Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention Saturday, August 18, 2018

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1 Support Education Advocacy Research June 2018 Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention Saturday, August 18, 2018 Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Registration Opens at 7:00 pm Run/Walk Starts at 8:00 pm Register Online at NAMI Southwest Missouri and Hope Center 1443 N. Robberson, Suite 408,Springfield, MO Office : Hope Center: Warm Line: or

2 Story of Impact Tim Kehl Freedom and Recovery This article or essay is an attempt to explain what recovery means to me. I shall endeavor to illustrate and discuss the various aspects of recovery briefly. First off let this writer say that not only am I recovering from a mental illness and addiction problems, but I have found the parts of recovery in all its varieties can be applied to almost any area of life. For example: suppose a person is using alcohol or some sort of street drug to self-medicate for depression or anxiety. I used to do that many years ago. In order to recover from that sort of problem with all the terrible aspects of dual diagnosis and the crazy behaviors that go along with it, per se it takes a lot of work, time, and effort to overcome this set of behaviors. Let me give you some personal history to illustrate myself here. I was discharged from a group home, or residential care facility in March I had previously been diagnosed with my condition around 1987 or 88. When I got out of that horrible group home I was one sick and scared individual. I acquired the attitude at that time of anything has got to be better than this garbage, dammit. I want to get better and change. I had found twelve step recovery and got sober for about a year, notwithstanding all the nonsense I went through in the 3 years I was in that RCF. After I was discharged I realized how messed up I was. I wasn t able to cope with life adequately due to all the emotional damage I received in that place. I got into a CSTAR program in the summer of 91 in Joplin, Missouri. CSTAR stands for Comprehensive Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation and is an outpatient program. I went there because of being dual-diagnosis. This program and all that it offered was a great boon to me at the time. I was involved with CSTAR for about two years. I also received therapy from a counselor and slowly began to heal. I also should say that I had a relapse while I was in CSTAR in Joplin, although at the time I thought I was trying to commit suicide. The other clients and staff helped me understand that it was a relapse the day I got back to class. So I started over again with the twelve steps in A.A. At the time, I had a good sponsor and seemed to bounce back pretty fast from my relapse and depression. Now I want to write about freedom and recovery. It seems now that if I take my meds and work on issues in my life that things get better and better. Especially with regard to my depression. It seems to be completely gone for the most part these days. I admit I still have some anxiety at times, but I can handle it when it comes on me. By using coping skills and some therapy, I am able to deal with my anxiety. I also find a lot of freedom in group settings too, like twelve step meetings and groups at NAMI. Right now I have about four months clean and sober, however freedom from active addiction is what I seek in the long run. Addiction takes on many forms, such as TV, pornography, shopping, work, the internet, and so forth. If it becomes an obsession and compulsion, one can be very sure that one is addicted to the behaviors. So for what it s worth, here is my two cents worth, or original ideas. To thine own self be true. Are you? 2

3 NAMI WALKS Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! Sponsors, Volunteers, Walkers, and Donors Thank you to The Rosy Hips for performing and to Fat Tony s Pizza Kitchen for the scrumptious food. Sponsors Alkermes Gold Mountain Communications Lakeland Behavioral Health System Parmele Law Building Construction and Trade Carpenters Regional Council St. Louis & Kansas City Springfield Greene County Park Board Pyramid Foods Hiland Dairy 3

4 Memorial Contributions In Memory of Sean Cross Connie Jeffers The Crackerjack Shack Matthew and Sandra Higgins Jeff and Jeanne Jeffers Cheri Downs The Leonard Family In Memory of John Simpson Mandy Charles In Memory of Josh Frye The Members of Springfield Chive A life that touches others goes on forever. 4

5 THANK YOU TO OUR RECENT DONORS LeeAnn Walker Walter & Kathleen Green Gary Mobley Various Donors through Network for Good (Facebook) Parmele Law Firm, P.C. In Honor of Mike DeWoody By George DeWoody Jamie Kopel Spencer Flake Pauline Catron Kaylea Gagliardi Annie Busch Jack Kaiser Alfred & Irma Walther Charitable Foundation David & Carlene Anderson To The Nines Tattoo Anonymous in honor of Scott Quigg NAMI SWMO Hope Center Calendar of Events and Other Activities All activities are held at the Hope Center unless otherwise noted. NAMI SWMO and the Hope Center will be closed Wednesday, July 4 for the holiday. Workshop: The Northwest Project June 2:30 pm Town Hall Meeting 3:00 pm June 27, July 25, August 29, September 28 Warm Line Responder Meeting 9:00 am July 10, August 14, September 11 Karaoke Party 3:00 pm June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28 Facilitator & Volunteer Workshop July 3:00 pm Family Resources Presented by Les Joslyn NAMI SWMO Board Member and NAMI Family Program Facilitator NAMI Board of Directors Meeting August 4:30 pm Marian Center, Conference Room B Hope Center Advisory Board Meetings TBD NEON Night Run/Walk Saturday, August 18 Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Register Online at 5

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7 2018 CIT Officer of the Year Sergeant David Carnagey Greene County Sheriff s Office Sgt. Carnagey was selected as the 2018 CIT Officer of the Year for his dedication and service to the Crisis Intervention Team at the Greene County Sheriff s Office. The Crisis Intervention Team includes law enforcement officers who have chosen to take the extra step to receive training to help promote and support collaborative efforts to create and sustain more effective interaction among law enforcement, mental health care providers, individuals with mental illness, their families and communities. They also work to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Sgt. Carnagey completed basic CIT in August 2014 and Advanced CIT in October He became very involved in both the local CIT Council as well as the Missouri CIT Council. Sgt. Carnagey is constantly looking for ways to advance the program and promotes it to fellow officers for recruitment purposes. His belief in the benefits of CIT are apparent in everything he does. Sgt. Carnagey with fellow nominees, Patrol Deputy Trevor Guinn (left) with the Christian County Sheriff s Department and Security Officer Michael Cannon (right) with CoxHealth. 7

8 NAMI Southwest Missouri Benefit Art Show Now on exhibit at the Park Central Library 128 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO Coordinated and Presented by Cora Dwyer American Heritage Girls Stars and Stripes Project 8

9 Dear Friends, As you probably have heard, I will be leaving the Hope Center as of June 22 nd, My time with NAMI SWMO has truly been a valuable period in my life as I walked with you in your mental health recovery journey. Thank you for allowing me to share in your triumphs and your trials, and partaking in a piece of your life. I have learned so much. I have met some amazing people. I have seen strength that is indescribable. I have seen pain that is incomprehensible. I have witnessed faith and hope in times of devastation. The people of this Hope Center are truly remarkable in every way: please never lose that hope and faith in people and the good inside them. It has been a challenge, and it hasn t all been easy. In my time here I have cried many tears and poured myself into the Hope Center with personal consequences but I wouldn t change it. I have learned how to accept without condition and to truly love even if that means letting go. Shelia Walsh wrote, My brokenness is a better bridge for people than my pretend wholeness ever was. I hope that somehow my pain and brokenness brought healing to at least one person. I hope that from my trials I conveyed empathy, love and understanding to those I served here. My deepest hope is that I leave you all better than you were before. I will cherish you all as I transition into a new phase of my career and into a new season of my life. Addie Blankenship NAMI Southwest Missouri Membership Join! Membership with NAMI Southwest Missouri includes NAMI and NAMI Missouri. Members stay informed about research breakthroughs and recovery with the NAMI Advocate Magazine and the NAMI Missouri and Southwest Missouri newsletters. NAME Address City State Zip I want to receive alerts Yes No address Annual Membership Dues Hoursehold: $60 Limited Income: $5 Individual: $40 $ Tax deductible donation to NAMI Southwest Missouri NAMI Southwest Missouri 1443 N. Robberson Suite 408, Springfield, Missouri

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