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Click here to download the NAMI Basics Commitment to Teach form (PDF) Click here to download the NAMI Basics Education Program Teacher Application (PDF) Who can teach the course? The course is designed to be taught using a co-leader training model. Both teachers must have been trained in use of the curriculum by either a NAMI National trainer or a nationally certified state trainer. Teacher trainings are expensive, time consuming and can be emotionally draining for all involved. In an effort to ensure that only the best candidates participate in the training, NAMI organizations are encouraged to use an application process to select individuals to participate in teacher trainings. There is a sample Teacher Application form in the COURSE FORMS section on page CF-1 that can be used as the first step. Individuals who are interested in being trained to teach the curriculum must meet the following criteria: Be the parent or other primary caregiver of an individual who began experiencing symptoms prior to the age of 13 (it is not necessary that the child have been formally diagnosed prior to 13). It is important that all individuals trained in this curriculum have lived through the experiences of having a young child with a mental illness. Be at a point in their life where they are familiar and comfortable with the emotional issues families face and can self-disclose about their own feelings of guilt, anger, shame, ambivalence and grief regarding their life situation. Be willing to participate in an intensive weekend training on how to teach the curriculum. Be willing to make the commitment to participants in the course, the co-leader and to the NAMI organization to complete the 15-hour course once it begins.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) When: April 7, 2011 6pm to 9pm, 3 CEUs, $50.00 Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center Community Conference Room 205 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell What: This is an overview of a 15 hour course designed for parents of a child with a brain disorder.  NAMI Basics is a peer education program. Parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness have diverse and complex needs. Education and support for families helps them to live the best life possible while managing the trauma that often accompanies the onset of mental illness. NAMI Basics allows families to connect to one another while learning about brain disorders and empowering themselves to overcome new challenges. It provides information families want and need about their child.  This course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders.  Topics covered will be: the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child.  To register:  Contact Stephanie Luehr at stephanie.luehr@pluk.org, or 406-270-1086

Donations continued to come in hours after Sunday’s NAMI Walk. By evening, the tally was up to $118,000 raised to help generate resources and awareness for those with mental illness.“This has been our best walk ever,” said Matt Kuntz, executive director of NAMI Montana, as he admired the crowd gathered at Memorial Park.Before the walk began, $86,000 had already been raised.More than 2,300 people of all ages from across the state laced up their sneakers to participate in the 5K.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: A series of 6 classes, over three weeks, structured to help parents and direct caregivers understand and support children and adolescents with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being.  The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders.  Topics covered will be the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child. We invite you to call for more information. There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Basics Program and you will be given course materials to take home. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited to 20. When: March 1 – March 17, 2011 Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00am to 11:30am Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center 205 Sunnyview Lane Kalispell To register: Call Stephanie Luehr at 406-270-1086 or email stephanie.luehr@pluk.org

Visit the NAMIWALK website for more information and to register for this event What: Each fall, a group of dedicated volunteers and staff hold the NAMIWalk to generate the resources and awareness that allow NAMI Montana to complete its critical mission of supporting, educating, and advocating for Montanans with severe mental illnesses and their families.  NAMI Montana will be holding its eighth annual NAMIWalk in Helena at Memorial Park on September 25th.  It's set to be our best walk ever.  We've got goals of having over 2,500 Walkers and raising $125,000. When: Sunday, September 25, 2011 Where: Memorial Park Helena, MT More Information: Please go to the Walk website to sign up to be a Team Captain, to be a Walker, or to donate.  Find out about how to start a team and the duties of a Team Captain here.   If you don't feel comfortable signing up online, please send us an email at info@namimt.org or give us a call at (406) 443-7871 and we'll send you a packet of information.

Successfully recovering from bipolar disorder is a message of hope that speaker and “Signature Walker” Laurie Johnson plans to share at this year’s NAMI Walk, Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Park. (Registration starts at 11 a.m.)

What: NAMI BASICS Teacher Training When: Sept. 17-19, 2010 Where: Jorgenson's Inn and Suites, Helena, MT Deadline for Application Material: August 1, 2010

I was recently asked why NAMI is important to me. I and myriad others with mental disorders are grateful to an organization which offers enlightenment about the structures and functions of brain physiology. NAMI (the national voice on mental illness) gives empowering strength by providing its members a bulwark of defense to combat the irrational slings and arrows of prejudicial stigma aimed toward persons with mental disorders.

Application deadline: April 9, 2010 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), through a contract with Westover Consultants, Inc. (Westover), and AFYA, Inc. (AFYA), is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to participate in the Annual Conference sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  The purpose of this scholarship is to foster the transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery.  Please Note:  To be eligible for this scholarship, a completed application must be received by U.S. Mail, postmarked on or before the deadline of April 9, 2010.  NO FAXED OR E-MAILED SUBISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Class teaches parents to cope with children's mental illness

NAMI Basics consists of six classes, each 2½ hours long and offered weekly. They are specially designed for parents and caregivers of children with mental illnesses.

According to many, the United States is experiencing its worst recession since the Great Depression. Nationwide, cuts to mental illness treatment services are the most extensive they have been in the last 30 years. Montana is also beginning to experience budget deficits. While politicians and public officials publicly assure us there has not been budget cuts to mental health services, mental illness providers tell their clients cuts to mental illness treatment are imminent. I have received calls from individuals suffering from severe mental illness who are extremely anxious about their future.

Click here to register for this event What: The 2011 Montana Conference on Mental Ilness wil be held at the  Best Western Plus Heritage Inn in Great Falls on November 2nd through 4th.  It's a wonderful event for people who live with serious mental ilnesses, their families, and treatment providers.  We're bringing in speakers from around the country to help chart a path so we can all be Better Together. Click here for information on all presenters. When: November 2-4, 2011 Where: Best Western Plus Heritage Inn Great Falls, MT Questions: Please contact NAMI Montana at info@namimt.org or(406) 443-7871 if you have any questions regarding the conference.

Helena will play host to documentary dealing with mental illness. The film about the stigma of bi-polar disorder will debut free of charge on Wednesday night in Helena. The film, sponsored by NAMI-Helena and Carroll College is called "Of Two Minds."

Gary Mihelish, the former president of the Montana chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has spent a couple of decades advocating for people with mental illness, fighting against the stigma, ignorance and isolation that often comes with those diseases.In late June at the alliance’s annual conference in San Antonio, he received one of its top honors, the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his work before the Montana Legislature and, along with his wife, Sandra, in implementing the group’s family-to-family program for more than a decade. He also was elected to NAMI’s national board.

Jason DeShaw, Montana's own country singer, has been selected to receive NAMI's (National Association of Mental Illness) Lionel Aldridge Champions Award for 2014. The Lionel Aldridge Champions Award recognizes an individual living with a mental illness who has exhibited courage, leadership and service on behalf of all people living with mental illness. In selecting Jason for this award, the NAMI Board recognizes him for his efforts to be a voice for those who struggle with mental illness.