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For nearly 40 years, NAMI Dane County has provided essential education, support and advocacy to people affected by mental illness. We are committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring people get the support and information they need.
*NAMI programs should not be used to replace the specialized training and professional judgment of mental health professionals. We cannot, and do not, assume the role of a physician or therapist.
FROM THE NAMI BLOG
Spring can be an exciting time. The earth is slowly coming back to life and warmer temperatures can symbolize rebirth. Among the blooming trees and budding flowers is also the end of daylight savings. Many Americans dread this as it is inconvenient and requires an adjustment of clocks and schedules. Besides the obvious loss of an hour of sleep, there are other consequences of the time change. A shift in one hour can disrupt one’s circadian rhythm and can not only negatively affect one’s mood, but overall health may be impacted as well.
Living in a world of increasing connectivity presents unique challenges that did not exist previously in history. Although technology can provide entertainment, convenience, and communication, it can also negatively impact mental health. Depression, anxiety, body image issues and self-esteem are all linked to heavy usage of social media (Citizen Advocates, 2024).
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, many people experience a shift in their mood and energy levels. For some, this change in season triggers Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter months. Its most common causes are changes to the circadian rhythm, drops in serotonin levels, and melatonin levels (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Monday, November 11, 2024 is Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a legal U.S. holiday that recognizes all American Veterans of war (History.com Editors, 2009). In 1918, during the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of the year, the Allies and Germany came to an armistice or temporary truce.
We are approaching October 10th—World Mental Health Day! According to the World Health Organization, this day serves to raise awareness about mental illness and provoke efforts in support of mental health.
In 2008, NAMI and the U.S. Congress designated July as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. We are indebted to Bebe Moore Campbell for her activism, and her candid writings regarding mental illness in communities of color. Hopefully, NAMI and perhaps the government can find a way to honor her many contributions, such as a postage stamp or a designated award. However, we need to start calling July BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month.
The National Alliance on Mental Illnesses - NAMI Dane County is introducing its new LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) Support Group, to be held on Tuesday evenings starting on the 12th of July. Currently, NAMI has five support groups: the Connecting Support Group, Bipolar/Depression Support Group, Women’s Depression and Anxiety Support Group, Family Support Group, and the Young Adult Support Group. Each of these groups are tailored towards serving the unique needs of different individuals living with mental illnesses. The groups are facilitated by volunteers with lived-experiences. While queer individuals intersect with identities shared in these other NAMI groups there is yet to be a group that specifically supports their diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation.
Codependency is defined as an unhealthy reliance on someone, such as a friend, partner, or family member that is emotional, physical, and/or spiritual. Codependency can vary in severity and form; codependency can also develop in a variety of different relationships (e.g., parent, child, partner, friends, and family members). For someone in a codependent relationship, it can feel like their livelihood depends on the person they are in a codependent relationship with.
With work responsibilities filling up our schedules to the brim, things can get pretty toxic and unhealthy for our physical health and emotional wellness. It is also relatively easy to forego our needs as we attend to a million details as we look after the welfare of our loved ones. And yet, without proper self-care, you may end up exhausted, unmotivated, which can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Advocacy is a powerful tool especially when helping someone navigate mental illness. Advocacy can demonstrate allyship and also be used to help empower people with mental health issues. Taking the time to learn how to advocate for someone with mental illness is a useful and lifelong skill. Listed below are some simple ways to help advocate for someone with mental illness.
STORIES OF RECOVERY
Growing up I would have never imagined that I would be impacted by a mental illness. For the most part, there wasn’t many people in my family who have battled a mental illness. I was diagnosed at the age 20. At the time my mother was in school for psychology. My mother has played a major part in my recovery. At first, others looked at me as though I was the girl with this “issue” that no one wanted to deal with.
During the 70s, mental illness was not discussed openly nor did my parents explain to their children that my dad had a mental illness, would need medication, therapy and professional help the rest of his life.
...that is why no one understands mental illness, because it is invisible, well I am not invisible, my disorder is invisible, but I am visible.
I took lithium for my bipolar illness for about twenty-five years. I had a pretty good run on this medication and generally did rather well.
My passion is to encourage people to talk about their own story. How will anyone ever be comfortable with mental illness if nobody talks about it? Please tell your story. There is someone waiting for you to open up so that they can open up to you.
For the first time in twenty-one years of living with psychosis I feel like there is a purpose for my experience. I feel as though my potential hasn’t been wasted and I have been able to do all of this in large part because of my relationship with Yahara House.
For someone with a mental illness, coaching and support can enhance a life as well as create a loyal employee.
*TRIGGER WARNING*
The grief process was incredible for me. I went through stages of intense pain, anger, sadness, guilt, and eventually forgiveness.