NAMI is now in its 21st year, so you could say we have come of age. In its first two decades NAMI has grown and matured as an organization. We now have over 220,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and several other nations. And I'm proud to say that we have seen a tremendous increase in the number of consumers who have joined and participate in NAMI. Our board of directors, all elected by grassroots members, now includes four consumers-1/4 of the total. Two consumers are members of the executive committee; Fred Frese is 1st vice-president and Jim McNulty is treasurer. Moe Armstrong and Mike Freeman joined the Board last year. As has always been the case, the rest of the 16-member Board is made of spouses, siblings and parents of persons with serious mental illness. There are no appointed seats on the Board. Over half of the NAMI staff are consumers or family members. The essential character of our movement remains one of fierce independence and passionate advocacy.
Yet I know that some in the consumer-survivor world disdain NAMI and claim we are not working in the best interests of persons with mental illnesses. I find these charges strange and troubling. Strange because I think any fair analysis will show that no organization has done more to advance the rights and dignity of people with mental illness than NAMI. In medical research and health policy, in housing and employment, in the media, the Congress and state legislatures, NAMI has been strong and successful. Our message is one of hope and recovery.
Like many NAMI members, I have seen the reality of recovery in my family. My daughter Shannon has graduated from college and graduate school. She lives in her own apartment and works full time in her field. She has the support of family and friends and she shares her recovery as a support group leader each week. She is a public advocate and outspoken in the fight against stigma and discrimination. I am very proud of Shannon and her achievements despite her schizoaffective disorder. I am troubled that her success story is still far too rare. And I am dedicated to helping make recoveries like Shannon's the usual and expected outcome for people with mental illness. We have a long way to go.
How can we make recovery possible for individuals with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and other severe mental illnesses? I think there are some clear answers to this question and a path forward. I have been delighted to discuss these issues and challenges with Ken Steele. We have found a lot of common ground, which makes me optimistic for the future. One of the items that seem important is to acknowledge that some of the loudest voices in the "consumer-survivor ex-patient" movement have a very different agenda than NAMI. We are focused on promoting recovery and we recognize that severe mental illnesses are real, medical and treatable. We believe doctors, medicine and ongoing access to treatment and services are critical to functioning well for most individuals with serious mental illness. NAMI programs recognize the importance of consumer self-help as a vital support to recovery. That's why we have trained consumers to share their knowledge and experience as leaders of our Living with Schizophrenia classes. We want to link people who have learned how to cope successfully with mental illness. It's why we have mounted a national Campaign to End Discrimination, challenging stigma. Our Campaign has worked to pass insurance parity legislation in 28 states. We insist on the truth of our key messages-"mental illnesses are brain disorders," "treatment works" and "discrimination is wrong." We aim to move mental illness issues into the mainstream of healthcare practice and policy. The recent historic Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health is one sign of success. Certainly more and more Americans are coming to understand our concerns and support our advocacy agenda.
In Washington we know that issues only get legs when they have a visible and vocal constituency. That's where the collaboration between NAMI and Ken Steele's Voter Empowerment Project got started. Through his New York City experience, Ken has discovered how well politicians can listen when they realize that you vote! With over 30,000 consumers registered and voting in New York, Ken gets a response when he calls his elected officials. We at NAMI know the importance of grassroots activism. That's the heart and soul of NAMI 's effectiveness. So naturally I was eager to work with Ken to help spread the voter empowerment project across the nation. As you know, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has also embraced the program and begun a series of training sessions.
At NAMI we like to work in the local communities and we like to be hands on. In a highly charged presidential election year we believe it is important to get focused attention from the candidates and the media. So NAMI started our program with an all out effort in New Hampshire. Mike Fitzpatrick is our regional director for New England. He is also a former executive director of NAMI-Maine and a former member of the Maine Legislature, Mike is a savvy politician and he knows how to do grassroots organizing. In New Hampshire we also have a former NAMI president, Rona Purdy. Rona is a dedicated advocate and chairs our Campaign to End Discrimination. She is a former on-air reporter for ABC TV and truly understands the "art of spinning."
This talented team hit the ground and worked closely with mental health center staff and consumer leaders. Registration drives were in a number of locations across the state. Educational sessions were offered to consumers and NAMI members were recruited to help drive new consumer voters to the polls. The national media attention on the famous New Hampshire Presidential Primary helped us get into editorial boards, on regional television news programs and into meetings with the candidates themselves. We ran radio and newspaper ads and queried the candidates on their positions and priorities. All of this activity increased our visibility. In the eyes of New Hampshire, we are a constituency!
Ken will be speaking at our February Legislative Conference, which will educate all NAMI state presidents and executive directors and consumer council leaders about the Voter Empowerment Project. In many states and communities we expect to work with Mental Health Associations (MHA). In every location we will partner with local consumers to get the message out. It's NAMI's slogan for this election year: "I Vote I Count."
Rather than focus on the few areas of difference, Ken and the Voter Empowerment Project give consumers and families, NAMI and NMHA, and you and me a place to work together. And working together, we truly can change the world.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Family Members & Consumers: Uniting Coalescing Constituencies
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Saturday, September 10, 2011
Family Members & Consumers: Uniting Coalescing Constituencies
NAMI is now in its 21st year, so you could say we have come of age. In its first two decades NAMI has grown and matured as an organization. We now have over 220,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and several other nations. And I'm proud to say that we have seen a tremendous increase in the number of consumers who have joined and participate in NAMI. Our board of directors, all elected by grassroots members, now includes four consumers-1/4 of the total. Two consumers are members of the executive committee; Fred Frese is 1st vice-president and Jim McNulty is treasurer. Moe Armstrong and Mike Freeman joined the Board last year. As has always been the case, the rest of the 16-member Board is made of spouses, siblings and parents of persons with serious mental illness. There are no appointed seats on the Board. Over half of the NAMI staff are consumers or family members. The essential character of our movement remains one of fierce independence and passionate advocacy.
Yet I know that some in the consumer-survivor world disdain NAMI and claim we are not working in the best interests of persons with mental illnesses. I find these charges strange and troubling. Strange because I think any fair analysis will show that no organization has done more to advance the rights and dignity of people with mental illness than NAMI. In medical research and health policy, in housing and employment, in the media, the Congress and state legislatures, NAMI has been strong and successful. Our message is one of hope and recovery.
Like many NAMI members, I have seen the reality of recovery in my family. My daughter Shannon has graduated from college and graduate school. She lives in her own apartment and works full time in her field. She has the support of family and friends and she shares her recovery as a support group leader each week. She is a public advocate and outspoken in the fight against stigma and discrimination. I am very proud of Shannon and her achievements despite her schizoaffective disorder. I am troubled that her success story is still far too rare. And I am dedicated to helping make recoveries like Shannon's the usual and expected outcome for people with mental illness. We have a long way to go.
How can we make recovery possible for individuals with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and other severe mental illnesses? I think there are some clear answers to this question and a path forward. I have been delighted to discuss these issues and challenges with Ken Steele. We have found a lot of common ground, which makes me optimistic for the future. One of the items that seem important is to acknowledge that some of the loudest voices in the "consumer-survivor ex-patient" movement have a very different agenda than NAMI. We are focused on promoting recovery and we recognize that severe mental illnesses are real, medical and treatable. We believe doctors, medicine and ongoing access to treatment and services are critical to functioning well for most individuals with serious mental illness. NAMI programs recognize the importance of consumer self-help as a vital support to recovery. That's why we have trained consumers to share their knowledge and experience as leaders of our Living with Schizophrenia classes. We want to link people who have learned how to cope successfully with mental illness. It's why we have mounted a national Campaign to End Discrimination, challenging stigma. Our Campaign has worked to pass insurance parity legislation in 28 states. We insist on the truth of our key messages-"mental illnesses are brain disorders," "treatment works" and "discrimination is wrong." We aim to move mental illness issues into the mainstream of healthcare practice and policy. The recent historic Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health is one sign of success. Certainly more and more Americans are coming to understand our concerns and support our advocacy agenda.
In Washington we know that issues only get legs when they have a visible and vocal constituency. That's where the collaboration between NAMI and Ken Steele's Voter Empowerment Project got started. Through his New York City experience, Ken has discovered how well politicians can listen when they realize that you vote! With over 30,000 consumers registered and voting in New York, Ken gets a response when he calls his elected officials. We at NAMI know the importance of grassroots activism. That's the heart and soul of NAMI 's effectiveness. So naturally I was eager to work with Ken to help spread the voter empowerment project across the nation. As you know, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has also embraced the program and begun a series of training sessions.
At NAMI we like to work in the local communities and we like to be hands on. In a highly charged presidential election year we believe it is important to get focused attention from the candidates and the media. So NAMI started our program with an all out effort in New Hampshire. Mike Fitzpatrick is our regional director for New England. He is also a former executive director of NAMI-Maine and a former member of the Maine Legislature, Mike is a savvy politician and he knows how to do grassroots organizing. In New Hampshire we also have a former NAMI president, Rona Purdy. Rona is a dedicated advocate and chairs our Campaign to End Discrimination. She is a former on-air reporter for ABC TV and truly understands the "art of spinning."
This talented team hit the ground and worked closely with mental health center staff and consumer leaders. Registration drives were in a number of locations across the state. Educational sessions were offered to consumers and NAMI members were recruited to help drive new consumer voters to the polls. The national media attention on the famous New Hampshire Presidential Primary helped us get into editorial boards, on regional television news programs and into meetings with the candidates themselves. We ran radio and newspaper ads and queried the candidates on their positions and priorities. All of this activity increased our visibility. In the eyes of New Hampshire, we are a constituency!
Ken will be speaking at our February Legislative Conference, which will educate all NAMI state presidents and executive directors and consumer council leaders about the Voter Empowerment Project. In many states and communities we expect to work with Mental Health Associations (MHA). In every location we will partner with local consumers to get the message out. It's NAMI's slogan for this election year: "I Vote I Count."
Rather than focus on the few areas of difference, Ken and the Voter Empowerment Project give consumers and families, NAMI and NMHA, and you and me a place to work together. And working together, we truly can change the world.
Yet I know that some in the consumer-survivor world disdain NAMI and claim we are not working in the best interests of persons with mental illnesses. I find these charges strange and troubling. Strange because I think any fair analysis will show that no organization has done more to advance the rights and dignity of people with mental illness than NAMI. In medical research and health policy, in housing and employment, in the media, the Congress and state legislatures, NAMI has been strong and successful. Our message is one of hope and recovery.
Like many NAMI members, I have seen the reality of recovery in my family. My daughter Shannon has graduated from college and graduate school. She lives in her own apartment and works full time in her field. She has the support of family and friends and she shares her recovery as a support group leader each week. She is a public advocate and outspoken in the fight against stigma and discrimination. I am very proud of Shannon and her achievements despite her schizoaffective disorder. I am troubled that her success story is still far too rare. And I am dedicated to helping make recoveries like Shannon's the usual and expected outcome for people with mental illness. We have a long way to go.
How can we make recovery possible for individuals with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and other severe mental illnesses? I think there are some clear answers to this question and a path forward. I have been delighted to discuss these issues and challenges with Ken Steele. We have found a lot of common ground, which makes me optimistic for the future. One of the items that seem important is to acknowledge that some of the loudest voices in the "consumer-survivor ex-patient" movement have a very different agenda than NAMI. We are focused on promoting recovery and we recognize that severe mental illnesses are real, medical and treatable. We believe doctors, medicine and ongoing access to treatment and services are critical to functioning well for most individuals with serious mental illness. NAMI programs recognize the importance of consumer self-help as a vital support to recovery. That's why we have trained consumers to share their knowledge and experience as leaders of our Living with Schizophrenia classes. We want to link people who have learned how to cope successfully with mental illness. It's why we have mounted a national Campaign to End Discrimination, challenging stigma. Our Campaign has worked to pass insurance parity legislation in 28 states. We insist on the truth of our key messages-"mental illnesses are brain disorders," "treatment works" and "discrimination is wrong." We aim to move mental illness issues into the mainstream of healthcare practice and policy. The recent historic Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health is one sign of success. Certainly more and more Americans are coming to understand our concerns and support our advocacy agenda.
In Washington we know that issues only get legs when they have a visible and vocal constituency. That's where the collaboration between NAMI and Ken Steele's Voter Empowerment Project got started. Through his New York City experience, Ken has discovered how well politicians can listen when they realize that you vote! With over 30,000 consumers registered and voting in New York, Ken gets a response when he calls his elected officials. We at NAMI know the importance of grassroots activism. That's the heart and soul of NAMI 's effectiveness. So naturally I was eager to work with Ken to help spread the voter empowerment project across the nation. As you know, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has also embraced the program and begun a series of training sessions.
At NAMI we like to work in the local communities and we like to be hands on. In a highly charged presidential election year we believe it is important to get focused attention from the candidates and the media. So NAMI started our program with an all out effort in New Hampshire. Mike Fitzpatrick is our regional director for New England. He is also a former executive director of NAMI-Maine and a former member of the Maine Legislature, Mike is a savvy politician and he knows how to do grassroots organizing. In New Hampshire we also have a former NAMI president, Rona Purdy. Rona is a dedicated advocate and chairs our Campaign to End Discrimination. She is a former on-air reporter for ABC TV and truly understands the "art of spinning."
This talented team hit the ground and worked closely with mental health center staff and consumer leaders. Registration drives were in a number of locations across the state. Educational sessions were offered to consumers and NAMI members were recruited to help drive new consumer voters to the polls. The national media attention on the famous New Hampshire Presidential Primary helped us get into editorial boards, on regional television news programs and into meetings with the candidates themselves. We ran radio and newspaper ads and queried the candidates on their positions and priorities. All of this activity increased our visibility. In the eyes of New Hampshire, we are a constituency!
Ken will be speaking at our February Legislative Conference, which will educate all NAMI state presidents and executive directors and consumer council leaders about the Voter Empowerment Project. In many states and communities we expect to work with Mental Health Associations (MHA). In every location we will partner with local consumers to get the message out. It's NAMI's slogan for this election year: "I Vote I Count."
Rather than focus on the few areas of difference, Ken and the Voter Empowerment Project give consumers and families, NAMI and NMHA, and you and me a place to work together. And working together, we truly can change the world.
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