National Alliance on Mental Illness       

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Our Mission - NAMI Illinois (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a not-for-profit membership organization created to improve the lives of individuals and families challenged by mental illness.  In collaboration with NAMI National, Illinois affiliates and other like-minded organizations, we influence public policies, provide up to date education and support programs, and increase public awareness and understanding of mental illness.

 

Light Up the Night!        

NAMI Illinois' Holiday Appeal

This year we’ll be sharing this year’s Holiday appeal on the web!  Track our progress and watch for your donation to make a difference as we “Light up the Night!”   

For each donation we receive, we will add to our winter scene to literally “Light Up the Night!”  And, if you’d like to create a tribute or honor a loved one, we’ll share your message in a special web section.

 

We can’t create HOPE without your support.  Let’s work together to “Light up the Night!”

Sincere thanks and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season, followed by an even better 2009!

 

Items of Interest for NAMI Illinois Affiliates

NAMI Illinois Bookmarks Available!

NAMI Illinois has made bookmarks available to all NAMI Illinois affiliates, so place your orders for this free resource today!  Figure out all of the places that you can share them to make a significant difference in your community!

 

Order your 2009 Mental Health Recovery Calendars now!

These quality calendars will make excellent gifts for community leaders, family members and friends alike!  

This bright, colorful message of hope, recovery, resilience and mental health will brighten any room!  Use them as a fundraising tool for your affiliate.  Order yours today.  

 

 

NAMI Connection is a recovery support group program for people living with mental illness that is expanding in 

communities throughout the country.  These groups provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.

Click here and check out our newest graduates.

The NAMI Illinois Consumer Council was formed to advance the activities and involvement of the consumer membership of NAMI at the local, state and national levels by actively participating in advocacy issues and program development.  The Consumer Council, made up of people who live with a mental illness, is an advisory body to the Board of Directors. 

Nominations are now open for Officer positions on the NAMI Illinois Consumer Council.  See how you can get involved.

NAMI Illinois' Education and Support Programs

Find an Illinois affiliate in your area.

Americans must understand and send this message: 

mental disability is not a scandal - it is an illness,

and like physical illnesses, it is TREATABLE, 

especially when the treatment comes early.

Learn about mental illnesses.

26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder- that's 57.7 million Americans.   -  Mental disorders are the leading causes of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44. - 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder - Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-14 year olds - Late-life depression affects about 6 million adults.

References: National Institute of Mental Health and National Mental Health Association

With more than 210,000 members, NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's leading grassroots advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with mental illness and their families.

Our Grassroots Logo

This web site provides information and links to educate individuals about mental illness.  NAMI Illinois is a non-profit, self-help organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life for persons with mental illness and their families.  As a statewide grassroots organization, NAMI has 35 affiliate groups located throughout the state.

Each affiliate is comprised of family members, friends, professionals, and individuals who are recovering from mental illness.  With headquarters in the state capital, Springfield, a board of directors is elected to three-year terms by the general membership.  The board, which meets 6 times per year, governs NAMI Illinois policy.  Board members are family members, consumers and professionals who set policy for the state organization.  The staff of NAMI Illinois carries out board policy, with the State Executive Director having primary responsibility.    

Look in our directory for an affiliate in your area.  

Mental Health News

Discussion Groups

Be sure to visit NAMI Illinois “Discussions” portion of our website, http://il.nami.org/discussions.htm  

Here's your opportunity to learn what others are talking about and to share your opinion and ask questions.

Good communications is the heart of any relationship and this includes your relationship with NAMI (National, State and local Affiliates).  NAMI Illinois is starting a new service for its members and local chapters called "Communicate."  Its purpose is to share helpful information. In order to do this you can ask questions for problems you have or you can share information that has been helpful to you and/or your organization.
 

We have started by creating several subject areas.  They are:

"Problem Solving"
This section is for State, Local Affiliates and Individuals who have a problem they have been unable to solve.  Requests for help should state the problem (only a single problem) and document the contacts they have made with the results or lack of results.

"New or Revised Programs"
This section is for State and Local Affiliates.  It describes programs or new initiatives. Sharing should include: how or why the program was started, who is the intended or anticipated audience, expected results, and how local affiliates can implement this program.

"New Ideas"
This section is for National, State and Local Affiliates to propose or brainstorm new ideas. 

"Accomplishments"
Posting accomplishments and sharing National, State and Local successes will give all of us pride in our organization and inspire us to achieve or exceed the results of others. 

"Income Sources"
This area allows all NAMI members and affiliates to share fundraising information to expand efforts to finance NAMI programs.

"Suggestion Box"

Help build a stronger NAMI! Submit suggestions to ensure all levels of the NAMI organization meet your needs.

Report on Illinois' Health Care System for Serious Mental Illness Released - Click here to read

The Current Status of Mental Health in Schools: A Policy and Practice Analysis 

The Center report can be accessed online at –  http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/currentstatusmh.htm 

People With Mental Illness

Abraham Lincoln, Virginia Woolf, Lionel Aldridge, Eugene O'Neill, Beethoven, Leo Tolstoy, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vincent Van Gogh,  Issac Newton, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, Michelangelo, Winston Churchill, Vivien Leigh, Patty Duke, Charles Dickens, Margot Kidder, Mike Wallace

NAMI Illinois 2008 Partner Organizations

Adapt of Illinois  (psychiatric rehabilitation services)

105 W. Madison

Suite 1600

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Phone: 312-553-9440

Fax: 312-553-9441

http://www.adaptusa.com/illinois.html 

Chestnut Health Systems   (behavioral health care) 

50 Northgate Industrial Drive

Granite City, Illinois 62040

Phone: 618-877-4420

Fax: 618-877-9526 

http://www.chestnut.org/ 

Community Behavioral Health Care Association of Illinois (membership organization representing the interests of community behavioral healthcare agencies in the State of Illinois)

3085 Stevenson Drive

Suite 308

Springfield, Illinois 62703

Phone: 217-585-1600

http://www.CBHA.net

Crosspoint Human Services 

210 Ave. C

Danville, Illinois 61832

Phone: 217-442-3200

http://www.co.vermilion.il.us/mental05.html

Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Inc.  (treatment for emotional disorders, mental illnesses and addictive disorders)

151 North Main Street

Decatur, Illinois 62525

Phone: 217-362-6290

Fax: 217-362-6290

http://heritagenet.org 

Janet Wattles Center  (mental health assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation)

526 West State Street

Rockford, Illinois 61101

Phone: 815-968-9300

Fax: 815-968-5314 

TDD: 815-968-2648

http://www.janetwattles.org/

Thresholds (psychiatric rehabilitation center)

4101 N. Ravenswood Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60613

phone: 773-572-5200

http://www.thresholds.org/

Tri-County Counseling Center (mental health and substance abuse services)

220 E. County Road

PO Box 381

Jerseyville, Illinois 62052

Phone: 618-498-9587

Fax: 618-498-6257

NAMI Illinois is an affiliate of NAMI.