September 2015 Newsletter
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is the second leading
cause of death for people aged 15-24. Half of all students living with a mental health
condition drop out of school. In Texas, there were 2,903 deaths by suicide in 2010.
Youth is not only demographic suicide effects. A high percentage of service men and
women, and their families are susceptible to a loved one taking their own life as well.
It is considered to be among one of the most preventable of public health tragedies
according to the Texas State Plan for Suicide. The report provides guidelines for suicide
prevention in Texas and includes recent legislative changes that mandate training for
teachers on recognition of signs and symptoms.
NAMI’s role in public education is needed now more than ever as suicide rates increase
in our city and state. NAMI-SAT considers suicide a public health crisis that needs to be
brought to the forefront for community awareness in our schools, universities and
churches. We must educate people on the risk factors and treatment options.
Public education is one reason why the upcoming 2015 NAMIWalks is so important.
We need you to help us fulfill our mission to provide free mental health education on
suicide, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and other mental illness. Recovery is
possible if we work together!
This year’s walk will be held at Morgan’s Wonderland on October 3, 2015. Registration
starts at 7 am. We will have a great day walking to end the stigma of mental illness and
stand together for recovery.
2015 Walk Kick Off Lunch
Thank you all who attended the NAMIWalks Kick-Off Lunch: “Let’s Rock” on Friday,
August 11th. What an incredible event! We celebrated 2014 top fundraising teams,
individuals, NAMI Star Walkers, and even dancing to some rock-n-roll! 40 people joined
in as we officially kicked off the 2015 NAMIWalks Season. The audience learned about
how donations support our programs while we played NAMI Bingo. Bingo winners were
given toy guitars, so they could jam with the band. Music was provided by Mike Lozito,
John Diaz, Juan Martinez and Ryan Martinez. The group did a great job and had the
audience rocking!
If you missed the Kick Off there's still time to get involved!! Here is what you can do to
support NAMI:
1. Recruit sponsors
Take brochures (available via the NAMI SAT office) to local businesses and ask
them to sign on as a supporter of the walk - electronic versions also available
2. Consider becoming a Team Captain
We can help you learn what it takes to be a Team Captain
3. Join the Planning Committee
We're always looking for energetic folks passionate about making the walk bigger
and better.
4. Learn more about the walk now by visiting our website:
www.namiwalks.org/sanantonio or contact our office at (210) 734-3349.
2015 Elections
The 2015 NAMI Annual meeting will be held October 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. NAMI San
Antonio members who have an active membership as of July 1, 2015 are eligible to
vote. Each membership is one vote. Board nominations were accepted June 23 rd August 29th, 2015.
The election ballot was approved by our nominating committee. Below are the
candidate biographies and their nominators. If you have questions about voting
eligibility, please contact the office at (210) 734-3349.
Karin Gabrielson,
Family to Family Instructor
Nominated by Doug Beach, NAMI BOD President
My husband was diagnosed as manic depressive early in our marriage. At that
time, our friends and relatives knew nothing about bipolar disorder, as it is known
now, and preferred not to talk about it. In 2011, I took the NAMI Family to Family
course and realized how much that stigma had affected our family. That same
year I became a facilitator for the Family to Family classes. Although, my
husband is deceased, I want to be an advocate for other families dealing with a
loved one’s mental illness. Karin has taught 6 Family to Family classes, participated
in the NAMI Walks since 2012 and is an active NAMI member. She also has a cat
named NAMI.
Sgt. Raul Garza,
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Mobile Crisis Outreach Team
Nominated by Liza Jensen, NAMI Executive Director
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Richard Rutkoski,
Chairman, Board Member,
San Antonio SCORE
No Nomination submitted
“Having dealt with Mental Illness with my daughter my eyes were opened to my
lack of knowledge about mental illness. After finding NAMI, 12 years ago, the
weight of ignorance, denial, fear was brought into perspective. The death of my
daughter 8 months ago was sad but also enlightening. That’s is why I took the
Family to Family course a second time, I wanted to be prepared to help others
find NAMI and help the families realize the future is full of hope and help.” Richard
became a Family to Family Instructor in February, has taught 1 Family to Family class
and is currently teaching.
Proposed Amendment to the By-Laws:
On October 13rd during our annual meeting an amendment revision will be submitted for
member approval. The amendment is to increase the number of board members from 9
to 13. The Board of Directors are responsible for the solvency of the organization,
provide subject matter expertise, and to support the organization’s operations. The
proposed amendment changes are underlined below:
Section 5.1 Composition. The Board of Directors shall be composed of up to thirteen
directors. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors currently serving at any one time
shall be persons who have or have had mental illness, or who are the parents or other
relatives, including civil partners, of persons who have or have had mental illness
pursuant to the NAMI bylaws.
5.6.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
the president or a majority of the Board members with at least two (2) days’ notice to all
Board members.
5.7.4 Terms of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of up to thirteen
directors but not less than five at any one time. The number of directors elected in
each year shall be determined by the board but shall not be less than one-third
(1/3) the number of those serving at the time of the annual election.
Mental Health and Safe Communities Act:
On August 12th, I attended the local press release of Senator Cornyn’s Mental Health
and Safe Communities Act which aims to:
a. Prevent unnecessary incarceration;
b. Provide better treatment and services for individuals while incarcerated;
c. And help connect people with treatment and services following release from jail or
prison.
One of the ways this bill hopes to accomplish these objectives is by providing additional
funding for local Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Currently, NAMI-SAT is very
involved with jail diversion and CIT training at both BCSO and SAPD academy. NAMI
members give “In Our Own Voice” and “Family Perspectives” at the trainings to help law
enforcement officers see the person, not the illness.
I also had an opportunity this week to meet with interim Police Chief Trevino to affirm
NAMI’s involvement with the “Stepping Up” Campaign. The objective of this effort is to
ensure the voices of people with mental illness and their families are heard in counties
where leaders are working to reduce the prevalence of mental illness in jails.
Memorial Donations:
Losing a loved one is never easy. The family is grieving and often hurting. This past
July, family and friends of Brick Munroe generously gave gifts in his memory in lieu of
flowers. It is our hope that the family takes comfort in knowing that NAMI-SAT will
celebrate Brick’s life by continuing to provide free mental health education to others
through the gifts in his honor.
Upcoming Events:
Mental Illness Awareness Week:
October is Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMI will be launching our
stigmafree initiative on campus campaign. San Antonio is already making plans to
participate in several campus events by hosting a DJ to play music while volunteers
give snacks and information to students. The goal of this campaign is to get students
and faculty in colleges and universities across the country to take the pledge to be
stigmafree by:
1. Learning about mental health,
2. Seeing the person, not the illness, and
3. Taking action against stigma
You can join this event by taking the pledge at https://www.nami.org/stigmafree.
Candlelight Worship Service: Sunday, October 4th, 2015, a citywide ecumenical
candlelight worship service will be held at St. George Episcopal Church. This service
focuses on the Christian faith and its impact on those affected by mental illness. The
service starts at 5:30 pm and will be at 6904 West Avenue, 78213.
Fall Family Fiesta: Chrysalis Ministries is holding a Fall Family Fiesta at Viola’s
Ventana on Sunday, October 4 from 4 pm – 8 pm. Tickets are $30 per adult. Call
Natalie at (210) 299-4540 for more information.
VSA Texas: The 2015 MIAW Art Show, an exhibition celebrating Mental Illness
Awareness Week in October at High Wire Art Gallery, located at 326 West Josephine,
San Antonio, TX 78212. The exhibit includes artwork by artists with mental illness from
the state of Texas. The exhibition runs from October 9-24, 2015 with an Opening
Reception on Friday, October 9, 6:30-9:00 PM. For more information contact Susan
Beattie at 210-908-1776 or miawartshow@yahoo.com.
World Mental Health Day: The Bexar County Mental Health Department is hosting the
World Mental Health Day event on October 9th at Main Plaza in front of San Fernando
Cathedral from 11-12 noon.
DOES SCHIZOPHRENIA
RUN IN YOUR FAMILY?
We are seeking families with a history of schizophrenia and related disorders for an important study
designed to help determine the genetic causes for these illnesses.
To qualify, there must be at least 3 members of the extended family diagnosed with one of the
following:
•
•
•
•
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Bipolar Disorder (with psychotic features)
All family members must be at least 18 years old and willing to participate. The study
consists of a clinical interview and blood draw, both conducted in the home.
All participants receive $130.
For more information contact Paul Nelson at
845-981-9514 or geneticsresearchva@gmail.com
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