Amber Main, 19, of NAMI Virginia (Hampton-Newport News) recently was featured in "True Life: I Have Schizophrenia," part of the award-winning MTV documentary series that explores issues affecting young people.
The episode follows Amber’s return to college one year after receiving her schizophrenia diagnosis. Two other young adults, Josh and Ben, are profiled, focusing on Josh's habit of self-medicating with marijuana and Ben's fears of relapse during a difficult time in his family.
NAMI's medical director, Ken Duckworth, M.D., answers questions on the show's internet blog. The blog also includes a bonus story profiling Sarah, a young woman returning from a psychiatric hospital and struggling to regulate her medications at home.
Q&A with Dr. Ken Duckworth
I'd like to meet:
Why does stigma still exist?
Unfortunately, the media is responsible for many of the misconceptions which persist about people with mental illnesses. Newspapers, in particular, often stress a history of mental illness in the backgrounds of people who commit crimes of violence.
Newspapers, in particular, often stress a history of mental illness in the backgrounds of people who commit crimes of violence. Television news programs frequently sensationalize crimes where persons with mental illnesses are involved.
Comedians make fun of people with mental illnesses, using their disabilities as a source of humor. Also, national advertisers use stigmatizing images as promotional gimmicks to sell products.
Ironically, the media also offers our best hope for eradicating stigma because of its power to educate and influence public opinion.
Common Misconceptions About Mental Illness
Myth: “Young people and children don’t suffer from mental health problems.â€
Fact: It is estimated that more than 6 million young people in America may suffer from a mental health disorder that severely disrupts their ability to function at home, in school, or in their community.
Myth: “People who need psychiatric care should be locked away in institutions.â€
Fact: Today, most people can lead productive lives within their communities thanks to a variety of supports, programs, and/or medications.
Myth: “A person who has had a mental illness can never be normal.â€
Fact: People with mental illnesses can recover and resume normal activities. For example, Mike Wallace of “60 Minutesâ€, who has clinical depression, has received treatment and today leads an enriched and accomplished life.
Myth: “Mentally ill persons are dangerous.â€
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent. In the cases when violence does occur, the incidence typically results from the same reasons as with the general public such as feeling threatened or excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.
Myth: “People with mental illnesses can work low-level jobs but aren’t suited for really important or responsible positions.â€
Fact: People with mental illnesses, like everyone else, have the potential to work at any level depending on their own abilities, experience and motivation.
How You Can Combat stigma:
Share your experience with mental illness. Your story can convey to others that having a mental illness is nothing to be embarrassed about.Help people with mental illness reenter society. Support their efforts to obtain housing and jobs.
Respond to false statements about mental illness or people with mental illnesses. Many people have wrong and damaging ideas on the subject. Accurate facts and information may help change both their ideas and actions.We are DESTINY'S CHILDREN, we are reaching out to all those children or adults who feel that they have noone to talk too. We will not judge you because we are all in this together. Rosie Sims is the reason why Destiny's Children was founded, she is my mother.
Who Is NAMI?
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country.
What Is the NAMI Mission?
NAMI is dedicated to the eradication of mental illness and to improving the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.
What Does NAMI Do?
NAMI members and friends work to fulfill our mission by providing support, education, and advocacy. Our many activities include:
Public Information
􀀹 NAMI’s website (www.nami.org) receives over 5.4 million visitors a year who turn to NAMI for information, referral and education.
NAMI’s website (www.nami.org) receives over 5.4 million visitors a year who turn to NAMI for information, referral and education.
􀀹 NAMI’s Helpline (1-800-950-6264) is staffed by a dedicated team and serves over 4,000 callers per month.
NAMI’s Helpline (1-800-950-6264) is staffed by a dedicated team and serves over 4,000 callers per month.
Peer Education and Support
ô€€¹ NAMI Educational Programs (Family to Family, Peer to Peer, NAMI Connection, Hearts and Minds, and more) provide critical education to help consumers and family members gain knowledge and skills for living successfully with mental illness.
NAMI Educational Programs (Family to Family, Peer to Peer, NAMI Connection, Hearts and Minds, and more) provide critical education to help consumers and family members gain knowledge and skills for living successfully with mental illness.
􀀹 Support Groups are provided through many of NAMI’s state and local affiliates and offer invaluable connections with peers who understand the challenges and joys of living with mental illness.
Support Groups are provided through many of NAMI’s state and local affiliates and offer invaluable connections with peers who understand the challenges and joys of living with mental illness.
“The American Institute of Philanthropy congratulates NAMI on its A-Grading."
Daniel Borochoff, President, AIP, www.charitywatch.org
Raising Awareness and Fighting Stigma
ô€€¹ NAMIWalks is a signature NAMI event that draws thousands of concerned citizens every year who walk together in over sixty communities across the nation to raise money and awareness about mental illness.
NAMIWalks is a signature NAMI event that draws thousands of concerned citizens every year who walk together in over sixty communities across the nation to raise money and awareness about mental illness.
ô€€¹ StigmaBusters responds to inaccurate and hurtful language and portrayals of mental illness in the media and promotes understanding and respect for those who live with mental illness.
StigmaBusters responds to inaccurate and hurtful language and portrayals of mental illness in the media and promotes understanding and respect for those who live with mental illness.
ô€€¹ In Our Own Voice presents deeply personal and moving journeys of recovery by consumers living with mental illness.
In Our Own Voice presents deeply personal and moving journeys of recovery by consumers living with mental illness.
State and Federal Advocacy
ô€€¹ NAMI Advocacy provides a key voice for state and federal public and private-sector policies that facilitate research, end discrimination, reduce barriers to successful life in the community and promote timely, comprehensive and effective mental health services and supports.
NAMI Advocacy provides a key voice for state and federal public and private-sector policies that facilitate research, end discrimination, reduce barriers to successful life in the community and promote timely, comprehensive and effective mental health services and supports.
􀀹 NAMI Action Centers include the Child & Adolescent Action Center, the Law and Criminal Justice Action Center, the Multicultural Action Center, and the STAR (Consumer Support and Technical Assistance Resource) Center. NAMI’s Action Centers advocate for unique populations and develop and disseminate information to meet specific needs.
NAMI Action Centers include the Child & Adolescent Action Center, the Law and Criminal Justice Action Center, the Multicultural Action Center, and the STAR (Consumer Support and Technical Assistance Resource) Center. NAMI’s Action Centers advocate for unique populations and develop and disseminate information to meet specific needs.
NAMI ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness • 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 • Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-7600 • Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI • www.nami.org
Rosie's Journey
10:02 AM CST on Sunday, November 12, 2006
Day 1, The Voices Speak A battle within For the last 30 years of her life, Rosie Sims wrestled with a demon - schizophrenia. And in the end, a loving family and an inadequate mental health system coudn't save her.
Day 2, What's Wrong, Mom? Diagnosis and decline Medication keeps schizophrenia in check for a while, but the disease still overpowers Rosie and her family
Day 3, A Brief Respite Bullet to head sends illness into hiding Mid-1980s bring the happiness of school and a job, but schizophrenia hovers
Day 4, Her family tries to cope Mom's mental illness weighs on kids Her grown children take over as caretakers, facing anger, hurt and desperation
Day 5, In the hands of the system Needing a place to heal, she went to jail instead Arrest warrant puts psychotic woman behind bars, not into treatment
Day 6, "Bizarre behavior" More time in jail, hospital Schizophrenia retains its grip as woman slogs through legal system
Day 7, Waiting, waiting The trial that would never come Schizophrenic ran out of time while delays kept her from court
Day 8, Love You, Mom In death, free at last Rosie Sims succumbs to a quieter disease after her struggles.
READERS RESPOND: A sample of feedback that this series has generated
Share your experiences or feedback
EDITORIAL: Texas must take mental illness more seriously
CHRONOLOGY: Significant dates in the life of Rosie Sims
SCHIZOPHRENIA: About 1 in 100 people suffers from this complex mental illness
RESOURCES: Where to find help for mental illness
Illustrations: MICHAEL HOGUE/DMN
What To Do in a Crisis Situation
Suicide Threat
Suicide Attempt
Overdose or Ingesting a Toxic Substance
Highly Agitated or Threatening Behavior
Total Withdrawal
Inappropriate Language and Behavior
Tracing a Missing Person
