With so much outside of our control, it’s never been more important to focus on the things we can control. The Community Foundation for McHenry County and NAMI McHenry County are pleased to present “Life Connected,” a series focused on the humanity that unites us, the empowerment of self-care and the gratification of being purposefully engaged in health, life and community.
NAMI McHenry County (NAMI MC) envisions a county where mental health and all of its challenges are accepted reflecting a new normal. In working towards that Vision, NAMI MC’s Mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness by providing evidence-based support, education and advocacy services and to provide such services at no cost to those we serve.
As an Introduction to NAMI’s services….
There are times in life where we have a hard time feeling a connection with hope. This is true for most anyone faced with unexpected challenges in life, whether as an individual with a mental health condition or for those supporting a loved one suffering with the unknown.
At the onset of a crisis with a person’s mental health- most of us feel overwhelmed, lost, disconnected, confused and even embarrassed to be honest about what we are experiencing- we live in fear of social stigma and suffer in silence.
This is a common starting point when we are hit with the blindsiding struggles that can come from the presence of mental illness. The most common statement we hear daily is “I don’t know where to start”
Where to begin: When the tables take a turn in our lives- What we learn from our often-painful challenges in navigating the mental health care system, will become invaluable knowledge. The vulnerabilities coming from what we did not know, will strengthen through guidance. The fog of confusion and overwhelm will lift, as communication and advocacy skills are built. Once we have the partnerships needed to stabilize and normalize life again- we start to feel the strength, courage, resiliency and experience that the situation has brought to us. This is where NAMI MC can help.
Whether you find value in feeling the comradery and peer wisdom of support groups, or need an evidence based class to increase your knowledge on how to navigate mental illness and develop advocacy skills to protect yourself and your loved ones- We are here to bridge the gap within the clinical referral processes. All NAMI MC services are of no cost to the community, and available to help: https://namimchenrycounty.org/
If you are in need of a One on One consult for customizable services, need community based resources or feel you are experiencing a crisis. We welcome you to come through our intake process: https://namimchenrycounty.org/client-authorization-form/ We will meet you wherever you are on your journey- but we will not leave you there, and you will not be alone.