GENERAL INFORMATION

Address:  P.O. BOX 1921  
                  Arvada, CO 80001

Contact:   Norman Bertelsen (President). . . 303-349-2563 Norm@NormanBertelsen.com

NAMI JEFFCO BOARD/CONTACTS

President: . . . . . . . . Norman Bertelsen . . . . 303-349-2563  Norm@NormanBertelsen.com

Vice President: . . . . Pam Sindorf Haynes . . 303-279-7661  pamhaynes@aol.com

Treasurer/Contributions: . . . .Tony Rodrigues

Secretary: . . . . . . . . Gloria Zann

Membership: . . For Information call Kathy Bobb. . . . 303-979-7427  kbobb002@aol.com 

Support Night: . . . . . For Information call Pam Haynes. . . .303-279-7661

Consumer Outreach: .Dennis Hofts . . . . . . . 303-421-8522  verden53@yahoo.com

Legislative/Advocacy: . ..Nita Bradford . . . . 303-232-5078  nitajohn@comcast.net

Filling the Gap: . . . . . Donna Grano. . . . . . . 303-420-2006 ftgdental@msn.com

(dental program)

NAMI Jeffco Mission Statement

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Jeffco (NAMI Jefferson County, formerly JAMI) is a non-profit organization. We are affiliated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Colorado. Our mission is:

• to provide emotional support to individuals who have a mental illness and their families
• to promote education to its members and the general public about mental illness
• to act as advocates for new legislation
• to promote community support programs, including appropriate living arrangements linked with social, vocational, and employment programs
• to work toward removing the stigma to mental illness through public education
• to promote research in prevention and care

Newsletters

• 2006 Summer Edition         • 2008 Winter Edition           • 2009 Summer Edition

• 2007 Winter Edition           • 2008 Summer Edition         • 2010 Winter Edition

• 2007 Summer Edition         • 2009 Winter Edition              • 2010 Summer Edition

NAMI Jeffco's education nights provides an opportunity to be with other folks who are dealing with similar struggles and journeys in a safe, casual, non-judgmental, non-threatening and always confidential environment. We welcome family members and folks who have mental illnesses as well as others in the community who want to learn more about how we can continue to break through stigma, which has, in many cases, crippled effective treatment, research and living conditions within the mental health arena.

Date:          1st Wednesday of every month

Time:          7:00 - 8:30 P.M.

Location:   Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH)

                 CEDAR BUILDING: 9808 West Cedar Ave. Lakewood

(Cedar is one block north of Alameda at Alameda and Kipling St., across from the Federal Center)

Type:          Educational speakers, and/or videos; Presented for the benefit of both

                      consumers & family members

Scheduled Speakers/Presentations for 2010

NAMI Jeffco Education Night Meetings

Wednesday, September 1, 2010: Featuring Jefferson County Sheriff, Sergeant Daly, who will be speaking on CIT (Crisis Intervention Team)

When Crisis Hits Home: What is CIT? Jefferson County Sergeant Daly will present information and take questions regarding the Crisis Intervention Trained Officers and how important these specially trained officers are in restoring hope during particularly stressful and critical times. The goals of CIT is to train law enforcement officers in the recognition of mental illness, to enhance
their verbal crisis de-escalation skills, and to provide more streamlined access to community-based mental health services. An overview of CIT including an insight into the actual training sessions as well as how to request a CIT specifically trained law enforcement officer when your family member is in crisis will be addressed. 

Wednesday, October 6, 2010: Deborah Amesbury and Jennifer Hill will present on the 5 Key Components of Recovery

This presentation will cover the 5 key recovery concepts identified by Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD, a nationally known recovery educator and author of over two dozen publications, CDs and DVDs. In October 2009 Dr. Copeland received a lifetime achievement award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The 5 Components: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Education, Self-Advocacy, and Support
Are the foundation for WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), which is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable and distressing emotions, symptoms, and behaviors AND reducing, modifying, or eliminating them by using planned responses.

Deborah Amesbury, LCSW, has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 35 years as well as the Director of Consumer and Family Affairs for CO Div. of Mental Health 1995-2004 transferring to CO Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing where she was a Behavioral Health Specialist until her retirement in October 2006. She is an active member of NAMI Denver, We Can! And an effective proponent of fair treatment for everyone who lives having a mental illness—Deb is advocate, family member and consumer. Jennifer’s work in mental health recovery includes a career in healthcare and lived experience as both a peer and family member affected by mental health issues. She is currently a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator and the co-coordinator of the NAMI Denver Porter Hospital Community Outreach Program, as ell as co-coordinating a new peer support group, Elemental.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010: Featuring Ronny M. Zarb-Cousin, M.A., Ex. Dir., and Briana L. Severine, Clinical Dir., of Blue Pine Recovery, Personal Support for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

These ladies are back by popular demand to lead an interactive discussion about helping folks who have illnesses help themselves as well as supporting family members in need of information on how to help their loved ones live the quality of life they deserve.  Serving people who have schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, PTSD, transitional stress and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ronny and Briana are effective communicators, listeners and supporters in their team approach within Blue Pine Recovery. 

NO DECEMBER MEETING!

FREE JEFFERSON COUNTY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS:TSupport Groups offer a safe, non-judgmental and confidential outlet for sharing with others who have gone through similar experiences. Together we can get through the tough times and celebrate the good. These groups are open to the community, which means you do not have to live in Jefferson County to attend any of these support groups.

Lakewood Family Support Group - open to families and caregivers having adult family members living with mental illness

When:     2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

Time:      6:30-8:30 P.M.

Where:    Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH), 9808 W. Cedar Avenue, Lakewood

Facilitator: Pat O'Connell, Family Peer Mentor Call 303-432-5114 to leave a message for Pat to return your call For information and directions, call 303-432-5461

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Arvada Family-to-Family Support Group - open to families and caregivers dealing with mental illness (including parents and caregivers of children/adolescents)

When:    1st Thursday of each month, open to Community
Time:     7:00-8:30 P.M.
Where:   Foothills Community Church, 8270 W 80th Ave, Arvada, In the fireside room

Contact: Jennie, 720-227-7207, jenvie06@yahoo.com

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Wheatridge Family-to-Family Support Group - open to families and caregivers dealing with mental illness (including parents and caregivers of children/adolescents)

When:   3rd Wednesday of each month

Time:    7:00-8:30 P.M.

Where:  Applewood Community of Christ Church, 3780 Ward Rd., Wheat Ridge

Contact: Jeannine Rand, 303-349-0479

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Support Group for Spouses and Significant Others

When:  3rd Monday of each month

Time:   6:30-8:30 P.M.

Where: Cedar Bldg. 9808 W. Cedar Ave. Lakewood

Facilitator:  Pat O'Connell, a family member herself

There is no cost to attend this support group Call 303-432- 5114 to leave message for Pat to return your call

Date:           2nd Wednesday of each month

Time:          7:00 - 8:30 P.M.

Location:   Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH)

                     CEDAR BUILDING: 9808 West Cedar Ave. Lakewood

(Cedar is one block north of Alameda at Alameda and Kipling St., across from the Federal Center)

For information on board activities and/or board membership, call Norman Bertelsen (President) at 303-349-2563 , or email him at Norm@NormanBertelsen.com.

FILLING THE GAP dental program for consumers

The mission of Filling the Gap Dental Program is to provide NO COST
dental services to adults with a severe and persistent mental illness living
in Jefferson, Gilpin or Clear Creek County.
- JCMH provides case management support.
- FTG provides organized and fact based presentations to churches, temples, businesses
and other interested groups.
- FTG can also be the recipient of a gift in memory of or on behalf of a loved one.
- Dentists and oral surgeons working with the program provide their services at a
50% discount. FTG provides the difference.
Dentists and hygienists are welcome to volunteer pro bono dental services.
Contact Information: Donna Grano: 303-420-2006   Email:  ftgdental@msn.com

Click here to see the brochure

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FAMILY-TO-FAMILY EDUCATION CLASSES - FREE Education classes for families and caregivers of adults living with mental illness; Coordinator: Pam Haynes 303-279-7661, email: pamhaynes@aol.com

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COLORADO VISIONS CLASSES - FREE Education classes for families and caregivers of children/adolescents living with mental illness; Contact Person: Tammy Snow 303-321-3104 (NAMI Colorado office), email: tsnow@nami.org 

D'S CORNER

Join us in welcoming this new addition to our Newsletter and webpage! Some musings by a remarkable woman who knows first hand the uniqueness of living with a mental illness! This wonderful lady shares her inspiring story with families who attend the Family-to-Family classes.  D introduces herself with the following quote, one with great importance to her.

“Nobody asks to have their mind taken away from them. Nobody asks to have their mind inhabited by foreign bodies that are telling you what to do, and how to do it… These are psychotic disorders. It’s a pretty wicked world where people can’t understand that. Just basic human compassion would argue that you open your heart. But, it’s very hard to open your heart to something that you’re frightened of and you don’t understand. My argument would be is to try to increase human basic understanding of what these illnesses are all about.”   - Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison via the following internet link:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14312157

"The Broncos/Rockies are schizophrenic this year.  The weather has been really schizophrenic this week."

   We have all heard these assessments to describe people or events that go between opposite extremes. Even very kind, caring people will make these statements. I hear it in the media constantly. I know people think we as a society have taken political correctness too far. The problem is that these statements are not fair comparisons. People who have Schizophrenia do not have multiple personalities. For me, schizophrenia is spending a lot of time alone. I interact okay with co-workers and friends, but unknown interactions with others often prevent me from having much of a social life. I struggle with worrying about getting fired from work, or that my co-workers are gossiping about me when there is no real basis for worry. I sometimes have misperceptions that when certain bad things happen around me that I have somehow caused them. But, I am not violent or erratic, nor are others that I have known who have mental illnesses. 

   I work in the computer field and most communication is via e-mails and Instant Messages that are written quickly, causing the occasional typo.  We generally laugh about them, especially if they make up some other word instead. Whoever wrote the typo will say, “...sorry, dyslexic moment”.  This comment, while disparaging to those who struggle with dyslexia is correct. Someone who has dyslexia does have difficulty with spelling. 

  What I do if someone says someone or something is schizophrenic is to say, “...really, it’s more correct to say that the Broncos’ play has been hot and cold this year.” It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is a simple thing I do to try to educate people to learn a little more about Schizophrenia.  Sometimes, the response from people is that they look at you (or me) like, “whatever”, but that’s what I do anyway.  Education is the key to breaking through Stigma. Another thing I encourage is when people start discussing mental illnesses in a bad way (do they ever discuss this in a good way?), I try to humanize the comments. I say, “I had an uncle who had schizophrenia—and he was one of the kindest, most considerate and gentle persons I have ever known (this is true).  In this way people stop and think about what they are saying. Increase human understanding of what these illnesses are all about, this is my goal.    

- D

2010

  CHRISTMAS PARTY, DECEMBER, DATE AND LOCATION TBA

2011

NAMI JEFFCO ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC!