In Our Own Voice |
Contact Sabrina Northern for more information at breenabugg@gmail.com
|
NAMI In Our Own Voice (IOOV) presentations change attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes by describing the reality of living with mental illness. People with mental health conditions share their powerful personal stories in this free, 90-minute presentation.
NAMI IOOV adds a critical perspective to the popular understanding of what people with mental illness are like including:
We presently have 5 members trained to give "In Our Own Voice" presentations to interested groups. The members tell their own stories of what life is like coping with a mental illness. If you are interested in hearing a presentation or would like more information, call our local office and leave a message or contact us at our e-mail address.
NAMI IOOV adds a critical perspective to the popular understanding of what people with mental illness are like including:
- A first-hand account of what it's like to live with a mental illness. Presenters humanize this misunderstood topic by demonstrating that it's possible—and common—to live well with mental illness.
- A chance to ask the presenters questions, which allows for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and dispel stereotypes and misconceptions.
- The understanding that every person with a mental illness can hope for a bright future.
We presently have 5 members trained to give "In Our Own Voice" presentations to interested groups. The members tell their own stories of what life is like coping with a mental illness. If you are interested in hearing a presentation or would like more information, call our local office and leave a message or contact us at our e-mail address.
Kindness Comes Full Circle
by Carol J Slovachek
January 2018
Filled with both challenges and lessons, 2017 was just a tough year for me. In mid-May after more than twelve years of steady recovery from bipolar illness, I found myself in the throes of a full blown manic–psychotic episode. I was hospitalized three times over a three month period and pumped full of antipsychotic drugs.
The road back to recovery was filled with negative side effects from the various medications. At times I could barely walk. I had difficulty feeding myself and my eyes would tear up so badly that I could not read my phone or my prescription bottles. I had numerous sleepless nights and like a wounded animal, I retreated into my den to avoid any outside contact with friends and associates. Then a card came in the mail and a month later another card. These cards were filled with many well wishes from the ladies in my golf league.
I realized that I had to start exercising to regain my strength so I joined the Silver Sneakers classes at the YMCA. To my surprise, two members from the golf league Bonnie and Butch were there working out. Bonnie reminded me that there was an upcoming golf luncheon and she encouraged me to attend. Needless to say, that after three months of unemployment cash was in short supply.
I managed to eek out enough money to cover lunch and stopped in at Petrified Springs to join everyone. The ladies were genuinely filled with concern and just so happy to see me! They were incredibly kind and encouraging. Bonnie volunteered to pay for my lunch while Diane and Nancy pushed for me to come back to the golf course. Diane was so funny she said, “Just come next week and ride in a cart. You can play a few holes or just watch but get out in the sunshine.”
I had to try I thought, so I arrived the following week to find Diane waiting at the desk with a big hug and a reassuring smile. “Do you want a cart or would you like to walk,” she asked. I decided to walk and she thoughtfully paid for my green fees. It was a nice day and I was able to complete the course. I had a couple of difficult holes in double digits but that was not the challenge. I was out in nature enjoying great company. I had to get back to golf for all the reasons that only die hard golfers intimately understand.
The next week I returned and Nancy met me at the counter with her warm genuine smile and offered to pay for my green fees. Probably over used but thank God because I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage my mounting bills. Again I walked the entire course. I was in a foursome with Alaina who was raising the bar with these incredible drives. Suddenly my drives were getting better. My putts were maddening but that’s golf. As we headed to the clubhouse, Alaina turned to me and said, “Do you know what the best part of today’s game was?” It was seeing you out there on the golf course.” I was blown away by this simple act of kindness!
Shortly after returning to the golf course I returned to work on a limited schedule and then to my usual schedule. I recovered financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally with the many prayers and acts of kindness from Pastor Karen and members of St Paul’s Church. In addition many thanks to the incredible people who I have met over the years in my recovery journey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Frank, my employer stood by me with steadfast patience and concern. The biggest thank you goes to my sister Laura who has never faltered in her unconditional love patience and support over the past forty plus years.
So this December I was reflecting on my experience and my recovery. First and foremost the biggest shock was that with twelve years of recovery I could have such a serious relapse and break from reality. By the way…yes I was taking my prescribed medications!! I have found Bipolar Affective Disorder to be a mercurial beast at best. I realized that it was what was and this allows me to step back in order to focus on the recovery pieces. I decided that my recovery was no less than the sum total of numerous small acts of kindness generosity and concern that combined to encourage me to literally get back in the game. “Fore!” Relapse I came to discover is not about the fall, it is all about getting back in the game.
I was playing with my phone when I found out that that you can put a statement on the lock screen. “Be Kind” seemed to be a simple enough reminder. This launched my simple mission to seek opportunities to be kind on a daily basis. It could be just smiling at someone or offering a kind word. Perhaps being more patient or saying yes when I am asked for a dollar to help a worthy cause. Sometimes I wash the driving school car or I send a card. I make an effort to tell people how much I appreciate them. I work to give my students the confidence they need to be knowledgeable safe drivers. Most importantly I discovered that I need to be kinder to myself somehow over the years I got this concept confused with selfishness.
I can only say this “thank you” to everyone who had even the tiniest part in my recovery. Your unconditional love and support has opened my eyes to the unlimited joy one can get from simply being kind. Although, be forewarned that you may be the recipient of an act of kindness but it will not be random. It will be intentional!
by Carol J Slovachek
January 2018
Filled with both challenges and lessons, 2017 was just a tough year for me. In mid-May after more than twelve years of steady recovery from bipolar illness, I found myself in the throes of a full blown manic–psychotic episode. I was hospitalized three times over a three month period and pumped full of antipsychotic drugs.
The road back to recovery was filled with negative side effects from the various medications. At times I could barely walk. I had difficulty feeding myself and my eyes would tear up so badly that I could not read my phone or my prescription bottles. I had numerous sleepless nights and like a wounded animal, I retreated into my den to avoid any outside contact with friends and associates. Then a card came in the mail and a month later another card. These cards were filled with many well wishes from the ladies in my golf league.
I realized that I had to start exercising to regain my strength so I joined the Silver Sneakers classes at the YMCA. To my surprise, two members from the golf league Bonnie and Butch were there working out. Bonnie reminded me that there was an upcoming golf luncheon and she encouraged me to attend. Needless to say, that after three months of unemployment cash was in short supply.
I managed to eek out enough money to cover lunch and stopped in at Petrified Springs to join everyone. The ladies were genuinely filled with concern and just so happy to see me! They were incredibly kind and encouraging. Bonnie volunteered to pay for my lunch while Diane and Nancy pushed for me to come back to the golf course. Diane was so funny she said, “Just come next week and ride in a cart. You can play a few holes or just watch but get out in the sunshine.”
I had to try I thought, so I arrived the following week to find Diane waiting at the desk with a big hug and a reassuring smile. “Do you want a cart or would you like to walk,” she asked. I decided to walk and she thoughtfully paid for my green fees. It was a nice day and I was able to complete the course. I had a couple of difficult holes in double digits but that was not the challenge. I was out in nature enjoying great company. I had to get back to golf for all the reasons that only die hard golfers intimately understand.
The next week I returned and Nancy met me at the counter with her warm genuine smile and offered to pay for my green fees. Probably over used but thank God because I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage my mounting bills. Again I walked the entire course. I was in a foursome with Alaina who was raising the bar with these incredible drives. Suddenly my drives were getting better. My putts were maddening but that’s golf. As we headed to the clubhouse, Alaina turned to me and said, “Do you know what the best part of today’s game was?” It was seeing you out there on the golf course.” I was blown away by this simple act of kindness!
Shortly after returning to the golf course I returned to work on a limited schedule and then to my usual schedule. I recovered financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally with the many prayers and acts of kindness from Pastor Karen and members of St Paul’s Church. In addition many thanks to the incredible people who I have met over the years in my recovery journey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Frank, my employer stood by me with steadfast patience and concern. The biggest thank you goes to my sister Laura who has never faltered in her unconditional love patience and support over the past forty plus years.
So this December I was reflecting on my experience and my recovery. First and foremost the biggest shock was that with twelve years of recovery I could have such a serious relapse and break from reality. By the way…yes I was taking my prescribed medications!! I have found Bipolar Affective Disorder to be a mercurial beast at best. I realized that it was what was and this allows me to step back in order to focus on the recovery pieces. I decided that my recovery was no less than the sum total of numerous small acts of kindness generosity and concern that combined to encourage me to literally get back in the game. “Fore!” Relapse I came to discover is not about the fall, it is all about getting back in the game.
I was playing with my phone when I found out that that you can put a statement on the lock screen. “Be Kind” seemed to be a simple enough reminder. This launched my simple mission to seek opportunities to be kind on a daily basis. It could be just smiling at someone or offering a kind word. Perhaps being more patient or saying yes when I am asked for a dollar to help a worthy cause. Sometimes I wash the driving school car or I send a card. I make an effort to tell people how much I appreciate them. I work to give my students the confidence they need to be knowledgeable safe drivers. Most importantly I discovered that I need to be kinder to myself somehow over the years I got this concept confused with selfishness.
I can only say this “thank you” to everyone who had even the tiniest part in my recovery. Your unconditional love and support has opened my eyes to the unlimited joy one can get from simply being kind. Although, be forewarned that you may be the recipient of an act of kindness but it will not be random. It will be intentional!
In Our Own Voice Empowers Seven New Speakers at Mendota
By Carol J Slovachek
January 2018
This December, Certified Peer Specialist and State Trainer Maria Hanson and I joined forces to train seven new In Our Own Voice Presenters. Mendota is a state mental health facility that houses and aspires to rehabilitate individuals living with mental illness who have committed crimes and have received not guilty by reason of mental defect (NGR) verdicts.
From my own experience with the In Our Own Voice program I have come to realize the value of empowerment by giving a voice to those who live with mental illness. Providing the tools and opportunities to these gentlemen is a whole different level of empowerment. These men will share their very personal and private stories with staff members, legislators and a wide variety of visitors from around the country who come to Mendota Mental Health Institution as a teaching hospital. When they return home to their respective communities each of them will join their affiliate IOOV teams.
In her role as a Certified Peer Specialist with MMHI, Maria is also working to bring additional IOOV trainings as well as Certified Peer Specialist training to this incredibly worthy group of men.
As I walked the campus with prison-like doors closing behind me an eerie feeling of familiarity brushed over me. I was actually walking in the very footsteps of my late grandfather Frank Perry Olds who visited these sacred grounds nearly ninety years ago. He visited both Winnebago and Mendota and wrote several editorials for The Milwaukee Journal with rebuttals to the then Governor of Wisconsin. His goal was the same to raise awareness, erase stigma and improve the lives of those who live with mental illness. He knew then as we all know now that people need compassion, understanding and opportunity to move forward in their recovery journeys.
Most importantly, welcome gentlemen to the In Our Own Voice family and to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Congratulations and many warm wishes for your continued success as you bravely go forward in this nationally recognized stigma busting campaign.
By Carol J Slovachek
January 2018
This December, Certified Peer Specialist and State Trainer Maria Hanson and I joined forces to train seven new In Our Own Voice Presenters. Mendota is a state mental health facility that houses and aspires to rehabilitate individuals living with mental illness who have committed crimes and have received not guilty by reason of mental defect (NGR) verdicts.
From my own experience with the In Our Own Voice program I have come to realize the value of empowerment by giving a voice to those who live with mental illness. Providing the tools and opportunities to these gentlemen is a whole different level of empowerment. These men will share their very personal and private stories with staff members, legislators and a wide variety of visitors from around the country who come to Mendota Mental Health Institution as a teaching hospital. When they return home to their respective communities each of them will join their affiliate IOOV teams.
In her role as a Certified Peer Specialist with MMHI, Maria is also working to bring additional IOOV trainings as well as Certified Peer Specialist training to this incredibly worthy group of men.
As I walked the campus with prison-like doors closing behind me an eerie feeling of familiarity brushed over me. I was actually walking in the very footsteps of my late grandfather Frank Perry Olds who visited these sacred grounds nearly ninety years ago. He visited both Winnebago and Mendota and wrote several editorials for The Milwaukee Journal with rebuttals to the then Governor of Wisconsin. His goal was the same to raise awareness, erase stigma and improve the lives of those who live with mental illness. He knew then as we all know now that people need compassion, understanding and opportunity to move forward in their recovery journeys.
Most importantly, welcome gentlemen to the In Our Own Voice family and to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Congratulations and many warm wishes for your continued success as you bravely go forward in this nationally recognized stigma busting campaign.
Giving a Voice to the Voiceless: My Story
By Haley Valenta
It’s a story that’s run through my head a million times, partly because I thought if I imagined myself explaining my past involving mental illness to others, maybe it wouldn’t have such a strong hold on me. I developed social anxiety disorder in 4th grade and had to make sense of the symptoms on my own until finally receiving a diagnosis at the beginning of my second year of high school. Those six years of not having a diagnosis took a toll on me. I became depressed and severely suicidal around 7th grade, because I truly believed I was too broken to be alive. Although things evened out by freshman year of high school, I always felt like I was walking on a sheet of glass when it came to my emotions. There was so much I didn’t want to face.
I say this now, the summer after my second year of college, knowing that at the very least, I survived. It’s taken a lot out of me, but I’ve accomplished dreams of mine I could not have imagined possible during those years where I shut myself off in my room blocking out all the things I could not understand about how my brain functioned, trying to ignore the blaring truth that I was different from others my age.
I still have a hard time talking with people, but I take life at my own pace. Writing has helped give me a voice that I never really had. During these two years at college, I’ve been completely open with about the impact mental illness has had on me, because to hide that side of me would mean hiding a large portion of who I am around my peers. I’ve taken as many opportunities as I could with coursework to shed light on the topic, and people have been receptive of it. I like talking about my experience, because I want to what I can to help give a voice to the people who struggle with opening up about their own story.
By Haley Valenta
It’s a story that’s run through my head a million times, partly because I thought if I imagined myself explaining my past involving mental illness to others, maybe it wouldn’t have such a strong hold on me. I developed social anxiety disorder in 4th grade and had to make sense of the symptoms on my own until finally receiving a diagnosis at the beginning of my second year of high school. Those six years of not having a diagnosis took a toll on me. I became depressed and severely suicidal around 7th grade, because I truly believed I was too broken to be alive. Although things evened out by freshman year of high school, I always felt like I was walking on a sheet of glass when it came to my emotions. There was so much I didn’t want to face.
I say this now, the summer after my second year of college, knowing that at the very least, I survived. It’s taken a lot out of me, but I’ve accomplished dreams of mine I could not have imagined possible during those years where I shut myself off in my room blocking out all the things I could not understand about how my brain functioned, trying to ignore the blaring truth that I was different from others my age.
I still have a hard time talking with people, but I take life at my own pace. Writing has helped give me a voice that I never really had. During these two years at college, I’ve been completely open with about the impact mental illness has had on me, because to hide that side of me would mean hiding a large portion of who I am around my peers. I’ve taken as many opportunities as I could with coursework to shed light on the topic, and people have been receptive of it. I like talking about my experience, because I want to what I can to help give a voice to the people who struggle with opening up about their own story.
July 2016 Update
Our very popular program for reducing stigma in Kenosha County has been NAMI’s In Our Own Voice. It allows persons living with mental health issues to tell more about their personal journey with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, borderline personality disorder and many others. This year we have presented to mainly college classes in Psychology and Nursing at Gateway and Parkside. We have been to Family to Family, another NAMI program for families living with a person with mental health issues, in the county and city. Most importantly we have presented to the police force through CIP and emergency workers through CIT. I want to thank Dan Guenther, Sara Lehrke, Sara Hamby and Carol Slovachek for their dedication and efforts to bring In Our Own Voice to interested audiences.
NAMI Kenosha is hosting the first ever In Our Own Voice training workshop over the weekend of July 16 and 17 at the Job Center on Sheridan Road, Room S-9. The class begins at 8 a.m. both days. We have 15 persons signed up, coming from Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. I want to extend my appreciation to Ava Martinez and Carol Slovachek for offering to be the trainers for this event. It means we will be able to go further in offering the program to our community with brave, fresh voices.
Adalia Shchurowsky, Coordinator for IOOV
Our very popular program for reducing stigma in Kenosha County has been NAMI’s In Our Own Voice. It allows persons living with mental health issues to tell more about their personal journey with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, borderline personality disorder and many others. This year we have presented to mainly college classes in Psychology and Nursing at Gateway and Parkside. We have been to Family to Family, another NAMI program for families living with a person with mental health issues, in the county and city. Most importantly we have presented to the police force through CIP and emergency workers through CIT. I want to thank Dan Guenther, Sara Lehrke, Sara Hamby and Carol Slovachek for their dedication and efforts to bring In Our Own Voice to interested audiences.
NAMI Kenosha is hosting the first ever In Our Own Voice training workshop over the weekend of July 16 and 17 at the Job Center on Sheridan Road, Room S-9. The class begins at 8 a.m. both days. We have 15 persons signed up, coming from Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. I want to extend my appreciation to Ava Martinez and Carol Slovachek for offering to be the trainers for this event. It means we will be able to go further in offering the program to our community with brave, fresh voices.
Adalia Shchurowsky, Coordinator for IOOV