News
Jun 11, 2013
Medicaid Expansion and Mental Health Care
NAMI has released a new report on expanding Medicaid and mental health care. In the report NAMI has focused on the importance of Medicaid as a way to finance mental health services and emphasizes that the expansion of Medicaid is the best chance states have to strengthen mental health systems.
Download the complete report in PDF format
Jun 6, 2013
President Obama Elevates Mental Health Issues to National Stage
Watch President Obama's speech here: www.whitehouse.gov
The National Conference on Mental Health, held on June 3rd, was a concentrated effort of the Obama Administration to raise awareness and improve the life of Americans with mental health issues. The conference addressed ways to change the way Americans think about mental illness in order to reduce stigma and urge those struggling with mental health to get help.
President Obama promised a handful of changes that will help in these efforts. Among these changes, he announced his request that 150 DVA health centers hold mental health summits this summer and fall. He also reported that the National Association of Broadcasters has announced the launch of a public education campaign to change attitudes about mental illness through advertisements and social media. In addition, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius revealed the launch of the new website, mentalhealth.gov, and promised the final rule on mental health parity.
This is a giant leap towards a brighter future for those living with mental illness. President Obama applauded the efforts of private sector and non-profit organizations, and we are thrilled to know we are not alone in this fight.
May 22, 2013
Video Contest Winners Announced!
Research shows that the most effective way to reduce stigma is through personal contact and sharing your personal story. We thank everyone who created a video for our statewide contest!
We had a lot of wonderful submissions but the winner of our contest is:
Mania - Do you know what it's like?
This video was submitted by a sophmore at Concordia University in Mequon, WI
The other top two videos are:
StigmaLyrics
Understand. Accept. Support
View all videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/namiwisconsin/videos
May 21, 2013
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) commonly called the new health law or the Affordable Care Act, was signed into U.S. law on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, the law is intended to increase access to health insurance coverage for Americans and is aimed at reducing the costs of health care.
Learn More at: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Health_Care_Reform
May 21, 2013
NAMI in the News
NAMI discusses the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training that is offered statewide for law enforcement officers.
Learn more about CIT at: http://www.namiwisconsin.org/program_detail.cfm?programID=4
May 8, 2013
Presidential Proclamation
President Obama calls upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise mental health awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier lives. For many of the tens of millions of Americans who are living with a mental health issue, getting help starts with a conversation; talking about it with someone they trust and consulting with a health care provider.
Prejudice and discrimination often create a barrier to people seeking help. The President highlights that we as a nation need to make sure people know that "asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of strength." Additionally, with the Affordable Care Act, insurers may not deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions and will expand behavioral health issue benefits for 62 million Americans. The Administration has made unprecedented commitments to improve mental health care in America, and resources are available to those who need them.
You can find nearby treatment through SAMHSA's Treatment Referral line at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This toll-free service provides round-the-clock information confidentially on where to go for help on prevention, treatment, and recovery issues related to mental illness or substance use disorders (assistance available in English and Spanish). Similarly, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) provides free, confidential, immediate round-the-clock assistance to people in crisis. Both lines are open to all Americans—including service members, veterans, and their families—365 days a year.
Heed the President's call and use the month of May to raise mental health awareness.
May 8, 2013
Sign petition to your legislator
Governor Walker wants to reject billions of dollars in federal health care reform funds to fill the holes in BadgerCare. This decision, which can be overturned by the Legislature, endangers lives and denies needed funds to Wisconsin communities.
The Medicaid expansion ruling is important to people living with mental illness because it allows states to expand their Medicaid programs with substantial federal funding and the Medicaid expansion must cover mental health and substance abuse care. The Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin would provide health insurance coverage to hundreds of residents, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured and live with mental illness.
Take Action: Sign the petition to your state legislators at: http://www.gothealthcarewi.com/badgercare_petition
See the Jan/Feb Iris for more information about the ACA and its implications for people living with mental illness.
Apr 12, 2013
NAMI video contest needs your vote
As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, NAMI Wisconsin is sponsoring a video contest. High school and college students from across the state have submitted short videos that aim to breakdown the stigma associated with mental illness. We would like your help in choosing the top 3 videos from among the 11 finalists.
You can view the finalists' videos on the NAMI Wisconsin YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/namiwisconsin/videos
Once you've looked over all the submissions, use this link to vote for your favorite:
(The videos are also embedded on the voting page, in case you need a final look.)
Voting will be open until midnight on Sunday, April 21. The top three videos will then be screened at the NAMI Wisconsin annual statewide conference in Madison on April 26-27. The grand prize winner chosen at the conference will receive an 8GB Flip Mino HD video camera.
The top 11 videos will be featured on the NAMI Wisconsin website as an Info Fair for the months of September and October 2013. The grand prize video will be used as part of the statewide publicity campaign aroun Mental Illness Awareness Week 2013.
Thanks for your vote!
Mar 27, 2013
NAMI on the Air!
On Thursday March 14th, Nigel O’Shea interviewed Ron Honberg, J.D. about issues surrounding Mental Illness.
Ron Honberg (NAMI Director for Policy and Legal Affairs) was interviewed by Madison's own WORT. Ron's responses give a good model on how to answer some hard questions about the perceived link between mental illness and violence. Check out the interview at: http://www.wortfm.org/mental-illness/.
Mar 21, 2013
Pieces: In My Own Voice
NAMI Wisconsin would like to invite you to the presentation of a powerful theatrical production depicting the lives of people living with a mental health diagnosis. "Pieces: In My Own Voice" will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Madison Marriott West.
The performance is free and open to the public.
For more information on "Pieces," you can call NAMI Wisconsin at 608-268-6000 or check out the website at piecesinmyownvoice.com.
The April 26 production is sponsored by NAMI Wisconsin and the Charles E. Kubly Foundation.
Feb 26, 2013
Governor Walker's Biennial Budget Bill: Impact on Mental Health
This February, Governor Walker released his biennial budget proposal. As mental health advocates, there are a few key parts of the budget that demand our attention and action:
$29 million in mental health care spending:
- $12.5 million for additional inpatient Forensic Treatment units at Mendota Health Institute
- $10.2 million for Comprehensive Community Services (CCS)
- $3.7 million for Coordinated Service Teams (CST)
- $1.3 million for Peer Run Respite Centers
- Create Office of Children’s Mental Health and provide $535,000 for children’s mental health services
- $524,000 in in-home counseling for children
This is great news for many people living with mental illness. However, it is important not to let this victory blind us from other aspects of the budget that affect people in need of mental health services.
Rejection of federal funds for BadgerCare expansion (through the Affordable Care Act). The Governor’s plan will instead:
- Implement a partial expansion: 82,000 childless adults will receive coverage
- To offset the partial expansion: 87,000 parents will be shifted from BadgerCare into a federally-established health insurance exchange, where they will be required to purchase private insurance.
By rejecting federal funds that would fill significant coverage gaps, the Governor’s budget reflects a shallow understanding of BadgerCare as a crucial means to affordable mental health care for Wisconsin residents.
Take Action
As the Joint Finance Committee begins to hold public hearings on the budget, we need to offer our perspective as mental health consumers and advocates. You can find more information about the timeline and format of these hearings, as well as contact information for your legislators at: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Your voice matters!
Feb 25, 2013
NAMI Wisconsin is Hiring!
For more details about our current openings click here.
Jan 17, 2013
Mental Illness Awareness Video Contest
NAMI Wisconsin is launching an awareness campaign about mental illness that will be highlighted at our state conference and during Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct 6th - 12th, 2013.
NAMI Wisconsin is seeking video submissions that aim to combat stigma and dispel myths that are so often associated with mental illness.
Video submissions must:
1. Be developed by Wisconsin high school or college students
2. Address the topic of mental illness awareness
3. Run 5 minutes in length or less
4. Be submitted to NAMI Wisconsin by April 1st, 2013
5. Be completed by 1-3 students
6. Include a registration form
Please submit your video file and registration to: videocontest@namiwisconsin.org
Please contact Chelsea or Julianne at NAMI Wisconsin with questions.
Dec 17, 2012
Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.nami.org/) has issued the following statement which includes recommended links to trauma resources for families:
"Like other Americans, NAMI is horrified and saddened by today's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As of Friday at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern), news reports indicated that close to 30 people were shot and killed, most of them children. We extend our sympathy to their families and to all who knew and loved them.
It is extremely important that the Newtown, Conn. community be prepared to provide trauma services and resources to all those affected by the tragedy. Our national community must do so as well. The tragedy will inevitably leave an impression on many children. Parents and caregivers throughout the country will need to reassure them.
American Psychiatric Association recommendations http://drbeckerschutte.visibli.com/share/he23Ln include:
* Create an open and supportive environment where children know they can ask questions.
* Give honest answers and information. Use words and concepts they can understand.
* Help children to find ways to express themselves and to know that people are there to help. Remember also that children learn by watching parents and teachers react and listening to their conversations.
* Don't let children watch too much television with frightening repetitious images.
* Monitor for physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches or other pains.
Additional resources are also available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS http://www.aacap.org/galleries/default-file/csts_restoring_sense_of_safety_after_shooting.pdf), the University of Maryland Center for School Mental Health (CSMH http://csmh.umaryland.edu/Resources/OtherResources/CSMHListofTraumaResources.pdf) and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA http://www.samhsa.gov/children/trauma_resilience.asp)."
Dec 14, 2012
NAMI Wisconsin Public Policy Platform
We’ve all endured a very heated election season that seems to have lasted for years. New leaders have been elected and will now serve as our representatives at the state and federal level. We urge you, as NAMI members, to contact your representatives, congratulate them on the election and let them know you are part of NAMI and you are concerned about mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Let them know you want to serve as a resource for them and you will be in touch with them as they make decisions that affect people living with mental illnesses.
For information about NAMI Wisconsin positions go to http://www.namiwisconsin.org/positions.cfm for the 2012-2013 NAMI Wisconsin Public Policy Platform