What is Mental Illness? Contact Us Mental Illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. People NAMI Stark County who have a mental illness can be very confused 121 Cleveland Ave S.W. and frightened by their illness, and usually suffer a Canton, OH 44702 Building Hope for Recovery through great deal. People, through ignorance and 330 455-6264 misunderstanding, reject and discriminate against www.namistarkcounty.org Education, Support and Advocacy those with a mental illness, causing further [email protected] suffering. NAMI The National Alliance On In any given year, about five million American Jane James, Executive Director Mental Illness adults experience an acute episode of one of Kay A. Silverwood, Family Involvement four serious mental illnesses: Schizophrenia, Program Director Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Obsessive/ NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Compulsive Disorder, and Panic/Anxiety. Many of Sheryl Falcone, Family Involvement Liaison Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental America’s children—more than three million— Diane Mang, Family Involvement Liaison health organization dedicated to improving the suffer from these disorders, often referred to as lives of persons living with serious mental illness emotional disturbances. and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has You can’t catch a mental illness like a cold. become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a Many factors combine to cause mental illness. NAMI Ohio nationwide organization with affiliates in every Heredity may be a factor as it is in diabetes or Phone: 614-224-2700 state and in more than 1,100 local communities cancer. Life stresses and physical illness also Ohio (only) Helpline: across the country. NAMI is dedicated to the may be contributing factors. Contrary to old 1-800-686-2646 eradication of mental illnesses and to the myths, mental illness is NOT caused by bad char- Web: www.namiohio.org improvement of the quality of life of all whose acter, poor child rearing or any individual’s behav- lives are affected by these diseases. ior. Email: [email protected] NAMI Stark County works to “Provide Treatment Works; People Recover! Hope for Recovery for Persons and Families At present, there is no effective prevention or NAMI National Impacted by Mental Illness”. We are dedicated to cure for mental illness. However, mental illnesses Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) improving the lives of persons and families in are diagnosed and treated as precisely and effec- Web: www.nami.org Stark County who have been touched by mental tively as many other medical disorders. Effective Email: [email protected] illness through NAMI public education and medicine, counseling, therapy and self-help information; family and consumer peer education community support programs help people live and support; advocacy on behalf of people living productive and rewarding lives. with mental illness and for the health of our

Famous People Who Have To join NAMI Stark County, go to community; and visible public events that raise https://www.nami.org funds and awareness.

Experienced Mental Illness: Join Now In any given year, about five million American Buzz Aldrin Maurice Bernard Membership will be processed by NAMI adults experience an acute episode of one of Art Buchwald Dick Cavett National (National Alliance on Mental four serious mental illnesses: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Obsessive/ Francis Ford Coppola Patricia Corn- Illness) and include membership to NAMI Ohio. Compulsive Disorder, and Panic/Anxiety. Many well Robert Downey, Jr. Patty Duke of America’s children—more than three Sally Field Carrie Fisher Linda Hamilton million—suffer from these disorders, often re- ferred to as emotional disturbances. Margot Kidder Tony Orlando Jane Pauley Charlie Pride Axyl Rose NAMI Stark County offers life-changing opportunities to all whose lives are touched Alonzo Spellman Ben Stiller Sting This brochureby mental is aillness. tool for all individuals Darryl Strawberry interested in resources and direction on how to best care for their loved one. John-Claude VanDamme Robin Williams Brian Wilson

The County’s Voice on Building Hope for Recovery through Mental Illness

Education, Support and Advocacy Advocacy We assist persons and family members with the issues they are struggling with related to the

illness. Some examples would include: Education information and referral for mental health/ substance addiction services, housing support/ Our walk is an opportunity to boost the linkage, grievances with service providers, physical and mental health of participants 12 week course is for family members and friends court/criminal justice support, and IEP while raising awareness and funding to of adults with serious mental illness. It is taught by assistance. In addition we advocate with support education and advocacy for those trained NAMI family members. touched by mental illness in the community. legislators in support of adequate funding for behavioral health & housing, criminal justice “The walk is a positive event that will bring diversion programs and other legislation that is together hundreds of people to raise aware- beneficial for the mental health community. ness for mental illness that touches on in four family rights 10 week course is for adults who have been people in this county”, said Jennifer Powell- diagnosed with a mental illness. Family Involvement Program Campbell, NAMI Stark County Board president NAMI Stark County’s mission of providing and volunteer event chair. hope for recovery for persons and families impacted by mental illness directs this agency to actively engage families through support, education and advocacy programs. Creating a 6 week course is for parents of children with family involvement program that supports and emotional/mental/neurobiological disorders. nourishes the relationship between client and family, and potentiates family engagement with

the inpatient/outpatient treatment process/ WRAP® – Recovery Action Plan® Wellness system of care is a logical and natural

(Wellness Recovery Action Plan): 10 week course progression of the work currently conducted for adults with a mental illness teaching an action with family members by NAMI. plan for managing the illness. CIT NAMI Stark County participates in the twice yearly CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training “I learned the first night of class that since 2004. This is a week-long intensive men- our son’s behaviors were not a person- tal health response training conducted for police Community Awareness al affront to us, rather symptoms of an officers, probation officers and dispatchers that Community presentations, work-place in- illness he did not choose to have. We enables them to respond appropriately to crisis services/trainings, Health Fairs etc. think of that often and it helps us calls involving persons with mental illness NAMI Stark County provides “Going Home” cope.” -- A Family to Family Class (diverting them to Crisis Center/Emergency bags for patients exiting Heartland Behavioral Alum – A Stark NAMI member Rooms vs. Incarceration). Part of this training Healthcare and Crisis and Recovery entails NAMI involvement: Panel Presentation, Intervention Services CSU Crisis Stabilization Home Visits and CIT Graduation. Stark County Unit and for residents at Hunter House, Basic has conducted CIT trainings twice yearly since Accommodations, James House, Refuge of April of 2004. 376 officers have completed the Hope and Domestic Violence. “Going Home” Support program. bags include pertinent support information

Support Groups for persons with a mental along with personal hygiene items such as In Case of Emergency—Call 911—Ask for CIT Officer illness, for family members and natural supports toiletry items, toilet paper, socks, Health of someone with a mental illness; for persons It's time to talk about suicide and depression. Organizer and Med-Tracker etc. dealing with both a mental illness and a Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the We also collaborate with a variety of Stark substance issue and Veterans in Recovery and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. County agencies/committees/coalitions that family members. Or Crisis Intervention and Recovery Center share common interests in support of behavioral health issues. Crisis Hotline 330-452-6000