Brain Pag

The Newsletter of NAMI Greater Bloomington Indiana Area

Family and Friends Together Providing Support and a Voice on Mental Illness
Issue No. 6 October 2007

Decriminalizing the Mentally Ill

in Bloomington
by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.
Hello friends of NAMI and the mentally ill. Please place
Calendar of Events October 11, 2007 at 7pm in the Monroe County Public Library Au-
ditorium on your calendar for our upcoming panel discussion and
October 1: TLC Support business meeting titled “Decriminalizing the Mentally Ill in Bloom-
Group Meeting (First United ington.”
Methodist Church, 7pm) We have a wonderful panel of speakers who will discuss the
current state of affairs in Bloomington. Sheriff Jim Kennedy will
October 4: Depression/Bipo- speak about the overpopulation of the jail and Prosecutor Chris
lar Support Group (St. Marks Gaal will discuss the potential for a really effective Jail Diversion
Methodist Church, 7pm) Program. Captain Mike Diekhoff will speak about the current pro-
cess involved in implementing the CIT program, while Dr. Perry
October 6: NAMI Indiana Griffith of Bloomington Hospital will elaborate on the advantages
State Conference (Marten of the 24-hour Hold Law over the 72-hour Hold Law to expedite the
House and Lilly Center, 8am) CIT process. Dr. Denny Morrison will speak about the role CBH
plays in this system, and lastly, Judge Kenneth Todd will close the
October 11: NAMI General panel presentations by speaking about where we might go from
Meeting (Monroe Library, here.
Auditorium, 7pm) Each panel member will speak for five minutes and questions
from the public will be taken for discussion at the end of the pre-
October 15: NAMI-GBA Sup- sentation. If you would like to submit a question by e-mail, please
port Group Meeting (First send it to [email protected] or call me at the number listed
United Methodist Church, below. Also, you will have the opportunity to submit questions on
7pm) the night of the event.
In addition, our NAMI Greater Bloomington Area affiliate
October 18: Depression/Bipo- will present Judge Todd with the very first “NAMI Beautiful Mind
lar Support Group (St. Marks Award” for his efforts with the Monroe County Drug Treatment
Methodist Church, 7pm) Court. Although we recognize that many individuals have worked
continued on page 2
In this issue: Decriminalizing the Mentally Ill
1 General Meeting in Bloomington
Thursday, Oct 11 continued from page 1

very hard to create this wonderful program – which both saves

2 Family-to-Family taxpayers money and reduces jail recidivism, we have chosen to
recognize Judge Todd for his involvement in both the establish-
3 NAMI Indiana ment of the program and its successful implementation. The public
panel discussion will run from 7pm-8:30pm.
State Conference
We will conclude our Fall program with a brief NAMI business
meeting scheduled to begin at 8:30pm. After serving their two-year
4 Research Review: terms, both Cathy Korinek and Vid Beldavs have chosen to step
NARSAD off of the NAMI-GBA board, and we will be voting for our new
Newsletter members. If you have any interest in serving on the NAMI Greater
Bloomington Area board of directors, please contact me at 812-335-
0459. We look forward to seeing you on October 11!
5 Keeping Care
Complete
What is Family-to-Family?
7 NAMI Indiana
by Cathy Korinek
Registration
The Family-to-Family course is for families of adults with seri-
8 October 11 ous mental illness. It is a 12-week class covering the description
and treatment of mental illnesses, as well as the skills family mem-
Reminder bers need when faced with the problems of mental illness. The
program balances education and skill training with self-care, emo-
Brain Pages is the official news- tional support, and empowerment.
letter of the NAMI local affiliate in Our most recent Family-to-Family class started Tuesday, Au-
the Greater Bloomington Area.
gust 21, in the board room at the Center for Behavioral Health
For information or questions,
building on Rogers Street. Most of the 18 people in this class came
please contact Kat Domingo, from a waiting list from last spring’s class. They are very interested
this issue’s newsletter editor. and engaged in learning the material and sharing their stories.
Most adults with severe and persistent mental illness either
P.O. Box 7794 live with their families or receive primary care management from
Bloomington, IN 47407 their families. The ability of family members to understand and
www.namibloomington.org provide a predictable environment for their ill relative is important
namibloomington@ for the ill family member and all other members of the family.
insightbb.com
If you or someone you know would be interested in a future
NAMI-GBA wishes to thank the
class, contact either Cathy Korinek at 339-6168 (or catkorinek@aol.
Center for Behavioral Health for com) or Lee Strickholm at 339-5440 (or [email protected]). We
helping to underwrite this issue will be glad to send you a brochure and/or put your name on a
of the newsletter. waiting list for the next class.
2
 NAMI Indiana State Conference Featuring
Pete Earley, Author of CRAZY
On October 6, 2007, NAMI Indiana will hold its state conference at the Marten House and Lilly Confer-
ence Center. The topic of the day is Mental Illness and the Legal System.
8:00 – 9:00am Registration and Gathering

9:00 – 9:15am Welcome by Marciniak Scholarship Award Recipient

9:15 – 10:15 Keynote Speaker: Pete Earley, Journalist and Author

10:15 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 11:15 Workshops

Mental Illness in the News: Reading Between the Lines – Alma Burrus, Department
of Mental Health in Addictions; Therese Hatten, NAMI Fort Wayne, Ken
Kusmer, APA Reporter
Understanding HIPPA/FERPA – Milo Grey, Attorney at Indiana Protection and
Advocacy Services
Death Penalty Discussion – Paula Sites, Public Defender and Kathy Bayes, NAMI
Fort Wayne
Juvenile Justice, CHINS and Parental Rights – Cathy Duchovic, Child/Adolescent
Mental Health Nurse; Bill Glick, Indiana Juvenile Justice Task Force,
Jennifer Levine, Mental Health Specialist at Allen County Courts
Consumer Rights and Family Rights – Ken Faulk, Legal Director, American Civil
Liberties Union of Indiana

11:30 – 12:15 Interest Group Discussions

Preparing for a Crisis/ Adult Outpatient Treatment – Abby Flynn, Committee
Co-chair of AOT
Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) – Deputy Chief Dottie Davis, Fort Wayne Police
NAMI Connections and Consumer Inclusion – Joanne Abbott, Consumer Program
Coordinator
Family-to-Family Program – Pat Herr, NAMI Indiana Board of Directors, Family-to-
Family State Trainer
Reaching the Faith Based Community – Carole Wills, NAMI Indianapolis, President
Children’s Issues – Teresa Hatten, NAMI Fort Wayne, NAMI Indiana Children’s
Committee Chairperson

11:30 Consumer Council Meeting

12:15 – 1:30 Lunch and Exhibitors

Book Signing by Pete Earley continued on page 6
3
 Mental Health Research Review:
NARSAD Research Newsletter, Vol. 19, Issue 1
by Al Strickholm
Four times a year, The sponsible for susceptibility for opment in the brain are often
Mental Health Research As- these brain disorders. Instead found in the temporal lobes and
sociation NARSAD, publishes multiple genes in complex the more primitive limbic brain
a newsletter covering research variations are being examined system. Also being supported
in the field of mental health, for the role they may have in is a long term study on the life
in particular the areas of seri- contributing to one’s vulnerabil- progression of mental illness
ous mental illnesses, namely: ity to mental illness. This gene and how it is affected by envi-
bipolar, depression, and schizo- variability supports the under- ronmental factors such as care
phrenia. This reviewer found it standing that for every individ- related issues, other diseases,
exciting to see the progress that ual with bipolar, depression or medications, normal aging, etc.
is occurring in understanding schizophrenia, the disorder is Overall, the research being
these disorders and the hope often differently expressed. supported is focused on three
indicated for future treatments. major challenges: identification
This issue listed 245 re- “In examining the pro- of the affected brain regions,
search grants recently award- posed research, it is clear identification of the specific al-
ed to new young researchers. terations and connections of af-
that we have come a long
Also announced were the 23 fected neurons, and identifying
NARSAD Distinguished Investi- way from blaming poor the root causes of these disor-
gator awards with a description parenting as the cause of ders. In examining the proposed
and commentary of each. These mental illness.” research, it is clear that we have
awards cover a full range of re- come a long way from blaming
search approaches, not only in One important study in- poor parenting as the cause of
psychiatry and psychology, but volves 1,429 children born mental illness.
also in the areas of medical and of parents who experienced NARSAD is a non-profit
biological research. One ex- various forms of stress during organization that raises and
ample has to do with research pregnancy. The focus will be on distributes funds for scientific
on anxiety, and how to improve prenatal stress, when the risk of research on brain and behav-
treatment therapeutics. The mental illness susceptibility is ior disorders. It is the largest
issue also discussed planned believed to occur and becomes donor-supported organization
research on the relationship manifested later in life as a in the world dedicated to find-
between creativity and bipolar mental disorder. The rationale ing the causes, improved treat-
disorder. It will involve com- is that when early brain nerve ments and cures for psychiatric
parative studies on Nobel Prize connections are being initiated illnesses. Because the admin-
winners. during prenatal development, istrative and fundraising ex-
A large portion of the they are susceptible to injury. penses are underwritten by two
planned research involves ge- Complementing this study are family foundations, 100% of all
netic studies on susceptibility. investigations to examine previ- contributions go directly to sup-
From the research proposals, it ous findings in schizophrenia, port research. For more infor-
is clear that no single gene is re- that disorders of neuro-devel- mation, visit www.narsad.org.
4
 Keeping Care Complete
HARVARD
by Lee Strickholm
Results of the recently com- tal health centers recognize the PSYCHIATRY
pleted first International Care- fact that family members do a
giver Survey were reported lot of work to ensure continued
in the Summer 2007 issue of stabilization of the consumer BRAIN
Schizophrenia Digest. The sur- and that the centers need to
vey, developed by the World provide more support for them.” COLLECTION
Federation for Mental Health The chronic disease medical
(WFMH) and Eli Lilly Compa- model as applied to mental ill-
ny, shows that caregivers view ness should include advocacy
appropriate and effective medi- and family involvement, just as Did you know that
cation to control symptoms of when treating heart disease or
the illness as their primary con- diabetes. when you sign
cern regarding treatment. The survey shows that
Nearly 1000 family caregiv- many caregivers have expe- the back of your
ers of individuals with schizo- rienced both the chaos of re-
phrenia, bipolar disorder, and lapse and the relief that comes driver’s license to
schizoaffective disorder partici- with stabilization. “Don’t ignore
pated in the survey which was care for the caregivers; what is donate your or-
conducted in Australia, Canada, needed for them is a consistent
Spain, Germany, France, Italy, supportive message,” is the ad- gans, the brain is
the United Kingdom and the vice of Dr. Roger McIntyre who
United States. Titled “Keep- heads the Mood Disorders Unit NOT included?
ing Care Complete,” the sur- of the University of Toronto
vey reveals that the caregivers Health Network. When treat-
want doctors to focus on long- ment objectives are not actually
term care to alleviate the con- being met, the frustration of Sign up as a
sequences of a relapse rather caregivers is bound to occur.
than solely managing crisis Dr. McIntyre states that re- brain donor!
situations. Respondents wor- alistic expectations for recovery
ried about their family member can best be achieved through
experiencing a relapse not only educational programs for the
for the consumer’s sake, but caregivers. NAMI’s Family-to- 1-800-BRAINBANK
because a relapse substantially Family series of classes is de-
disrupts the lives of everyone signed to aid in this endeavor.
involved. They believe that suc- Information about these class-
cessful treatment substantially es offered by our local NAMI www.brainbank.
contributes to the consumer’s Greater Bloomington Affiliate is
overall quality of life. on the website www.namibloom- mclean.org
Preston Garrison, CEO of ington.org. For detailed results,
WFMH, would like to see “men- check out www.wfmh.org.
5
 NAMI Indiana State Conference Featuring
Pete Earley, Author of CRAZY
continued from page 3

1:30 – 1:45 Awards

1:45 – 2:15 Plenary Speaker – Ron Honberg, J.D., National Director for Policy and Legal Affairs

2:15 – 2:30 Break

2:30 – 3:30 Ask the Doctor Plus

Schizophrenia – Dr. Andy Chambers, I.U. Department of Psychiatry
Mood Disorders – Dr. Ann Adinamis, North Meridian Psychological Association
Dual Diagnosis – George Brenner, Director of Addiction Services, Gallahue Mental
Health Center
Children’s Disorders – Dr. Gladys Beale, Child Psychiatrist

3:30 – 4:00 Wrap-up/Grand Prize Drawing

About our Keynote Speaker

Pete Earley was cited by man from Alabama’s death row dreaded ninth floor of the
Washingtonian Magazine in a who had been falsely accused of Miami Dade County jail where
cover story entitled, Top Jour- murdering a white teenager in the city’s most psychotic pris-
nalists: Washington’s Media the same town that inspired To oners are housed. Earley fol-
Elite, as one of a handful of jour- Kill A Mockingbird. His book, lows several inmates from the
nalists in America who “have The Hot House: Life Inside Leav- jail back into the community
the power to introduce new enworth Prison, is based on a during a year-long period to see
ideas and give them currency.” year that Earley spent inside a first hand what sort of services
He is the author of eight non- U.S. maximum security peni- are available.
fiction books and three novels, tentiary as a reporter watching
and is a former reporter for The everyday events.
Washington Post. More than one His new book, CRAZY:
million copies of his books have A Father’s Search Through
been published worldwide. America’s Mental Health Mad-
His first book, Family of ness tells two stories. The first
Spies: Inside the John Walker is about Earley’s efforts to help
Spy Ring was a New York Times his college age son after he is
bestseller and was made into a diagnosed with a major men-
five hour mini-series on CBS tal illness and is arrested. The
television. His book, Circum- second is an investigation of the
stantial Evidence, led to the re- nation’s mental health system
lease of a wrongly accused black that focuses primarily on the
6
 Register Now for NAMI IN’s State Conference
“Mental Illness and the Legal System”
Please consider attending this year’s conference, held at the Marten House and
Lilly Conference Center, 1801 W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. The registration fee for
individual members is $35, family members fee is $45, and consumer member fee is
$12. For non-members, the registration fee for an individual is $60, which includes a
one-year membership to NAMI. All registration fees include lunch, and CEU credits
may be available.
If you are interested in attending the state conference on October 6, 2007, please
send your name, address, phone number, and conference registration fees to

NAMI Indiana
P.O. Box 22697
Indianapolis, IN 46222-0697

You may also register online at namiindiana.org.

Not yet a member of NAMI-GBA? Join today!

Your annual membership includes newsletters from NAMI National, NAMI Indiana, and NAMI
Greater Bloomington Area, as well as access to NAMI’s wealth of resources and information.

$25.00 Individual
$35.00 Family
$3.00 Consumer
I want to support NAMI-GBA with a tax-deductible gift of $

Please make checks payable to NAMI Greater Bloomington Area

P.O. Box 7794, Bloomington, IN 47407
www.namibloomington.org
I am interested in:
Learning about volunteer activities
Arranging for speakers for my organization, church, or other group
Being a speaker about mental illness

Name Home Phone

Address E-mail
Preferred method of contact
7
 fgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgf
Thursday October 11 at 7pm
NAMI Greater Bloomington is presenting its fall meeting in the
Monroe County Public Library Auditorium. The program is titled
“Decriminalizing the Mentally Ill in Bloomington.” Please join us for
this important discussion with panelists:
Sheriff Jim Kennedy
Prosecutor Chris Gaal
Captain Mike Diekhoff
Dr. Denny Morrison of CBH
Dr. Perry Griffith of Bloomington Hospital
Judge Kenneth Todd
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NAMI Greater Bloomington Area
P.O. Box 7794
Bloomington, IN 47407