c o n t e n t sSeptember Open House 2From the Executive Director 3NYS Campaign for Housing 4ARTA 5Housing Glossary 6Ken Book Awards 7

the multiple evidence-based studiesthat showed the importance of familyinvolvement in treatment and recovery.I then stated that I wanted to become afunctional member of the treatmentteam and work toward the common goalof housing for my daughter.

I worked with the case manager increating an HRA 2000, a general housing application created by the New York City Human Resources Agency, which would go out to all the housing agencies in the

city. To boost her chances of gettingplaced, I emphasized her "flexibility"(i.e. her willingness to have aroommate), included pertinent datasuch as her resume, work and volunteerreferences, and sent it all with apersuasive cover letter. In other words,I did everything I could to make thecandidate attractive and her case easyto process.

CUCS turned out to be a phenomenalresource. Its on-line and regularlyupdated “Vacancy List” possesses aninvaluable treasure of current housingopenings. After narrowing down the

SUMMER/FALL 2006 | VOL. 18 NO. 1 an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

by Judith Carrington

Obtaining psychiatric housing for mydaughter was one of the hardestaspects of living with the realities ofmental illness. It was a revelation thatprofessionals would let me play anactive part in the process, and itchanged my life when my efforts weresuccessful.

After two years of waiting for mydaughter's overworked case managerto find housing for her, I becameimpatient and decided to undertakethe search myself. After all, who caresmore or will work harder than afamily member?

My daughter and I hadn't alwaysworked together compatibly, but thiswas different. I had set a deadline forher to be out of the house, and she hadbeen living with me three years,itching for independence. We had tounite in this effort for her future andmine.

At first I was daunted. Many people inmy NAMI support group had beenunsuccessful in the housing search.Then I remembered an article in theconsumer paper, City Voices, writtenby Daniel Stern, a housing coordinatorat the Center for Urban CommunityServices (CUCS). In the article hestated that family members andconsumers have the right to conducttheir own housing searches andplacements.

So I set out to get informed, insertmyself into the process, build relation-ships and keep a careful log of oursearch. I suggested to mydaughter's case manager that wecollaborate, and told her about

housing choices on the vacancy list byborough and type of residence, Ideveloped a "hit list." We were nowready to research residences as theybecame available. (Since new vacancylistings were posted every 20 days, Imade sure that I was logged in to thesite promptly at 9 am on those days.)

As I combed through the various housingagencies that had vacancies, I built upa master file in which I logged the date,who I spoke with and what was said, sothat I had something to reference in fol-low-up calls and, later, in interviews. IfI was passed around to multipleprofessionals, I would record thisinformation in a letter, in which I "CCed"the agency's director, supervisor orcoordinator of intake. Because I wasinformed and made efficient use ofeveryone's time, most of these peopledidn't take offense. Some welcomed thefact that I was easing the process. Onlyone out of maybe 40 contacts felt I was"intrusive."

After a flurry of calls and a couple ofweeks, the first screening interviewcame. My daughter's case manager andI briefed her on the history of the hous-ing organization, reasons why shewould want to be a part of its programand how to be reasonable about her liv-

OBTAINING HOUSING: THE POSSIBLE DREAM? A Mother and Daughter’s Journey Through the Supportive Housing Maze

Judith and her daughter in 1995.

continued on page 6

2

board of directors

P R E S I D E N TCharlotte Moses Fischman, Esq.

V I C E P R E S I D E N T S Karen GormandyJay NeugeborenDavid B. Spanier, Esq.

T R E A S U R E R Gary Hirsh, C.P.A.

C O R R E S P O N D I N G S E C R E TA RYCharlotte Mazer

R E C O R D I N G S E C R E TA RYVirginia K.Trunkes, Esq.

Steven R. CoeHannah Craven Spencer Eth, M.D.Jacqueline Martinez, M.P.H. Barbara RicciShari L. Steinberg, Esq.Michael Thompson, F.S.A., M.A.A.A. Chiaying Wei

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO RWendy Brennan, M.S.

A D V I S O RY B O A R DRalph Aquila, M.D.Michael Friedman, C.S.W.Paul Fuchs, M.D.Jack Gorman, M.D. Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.Rami P. Kaminski, M.D.Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D.Dova Marder, M.D.Hunter McQuistion, M.D.John Oldham, M.D.Lewis A. Opler, M.D., Ph.D.Anand Pandya, M.D.Herbert Pardes, M.D.Richard Rosenthal, M.D.Zafar Sharif, M.D.Zebulon Taintor, M.D.E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.Manuel Trujillo, M.D.

R E P O RT E R E D I TO RAlison Burke Griffiths

The NAMI-NYC Metro Reporter ispublished by the National Alliance forthe Mentally Ill of New York City. Itdoes not offer medical advice. Readersshould seek advice from qualifiedprofessionals. The Helpline at212.684.3264 provides information onprograms and referrals. We arepleased to accept submissions butcannot return them.

Hosted by NAMI-NYC Metro, this exciting, first-time-ever "fair" willfeature privately operated, private pay residential treatment pro-grams (principally located in the Northeast), on hand to discussand disseminate informational materials on specific housing,l iv ing and treatment options for consumers. Information will berelevant to anyone interested in housing options for individualswith mental i l lness -- family members, providers, dischargeplanners, social workers and any consumer who seeks to make aninformed decision about his/her future.

DATE Thursday, September 14, 2006

TIME 5 pm to 9 pm

PLACE Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel (1177 Avenue of the Americas, at 46th Street)

This event is free and open to the public. For more information orto RSVP, please call the Helpline at 212.684.3264.

on Private Pay Residential Treatment Programs

seeds of hope 2006 NAMI-NYC METRO ANNUAL AWARDS CELEBRATION

To become a sponsor or inquire about ticket sales, please call 212.684.3365

Open House

September 14, 2006 5 pm to 9 pm

Hosted by NAMI-NYC Metro

T U E S D AY, N O V 1 46:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.M A N H A T T A NP E N T H O U S E80 Fifth Avenue, NY

This year s honorees include: C O U RT TV N E T W O R K S, NEW Y O R K

BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH, and JUICE PHARMA ADVERTISING

This year we are proud to honor members of the businesscommunity for their commitment to providing qualitymental health management practices in the work place.These companies and organizations understand thatf a c i l i ta t ing a c c e s s t o t r e a t m e n t h e l p s n o to n l y bus inesses, but employees and their families as

3

SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ESSENTIALWendy Brennan, M.S.

This issue of theNAMI-NYC Metronewsletter address-es one of the mostcritical concernswithin the mentalhealth community: thelack of appropriate

and affordable housing options for peo-ple with mental illness.

In 1999, the United States SupremeCourt's Olmstead decision ruled that"states are required to place personswith mental disabilities in communitysettings rather than in institutionswhen the state's treatment professionalshave determined that community place-ment is appropriate." Seven years later,tens of thousands of New Yorkers withserious mental illness remain inappropri-ately housed in institutional settingssuch as adult homes, nursing homes,prisons and jails. Many are still livingwith aging parents, in substandardhousing or, in the worst cases, on thestreets.

The housing situation will not improve,however, until more resources are ded-icated to the development of new units.Since 1990, New York State and NewYork City have, through a series ofhousing agreements know as NewYork/New York, jointly funded anddeveloped thousands of affordable unitsfor people with serious mental illness.While these units allow many mentalhealth consumers to live safely in the

community, most stakeholders alsoagree that a great deal of the demandremains unmet.

Upcoming Housing Events

To inform the NAMI community aboutthese options and to help consumers andfamilies learn how to access them,NAMI-NYC Metro will hold two housingevents this fall. We expect these eventsto be of great interest to mental healthconsumers, family members and mentalhealth providers.

On September 14th, we willhold a housing fair focusing on private-ly funded housing, which will provideinformation about options in theNortheast and offer attendees theopportunity to speak directly withproviders.

On November 1st, we will holdan event on publicly funded housing tooffer information about housing pro-grams and services in New York City.

Keep an eye out for more informationabout both these important events onour website, monthly mailings and emaillist-serv.

In the meantime, to find out more aboutwhat you can do to advocate for betterhousing, read Vuka Stricevic's article onthe New York State Campaign forMental Health Housing, a statewideeffort to increase funding for existinghousing and services and to create new

housing models to better meet theneeds of mental health consumers.

The lack of decent housing in New Yorkis a critical issue in the mental healthfield, and as advocates and friends, wemust continue to ensure that such avital need is met. Housing that is safe,affordable and appropriate is a majorstep towards recovery; without it, thepossibility for many individuals withmental illness to lead meaningful andproductive lives will remain an impos-sible dream.

"The lack of decent, safe, affordable and integrated housing is one of the most significant barriers to full participation incommunity life for people with serious mental illnesses. Today, millions of people with serious mental illnesses lack affordable hous-ing that meets their needs." The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Final Report (2003)

N A M I - N Y C M e t r oC a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

September 14Open House on Private Pay ResidentialTreatment Programs at Kramer Levin.

September 29NEA-BPD Conference at Mount SinaiSchool of Medicine.

October Event TBA.

November 1Public Residential Housing Fair atKramer Levin.

November 14Seeds of Hope Awards Celebration atthe Manhattan Penthouse.

December 12Volunteer Appreciation and HolidayParty at the NAMI-NYC Metro office.

Please check upcoming mailings andnewsletters for updates to the calen-dar. If you have any questions, pleasecall the NAMI-NYC Metro office at212.684.3365.

4

NAMI-NYC METRO: A LEADING MEMBER OF THE NEWYORK STATE CAMPAIGN FOR MENTAL HEALTH HOUSINGBy Vuka Stricevic, M.S.S.W., J.D.

When a 72-year old mother reveals thather two adult children, both of whomlive with serious psychiatric disabilities,have nowhere to go and no one else tocare for them, the desperation in hervoice is clear.

When a married couple is unable to livetogether because almost all mentalhealth housing is designed for singles,their frustration is palpable.

When a mother has survived and recov-ered from a psychotic breakdown andseeks reunification with her toddler, butis unable to obtain affordable housingdesigned for them both, her sadness res-onates.

There are thousands of stories such asthese - stories that could be avoidedthrough significant improvements with-in the mental health housing system. TheNew York State Campaign for MentalHealth Housing ("the Campaign") iscommitted to rewriting these stories intotales of New Yorkers having a safe, sup-portive place to call home.

More than fifty years ago, New York Statebegan to move thousands of individualswith psychiatric disabilities from institu-tions into community-based settings. Thistranslated into a dramatic downsizing ofpsychiatric center beds, from over93,000 units to 4,200 units. With growingresearch demonstrating that individualswith psychiatric disabilities can success-fully achieve recovery in the communitywith adequate supports, the deinstution-alization movement seemed promising.However, the promise remains unmet.Despite approximately 30,000 units ofhousing available to adults with psychi-

atric disabilities, tens of thousands ofindividuals living with psychiatric disabil-ities are still unable to accessappropriate housing. With vacancyrates of less than two percent, all of thedifferent models of mental healthhousing are in great demand.

People with psychiatric disabilities areoften forced to wait years in expensiveand inappropriate institutions, prisons,homeless shelters and other emergencysettings before they gain entry intoproper housing. Throughout New York,there are more than 10,000 people withmental illness who are homeless, over12,000 people languishing in adulthomes, at least 9,000 people releasedannually from New York's jails and pris-ons and an additional 1,500 youngpeople with mental health housingneeds leaving foster care each year.Moreover, there are thousands of indi-viduals living with aging parents andhundreds more poised for discharge frominpatient settings with nowhere to go.

NAMI-NYC Metro has served as a leadingsupporter within the Campaign, which iscommitted to resolving this housing cri-sis by providing a focused, time-limitedpublic education campaign to addressthe shortage and instability of housingfor people with psychiatric disabilities.Launched in April 2006, the Campaign iscomprised of a broad coalition of fami-ly members, providers, consumers,housing developers, public policyexperts and concerned citizens. TheCampaign will secure and expand polit-ical support for a statewidecomprehensive mental health housingplan. Ideally, such a plan will be one ofthe early initiatives proposed by the new

governor, and will include a far-reachingapproach to document the need, financingand time table to create and preserve arange of housing options for everyone inneed. It will also delineate new housingmodels for people with psychiatric disabil-ities, increase community participation inmental health planning processes and raisepublic awareness of these housing needs.

Developed in collaboration with stakehold-ers, consumers and local communities,such a plan will include the followingmeasures to reform and expand New York'smental health housing system:

Preservation of the approximately30,000 units of housing currently availableby ensuring adequate funding for servicesand operations.

Reform of existing models and pro-grams so that they meet the complexneeds of consumers.

Development of at least 35,000 newunits of various models of housing for indi-viduals with psychiatric disabilities.

The Campaign aims to secure decent hous-ing for all consumers, end inappropriate"transinstitutionalization" to adult andnursing homes, increase access and choicefor those transitioning from foster care oraging familial settings, stop the housing ofpeople in unsuitable settings and finallyachieve an end to most homelessness.among people with psychiatric disabilitiesin New York State.

For more information on the New York State Campaign for Mental Health Housing, please visitwww.campaign4housing.org .

Vuka Stricevic is the director of advocacy and pub-lic policy at Community Access, a non-profit agencythat helps people with psychiatric disabilitiesmake the transition from shelters and hospitals toindependent living.

5

HERE TO HELP YOU: ARTA Makes Searching for the Right Residential Treatment Program Easier

by Edwin I. Levin, L.I.C.S.W.

There is a wide range of privatelyfinanced residential treatment optionsfor adults with psychiatric disorders.Historically, it has been difficult to findthese programs and sort out which mightbe appropriate. The AmericanResidential Treatment Association (ARTA)makes this task a little less daunting.Formed in 1992, ARTA is an association ofindependent residential programs foradults with mental illness. Its mission isto promote mental health and dual diag-nosis treatment in residential settings.The association's web site,www.ARTAusa.org, lists and brieflydescribes the 25 members of ARTA andfeatures links to each program's web site.

Having a number of options in one placesimplifies the task, but how does onedecide which program is the best fit?Because each program affiliated withARTA is unique in regard to setting, activ-ities, treatment services and values,there are many variables to consider. Agood fit reflects not only an effectivematching of the program's services to theindividual's needs, but also correspondsto timing, the person's (and the family's)readiness, the nature of the psychiatricchallenges, geographic location, cost andother factors.

In general, residential programs can bedivided into four broad categories:Farm-based residential communities,group residential treatment , apartment-based residential treatment andlong-term residential living arrangements.Programs in one category may have fea-tures of another. For example, a groupresidential treatment program may offerapartment-based treatment as clientsbecome ready for that, or a farm-basedprogram may offer group living in anurban area.

Other variables to consider within these

categories include:

Peer group factors such as age, gender, range of disability

Degree and nature of structure(rules, program policies, activities,etc.)

Primary therapeutic approaches Intensity and depth of treatment Comprehensiveness and integration

of servicesExpectations of the residents Family support servicesFee structure

To become informed, go to ARTAusa.organd see which programs seem like theymight be a good fit. From there, explorevarious programs' web sites, jot down yourquestions and then call the ones you want.Consider not only the information youreceive, but also the level of responsive-ness of the staff member with whom youspeak.

As a family member, your perspective isvalid and represents a unique view intoyour loved one's ups and downs over thelong haul. Be prepared to share informa-tion about, and to, your family member.Be forthright and honest with everyone,and resist the temptation to "sell" a pro-gram to your family member because youassociate that program with hope.

If your family member and a specificprogram are not a match, ARTA memberswill generally suggest other options. Aslong as you are a good detective, remainopen-minded and persistent, one or twoprograms will emerge as the ones topursue and potentially visit.

A final and very important point: theseprograms are most effective with thevoluntary collaboration of the personwho will be participating in the pro-gram. We always encourage families toenlist their loved one as a partner in theselection of a program. This is anactive, concrete step in pulling one's lifetogether. Before visiting, it is some-times helpful to make available theprogram's web site and literature, and toencourage your family member to jotdown some questions or concerns thathe or she might have about the day-to-day aspects of the program.

ARTA members are here to help youunderstand the many facets of residen-tial treatment and to provide helpful,relevant information in response to yourfamily's situation.

Ed Levin is the executive committee chair ofARTA, and the assistant director of SpruceMountain Inn, a residential treatment programin Vermont.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: ADVANCES IN SCIENCE & TREATMENT

THIRD ANNUAL ONE-DAY REGIONAL CONFERENCECo-sponsored by the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD)

in partnership with NARSAD; The Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM); NAMI-NYC Metro

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 20067:30 AM TO 5 PM

(Registration at 7:30 am; Program starts at 8 am)HATCH AUDITORIUM, MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

(Madison Ave. at E. 100th St.)

Topics will include: New Directions in BPD Causes and Treatments; The difference between BPD and BipolarDisorder; Impulsivity and Medication

To learn more about the conference, admission fees and registration, please contact the NEA-BPD at 914.835.9011 or neabpd@aol.com. To download the registration form, please visitwww.neabpd.org or www.naminycmetro.org/bpd.htm.

6

ing preferences. I positioned the interviewfor her as similar to one for college admis-sion or a new job. And she cooperated,with a growing sense that getting a homewas within reach. Afterwards, I asked herwhat she thought of the interviewprocess. She told me, "As long as you'rereal and don't put on an act, they willrespond to you, but acting anxious won'twork. Even if you are desperate, don'tshow it. Be patient. There is help but ittakes a long time."

Finally, we got the word that she wasaccepted for "transitional" housing (a res-idence with weekly supervision and aroommate) by the Human ResourcesAgency, which not only sends out theapplications, but also approves the levelof housing for consumers.

With this, we had passed the first impor-tant step toward obtaining housing. Butthere was still a lot more to do. I hadalready built relationships with represen-tatives at housing agencies around thecity and, without being too pushy, kept upwith them via phone calls and emails.After six months of outreach, the fatefulcall came: a housing agency had a placeto show my daughter.

The apartment was in a lovely and

SIMPLIFIED HOUSING GLOSSARY

"SUPPORTED" HOUSING: Permanent housing in apartments or two-family homes, designed for those able to liveindependently. Staff visit as needed.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: Typically, permanent housing in large apartment buildings in urban settings, best for thosecapable of living independently. Staff visit as needed.

COMMUNITY RESIDENCE-SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY (CR-SRO): These programs offer individuals inten-sive services on-site. CR-SROs are designed for those who require housing for an extended, but not permanent, stay.

SUPERVISED COMMUNITY RESIDENCE: Congregate care facilities in which 10 to 24 residents reside. This set-ting offers residents a temporary place to live and provides services 24-hours a day so that residents may transition topermanent living within 18 to 24 months.

ADULT FOSTER CARE: Residents live in a private home with an unrelated family, and receive access to 24-hour sup-portive services and meals.

TREATMENT APARTMENT: This program provides residents with housing within the community. Often shared,these apartments are transitional settings, with services focused on preparing residents to transition to independent hous-ing within 18 to 24 months.

Obtaining Housing...continued from page 1

well-maintained brownstone, partlyinhabited by families, on a tree-lined EastVillage street. It had a generous livingroom and windowed eating nook, lots oflight and a view of trees and other brown-stones. The woman who was living there,the potential roommate, was gracious andfriendly.

My daughter took the place immediately.

It's been six months since my daughtermoved in to her new home. She and herroommate have heart-to-heart talks,help each other at difficult times andleave each other alone when necessary.Early on, we fixed up her little bedroomroom with an Ikea storage unit, baskets forher clothes, nicely framed artwork, a boldScandinavian duvet and linen curtains thatemphasize the room's height. Wescrubbed and cleaned, laying a kilim car-pet in the living room and puttingslipcovers on the couches. Her housingagency even underwrote her adoption ofa kitten.

I don't want to mislead readers into think-ing that housing placement is easy. We allknow that the problem is one of accessand scarcity. According to the New YorkState Office of Mental Health, there are10,447 beds for adults in New York City

who are homeless and have special needs.According to NAMI-New York State, it hasbeen estimated that 35,000 - 70,000 morehousing units are needed over the nextten years, if one factors in the thousandscurrently in adult homes, jails, prisons,homeless shelters and nursing homes.

The process can be overwhelming, but ifyou remain determined and patient, youcan succeed. And it is, simply, a lot ofwork; in my case, it took several hours aday for five months to line up ten agencypossibilities, after eliminating many forgeographic undesirability. This resulted intwo offers and six interviews, and wewere awaiting another five before wereceived those offers and accepted one.

But today, my daughter feels she has ahome, a place to invite friends and to callher own. This has been a crucial step forher toward complete independence andrecovery.Judith Carrington is the founder of MentalHealth Resource, a consortium of consumersand family members that promotes universalmental health education upon first entry intothe system. She is the author of a fact sheet onthe legal rights of families within the mentalhealth system, and provides coaching servic-es. She can be reached atmhresources@nyc.rr.com.

7

NAMI-NYC Metro's Kenneth Johnson Memorial ResearchLibrary hosted its 8th annual Ken Book Awards breakfast onThursday, May 4, at the Yale Club in New York City.

Winners -- Susanne Antonetta, James Whitney Hicks, M. D.,Joshua Wolf Shenk, Elizabeth Swados, and Peter C.Whybrow, M.D. -- were selected based on their outstand-ing literary contributions to a better understanding ofmental illness. Previous Ken Book Award winners have includ-ed Wally Lamb, Rick Moody, Kay Redfield Jamison, SimonWinchester and Jane Pauley.

The 2006 keynote speaker was Sherwin B. Nuland, M.D.,a clinical professor of surgery at Yale University MedicalSchool, where he also teaches bioethics and medical history. He

is the author of Doctors: A Biography of Medicine; The Wisdom of the Body; Lost in America: A Journeywith My Father (a 2004 Ken Book Award winner); and How We Die: Reflections On Life's FinalChapter, for which he won the National Book Award in 1995.

Awards were presented this year by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Madeleine Blais; award-winning author John Katzenbach; Harold Koplewicz, M.D.; author and NAMI-NYC Metro VicePresident Jay Neugeboren; NAMI National board member Ananda Pandya, M.D.; and authorAndrew Solomon.

Kennet h JohnsonMemorial ResearchLibrary founder PatriciaW arburg Cliff .

Back row: Jay Neugeboren; Sarah Nuland, SusanAntonetta, author of A Mind Apart: Travels in aNeurodiverse World. Front row: Peter C.Whybrow, author of American Mania: WhenMore Is Not Enough; Madeleine Blais, ElizabethSwados, author of My Depression: A Picture Book;and John Katzenbach.

NAMI-NYC Metro Executive Director WendyBrennan (left) with Ken Book Award winnerJames Whitney Hicks (50 Signs of MentalIllness: A Guide to Understanding MentalHealth) and Programs and OutreachCoordinator Amanda Bohlig.

Key note speaker SherwinB. Nuland, M.D.

NAMI-NYC Metro Board PresidentCharlotte Moses Fischman gave theopening remarks.

Award presenter HaroldKoplewicz, M.D.

Left: Author JoshuaW olf Shenkaccepted theaward for his book,Lincoln s Melancholy:H ow DepressionChallenged a Presidentan d Fuele d HisGreatness.

John Katzenbach, Elizabeth Swadosand Madeleine Blais.

Peter C. Whybrow, M.D., accepted anaward for American Mania: When MoreIs Not Enough.

The Ken Book Awards are presented each spring in memory of Kenneth Johnson, the son ofPatricia Warburg Cliff. Ms. Cliff founded the Kenneth Johnson Memorial Research Libraryin 1996; it is housed at the NAMI-NYC Metro offices and includes hundreds of books,journals and videos, and is host to monthly book, movie and poetry clubs.

All photos: Credit to Richard Lewin

• Residents (age 18 and over) who desire to recover mental healthare welcome and are usually diagnosed with schizophrenia orschizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, or personality disorders.

• Staff and Residents live, learn, recreate and worktogether on an 80-acre farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. • Facility is of superb quality, accommodating up to

36 residents in private bedrooms with private baths. • Residents may graduate after an average stay of 6-12

months into CooperRiis’ longer-term, supportive housingwith employment opportunities in Mill Spring, NC,

Tryon, NC, and Asheville, NC.

For more information contact us: Virgil R. A. Stucker, Executive Director

CooperRiis, 101 Healing Farm Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756

(828) 894-5557 • Virgil@CooperRiis.orgwww.CooperRiis.org

CooperRiisCooperRiis

A therapeutic, healing farm community for individuals with mental illness —Utilizing a comprehensive program that addresses mind, body and spirit.

‘H o p e t o s e e y o u a t t h e H o u s i n g F a i r !

Project Transition

Apartment-based Therapeutic Villages

• For adults with complex psychiatric problems and multiple prior hospitalizations. • Specializations include BPD, MICA, Bipolar, Depression, and Psychoses. • Comprehensive, highly integrated services occur on-site; 24/7 crisis response. • We emphasize relationships, skill development, self-management, and treatment. • Our 24th year; recipient of the national Lilly Reintegration Award. ARTA member.

www.projecttransition.com (215) 997-9959

Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia � Audubon, PA � Warrington, PA � Fall ’06: Reading, PA

A Place to Call HomeWhere you're surrounded by people who care about you. Where you know you're safe. That's what everyone wants and deserves. Merry MeadowFarm is home to many people suffering from a mental illness who cannot meet the current societal demands in the community. We offer a safe, lov-ing supportive environment dedicated to individualized care and personal growth. Merry Meadow Farm bridges the gap between the custodial careof an institution and the demands of independent living.

We believe in a family style environment offering individual goal plans allowing each Resident the room to grow at pace they are able to tolerate. Westrive to offer each individual at Merry Meadow Farm the opportunity to be respected and appreciated for who they are, despite their current difficul-ties. We strive to help individuals explore their potential in a secure protective environment, reminding them that trying and not succeeding is not failure.Although we do not believe in forcing activities on people, we are inclined to heavily encourage activity for both the mind and body.

Fee StructureAs a for-profit community, we are unable to accept Medicare or Medicaid as payment. Social Security funds may be applied toward our rate or usedfor personal spending. Private insurance is accepted on a single case agreement basis. Or fee does not include medication, medical, dental, per-sonal or activity expenses. Our fee is $185.00 per day.

Bradford, Vermont, USA www.merrymeadowfarm.com 802-222-4412

LAKEWOOD CENTER Orlando, Florida

LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Individualized Case Management

Vocational Work Program

Health CenterStaffed 24 hours Crisis Management

Supportive Counseling Medication Monitoring

Groups and ActivitiesPsych Ed Groups Art Appreciation

Community Outings Canoeing / FishingBasketball / Swimming Community Meetings

Fitness Program / Yoga Annual Caribbean Cruise

Campus15-Acre Setting on a Lake

Tennis Courts Swimming PoolLakefront Dining Room Meals 7 Days per Week

Houses and Apartments Activity and Recreation Centers

8400 La Amistad Cove, Fern Park, FL 32730phone (407)332-1711 fax (407) 331-7291

w w w.lakewoodcenter.org

JOIN OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERSDo you want to become a part of a national movement of family members and mental healthconsumers working collectively to help people who live with mental illness? Would you liketo contribute to real change in the mental health system? Can you spare eight or more hoursa month? If you can answer yes to these questions, please apply to join our dedicated corpsof volunteers.

NAMI-NYC Metro volunteer programs are reserved primarily for family members, mental health consumers and friends. However,we do welcome applications from anyone who supports the mission and goals of NAMI.

FOR A VOLUNTEER APPLICATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.NAMINYCMETRO.ORG/VOL.HTM, OR CALL THE HELPLINE AT 212.684.3264.

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

HELPLINE: Provide support, information and referrals to consumers, family members, and mental health professionals about services for those who struggle withmental health recovery and their loved ones.

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY COURSE: Learn to teach this 12-week course that reviews aspects of mental illness, support, coping, medication and treatment, and nav-igating the mental health system. (Family members only)

MOBILE HELPLINE: Caregivers who have navigated the NYC mental health and education systems for their child or teen provide information, referrals and sup-port to other parents at a child and adolescent outpatient mental health treatment center in Upper Manhattan.

PEER MENTOR: Young adults living with a psychiatric disorder and in recovery facilitate discussions with teens who are currently in inpatient psychiatric units atNYC hospitals. Participants are generally between 21-40 years of age, exhibit excellent communication skills and have a desire to use their personal experiencesto help others.

PEER-TO-PEER COURSE: Learn to teach this 9-week experiential learning program for individuals who struggle with a persistent mental illness and who are inter-ested in wellness and recovery. (Mental health consumers only)

SUPPORT GROUPS: Become a peer support group leader and provide support, education, and practical knowledge to other consumers and family members.

SUPPORT PARENTS: For parents of adolescents or young adults under 25. Experienced parents provide a small amount of telephone support to parents whose chil-dren have been recently diagnosed or are struggling with new challenges. This commitment is approximately six hours a month and is done from home.

DONATE TO NAMI-NYC METROAs a grassroots, self-help organization, NAMI-NYC Metro dependson the support of our friends in the community. Your donationwill allow us to continue working on the initiatives that makeNAMI-NYC Metro one of the leading mental health advocacygroups in the city.

These initiatives include:

OFFERING a wide range of support groups run by knowledgeable &caring peer volunteers.

LOBBYING for mental health parity legislation & other importantmental health policies.

INCREASING public awareness & decreasing the stigmatization ofmental illness.

ADVOCATING for better services on behalf of the thousands of NewYorkers whose lives have been affected by mental illness.

HOSTING educational events, workshops & our annual Ken BookAwards breakfast.

PROVIDING our members & the public with up-to-date news inthe mental health community, through such publications as theReporter.

MAINTAINING our presence in the community through publicrelations & advertising campaigns.

Your contribution will have a significant impact inhelping us achieve our goals.

Please visit www.naminycmetro.org/donate.htm to learn more.