Turn to page 6 for a full calendar of MIAW events!

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1 The Iris SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 Vol 31 Issue 5 Wisconsin The State s Voice on Mental Illness Mental Illness Awareness Week 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Join the NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council 2 Engagement: A New Standard for Mental Health 3 #PledgeAgainstStigma 4 Act 4 Mental Health 5 Mental Illness Awareness Week Events 6 Turn to page 6 for a full calendar of MIAW events! It s that time of year again... Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW)! We are back once again to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for equal care. This year, the movement is back and better than ever. We want you to be a part of this growing movement! During MIAW, there will be a variety of local events for you to get involved in. Flip to page 6 for a full calendar of NAMI events around the state of Wisconsin! NAMI UW s Bandana Project 7 NAMI Wisconsin Invites You to the Healing Art Show 8 Save the Date: NAMI Wisconsin Annual Conference Stigma-- Dr. Heal Thyself! 10 NAMI WISCONSIN In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2016, NAMI Wisconsin wants you to #PledgeAgainstStigma. We have chosen 5 very important issues in the mental health world. We are asking you to choose an issue that is the most important to you and send us your pledge. Together, our pledges will truely make a difference across the state of Wisconsin. See page 4 for more details. NAMI Wisconsin s 10th Annual Healing Art Show is right around the corner! The Healing Art Show displays the works of creative individuals who have experienced mental illness. The purpose of the show is to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness by highlighting talents and strengths that far overshadow any mental illness. We want you to join us for the opening reception of the show! There will be food and beverages. Turn to pg. 9 for more information about the Healing Art Show W BELTLINE HWY MADISON, WI (608) (800) NAMIWISCONSIN.ORG NAMI Wisconsin is an Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness 2016 NAMI Wisconsin. All Rights Reserved. SAVE THE DATE! NAMI Wisconsin is excited to announce the theme of our Annual Conference 2017! Mark your calendars for May 5-6, 2017 for an awesome conference full of advocacy, education, and support. Turn to page 9 to learn about our Conference theme choice!

2 HOPE AND RECOVERY The mission of NAMI Wisconsin is to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illness and to promote recovery. NAMI Wisconsin will accomplish its mission through the following: Establishing local Affiliates in keeping with NAMI National s principles and guidelines. Supporting Affiliates by providing follow-up advice and counsel, educational and training programs and materials, access to financial resources as appropriate, conferences, seminars, and presentations. Advocating at all levels of government and throughout the public sector. Promoting public education and understanding of mental illnesses. Do you want your message of hope and recovery to help shape the NAMI Wisconsin Board? Join the NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council! The NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council (NWCC) is currently looking for more members. NWCC is an advisory council of the NAMI Wisconsin Board of Directors. All members are individuals who have personal experiences with mental illness. This is an opportunity to get your thoughts, ideas, and messages of hope and recovery to the NAMI Wisconsin board and influence policy, advocacy initative and programs. Through the solidarity of a strong council, we can and will be heard! If you have fresh ideas, an energetic passion, and can make a three year commitment to monthly meetings, then this council is perfect for you! Meetings are held monthly through teleconference. These meetings are currently scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month at 6:45pm. Together we can have a voice and an important role in shaping the future of NAMI Wisconsin. If you are interested in in joining the NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council, please contact Christopher Finnell at c.finnell87@gmail.com or (608) You can also contact the NAMI Wisconsin office directly at (608) The NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council has helped give me more purpose in my life. Through the Consumer Council, I have felt like I have been able to help others and effect their lives in a positive manner. I have met many consumers through my work on the Council and I love that I have been able to connect with them personally. This newsletter is published six times per year. The views expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily those of our officers or funding sources. 2 namiwisconsin.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

3 WHAT THE RESEARCH IS SAYING Engagement: A New Standard For Mental Health Care As an organization of individuals with mental health conditions and their families, NAMI knows that the U.S. system of mental health care is failing to engage many people who seek help. The facts say it all: many people who seek mental health care drop out. 70% that drop out do so after their first or second visit. The first moments of interaction between a service provider and a person seeking care for a mental health condition can set the tone and course of treatment. This first interaction can start a journey to recovery and a satisfying life or it can leave a person unsure or even hopeless about their future and unwilling to go back a second time. The same is true about interactions with others in the community; a person who has been told that people with mental illness are scary, weak or unable to care for themselves may not seek help or may avoid telling others the full extent of what they are experiencing. While there are many reasons people do not engage in mental health services and supports, including in some cases lack of insight, this report focuses on the foundation: the relationships between people with mental illness and service providers, families and the broader community. Trusting and respectful relationships are the basis for recovery. The systemic indifference of the mental health system would not be tolerated in the treatment of other conditions; people with other serious illnesses are treated with respect and care. They and their families are supported in care and recovery. Many people with mental illness are handcuffed during psychiatric crises, discharged to parking lots, jailed, turned away from services and left to live on the streets. Many never experience what should be the most basic standard of care in the mental health system: a healing connection with a mental health professional, dignity, respect and a sense of hope. The U.S. mental health system needs to promote more effective engagement. As the stories in this report indicate, effective engagement should be the foundation of mental health services, not merely an aspiration. Access the full report, Engagement: A New Standard For Mental Health Care at Adopt 12 principles for advancing a culture of engagement: 1. Make successful engagement a priority at every level of the mental health care system. Train for it. Pay for it. Support it. Measure it. 2. Communicate hope. For those who feel hopeless, hold hope for them until they experience it themselves. 3. Share information and decisionmaking. Support individuals as active participants in their care. 4. Treat people with respect and dignity. Look beyond the person s condition to see the whole person. 5. Use a strengths-based approach to assessment and services. Recognize the strengths and inner resources of individuals and families. 6. Shape services and supports around life goals and interests. A person s sense of wellness and connection may be more vital than reducing symptoms. 7. Take risks and be adaptable to meet individuals where they are. 8. Provide opportunities for individuals to include family and other close supporters as essential partners in their recovery. 9. Recognize the role of community, culture, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, language and economic status in recovery. 10. Provide robust, meaningful peer and family involvement in system design, clinical care and provider education and training. 11. Add peer support services for individuals and families as an essential element of mental health care. 12. Promote collaboration among a wide range of systems and providers, including primary care, emergency services, law enforcement, housing providers and others. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 namiwisconsin.org 3

4 UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS NAMI Wisconsin is asking for your help to #PledgeAgainstStigma! In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2016, we have chosen five very important issues in the mental health world. We need you to choose an issue that is most important to you and then send us back your pledge. Here are the 5 issues: Access to Medical Treatment: Everyone deserves access to quality mental health services in their community Jail Diversion: Jails and prisons hold disproportionate numbers of people with mental illness... we need to find a better way. Supported Employment: Employment is an important part of recovery and every person who wants to work can work with the right support. Transportation: Without access to reliable transportation, people with mental illness are denied the ability to lead a fulfilling life. Youth Mental Health: Youth deserve to have a supportive and safe space in which to raise their voices on issues and polciies affecting their mental health. 1 Choose your topic Pick one of the five issues that is most important to you! Visit for more information. 2 Cut and Complete Cut out the postcard and fill out the information. 3 Share & Send Share your pledge on social media using #PledgeAgainstStigma! Then send your pledgecard to NAMI Wisconsin s office (4233 W. Beltine Hwy, Madison, WI 53711) 4 namiwisconsin.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

5 AROUND THE STATE AND NATION #ACT4MENTALHEALTH PRIORITIES Election Day is right around the corner! Elected officials make decisions that affect how, when and where you can get the mental health services and supports you need. During election campaigns, candidates listen closely to potential voters. What they hear will help inform decisions they make about mental health care when elected to office. No one can tell them better than you, the voice of lived experience, about the need for mental health services and supports. Make your voice heard and #Act4MentalHealth. Here s how you can make a difference during this election season: Know #Act4MentalHealth priorities Ask candidates questions Pledge to vote Get #Act4MentalHealth gear Share how you #Act4MentalHealth WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO VOTE? You need to show an acceptable photo ID- like a Wisconsin driver license, passport, or free Wisconsin state ID card- before casting a ballot in the next election. There are other forms of ID you can use. Pick yours, and remember to bring it when you vote. To find out if your ID will work at the polls, visit BRINGIT.WISCONSIN.GOV Increase the avaliability of quality mental health care About 1 in 5 adults and youth in the U.S. live with a mental health condition. Sadly, nearly 50% of children and 60% of adults go without care. Promote early identificate and intervention Mental illness is a public health emergency affecting youth across our nation. 50% of all mental illness begins by age 14, 75% by age 24. The quicker a young person gets quality services and supports, such as with a First Episode Psychosis (FEP) program, the better the outcomes. Reduce criminalization About 2 million Americans with mental health conditions are admitted to jails each year most for non-violent offenses. In many cases, individuals are incarcerated simply because they did not get the treatment and supports they needed. Enforce mental health insurance parity Health insurers are denying mental health care at nearly 2 times the rate of other medical care often with no explanation according to a NAMI survey. The federal parity law requires most health plans to provide equivalent coverage for mental health and medical care, but without appropriate enforcement, insurance companies do not comply. Support Mental Heatlh Caregivers An estimated 8.4 million Americans provide care to an adult living with mental illness. The majority are family members who spend an average of 32 hours a week helping a loved one stay safe and stable. Make your voice heard... Visit to get involved and take action today! SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 namiwisconsin.org 5

6 AFFILIATE HIGHLIGHTS Check out our local affiliates amazing events in honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2016 NAMI Green County OCT. 2 NAMI Dane County Trevor s Team will again represent NAMI Green County at the NAMI Walks Event hosted by NAMI Dane County. NAMI Dane County OCT. 2 NAMIWalk The NAMIWalk is a public awareness event that encourages understanding of mental illness. Registration opens at 10:30am; Event starts at 12pm. NAMI Waukesha County OCT. 2 Ride for Healthly Minds Motorcycle ride to benefit NAMI Waukesha County. Registration starts at 10am and includes lunch/beverage from the Station Pub & Grill and a lime green Mental Health Awareness bandana. Contact: clbigler@gmail.com NAMI Vernon County OCT. 3 CIT Information Meeting Come learn more about the CIT Training hosted by our local judge! There will be presentations from Margaret Larson and two local CIT trainied officers. Contact: krohr@fccnetwork.org NAMI Washington County OCT. 6 Healing from War Combat veterans share their experiences with the stress of war as well as the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual darkness of readjustment from war. This will be at the Maurin Center. Contact: carolcarlson.namiwashington@gmail.com Contact: walk@namidanecounty.org NAMI Manitowoc County OCT. 3 Candlelight Vigil A Candlelight Vigil will be held at Lakeshore United Methodist Church with speaker Barbara Stohl and live music starting at 6:30. There will also be mental health book displays in both local libraries. Contact: jprotsman@sbcglobal.net NAMI Northwoods OCT. 2-9 Family to Family Training The second Family to Family 12- week course will be starting this fall. Two trained faciliatators are currently recruiting participants. Contact: rbcorsten@charter.net Contact: info@namiwaukesha.org NAMI Greater Milwaukee OCT. 5 Annual Awards Dinner Our Annual Awards Dinner will be celebrating our 37th Anniversary as a NAMI affiliate by honoring members of our community that have made a positive impact on those affected by mental illness. Contact: peterh@namigrm.org NAMI Trempealaeu County OCT. 2-9 Pledge Against Stigma NAMI TC will partner with the Trampealaeu County Sheriff s Dept, Dept. of Human Services, Gunderson Tri-Couty, and Health Care Center, and many other businesses by wearing green ribbons/buttons to encourage all to #PledgeAgainstStigma! Contact: namitremplocounty@yahoo.com 6 namiwisconsin.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

7 AFFILIATE HIGHLIGHTS UW- Madison s Bandana Project BY CONLIN BASS There are more than 1,000 suicides on college campuses annually in the United States. Before graduation, 1 in 10 students will have considered suicide. Students aged are in the highest risk group for a majority of mental illnesses, though 1 in 4 will not seek help or treatment. This trend must stop, and it starts with The Bandana Project on UW-Madison s campus, a program designed to spread awareness of resources for those with mental illness. When a student ties a lime-green bandana to his/her backpack, it signifies that he/she will always have 3-5 resource cards to distribute to a student possibly experiencing a mental health crisis. These resource cards, provided by the UW-Police Department (in partnership with NAMI, University Health Services, and National Crisis Lines), have outlets for students in crisis to get the help and support they need. Not only does the program give tangible resourcefulness to an individual, but provides invaluable unspoken support. If someone sees a lime green bandana on the backpack of a stranger, it is a sign of stigma-free, quiet solidarity. They will know that they are not alone in their struggle. It is a low-risk, near barrier-free and student-to-student way to get help without going through possibly intimidating institutions. FOR MORE INFORMATION... Like The Bandana Project on Facebook! National Alliance on Mental Illness at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a growing student organization comprised of student advocates, student consumers, and student supporters! We provide resources, education, support, and promote advocacy for all things mental health related on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and in our community. NAMI Wisconsin s Local Affiliates: Barron: (715) Brown: (920) Chippewa Valley: (715) (Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire) Dane: (608) Dodge: (920) x217 Door: (920) Fond du Lac: (920) Fox Valley: (920) (Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, Winnebago) Green: (608) Jefferson: (920) Kenosha: (262) La Crosse: (608) Manitowoc: (920) Marinette (WI) & Menominee (MI): (715) Milwaukee: (414) Monroe: (608) Northern Lakes: (715) (Vilas, Oneida, Forest) Northwoods: (715) (Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade) Oshkosh: (920) (Winnebago) Ozaukee: (262) Portage-Wood: (715) Racine: (262) Rock: (800) Sauk: (608) Southwest Wisconsin: (608) (Grant, Iowa, Crawford) St. Croix Valley: (715) (St. Croix, Pierce) Trempealeau: (608) UW Madison: (262) Vernon: (608) Walworth: (262) Washington: (262) Waukesha: (262) SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 namiwisconsin.org 7

8 NEWS FROM NAMI WISCONSIN NAMI Wisconsin is in the midst of planning our 10th Annual Healing Art Show and you re invited! Many people living with mental illness use art as a creative outlet to express and understand their emotions, perceptions, and behaviors. Art can be a powerful theapeutic tool that fosters insight and clarity, while promoting healing and empowerment. The Healing Art Show exhibits diverse works of self-taught and professional artists who have experienced mental illness and found comfort, hope, and recovery through art. The exhibit is a way of empowering a talented and beautiful group of individuals while reaching out to the community to gain support, compassion and awareness of mental illness. It is also meant to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness by showcasing artistic works and personal strengths that challenge the general public s typical understanding of mental illness. The exhibit allows artists to share their story in a safe environment where they aren t seen as their diagnosis. Rather, they re seen as an artist with incredible talents, bringing us along on their journey through life. In celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week, we hope that you join us to celebrate the power of art at our Opening Reception! The opening reception will be part of Madison s Fall Gallery Night, presented by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Stop by anytime! There will be food and beverages, an art workshop, and a chance to meet the artists. There will be fun for all ages, so bring the whole family! Exhibition: October 3 - November 30 Opening Reception: Friday, October 7th 5:00-9:00pm Hosted By: VSA Wisconsin, 1709 Aberg Ave, Suite 1, Madison WI THANK YOU TO VSA WISCONSIN FOR HOSTING THIS YEAR S SHOW! 8 namiwisconsin.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

9 NEWS FROM NAMI WISCONSIN SAVE THE DATE! NAMI Wisconsin s Annual Conference 2017 May 5-6, 2017 Sheraton Madison Hotel Madison, WI Mark your calendars! NAMI Wisconsin s Annual Conference 2017 will be held May 5-6th, 2017! This year s conference theme, Together We Define Tomorrow, will spotlight issues relevant to mental health and wellness. When discussing conference theme possibilities, NAMI Wisconsin staff all agreed the focus should be on advocacy. This will teach all attendees that we can truly make our voices heard in our communities! Our goal again is to once again bring a large variety of audiences to this year s conferences- including mental health providers and leaders, social workers, clinicians, government leaders, consumers, and family members. This will uniquely allow all of us to connect under one roof! Registration for the Annual Conference 2017 will open on November 21st, Early bird registration will remain open until February 28th. WANT TO PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE? NAMI Wisconsin is seeking proposals from qualified professionals, experts, peers, and leaders in the mental health field for the Statewide Annual Conference Contact jamie@namiwisconsin.org for more information. Subscribe to our Annual Conference list for the newest updates and reminders about the upcoming conference! Visit for more details. STAY CONNECTED! Get the latest updates in mental health news and research. Follow NAMI Wisconsin on social media! SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 namiwisconsin.org 9

10 NAMI Wisconsin, Inc W Beltline Hwy Madison, WI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Julianne Carbin, MSW OFFICE STAFF Carol Mitchell Rybak, MSEd Crystal Hester, MSW Dennis Wilder Jamie Gurgul Mary Kay Battaglia Nate Schorr Stacey Mohr VOLUNTEERS Bob Fox Carol Grogan Nancy Abraham BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Michael Newton Vice-President Rob Golub Secretary Katherine Rybak Treasurer Seth Conard Members At Large Chris Finnell Dorothy Thompson Jennifer Kleinert, RN Jessie Uttke John Battaglia, MD Kelly Kruse Ricky Muhammad Thomas Christensen Phone: (608) (800) FAX: (608) ASK THE DOCTOR Stigma-- Doctor Heal Thyself! BY JOHN BATTAGLIA, MD In 1983, I was a medical student at Ohio State University preparing to enter specialty training in psychiatry. I was terrifically excited to finally reach my goal of becoming a psychiatrist. When I asked one of the faculty members in internal medicine to write me a letter of recommendation, he said, John, you are a smart guy, why waste your time on being a psychiatrist? I was heartbroken. I had really looked up to this faculty member and was disappointed that he had such a stigmatized view of the psychiatric profession. Now, 33 years later, I continue to find similar degradation of psychiatry in my work with faculty members, medical students, and resident at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Why is this type of stigma still so prevalent among educated people? People with serious mental illness have alarmingly high rates of physical illness and die an average of years earlier than those without it. There are many points of view about what causes this, however, one factor that is sometimes neglected is the finding that health care providers themselves hold stigma against those with mental illness. Studies have shown that health providers are less likely to refer mentally ill patients for mammography, for cardiac catheterization, or inpatient treatment for diabetic crisis. One study found stigmatizing attitudes affecting primary health care decisions exists not only among physical health providers, but mental health providers too. How can we understand this? I believe severe mental illness is among the scariest illnesses to face, and requires the most bravery to embrace. Many people hold those with severe mental illness at arm s length, keeping their distance. In my opinion this makes it less scary for those not affected, by maintaining a rigid boundary between us and them. In order to understand someone, to have empathy, you must walk in their shoes. You must see yourself as behaving similarly given the same conditions. It s usually not difficult to empathize with someone diagnosed with breast cancer, and compassion pours out easily. We can see ourselves in their shoes. When people hold those with severe mental illness as separate from themselves, as inconceivably different, it becomes difficult to empathize. I think this tendency exists among some health practitioners as well as the general public. We are immersed in a culture that unfortunately continues to stigmatize not only those with serious mental illness, but sometimes their providers as well. We are held at arm s length by association. Movies, media, songs have all made jokes at the expense of the mentally ill, in ways that would never be condoned for serious non- mental illnesses. This makes it hard for even the mental health workers to keep paddling upstream against such waves of stigmatization. We must continue to educate providers on the pathology of severe mental illness, to that of a brain disease. Even more importantly, we need to find ways to bring those with serious mental illness closer to those without. I m still hoping for that Sunday when all NFL football players wear green shoes to promote mental illness awareness. 10 nami@namiwisconsin.org namiwisconsin.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

11 FROM THE PRESIDENT Despite the availability of effective mental health treatment, the majority of people experiencing mental health problems do not seek help. The number of people experiencing mental disorders who do not receive any healthcare treatment is estimated to reach up to 70 percent. This number is very concerning. As many of us know this is in part rooted in the stigma that exists. Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that is thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. The first full week of October is designated as mental health awareness week. While we should be raising awareness and educating people about mental illness all year long, this week gives us a great opportunity to raise awareness. Educating the general public is important. It makes people aware of these mental health conditions and, in turn, hopefully reduces stigma. It may also help someone recognize the warning signs of a mental illness they, or a loved one, have been experiencing; thus leading them to seek a professional diagnosis and treatment. This week will be a great time for all of us to get out and advocate, educate, support and increase public awareness. Consider expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor, to the legislature or even on the internet. It can and will help instill courage in others. It will educate the public about mental illness and it will help in our mission to eliminate the stigma that so many face. Join me is speaking out about stigma and together we will all help make the system better. Together we are strong and can make a difference. Together we can make the world #StigmaFree. Michael Newton, President EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S CORNER Summer is all about sun, travel and family reunions! This July I had the privilege of traveling to sunny Denver, Colorado to meet up with thousands of members of the NAMI family! The NAMI national convention is an event I look forward to each year and again returned home feeling inspired and so fortunate to be part of the NAMI family. As you can see from the picture, I connected with other Wisconsin leaders at convention. I also had the opportunity to engage with leaders from around the country who are working to advance our mission and improve the lives of all affected by mental illness. I made new connections, learned some creative engagement and outreach strategies, and heard about programmatic and organizational practices that other affiliates have found to be effective. One workshop I participated in focused on voter engagement and included a hands-on postcard campaign activity that allowed us to share our personal story with elected officials. It was a lot of fun and easy to take part in! So, I brought the idea back to our team, we tweaked it to fit Wisconsin and now will use the postcard concept to engage advocates on policy issues during mental illness awareness week. (Check out page 4 for more information about our policy postcards and how to have your voice heard) This mental illness awareness week, I hope you are inspired to take action! You can connect with your local affiliate and make your voice heard at the state and national level. No matter how you decide to engage, your voice matters and is part of a larger movement. That was a clear theme I heard in Denver that together, we are affecting change and our movement is building. I have seen this momentum grow here in Wisconsin as well. You might have noticed that some members of our team have moved on to pursue new opportunities. While change is never easy, it has been so encouraging to see how many talented, collaborative, and positive individuals have chosen to be part of our team! New staff and board leaders have stepped up to join our efforts and I am excited to see our organization continue to grow and thrive, thanks to their dedication and expertise. I hope you will join me in welcoming them to the NAMI Wisconsin family! Julianne Carbin, Executive Director SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 namiwisconsin.org 11

12 Wisconsin 4233 W Beltline Hwy, Madison, WI Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.1731 Madison, WI Return Service Requested Help NAMI Wisconsin bring vital education programs to people affected by mental illness. Yes, I d like to join NAMI: $3 Open Door Membership $35 Individual Membership Yes, I d like to renew my membership: $3 Open Door Membership $35 Individual Membership Yes, I want to support NAMI Wisconsin with the following gift: $250 $100 $50 $25 Other $ Name Address City State Zip Phone: Home Cell Please charge $ to my: Visa MasterCard Acct # Exp. Date / Name on Card Signature Is your donation being made in memory or in honor of someone special? If so, please complete the following: In memory of: In honor of: Address to which we should send recognition of honoree: Donors may be publically acknowledged. Please check here if you prefer your gift to remain anonymous. Be part of the movement that helps families find help and find hope. 88 cents of every dollar you give to NAMI Wisconsin goes directly to program expenses that support Wisconsin residents. Please consider making a gift to NAMI Wisconsin. Your support is tax-deductable and touches the lives of hundreds of families throughout Wisconsin. Consider making a generous gift today. Your membership dues are completely tax-deductible.