Community Education and Awareness
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At Stable Life, we are dedicated to promoting education and awareness to our communities
regarding mental illnesses and issues persons affected by mental illness face. Stigma is a
word used to describe the negative feelings people have regarding persons affected by
mental illness. Stable Life submits articles to local newspapers in order to promote a better
understanding of mental illnesses so friends, family members, employers, and religious
communities can develop a deeper understanding of their roles and how their views can
impact the health and recovery of people living with mental illnesses.
Education can make a difference! We have found this most apparent with our daughter
and her classmates. When children who bully her or "pick on" her because of her illness
are educated about her illness, not only does the bullying stop, but often these children
become her biggest advocates and supporters! Very often, just talking about it is
education enough!
regarding mental illnesses and issues persons affected by mental illness face. Stigma is a
word used to describe the negative feelings people have regarding persons affected by
mental illness. Stable Life submits articles to local newspapers in order to promote a better
understanding of mental illnesses so friends, family members, employers, and religious
communities can develop a deeper understanding of their roles and how their views can
impact the health and recovery of people living with mental illnesses.
Education can make a difference! We have found this most apparent with our daughter
and her classmates. When children who bully her or "pick on" her because of her illness
are educated about her illness, not only does the bullying stop, but often these children
become her biggest advocates and supporters! Very often, just talking about it is
education enough!
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has two programs geared toward Community Education. One is the In Our Own Voice training
which is presented to community individuals, religious communities, and civic organizations. The other program is Breaking the Silence which
is a detailed curriculum designed to educate children in the Middle and High school age range.
Please contact Joann Stephens by phone at 608-296-4634 or by e-mail or you can visit NAMI Mid Central WI's website at
www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these programs.website at www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these
programs.www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these programs. for more information on these programs.
which is presented to community individuals, religious communities, and civic organizations. The other program is Breaking the Silence which
is a detailed curriculum designed to educate children in the Middle and High school age range.
Please contact Joann Stephens by phone at 608-296-4634 or by e-mail or you can visit NAMI Mid Central WI's website at
www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these programs.website at www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these
programs.www.namimidcentralwi.org for more information on these programs. for more information on these programs.
Breaking the Silence
STUDENTS LEARN
EASY TO USE
If you would like to have this presentation given in your school district please contact Joann by calling 608-296-4634 or e-mail her.
STUDENTS LEARN
- It is biology, not a character flaw, that causes mental illness.
- Mental illness has never been more treatable
- The warning signs of mental illness
- How to overcome the stigma that surrounds mental illness
EASY TO USE
- For upper elementary, middle school, high school
- Fully scripted lessons and suggested activities
- Eye catching posters and board game
- Plans can be used for one day or extended for several days
- No prior knowledge of the subject required
If you would like to have this presentation given in your school district please contact Joann by calling 608-296-4634 or e-mail her.
In Our Own Voice
(click on the link above to learn more information about this program)
What In Our Own Voice Is:
Why Must We Have This Program?
If you would like to have this presentation given at your business, community organization, or religious organization and be involved in making
our communities more accepting and aware of the issues faced by persons with mental illnesses, contact Joann Stephens please call 608-296-
4634 or e-mail her.
(click on the link above to learn more information about this program)
What In Our Own Voice Is:
- A presentation by consumers that creates awareness about what is involved in recovery from mental illness.
- A powerful anti-stigma tool to change hearts, minds, and attitudes about mental illness.
- An opportunity for consumers to gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and income while serving as role models for the community.
- Living proof that recovery from mental illness is an ongoing reality.
Why Must We Have This Program?
- Raises awareness in communities about recovery from mental illness
- Empowers consumers by providing a path to recovery
- Presents the real face of mental illness
- Combats stigma by opening dialogue
- Provides supported employment opportunities for consumers
- Increases visibility of NAMI as a resource
If you would like to have this presentation given at your business, community organization, or religious organization and be involved in making
our communities more accepting and aware of the issues faced by persons with mental illnesses, contact Joann Stephens please call 608-296-
4634 or e-mail her.
Stable Life Asks “Are You Aware…”
STIGMA
Maybe it begins when a child overhears parents calling a neighbor "mental," or when a parent says "Don’t play with
Jimmy at recess …. he’s not right in the head." Maybe it’s noticed when a friend finds out that someone in your family
has a mental illness and doesn’t seem to want to know you anymore. Or when certain topics are never mentioned in
families. Maybe it even began generations ago when so very little was known about mental illnesses.
Regardless, the stigma society places on someone with a mental illness is a staggering challenge for any person to
overcome … so much so that many of us spend great amounts of time just trying to determine ways we can "cover up"
our illness in case anybody notices our symptoms. Hand tremors? "Just a reaction to thyroid medication." Time off to
see a therapist? "I need to see my doctor about a chronic rash." Miss a day of work due to depression? "I have a
touch of the flu." Drowsiness caused by medication? "I’m just having trouble sleeping lately."
The stigma is often reflected in mistaken theories … people with mental illnesses are unreliable in the workplace …
people with mental illnesses just need to exercise a little more self-discipline … people with mental illnesses don’t have
actual diseases … people with mental illnesses are prone to violence … people with mental illnesses should not have
children. All common, and all wrong.
What is certain about the stigma is that it is damaging. And unfair. It is even reflected in the way society denies
necessary and effective treatments to people with mental illnesses. In Wisconsin, for instance, it may be difficult to find
a more obvious example of the stigma of mental illness than the way health insurance discriminates against people
who seek treatment. A state-mandated minimum amount of coverage is almost universally accepted as a maximum …
the result being that a person with a mental illness frequently cannot get all of the treatment needed for recovery.
Is that fair? No, of course not. Would we be willing to accept it if insurance companies were to say "We’re sorry that
your child has a serious heart condition, but if it isn’t cured in X-number of doctor visits or X-number of days of
hospitalization, he and you will just have to live with it until next year"?
Of course not! But society allows that exact same scenario to happen to thousands of people with mental illnesses in
Wisconsin every year! We would never expect someone with a broken leg to pedal a bicycle, but we expect people
with a mental illness to recover without adequate treatment.
Yes, there are times when some of us experience such severe illness that the behaviors beyond our control seem odd
or even frightening to some people. But that fear can be overcome with knowledge, just as our illnesses can either be
overcome or greatly reduced through the proven effective treatment methods available today.
We do not ask for some politically correct term to describe us … we most certainly don’t ask for sympathy … we ask
only that the effort be made to understand that as many as 90% of the people with mental illnesses are functioning
effectively as parents, as employees, as responsible citizens of our communities … and that this number will grow as
people learn the facts about mental illness and more people feel "safe" in getting treatment.
The facts are these … mental illnesses are REAL diseases, not imaginary … they are COMMON in our society, more
common than many of the most frequently seen physical ailments … and they are TREATABLE, with success rates in
excess of those of many other illnesses. People just need to know.
Remember, keeping it inside only means keeping it from helping others.
This article was originally published by Wisconsin United for Mental Health. For more information about
Wisconsin United for Mental Health, you can visit their website at www.wimentalhealth.org or call 866-
WIUNITED (948-6483).
If you have suggestions for awareness articles or wish to obtain more information regarding Stable Life, Inc., please
call Joann Stephens at 608-296-4634 or you can e-mail info@stablelifeinc.org.
Be Aware – Stop Stigma!
STIGMA
Maybe it begins when a child overhears parents calling a neighbor "mental," or when a parent says "Don’t play with
Jimmy at recess …. he’s not right in the head." Maybe it’s noticed when a friend finds out that someone in your family
has a mental illness and doesn’t seem to want to know you anymore. Or when certain topics are never mentioned in
families. Maybe it even began generations ago when so very little was known about mental illnesses.
Regardless, the stigma society places on someone with a mental illness is a staggering challenge for any person to
overcome … so much so that many of us spend great amounts of time just trying to determine ways we can "cover up"
our illness in case anybody notices our symptoms. Hand tremors? "Just a reaction to thyroid medication." Time off to
see a therapist? "I need to see my doctor about a chronic rash." Miss a day of work due to depression? "I have a
touch of the flu." Drowsiness caused by medication? "I’m just having trouble sleeping lately."
The stigma is often reflected in mistaken theories … people with mental illnesses are unreliable in the workplace …
people with mental illnesses just need to exercise a little more self-discipline … people with mental illnesses don’t have
actual diseases … people with mental illnesses are prone to violence … people with mental illnesses should not have
children. All common, and all wrong.
What is certain about the stigma is that it is damaging. And unfair. It is even reflected in the way society denies
necessary and effective treatments to people with mental illnesses. In Wisconsin, for instance, it may be difficult to find
a more obvious example of the stigma of mental illness than the way health insurance discriminates against people
who seek treatment. A state-mandated minimum amount of coverage is almost universally accepted as a maximum …
the result being that a person with a mental illness frequently cannot get all of the treatment needed for recovery.
Is that fair? No, of course not. Would we be willing to accept it if insurance companies were to say "We’re sorry that
your child has a serious heart condition, but if it isn’t cured in X-number of doctor visits or X-number of days of
hospitalization, he and you will just have to live with it until next year"?
Of course not! But society allows that exact same scenario to happen to thousands of people with mental illnesses in
Wisconsin every year! We would never expect someone with a broken leg to pedal a bicycle, but we expect people
with a mental illness to recover without adequate treatment.
Yes, there are times when some of us experience such severe illness that the behaviors beyond our control seem odd
or even frightening to some people. But that fear can be overcome with knowledge, just as our illnesses can either be
overcome or greatly reduced through the proven effective treatment methods available today.
We do not ask for some politically correct term to describe us … we most certainly don’t ask for sympathy … we ask
only that the effort be made to understand that as many as 90% of the people with mental illnesses are functioning
effectively as parents, as employees, as responsible citizens of our communities … and that this number will grow as
people learn the facts about mental illness and more people feel "safe" in getting treatment.
The facts are these … mental illnesses are REAL diseases, not imaginary … they are COMMON in our society, more
common than many of the most frequently seen physical ailments … and they are TREATABLE, with success rates in
excess of those of many other illnesses. People just need to know.
Remember, keeping it inside only means keeping it from helping others.
This article was originally published by Wisconsin United for Mental Health. For more information about
Wisconsin United for Mental Health, you can visit their website at www.wimentalhealth.org or call 866-
WIUNITED (948-6483).
If you have suggestions for awareness articles or wish to obtain more information regarding Stable Life, Inc., please
call Joann Stephens at 608-296-4634 or you can e-mail info@stablelifeinc.org.
Be Aware – Stop Stigma!
Feature
Awareness
Article:
Awareness
Article:
We have many education topics that can be modified or tailored to
address community organizations such as Kiwanis, Lions Clubs,
Church organizations, schools; including teachers/faculty, students,
and school boards, and youth groups such as 4-H and scouts.
Education formats for the general population include:
address community organizations such as Kiwanis, Lions Clubs,
Church organizations, schools; including teachers/faculty, students,
and school boards, and youth groups such as 4-H and scouts.
Education formats for the general population include:
- What is Recovery?
- Faith and Recovery; creating caring and understanding in our
congregations - Recovery tips for employers
- Parenting with a mental illness
- Parenting a child with a mental illness
- Recovery 101
- What is Recovery?
- Developing a Recovery Team
- Understanding SAMHSA's 10 Components of Recovery
- Horse Psychology and Human Psychology: Why Equine
Therapy works for people with Mental Illnesses
Community education also includes educating health care and service providers
on understanding mental illnesses, how they impact the lives of those affected,
and how to foster recovery from those illnesses.
Education formats for services providers include:
**We are also developing a speakers bureau and training
program to teach mental health consumers and family
members to share their experiences in order to improve the
mental health system and steer it toward a recovery model.**
on understanding mental illnesses, how they impact the lives of those affected,
and how to foster recovery from those illnesses.
Education formats for services providers include:
- Recovery 101
- Understanding Recovery
- Recovery Oriented Service Relationships
- Culturally competent Mental Health Services
- Understanding SAMHSA's 10 Components of Recovery
- Developing a Recovery Team
- WRAP Plans
**We are also developing a speakers bureau and training
program to teach mental health consumers and family
members to share their experiences in order to improve the
mental health system and steer it toward a recovery model.**
Stable Life, Inc.
"The first step towards knowledge is to know
that we are ignorant"
Richard Cecil
that we are ignorant"
Richard Cecil