The National Alliance on Mental Illness   NAMI has a nation wide organization in all 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. There are also more than 1,200 local affiliates spanning all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.   NAMI - Metropolis/Southernmost Illinois Mission statement - NAMI is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.   Services provided -  NAMI members and friends work to fulfill their mission by providing support, education, and advocacy.   Upcoming events -   1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings Support Group NAMI Metropolis/Southernmost Illinois provides a support group on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church. This group is for persons diagnosed with a mental illness and who are in recovery. It is also for family members and other loved ones of people who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, OCD, Borderline Personality Disorder or Major Depression   Family to Family Class        (Watch for upcoming "Fall" Class) The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained family members. All instruction and course materials are Free to class participants,   The upcoming class will  meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.   All information on the class can be found at the NAMI Metropolis website:       http://www.namimetropolis.net.    You can also call 524-5628or 524-3872 to register.   Personal stories:   At the end of the 12 week Family to Family Education Program,  participants were asked the following questions:   Tell us about your overall impression of the The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course. How do you feel you have benefited from taking the course?   ****** Because we enforce strict confidentiality , these comments are kept anonymous. “ I have gained a much better understanding of brain disorders and as a result greater empathy and respect for those with brain disorders. I know this knowledge and understanding will help me deal more successfully with family members and their problems. “ A greater understanding of mental illness has been given to me. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who knows little about mental illness. This course has helped me go past denial and into acceptance which is a great step. It has helped me to pick up my life and to help my daughter in more productive ways.”   Stats from the county ( Privacy acts prevents personal accounts)   Statistics show that one in four individuals is diagnosed with a mental illness. One-fourth of the homeless population is people with a mental illness with nowhere to go. Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable. Mental illness can strike anyone at any time. These are equal opportunity diseases, occurring in all cultures, races, socioeconomic classes and ages. Between 40 to 60 percent of all people diagnosed with a mental illness are living at home with their families without adequate services. The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective. Between 70 and 90 percent of individual have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness   Stats of local people that have benefited from NAMI   Each class consisted of 15 to 20 participants.  This would mean 15 to 20 families were represented.   Most have been from Massac County and  neighboring communities. Classes are open to anyone within driving distance. For each family member that attends, we believe that four or more family members have benefited from the experience. By the end of the class, participants are reporting that they are dealing with their loved ones better and from the skills they’ve learned in class, they see marked improvement in their ill family members   Information provided by  Judy Kruger, President NAMI Metropolis/Southernmost Illinois For more information on NAMI Metropolis call 618-524-5628  or visit the Metropolis Affiliate website