Friday, September 24, 2010


In the news.....

Studies say mental illness causes more than a billion of lost work days a year in the United States.


statejournal.com
Thursday, September 23

Mental health issues may not be a subject employees speak about as openly as heart problems or coming down with the flu, but research suggests they are using as much sick leave to address mental problems as any physical ailments.

A recent study by the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health concluded mental illness resulted in more sick days among Canadians than any other chronic illness, costing the country's economy $51 billion annually in lost productivity.

Closer to home, a 2007 study appearing in the Archives of General Psychiatry found mental disorders account for more than 1.3 billion lost productivity days a year in the U.S., whether they mean taking time off from work, school or unable to perform functions at home. Major depression was the second leading cause of lost productivity, eclipsed only by back pain.

Psychologists say society is more open to talking about mental health problems than it used to be. But a stigma still is attached to the health issue.

People who admit to suffering from some sort of mental disorder may face significantly higher insurance rates even if they present relatively little risk, and there always is the concern they could be passed up for promotions or important tasks because employers believe they can't handle the stress.

"I think it is a lot easier for someone to come back and say I got the flu, I have headache ... than 'Hi, I'm just really depressed today,'" said Dr. David Clayman of Clayman & Associates in Charleston.

Employers have made progress in recent years in addressing mental health in the workplace, he said. Many companies have started employee assistance programs to provide counseling and other services to workers facing personal problems.

And there is a growing acceptance to talk about mental health ailments thanks in part to drug companies, which is both a blessing and a curse, according to Clayman.

The positive is people are more willing now to admit they have mental health issues, even if they are still embarrassed to talk about it, he said. The negative is drug companies perpetuate the misperception that all ailments can be cured with a pill.

Mental illness can have serious implications for employee performance, he noted. Mental health is closely linked to physical health, and a study of health care professionals with mental illness showed they had difficulty with cognitive functions -- such as paying attention to detail or solving complex problems -- during some of their worst episodes.

"There are people who are depressed and/or anxious and, because of that, not capable of performing their job functions," he said.

Still, overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health problems isn't easy. Dr. C. David Blair of the Center for Health Psychology in Charleston said he has dealt with veterans returning from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder who prefer to believe they were dealing with some sort of head injury. He said they view having a physical injury as more honorable than acknowledging a mental ailment.

But it's just not pride that causes people to stay silent about mental health issues. Often insurance doesn't cover mental illness to the same extent as physical illness, meaning premiums can be higher. Rates for life insurance and other forms of insurance may be higher for people with a background of mental illness, even if they pose little risk.

And Blair said employees have legitimate fears about getting passed up for promotions or being turned down for security clearances if they acknowledge they've suffered from some sort of mental ailment.

"We don't like it," he said about society's perception of mental illness. "... It is some sort of weakness."

Of course, one way for employees to justify they need time off is to have a primary care physician or some other doctor write an excuse saying just that. Blair he has done that before, writing that the patient needs time off but not specifying what the illness was for privacy reasons.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Nipissing Family Program Fall Update


As we say good-bye to summer and welcome to fall, there are many changes happening all around us. The Nipissing Family Program has begun its 3th year of NAMI Family-to-Family. With 16 class participants this year, it’s our largest NAMI group yet. We can definitely see the demand for this amazing educational opportunity for families. We are going into our 4rd week of the 12 week course and are looking forward to each class.

The North Bay Nugget did a story for us on the NAMI Family-to-Family Program. A past Participant was interviewed and she shared her story about the trials and tribulations with her daughter, the battle to get an accurate diagnosis and her issues navigating the mental health system. Her words were beautiful. It was hard for her to share her story because of the painful memories but we are all so glad she did. This was the story that reached out to other parents and family members in our community who connected with her story and are now here with us today. In honour of this mother’s strength and perseverance, The Nipissing family program would like to show our thanks and respect by recognizing her efforts.

Joel and I are gearing up for our annual AGM which will be held at The Nipissing Family Program Tuesday October 26th, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. We will have our business meeting, review our achievements in the past year as well as discuss where we would like to move forward with the program. (with snacks and refreshments of course!!) With many new family members joining us this is an exciting time and we would be much appreciative of your support at this event.

At our AGM, we will also be voting in our new Family Program Board Representative. This is a great opportunity for any of you family members who have been waiting for an opportunity to get involved and make your difference!!

Please remember these requirements:

1. You must be present at Oct. 26th’s AGM

2. You must have a nominator present at October 26th’s AGM to nominate you as a candidate. You will then tell us about yourself and your passions as well as why you would like to be a representative for The Family Program on PEP’s board.

3. This is a 2 year commitment. The board meets a minimum of 8 times per year, no more than once per month. The board meetings take place during a convenient evening time and a dinner is always provided. The meetings are no longer than 2-3 hours.

4. Once voted in, your presence would be required at PEP business portion of their AGM on November 5th at 5:00 p.m.

*If you are interested in becoming Nipissing Family’s Board Representative and require further information please contact April Raftis.

Don't forget, fall is a great time of year for being active. It's cool but still sunny. Go for a walk and take in fresh air as well as all of the beautiful colours around you!!
~ APRIL
Hello everyone,


I came across this very powerful article in an e-mail sent to me that was orgiginally posted on Dave Hingsburger’s blog and written by Dave Hingsburger. I would like to share it with everyone and was hoping that you would take a minute to read it and think about the people Dave is referring to the next time you either hear or use the ‘R’ word. Dave’s blog can be found by searching “Rolling Around In My Head” in Google


The People Who 'ARE'





It's in the press again. I search to find out the context of the word. I see debates all over the web, people bemoaning the 'politically correct' and the 'word police' and making ridiculous claims about having to ban the concept of a 'fire retardant'. Last I looked there's never been a protest about products that protect from fire. Last I looked there's only ever been protests about the use of a word that demeans a group of people.






No matter what the fearless defenders of freedom of speech say, there is a huge difference between a word to describe something that slows fire and someone who learns differently. There's a huge difference between a thing and a person - but, no, maybe not. After reading their diatribes regarding their freedom to spit out hurtful words, they may, really, not see people with disabilities as fully human with a human heart capable human hurt.


People mock the concept of respectful language regarding disability. People make odd arguments about the latest gaffe by ... no, I won't say her name here ... they say 'she was saying that of herself not anyone else' - um, so? The word she used was one referring, not to a commercial product, but to an oppressed minority. Yet the debate rages on and the fierceness of the attack by those who are proponents of the use of hate language are both hysterical and who often purposely miss the point. One wonders what's at stake - their personal liberty to hurt others?


It's time to recognize that the 'R' word is an attack against who people with with intellectual disabilities 'are', it is an attack against the group that they belong to. It is like other words that exist to slur an entire people, unacceptable. The fact that people do not see the seriousness of the word and the attack it represents is simply a result of the fact that they do not take the 'people' who wear that label seriously. The concerns of those with intellectual disabilities have always been diminished and trivialized. There is a sneaking suspicion that they 'don't understand, poor dears', that they 'miss the point, little lambs' so therefore their anger need not be feared as justified.


The people who 'ARE' what the 'R' word refers to have a long history.


They have been torn from families and cast into institutions.


They have been beaten, hosed down, over medicated, under nourished, sterilized, brutalized, victimized.


They have been held captive, have been enslaved, have had their being given over to the state.


They are the group in society most likely to be physically, sexually and financially abused.


They are the group least likely to see justice, experience fair play, receive accommodation or support within the justice system.


They are the group most likely to be bullied, most likely to be tyrannized, most likely to be the target of taunts.


They are the least likely to have their hurt taken seriously, physical hurt, emotional hurt, spiritual hurt.


They are most likely to be ignored when they speak of pain, have their words diminished by an assumption of diminished capacity.


They are the least likely to ever be seen as equal, as equivalent and entirely whole.


They are the victim of some of the most widespread and pervasive prejudices imaginable.


They are those that the Nazi's thought unworthy of life, they are those targeted by geneticists for non-existence, they need fear those who wear black hats and those who wear white coats.


They are educated only under protest, they are included as a concession rather than a right, they are neighbours only because petitions failed to keep them out.


They are kept from the leadership of their own movement, they are ignored by the media, their stories are told to glorify Gods that they do not worship.


That they are a 'people' is questioned even though they have a unique history, a unique voice, a unique perception of the world.


That they are a 'community' is questioned even though they have commonality, they have mutual goals, they have a collective vision of the future.


That they are have a legitimate place at the table is questioned simply because no one's ever offered a seat.


They are a people.


They ask for respect and receive pity.


They ask for fair play and are offered charity.


They ask for justice and wipe spittle off their face.


They ask to silence words that brutalize them and their concerns are trivialized.


They ask to walk safely through their communities and yet bullies go unpunished.


They ask to participate fully and they are denied access and accommodation and acceptance.


And this is NOW.

This is the people who have walked the land of the long corridor, who have waited at the frontier of our bias to finally be here, now. They have survived. They have come home. They have continued, silently and without fanfare, to take hold of freedom and live with dignity. They have given everything they have for what others take for granted. Their civil liberties are perceived as 'gifts' as 'tokens' and as 'charity'. Their rights are seen as privileges. Their movement is, as of yet, unacknowledged. They are a people recently emancipated, new citizens, who are tentatively discovering their voice.


It is a voice not yet heard.


It is a voice not yet respected.


It is a voice not yet understood.


But it is speaking.


And when it is finally heard. The world will change.

The 'R' word is an attack on a people who know discrimination. Tremble when you say it. Because those who should know better will be held accountable to those who know best.


Posted by Dave Hingsburger

The Power of Lived Experience: NAMI’s Stories of Recovery

The New York Times (NYT) Patient Voices series offers intimate glimpses into the lives of NAMI members living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Through compelling vignettes and an interactive website, visitors learn how these illnesses can impact every facet of a person’s life, from relationships and stigma to work and faith.

NAMI’s In Our Own Voice program (IOOV) brings these kinds of personal stories to life. IOOV is a national, public education program in which trained speakers share their stories of mental health recovery with students, law enforcement officials, educators, health care providers, faith community members and other audiences.

Personal stories are uniquely powerful. They illustrate how one can manage his or her illness and live a full, rewarding life. They put a face to mental illness and remind us that mental illness affects all of our communities. They show us that recovery is possible and encourage others traveling along their own paths to wellness.

Speakers not only educate others, but also find great fulfillment in sharing their experiences.

NAMI members have many inspiring stories to share through IOOV, NAMI.org and our many publications. If you have a story you'd like to share, please e-mail yourstory@nami.org.

With your help, NAMI can continue to educate communities across the country about mental illness one story at a time.