Are you interested in volunteering at the Annual National Convention?

Those who volunteer at least two 4-hour shifts will receive a waiver on the registration fee.

1- Open the application below by clicking on : VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
2- Complete the form.
3- MAIL or EMAIL it directly to NAMI IL : 218 West Lawrence  Springfield, IL 62704

NAMI NATIONAL - We're ready for you!

Consider attending this dynamic conference in order to gain more insight and education about Children’s Mental Health:

Piecing It All Together

How Children’s Mental Health & Mental Illness Affect Family, School & Community

March 4th and 5th 2011

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Click for the website with lots of information:
How Children’s Mental Health and Mental Illness Affect Family, School and Community

For a printable PDF Brochure:
Piecing It All Together Brochure

A recent update from our National Office:

Blockbuster Line Up Of Convention Symposia

July 6-9th National Convention in Chicago

NAMI is pleased to announce an exciting line up of symposia for our 2011 Convention.

• Health Care Reform.
  • Part I will offer a Washington,D.C., focus on how the health care reform bill is likely to be handled by the new Congress.
  • Part II will offer “take aways,” or what to do with this information when you return home.
• Veterans.
  How NAMI is working to help veterans, the National Guard and reservists in need of mental health and readjustment services post-deployment.
• Employment.
  Why, after all the work to develop supported employment, are 80 percent of adults living with mental illness unemployed? What can local NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates do?
• Disciplinary Confinement.
  Isolation and confinement exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. Efforts underway to respond–including legislation, litigation and voluntary initiatives–will be examined.
• Disparities and Cultural Competence. These issues will be addressed in the context of health care reform, supports and treatment availability and strategies for input and action.
• Faith, Spirituality and Mental Illness.
  Dr. Nancy Kehoe returns to further explore the impact of religious and spiritual beliefs on recovery.
• Emerging Creativity in Diagnosis and Treatment.
  Cutting-edge ideas to push the boundaries of our understanding of mental illness and further the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.
• Federal Special Education Laws.
  Understanding IDEA, knowing your child’s rights and getting effective services.

REGISTER EARLY!

We have the distinct pleasure of being only minutes away from the NAMI National Convention this summer – July 6th – 9th.  For those of you who might be curious, who have never been, or who might have been waiting for this opportunity, the Convention is not to be missed.  The resources one gets at the convention one is hard-pressed to find in other venues. The networking that happens is invaluable – no matter your role in NAMI. The professional speakers are beyond compare in their scope and expertise.

Read below to learn more of the details.  Expect to hear more about the convention as the time draws near.  For all of us with a vested interest in improving the lives of those who struggle with mental illness, this is an event of which you should take full advantage. Whether your interest is psycho-pharmacology, support groups, BPD, or fund-raising this convention will have something for you.

Stay tuned and SAVE THE DATE! Read the official blurb below:

NAMI 2011 National Convention

NAMI returns to the heartland for its 2011 convention.

The Midwest–where NAMI originally coalesced as an organization–continues to be a vital source of new ideas, new energy and new hope for families living with mental illness. Our 2011 convention will feature:

Top-notch researchers and clinicians providing information and tools to advance and sustain recovery from mental illness.
The country’s keenest minds and savviest policymakers offering strategies and tactics to effectively advocate for changing the mental health system in our nation.
Abundant networking opportunities so we can learn from each other on how to make change on the local level.
Inspiration, innovation and an exhilarating four days in one of America’s great cities.
Make your plans now to attend this life-changing event: July 6–9 at the Chicago Hilton!

Register early and save money.

First on board registration rates—just $185—are available for people who register by December 31!

Hotel rates at the magnificent Chicago Hilton—right smack on the city’s Magnificent Mile—are $149 per night (plus tax) for a double or single room.

Call toll free–(877) 865-5320–to make your reservation by June 1 to receive these great hotel rates!

NAMI Convention staff are currently in negotiations with airlines for special travel deals to the 2011 convention. And don’t forget that Chicago is an easy drive from many parts of the country.