NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF MASSACHUSETTS
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August 12, 2011
NAMI provides free information and access to a myriad of services for the mentally ill, a population that has been targeted in numerous budget cuts and healthcare revisions in recent years. Countless MA residents have been left without coverage and without proper warning & explanation; they are left without answers to the questions of why, when, where, who, and what??
NAMI provides guidance & answers re: coverage changes & policy revisions to Medicaid/Medicare, treatment options and assistance w/ location of proper facility (inpt, outpt, hosp, clinic, etc)... NAMI advocates for especially vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, severely mentally ill, homeless, abused women & children, and pregnant women - NAMI volunteers (myself included) attempt to facilitate the processes necessary to obtain specific needs(healthcare, temporary housing, food & medication...).
We offer several support groups in all areas of MA on a weekly basis and provide both online and in-person guidance, support, referrals, and allegiance at all times. My work with NAMI is multi-faceted - I focus on Legislative Action and Advocacy that entails letters, phone calls, and outreach to members of our govt. re: votes, bills, and changes in policies pertaining to NAMI members; I focus on NAMI members individually and collectively, and I focus on my purpose as a NAMI volunteer... and member.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life...
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase our funding, which allows for research efforts to continue and programs to expand...
August 21, 2010
In 09/2007 I found out about NAMI after my daughter (who lives with me) had her first psychotic break down while I was away on vacation with my youngest daughter. Getting this news over the phone was both shocking & painful. I knew my daughter had psychological issues, but never dreamed this would happen. LGH called me while in Missouri to inform me that she had been in 4-point restraint, then sent to Choate hospital. I came home a day after the phone call and she had already been admitted to Marlboro hospital for a 2-week stay. While there I met with a social worker & a psychiatrist 1x, where a discharge plan was reviewed. It included partial hospitalization rehab for 2 weeks, monthly psychiatric visits for medication, and weekly 1:1 counseling. After 2 weeks and only 1 week of being med compliant my dauhter was discharged. I had asked them to keep her longer to make sure she was firmly leveled on her meds but they refused. Church friends brought her home. During the first week home her unusal behavior began to scare me. I called the hospital one night because I felt threatened by her. I was told to call the police ONLY IF she still exhibited the behaviors. She did not. The next day I called the social worker and told her I did not understand her continuous bizarre behaviors. That's when she said "You need to call NAMI". From the moment I called, I was validated & supported for how I felt. I immediately joined the monthly support group in Bedford. 6 months into it (02/2008) I was able to do the 12-week F-2-F training (Woburn) Their I met other parents with adult children with the same problems I faced. It was both comforting & educational. I looked forward to each and every session. About 25 started and ended with 18 members who decided to keep the fires burning by getting together for dinner monthly. This continues today. By the summer of 06/2008, I could no longer endure what my eyes and mind experienced from this stranger (daughter) who I no longer recognized. So many silly & crazy ways had become her new personality that I had to finally ask her to leave. She refused. Through the guidance & direction of NAMI, my church, and the local police, she was escorted from my home. A very difficult time. That summer she lived with a church family who were social workers. Little change occured except that she got Transitional Emergency money & MA health. By 09/2008 the church family were moving. That meant my daughter was to leave. I was advised to let her find her way with peripheral support from church & NAMI parents. The police were setting the boundaries and NAMI & church friends provided the ongoing love & support. By 10/2008 my daughter knocked on my door, after sleeping in her car for 3 weeks and asked "what did you want me to do"? Since then, NAMI has been their for me & my daughter. I have learned so much through the education NAMI provided. It compelled me to give back. At first I thought I'd do advocacy work. Then in 03/2009 NAMI called & asked me to be involved as a F-2-F teacher. After the training in 04/2009, I have done (2) 12-week trainings (Lowell & Billerica) The last one completed in by 05/2010. NAMI has given me and my daughter her life back. She finally signed the SSDI paperwork (after 4 attempts) as she had been out of full time work since 07/2007. She isn't always med compliant, but she is respectful now. She has weekly counseling & sees a psychiatrist at least every 3 months faithfully. Recently, she became engaged:) Thank you, NAMI!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Due to the F-2-F education, workshops, walks, conferences, and parental support from NAMI I have developed empathy, patience & help to others. My daughter will always have MI but acceptance is something I work on daily. These days its not hard due to NAMI
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
For me the commincation skills need updating. For others, they always want shorter training sessions, maybe 8-10 weeks instead of 12. Otherwise, NAMI has it all for us. Thank you!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The comarderie of other parents & teaching F-2-F trainings.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Exceptional.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Reach more people to help and provide better care facilities for the one suffering mental illness.
Ways to make it better...
The supplies given to us were not always easy to deal with. The posters need to be lamented so they can be easily displayed. The weekly lessons had some missing pieces at times. The MI information needs to be updated continuously.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Getting the word out that help is available. I have been in the human service field for 20 years & it took 3 phones calls to the social worker to find out about it.
One thing I'd also say is that...
They need to start support groups for those that face the mental illness who live on the out side (at home) of hospitals or group homes.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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