Statistics indicate one in four Americans will experience a serious mental disorder in his or her lifetime. Such disorders include bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Effective treatment for these biologically based disorders is available.
Affiliated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties has served area residents for the past 24 years providing support, education, and advocacy on behalf of persons living with mental illness. NAMI provides literature and classes on mental disorders and treatments, and it sponsors support groups and Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement personnel. The non-profit entity is an associate United Way agency, primarily run by volunteers.
The local NAMI chapter has planned a number of community events.
To honor family, friends and loved ones affected by mental illness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties is to host candlelight vigils at two locations. One vigil is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Seneca County Courthouse green space. The Rev. Amy Fallon, pastor of Old Trinity Episcopal Church, is to preside at the service. If bad weather should develop, the service is to take place inside the church on E. Market Street. A second vigil is to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday on the front steps of Roy Clay Hall at Terra Community College, Fremont.
Thursday, free depression screenings are to be offered 2-6 p.m. at Tiffin University's Gillmor Center and 3-6 p.m. in the atrium of Building B at Terra Community College. The screenings are open to anyone in the community. The vigils and depression screenings are in observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Friday, NAMI SSW is to have an open house 4-7 p.m. at its new office, 428 Croghan St., Fremont (next to the Elks Building). Light refreshments are to be served.
NAMI is offering Basics, a new education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The course is to begin Oct. 20 at the NAMI office and continue for six consecutive Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parents or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.
Basics is open to any family member, caregiver, or provider. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants, but registration is required.
To register, contact the NAMI office toll free (888) 582-8889, or send email to information@
namissw.org. Further information is available at www.namissw.org.
Each year, NAMI SSW bestows a Ray of Hope Award on an individual who has given service to persons living with mental illness. The 2012 Ray of Hope recipient is Josie Setzler of Fremont. She is to be the guest of honor at the Ray of Hope benefit dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Great Hall at Heidelberg University, Tiffin.
Setzler is to be recognized for her leadership and service to NAMI of Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot Counties. A wife, mother, grandmother and activist, Setzler served as NAMI's past board president and executive director. Her hard work and dedication has increased programming, improved organizational structure, and continued the chapter's overall success. In the past, Setzler was an instructor at Heidelberg University. She also is a member of Tiffin Pax Christi.
Keynote speakers for the dinner are to be Tyler Aldrich and his mother, Tami Aldrich. Tyler is an 18-year-old high school senior from Jackson Township who is living with autism. He and his mother are to share their message about overcoming misconceptions associated with Tyler's neurological disorder.
NAMI has begun taking reservations for the Ray of Hope Dinner. The cost is $20. Table sponsorship opportunities are available.
For further information, visit www.namissw.org or call (888) 582-8889.
