Please take advantage of a great opportunity provided to us by Egg Harbor Cafe. During the month of April they will have a donation jar at all 17 Egg Harbor locations as part of the “pay it forward” campaign.

Some locations are in Glenview(2350 Lehigh), Lake Forest(512 N. Western), Lincolnshire(300 Village Green) and more( check online for locations). Visit Egg Harbor Cafe here –>> http://eggharborcafe.com/
It is a great spot….please” pay it forward “and treat a friend, co worker or family member all in support of NAMI!
And of course when you are having that great breakfast remember to ask your friend, co worker, etc. for a sponsorship for the October 7 walk!

In Illinois, parents of a child with a mental illness lose their right to make decisions about their child’s personal care and finances once their child turns 18. After that age, parents can continue making decisions for their child only if they can convince their child to give them that right or they persuade a court to appoint them as their child’s guardian.

Alternatives to Guardianship

Because a guardianship is an extreme intervention into the private life of an individual, requires court supervision, and can be extremely difficult to end, alternatives should be considered:

1. Durable Power of Attorney.  By signing a durable power of attorney [a sample can be found at 755 ILCS (short for Illinois Compiled Statutes, available at www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp) 45/3-3], your child can authorize you to manage some or all of his or her financial affairs.
2. Power of Attorney for Health Care (also referred to as an “Advance Directive”). By signing a Power of Attorney for Health Care (a sample can be found at 755 ILCS 45/4-10), your child can authorize you to make health care decisions on his or her behalf.
3. Mental Health Treatment Preference Declaration. By signing a Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (a sample can be found at 755 ILCS 43/75), your child can authorize you to make decisions regarding his or her mental health treatment if he or she becomes incapable of giving informed consent.

When a Guardian Can Be Appointed for an Adult Child

That an individual has a mental illness or periodically makes incorrect or ill-advised decisions does not necessarily mean that the individual requires a guardian. Under Illinois law, a court can appoint a guardian for an adult with a mental illness only if, because of the illness, the individual lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his or her personal care or is unable to manage his or her financial affairs.

In determining whether an individual can make responsible decisions, courts focus on whether the individual can understand that a decision needs to be made, what options are available, and what the consequences of each option are.

Who May Be Appointed as a Guardian

Any individual 18 or older, public agency, or nonprofit corporation able to provide needed services  can be appointed as a guardian to mange an individual’s personal care and financial affairs. A corporation qualified to accept and execute trusts can be appointed as a guardian to manage an individual’s financial affairs but not to make decisions regarding an individual’s personal care.

Types of Guardianships

1. Limited Guardianship. The guardian may make only those decisions about an individual’s personal care and finances as specified by the court order appointing the guardian. The person under guardianship (that person is referred to as a “ward”) may make all other decisions.
2. Plenary Guardianship.  The guardian is authorized to make all important decisions regarding the ward’s personal care and/or finances.
3. Guardianship of the Person. A guardian of the person makes decisions regarding personal affairs, such as the education, housing, and medical care of the ward.
4. 4. Guardianship of the Estate. A guardian of the estate manages a ward’s financial affairs.
5. 5. Guardianship of the Person and Estate. A guardian of the person and estate makes decisions about a ward’s personal care and manages the ward’s financial affairs.
6. 6. Temporary Guardianship. If a guardian is needed in an emergency, a judge  can appoint a temporary guardian without having to hold a hearing. A temporary guardian can serve no more than 60 days.

Whether You Need a Lawyer To Have a Guardian Appointed

Although you don’t need a lawyer to ask a court to appoint a guardian, a lawyer can be helpful if you expect your child to oppose appointment of a guardian or complicated personal or financial issues will have to be explained to a judge. Any lawyer you hire should be experienced in obtaining guardianships.

Procedure for Appointing a Guardian

The following steps have to be taken to appoint a guardian if your child lives in Cook County (similar steps have to be taken in other Illinois counties):

1.   Complete as much as you can of the following Probate Court forms (available at  www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org) and take them to the Daley Center:

• Report of Physician (CCP 0211), signed by a physician certifying that your child has a mental illness and needs a guardian. The physician and all other professionals whose evaluations are used for the report must have examined your child within three months before the date that you file a petition for guardianship.
  • Probate Division Cover Sheet (CCP 0199).
  • Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Disabled Person (CCP 0200). Five copies are needed.
  • Summons for the Appointment of Guardian for Disabled Person (CCP 0201 A). This form tells your child to appear at a hearing to decide whether a guardian should be appointed. Three double-sided copies are needed.
  • Notice of Rights of Respondent (CCP 0201 C). This form, part of the Summons, gives your child notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing and your child’s legal rights (e.g., your child has the right to be represented by a lawyer of his or her own choosing or a court-appointed lawyer, the right to an independent medical evaluation, and the right to have a jury of six persons hear the case instead of a judge).

2.   File the Petition with the Probate Court Clerk and ask which judge has been assigned to hear the case.

3.   Go to the judge’s courtroom and ask the judge’s clerk to set a date and time for a guardianship hearing. Record that information on the Petition, Summons, and Notice of Rights.

4.   Have the Probate Court Clerk sign the Summons.

5.   Go to the Cook County Sheriffs Office and arrange to have a sheriff deliver the Summons, Petition, and Notice of Rights to your child. It is possible to have someone other than a sheriff make the delivery if you’re concerned that the appearance of a sheriff will upset your child (or want to avoid the cost of having a sheriff make the delivery).

6.   Prepare a Notice of Motion to the Respondent’s Relatives. In this Notice you tell those relatives listed in Exhibit A to the Summons the date, time, and location of the guardianship hearing and that they may participate in the proceedings.

7.   Mail a copy of the Petition and Notice of Motion to each of the relatives listed in Exhibit A to the Summons.

8.   The court will appoint a guardian ad litem (an attorney or person qualified, by training or experience, to work with or advocate for individuals with a mental illness) to meet with your child and testify in court whether or not it would be in your child’s best interests to have a guardian.

9.   Bring the following (forms listed that you have not previously completed are available at www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org)  to court on the date of the hearing:

• The original and one copy of the Report of Physician (CCP 0211).
• Your copy of the Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Disabled Person.
• The original and one copy of the Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem for Disabled Person (CCP 0209).
• A blank original of the Order Appointing Plenary Guardian for Disabled Person (CCP 0204).
• A blank original of the Order Appointing Limited Guardian for Disabled Person (CCP 0207).
• The original and one copy of the Oath and Bond of Representative – No Surety (CCP 0313). By signing this form, a person agrees to act as guardian and promises to be responsible for financial damages up to an amount equal to double the value of the ward’s personal estate.
• A copy of the Notice of Motion sent to each relative.

10. You should be prepared to have at least one witness (such as a therapist, nurse, or social worker) testify at the hearing, although witnesses are rarely called in Cook County unless appointment of a guardian is contested or there is some unusual circumstance. The doctor who signs the Report of Physician does have to testify unless the court requires the doctor’s attendance.

Cost of Guardianship Proceedings

Legal fees have to be paid if you hire a lawyer. You have to pay a fee for filing a request for a guardianship and for having a sheriff deliver a summons. Any guardian appointed is entitled to reasonable compensation (which you may have to pay if your child can’t).

Join us in our life-changing FAMILY to FAMILY class.

What is Family-to-Family?

Family-to-Family is free 12-week educational course designed specifically to parents, siblings, spouses, teen-age and adult children and significant others of persons dealing with mental illness…taught by trained family members with the lived experience. Over 115,00 family members have graduated from this national program.

The 2 – 1/2 hour class meets for 12 consecutive weeks, and each week’s topic builds on the previous topics covered. Therefore, it is important that participants try to attend each class.

If family members are in crisis and feel the need for support, we would encourage them to attend one of our Family Support Groups before taking the Family-to-Family educational course.

We usually offer this course in February in Evantson, March in Northfield, June in Skokie, and September in both Park Ridge and Northfield.

This Winter-Spring we offer classes on

• Saturday mornings from Feb 11 – Apr 28 (or May 5), 9:00 – 11:30 am, at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave, Evanston.
• Wednesday evenings from March 7 – May 30 (off Mar 28), 7:00-9:30 pm, at New Trier Northfield High School, 7 Happ Rd, Northfield.

We would like you to attend our annual meeting.

Directly from the Mayo Clinic site – for your good health and information – for everyone:

MayoClinic.com reprints

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Take control of the holidays

Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

You will want to mark your calendars for this important evening if you have school age children with mental illnesses, behavioral or emotional disorders, or those who are just plain “difficult.”

Dr. Ross Greene has had an unbelievable impact in the way so many have learned to communicate with their children in difficult circumstances.

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NEW! COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

Kids Do Well If They Can: Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)

Thursday, March 1 2012, 7:00-9:00 PM
Glenbard West High School Auditorium
670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 60137.

Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. is Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the originator of Collaborative ProblemSolving (CPS), an approach for helping children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

The model was first described in Dr. Greene’s book The Explosive Child. The CPS approach is best understood as behavioral issues being the by-product of lagging cognitive skills rather than as the result of passive, permissive, or inconsistent parenting. An explosive child’s behavior is characterized by noncompliance, temper outbursts and verbal or physical aggression — which often leaves parents feeling frustrated, guilt-ridden, and overwhelmed.

Dr. Greene will help parents gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to handle these situations effectively and humanely. Workshop participants will learn about the factors that contribute to a child’s explosions, to intervene proactively by anticipating situations, to reduce explosions by replacing rewards and punishments with CPS, to help your student develop the skills to be more flexible, and to reduce hostility between you and your teen.

With Dr. Greene’s practical, expert advice parents and adolescents will forge a new relationship based on communication and mutual respect.

All GPS programs are presented by the Cebrin Goodman Center, an affiliate of the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundation and CASE. All are welcome and no registration is required.

For more information contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard Student and Community Projects Coordinator at

630 942-7573 or at gilda_ross@glenbard.org

The Illinois Mental Health Collaborative (of the Illinois Department of Human Services) has just put out a brand new updated Consumer and Family Handbook. Be sure to check it out as a handy and useful resource for Mental Health Issues:

CLICK HERE for a link to the Booklet

SUNDAYS at ONE – A Welcoming  Social Group for Young Adults with Mental Illness – Fun, Comfortable and Sponsored….

The next meeting is NOV 20th at Northbrook Court – 1:00 pm. See below for details….

Contact CHRIS for more information and to let the gang know you’ll be there:  847-220-0199 OR cjj312@comcast.net

THE WALK – A RECAP……

The first annual NAMI CCNS 5K walk on Sunday October 23 was a great success! More than 100 people came with their children and dogs, and we raised more than $23,000 (well in excess of our goal)! It’s great that the community is recognizing the importance of the work we do!

Kudos to Patricia Caine and the other members of her Walk Coordination team, Mary Rose Cavanaugh, Nancy Carstedt, Helene Rhodes, John Schladweiler, Adele McCarty, and Brian Rootberg. Despite the little time that they were given, they arranged for everything needed and made sure that the walk went smoothly.

The walk started at Blue Star Memorial Woods on the corner of Harms and Lake in Glenview. It was brisk at starting time, but Dunkin Donuts provided much needed coffee. Sue Roberts, President of the New Foundation Center, treated walkers with donuts.

Co-presidents Pat Rodbro and Sandra Shovers welcomed the walkers and explained what NAMI CCNS does and hopes to do. Hugh Brady, President of the Board of Directors of NAMI Illinois, was nice enough to visit and tell us about important new legislative developments affecting mental health care in Illinois

Junior and Senior Peer Leaders from Regina High School led walkers through warm-up exercises and then used their very positive energy to lead the other walkers on a path extending through Blue Star Memorial Woods, Glenview Woods, Harms Woods, and back.

The walkers, wearing free T-shirts promoting NAMI CCNS, were of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, and even some dogs sported NAMI CCNS T-shirts. Everyone was in great spirits and had a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new ones.

After the walk, there was Grecian chicken from Johnny’s Kitchen and Tap and bruschetta from Gusto Italiano Ristorants to eat on paper plates provided by Foodstuffs. Music provided by 101.9fm THE MIX heightened the festive atmosphere.

All in all, the walk lived up to its name: Raising Awareness About Mental Illness With Every Step.

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To see ALL THE PICTURES – CLICK HERE

Our fearless leader and friends start the walk!