NAMI-SCC Summer Update

CIT Academy II Another Success

The second week long Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for the local police was again a success. NAMISCC thanks Eric Seiley, Lt. Patti Sapone, Paul Belina, Dr. Charles Torrey, Laurel Wilson, Judy Williams, MHCAN and all the local mental health professionals for their generous contributions.

Sharing their personal stories on the NAMI lunch panel were Diana Wickowiez, Carol Evans Williamson, Jim Williamson, Judy Williams and Simon Dangzalan. Simon was our facilitator and besides sharing his personal story, did an outstanding job in explaining our fears, hopes, denials and the devastation that mental illness can bring to the family.

Officers are often called upon to respond to crisis situations involving the mentally ill. This training helps to identify a person with a brain disorder and gets them to the hospital, not the jail.

When a situation arises whereby police intervention is determined necessary, please remember: when calling 911 to ask for a CIT trained officer.

NAMI Fact Sheets

There are 10 NAMI Fact Sheets that can provide disorder-specific help for families with children. They are available free of charge from the NAMI Help line: 1-800-950-6264, or from the NAMI web site: http://www.nami.org/youth/brochures.

NAMI-SCC Donates Books About Mental Illness to the Public Library

NAMI-SCC makes donations of books and videos to the main Library on an on-going basis. To access them, type NAMI-SCC under the Subject search. If you would like to make a book donation to NAMI-SCC or have a suggestion for a book purchase for the Library, please call Judy Williams at 688-3385 (days only). Here are a few of the books available at all City County Libraries:

Ahern, Laurie M.D. Personal Assistance In
Community Existence (PACE)
Amador, Xavier Ph.D. I am not sick I don’t
need help!
Baer, Lee Ph.D. Getting Control
Beattie, Melody The Language Of Letting Go
Bowler, Ann Schizophrenia and
Manic-Depressive Disorder
Deegan, Patricia Ph.D. Coping with Voices
Garson, Sascha Out Of Our Minds
Green, Michael Schizophrenia Revealed

Can You Help?

Our phone tree service could make good use of an additional caller. It requires just a few minutes of your time once a month or less and can provide our members with opportunities for contacts that can turn out to be extraordinarily helpful. If you would like to learn more about this service please contact Debbie Smith at 423-0845.

If you would like to help with the newsletter call Judy at 688-3385.

Skill-builders Program

Compeer will be implementing the Skill-builders Program this summer that will teach drawing and painting, walking club and computers. We will begin with a series of six to eight art classes in July and August. We have a teacher, but need a few volunteers to participate and help others. Drivers are also needed. We would also like to find someone to lead the Walking Club activity. If you are interested in helping with these or other subjects, please call Nancy at (459-6817).

Compeer has many ways to support those in Mental Health Treatment.

Thank You

NAMI-SCC thanks Nancy and Jerould Karges, Catherine & Leland Meyer and Wendy & Ray Toshitsune for their generous donation in memory of Bruce Johnson. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will go towards educational materials to help families.

Thank you to the general membership of NAMI-SCC that made possible the donation of a memorial tree in memory of David Dangzalan. A beautiful magnolia tree was planted June 6, 2002, in front of the Garfield Park Library on Woodrow Avenue. Although the tree is small now, it will grow to over 25 feet and bloom beautiful magnolia tulips every spring. The tree is in the protected alcove at the Library’s entrance. David grew up on the west side of Santa Cruz.

NAMI-SCC 2002 Honoree

Once a year NAMI-SCC honors one outstanding individual working in the mental health field with mental health consumers. This year, the board of NAMI-SCC chooses Owen Peterson as its honoree. Owen works at 7th Avenue and those who know his work cited his care and respect of those in treatment at the facility. As in all professions, there are those that stand out to really make a difference, Owen is one of those individuals. Here In recognition of demonstrating extraordinary care and leadership in serving people with severe mental illnesses in Santa Cruz County The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill -Santa Cruz County named Owen Peterson to be its Honoree for the Year 2002

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