One in Four

Did you know that mental illness affects nearly 60 million Americans?  One in four adults cope with complex mental illnesses like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Luckily, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was created to help. Today it’s the largest national grassroots organization dedicated to improving lives for those affected by m.i. There are hundreds of NAMI associations across the country run by staff and by volunteers who work to provide meetings, awareness, education and group support.

I have benefited from community mental health support in many ways and know how critical good outpatient care and treatment can be. But I have yet to join my local NAMI. I decided that before I attended a local meeting, I would do some NAMI research. I went to www.nami.org on the web (you can find your nearest meeting on their site) and also interviewed a local contact, a long-time NAMI member, who agreed to an interview for my blog post. Her pseudonym is “Anne:”

Can you describe your own unique m.i. story and how you came to NAMI?

Anne: I had been diagnosed with a mental health condition for 25 years. I had three hospitalizations, monthly psychiatrist appointments, bi-weekly counselor’s appointments, and a lot of support from family and friends. My only income is Social Security Disability. I was involved in my community and working as a volunteer when, in 2009, someone suggested I become trained as a NAMI Connections co-facilitator. I applied and was accepted. Our NAMI Connections group started up in January of 2010. Our group has grown stronger and stronger, and we have welcomed many peers to meetings where we offer support and encourage education and advocacy for people living with mental health issues.

How has NAMI affected your life?

Anne: Now that I have been attending NAMI Connections support groups for three years, I have come to see myself as the person who has the power to make decisions about my life. I have come to realize that I am not alone. I do not have an illness. I am different. I am useful and valuable. When times are good or bad or in between, I can help others and others can help me. I get more out of my life, including my time with my psychiatrist and counselor, now that I have the understanding and support of peers at NAMI. My family and friends mean more to me than ever, as does my time working to make the world a better place.  

Would you recommend NAMI to others?

Anne: Anybody who considers themselves to have a mental health issue could benefit from NAMI because there they can find the understanding and support of people who have been through and are currently going through times a lot like their own lives. Together we get stronger by sharing our experiences.

NAMI meetings sound like positive and helpful gatherings. Time for me to claim a seat at a meeting.

More to come…

Cindy 

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Cindy Battles is a freelance writer based in Rutland, VT, winner of the National Disability Institute’s 2008 Blog Contest and a regular contributor here on the Real Economic Impact blog.

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EDI advances knowledge, policies, and practices to enhance the opportunities of people with disabilities through its projects, training, technical assistance, research, and publications.

May Issue of NDI’s Washington Insider Published

National Disability Institute’s Washington Insider is a monthly newsletter highlighting key federal policy news that impacts the financial futures and economic empowerment of all people with disabilities. The Washington Insider tracks legislative and policy initiatives gaining momentum on Capitol Hill, specifically in the areas of taxation, asset building and economic development.

Check out the latest issue, view the archives, or sign up now to recieve the Washington Insider via email.

Persons With A Disability: Barriers to Employment, Types of Assistance, and other Labor-Related Issues - Publication of the Week

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Don’t Call Her Inspirational

Harilyn Rousso, the author of the book  Don’t Call Me Inspirational: A Disabled Feminist Talks Back, has cerebral palsy. But that is just the starting point. As a person with a disability, I could relate to much of Harilyn’s writing, a refreshing look at disability as an identity. While she may not want to be called inspirational, for others with disabilities, her frank exploration of her life and others’ perceptions of her might be just that - inspirational.

In the book, Rousso shares her fascinating (and so real, why hasn’t someone said this before?) take on her disability.  She doesn’t want readers or the public to tell her, as they so often have, that she has “such courage” for doing everyday things like shopping at Rite-Aid. Yes, it happened.

She doesn’t want anyone to assume the bravery, nobility or heroism of people with disabilities  who successfully attend class, eat out, go to work, or otherwise simply carry on their daily lives.

The author traces her fierce independence back to her mother’s grit and decision not to let others’ doubts about Harilyn’s abilities limit her.  The author went from trying to “pass” as someone without a disability in her youth to claiming her voice in disability rights.  She attended Brandeis University, majored in Economics and through a consciousness-raising group she joined, developed confidence in herself and her dating desirability. In her twenties, she fell in love and has for years, lived with an intimate partner.  

The chapter “On Claiming Disability” describes Rousso’s involvement with the disability rights movement, which taught her to finally see disability as a source of positivity.  In “My Mentoring Project,” Rousso describes bringing together urban teen girls with disabilities with New York City mentors – working women with disabilities.  She is a leader and a cheerleader for young girls with disabilities.

Besides being an organizer, writer and feminist, Rousso, now in her sixties, has worked as a psychotherapist.  “I put up with the barriers, the barricades,  the bull**** put between us…” she writes “and still pay the rent on time and savor dark chocolate. Now that takes real courage.”  It’s that kind of writing, so on point and memorable, that makes “Don’t Call Me Inspirational” a great read, full of spark and wit.  

Don’t call her inspirational.   Call her a refreshing writer with a rich, full life.

Cindy

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Cindy Battles is a freelance writer based in Rutland, VT, winner of the National Disability Institute’s 2008 Blog Contest and a regular contributor here on the Real Economic Impact blog.