each family member to have different reactions and fears associated with such an unexpected mental health condition. We were newly married and adjusting to being a blended family. Neither of us counted on my son developing schizophrenia. Being a psychologist, I quickly updated my knowledge about the illness and recovery possibilities. At the same time, I was fearful and constantly worried about my son's present and future functioning. My husband said that he totally expected my son to live with us forever and was trying to figure out how to make that work. Thanks to our Family to Family instructors, we learned how to help Jacob at different stages of his illness and sort through what he was needing at the moment. We also were able to create recovery markers and ways to recognize positive changes, even if they were small at first. Looking back, the road was challenging for all of us but NAMI gave us the hope and support that we needed.
Our role as advocates have grown as has our participation in NAMI programs. We have regularly organized walk teams which raise money and enable NAMI to offer free educational and support programs to the community. During the past year, I have had the privilege to be on the NAMI board in our county and can see first hand the numerous ways that our county group reaches out to individuals and families who are coping with mental illness. Our local organization also works with other community programs that are actively involved in mental health treatment and support.
Most recently, my husband and I have received training to facilitate Family to Family groups and are in the process of leading groups now. We are impressed by the program's up to date information and NAMI's continued strength of providing connections and support to families who still feel isolated as we did 20 years ago. The need for NAMI programs continues – Family to Family, Peer Support groups, Family Support groups, and other educational programs that are offered to the community. NAMI makes a difference in the lives of many people and I urge you to support this important lifeline for many experiencing mental illness.