Observations about the 2007 NAMI National Convention

By Robin Cunningham, Health Guide Saturday, July 14, 2007

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My annual pilgrimage to the NAMI National Convention has become for me, as it has for thousands, an opportunity to gather with friends, share personal experiences, and catch up on the latest information about mental illnesses and related issues. Progress in the fight against serious brain ...

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NAMI Convention: A Discussion with Mike Fitzpatrick, Executive Director

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Anonymous

7/14/07 10:36am

Robin

For those of us who are not familar with the NAMI convention, this is great information. I look forward to your upcoming blogs!

Robin Cunningham, Health Guide

7/14/07 9:26pm

Anonymous:

Thank you for responding. Your words of encouragement, and the comments of others, are what keeps me going.

Just so you'll know, in all probabilty, there is a local or state chapter of NAMI near you. You should cotanct them. You can find your local chapter listed on NAMI's national website [www.nami.org].

Maybe we'll meet at the 2008 NAMI Convention.

You will also find alot of very helpful information waiting for you on other pages at this site. [www.schizophreniaconnection.com].

Thank you again for writing.

Robin

Anonymous

7/15/07 12:03am

Robin

Thank you for your speedy reply!

Your comment about 'encouraging words that keep you going' is very timely. For example, I had a friend who helped another person on projects but only the other person got the credit at least in the eyes of the public.This went on for several years. I don't know how it finally turned out.

But we certainly all need encouraging words be it the person with the mental illness or a family member or a friend.

Anonymous

11/ 1/07 9:47am

As a family member and advocate for the mentally ill for over 32 years, and a member of NAMI since its beginning, I feel I have the right to point out the failures in NAMI. Yes, NAMI has achieved much -- but not enough - not nearly enough. I am concerned about the direction NAMI is presently taking. I am seeing and hearing the term mental health -- it's about mental illness! I see the most serious mental illness being pushed to the back of the line again. All I see is advocacy for depression (the chronically unhappy) and bipolar disorders. No one will dispute the seriousness of these illnesses. I have had to deal with depression without drugs, support or all the hoopla. My child has battled schizophrenia and is able to function well. I fear for her future when I am not here for her. I need NAMI to do what they were started to do. I need more emphasis on schizophrenia. I need for NAMI and others to stop using the improper term mental health. It's about mental illness stupid! Please stop accepting NAMI as having no faults. Yes, they have done a good job most of the time -- but they have also let us down. There is so much more that can and should be done.

Observations about the 2007 NAMI National Convention

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