Local Heroes
Jimmy Yanny
May 2018
During Mental Health Awareness Month this past May, Indian Trail HS and Academy Art teacher, Michael Schroeder, invited Jimmy Yanni to come and do a day long workshop for his art students. Yanni is a local artist from Burlington and this is the second year that Schroeder has invited Yanni to his classroom. Schroeder writes “ During Jimmy's workshop students developed a better understanding of how people live with mental health issues and that they are functioning members of our society. “ Yanni wants people to know he lives with Schizo-Affective disorder, Bi-polar disorder, and anxiety and is still a functioning member of society. Yanni offers watercolor classes in Racine. Yanni now has a gallery in Waterford (Parade Box 206 W. Main St. Waterford, WI) and sells his art there.
While Yanni was in the classroom, I took the opportunity to meet him and watch him paint with his watercolors. Yanni uses his brother’s photographs as inspirations for his paintings. Yanni is a graduate from UW Parkside and holds an Art Education Degree. While watching him paint, I was awestruck at his vison and talent as I watched him create these beautiful paintings. I highly recommend visiting his artwork at his new Gallery. It was both an honor and a pleasure to have met Yanni and I am most humbled by his talent.
Submitted by Officer Kelly Andrichik
UW Parkside Police Department
May 2018
During Mental Health Awareness Month this past May, Indian Trail HS and Academy Art teacher, Michael Schroeder, invited Jimmy Yanni to come and do a day long workshop for his art students. Yanni is a local artist from Burlington and this is the second year that Schroeder has invited Yanni to his classroom. Schroeder writes “ During Jimmy's workshop students developed a better understanding of how people live with mental health issues and that they are functioning members of our society. “ Yanni wants people to know he lives with Schizo-Affective disorder, Bi-polar disorder, and anxiety and is still a functioning member of society. Yanni offers watercolor classes in Racine. Yanni now has a gallery in Waterford (Parade Box 206 W. Main St. Waterford, WI) and sells his art there.
While Yanni was in the classroom, I took the opportunity to meet him and watch him paint with his watercolors. Yanni uses his brother’s photographs as inspirations for his paintings. Yanni is a graduate from UW Parkside and holds an Art Education Degree. While watching him paint, I was awestruck at his vison and talent as I watched him create these beautiful paintings. I highly recommend visiting his artwork at his new Gallery. It was both an honor and a pleasure to have met Yanni and I am most humbled by his talent.
Submitted by Officer Kelly Andrichik
UW Parkside Police Department
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People With mental Illness Doing Great Things
May 2018
Alvin A. has lived with mental illness (MI) for all of his adult life. He has lived independently for many years. For about the last 8 months he has been living in an adult group home. His goal is to live independently in the community again.
A few weeks ago, Alvin was standing in line at the group home to get his medication when the female staff member fainted and became unresponsive. Alvin went into the kitchen, assessed the situation and called 911. He followed the directions of the 911 operator and stayed on the line until paramedics arrived and took over. The staff member ended up having a hypoglycemic episode and required medical attention.
This is just another example how people with mental illness are misunderstood in our society; thought of as being dangerous, criminal, lazy, or lack intelligence. On the contrary, most people with mental illness are intelligent and good people. Despite the huge disadvantages related to living with severe and persistent mental illness, under conditions that a “normal” person could never endure, they adapt to what they encounter while trying to maintain their dignity and humanity.
Alvin’s quick thinking and response in this situation perhaps saved this woman’s life. We wish that acts like this by people with mental illness grabbed as much attention as the violence and misunderstanding that our society projects on people with mental illness.
Alvin’s willingness to help and quick reaction should be an example to us all.
Good job Alvin!
May 2018
Alvin A. has lived with mental illness (MI) for all of his adult life. He has lived independently for many years. For about the last 8 months he has been living in an adult group home. His goal is to live independently in the community again.
A few weeks ago, Alvin was standing in line at the group home to get his medication when the female staff member fainted and became unresponsive. Alvin went into the kitchen, assessed the situation and called 911. He followed the directions of the 911 operator and stayed on the line until paramedics arrived and took over. The staff member ended up having a hypoglycemic episode and required medical attention.
This is just another example how people with mental illness are misunderstood in our society; thought of as being dangerous, criminal, lazy, or lack intelligence. On the contrary, most people with mental illness are intelligent and good people. Despite the huge disadvantages related to living with severe and persistent mental illness, under conditions that a “normal” person could never endure, they adapt to what they encounter while trying to maintain their dignity and humanity.
Alvin’s quick thinking and response in this situation perhaps saved this woman’s life. We wish that acts like this by people with mental illness grabbed as much attention as the violence and misunderstanding that our society projects on people with mental illness.
Alvin’s willingness to help and quick reaction should be an example to us all.
Good job Alvin!