NAMI OF Adams County
Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Of Adams County
8931 Huron Street
The AMI is a non-profit Support Group for Thornton, CO 80260
Family and Friends of persons who have a Contact Phone: (303) 853-3770
Neurological Disorder CRISIS LINE - - - - - - - - -- (303) 853-3500
March 2007
Board of Directors
Dr. Warren Taylor, President - - 287-7621
Gloria Anderson. . . . 287-2902 Sheryl Bain, V.P. . . . . . . . . . 287-7621
Libbi Palmer 853-3569 Mickey Shayne, Nwsltr . . . . .426-8406
Becky Saitta, Treas. . 452-4367 Janice Stever. . . . . . . . . . . 252-4924
Ed Sedillos . . . . . . . . 452-8220 All phone numbers are (303)
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(If this newsletter gets too long to read, just go with between police, hospitals and mental health
a couple of pages at a time. I have lots more workers; *Divert clients from jail and promote
information that I can’t even squeeze into one treatment; * Increase public confidence and
newsletter so it’s hard for me to keep it short. BUT support; * Educating nursing homes about using
be sure to mark your calendar for Wed. March police for de-escalation.
28th for our Family meeting at which we will either
have a video and/or sharing time.) Dr. Pastor teaches the officers about schizophrenia,
bi-polar disorder, PTSD, depression, Post Partum
Dear AMI Family, Depression, substance abuse, the elderly and the
developmentally delayed. That’s a lot of
At our February meeting, we hosted Maryann information for them to digest in a matter of a few
Hewicker, Crisis Therapist. Maryann is in charge of hours. Five professional role-playing scenarios are
setting up the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) provided from actors from the Crisis Company out
programs in both Adams County and in Aurora. of Nevada. These actors are professionally trained
Maryann has been teaching the CIT program in in mental health and they remain in character during
Colorado since May 2002. She has done six or the whole week, exhibiting their symptoms and
seven trainings in the past year. interacting with officers at random. They do take
Wednesday off from their role-playing to give them
The number one goal with CIT is to teach officers time to go to the next level. Next, they learn about
calming skills and how to de-escalate the client’s medications, and side effects. Then a family
temporary anxiety and fears. The other number one member who has had a lot of experience with the
item is that the officer’s safety must never be police, talks about their mentally ill person,
comprised when encountering a person with a showing pictures of when they were normal and
mental illness. then takes a story line of their illness and the
difference they have seen after officers have taken
The CIT goals are: * Minimize police use of force the CIT course.
with mentally ill clients; *Intervene early and
proactively; *Establish a cooperative relationship
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On Wednesday afternoons, the officers are taken on to have been able to use their new skills so soon
site visits to the various houses, which are generally after their training.
in the range of their patrol, and are encouraged to
talk to the clients to get their perspective on their The CIT impact has resulted in:
mental illness and their current living status. The 4% CIT calls result in arrest;
clients have been told ahead of time that these 76% transported to either hospitals or to mental
officers are coming and it is their choice as to health facilities;
whether to interact with them or not. This is usually 18% de-escalated at the scene;
the first time most of the officers have even 51% with weapons present at the scene;
encountered someone with mental illness and it 99.5% resulted in NO SWAT calls;
proves to be a real eye-opener to them. Ideally, 2% injuries after CIT came on the scene.
they come away with a great deal more compassion
than they have ever known.
Another set of 3-day courses is being put together in
On Friday, the Director of North Metro Community Denver for dispatchers, probation officers and
Services talks on developmentally delayed persons. detention facility workers. Maryann will check this
Six to eight of these people teach officers about out and see how to implement that program here,
who they are and what they can do.
We thank Maryann for her detailed explanation of
On Fridays also, they receive training on Elders her (additional) work efforts.
regarding confusion, Alzeheimers, etc. .
Since most of the calls to the CIT team come from
the Adolescent Treatment Center in Northglenn, the .SAD NEWS FROM THE AMI FAMILY
officers have the opportunity to watch and learn We learned within the past two weeks of the
how the staff treats those who, for one reason or passing on February 28th of Dottie Brujok. Dottie
another, become problematic. Dealing with fought a long battle with sclerosis (hardening of the
children and adolescents is far different than dealing fibrous tissue). Dottie and George were founding
with adults. members of the Adams AMI group. George
became President of the group and a week later
During the week, facilitator graduates of the CIT decided that the group had to be incorporated.
program grade the officers. They are graded on
blends of knowledge, empathy and direct learning George and Dottie cared for their son in their home,
of skills and techniques with a high degree of without the benefit of medication which he refused
transferability. The officers must have at least 3 out for 20 years. Within the last year and a half, they
of 5 in order to successfully graduate. convinced their son to return to CRC and begin
treatment. With some difficulties along the way, in-
Then on Friday, they attend a graduation ceremony cluding a stay at Fort Logan and a Judge who
to receive their pins and recognition from their ordered him to go on and stay on with his medica-
superiors. The AMI group assists the Center in tation, he was able to go through the normal pro-
providing refreshments at this ceremony. cesses with the Center for integration back to inde-
pendent living. He is now faithfully taking his med-
This entire week of training puts each police ication and is living independently in one of the
department at a severe loss of their manpower who Center’s apartments, close to his father.
would normally be working their patrols on the
streets, so not all officers are able to fulfill the Cards of sympathy and prayers can be sent to:
whole week of training. Those who cannot will be George Brujok, 8861 Hastings Way,
given the opportunity to retake the training. All the Westminster, CO 80030.
participants who attend volunteer for this training.
Many of them later report back on how good it feels We all look forward to seeing George return to our
family meetings when the time is right for him.
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* * * *
It is also my sad duty to report the death on Anyone who has recently walked down the north
March 5th of Virginia Garrison at the age of hallway of the Thornton Office at the Mary Cianco
92. Virginia will be remembered by both Building will have noticed the colorful masks
AMI and the Center for her countless years hanging on the wall. These masks were created by
of volunteer service on behalf of both the Relapse Prevention Groups, led by Amy
groups. Virginia will be long remembered Peterson-Smart, MSW, CACII. These masks
as a true inspiration to everyone who knew were created to assist individuals in their recovery
her. Those who knew her can attest to her by acknowledging the presentation they make to the
dependability, graciousness, and humility. world verses their private and hidden perceptions of
After becoming totally blind, Virginia was themselves. The outer face of the mask illustrates
placed in a nursing home where she how the individual is seen by the world, a
continued to maintain her always up-beat presentation that may or may not be brighter than
attitude, youthfulness and concern for how the individual actually feels. The inner face of
others. Edith McCormick willingly gave up the mask is an illustration of their inner world. For
many of her activities to become Virginia’s some, the inner world apparently feels fragile and
constant companion for many years. for others, hopes and dreams yet to be realized or
Virginia’s passing will deprive many who old habits that prevent this realization are
did not have the opportunity to witness her illustrated.
indomitable spirit.
* * * * * After creating the masks, group members shared
with each other how they have changed negative
COMMUNITY REACH CENTER UPDATE habits and behaviors, or how they plan on making
further changes. Group members often discover
Channel 9 Health Fair – We now have received a that what they keep hidden from others are the very
complete listing of the sites that CRC will be issues that inhibit their recovery. The group
operating out of. They are: members provide each other will support and
April 14-15 Platte Valley Medical Center in encouragement as well as reminders of future
Brighton; possibilities.
April 14th Immaculate Heart of Mary Church,
Northglenn; Those of us who walk down this hall enjoy the
April 15th St. Anthony North, Westminster; beauty of these masks and appreciate the efforts of
April 18th Westminster City Park Fitness Center, those who created them.
Westminster; Submitted by Lynne Battey, PhD., Manager of the
April 23rd North Suburban Medical Center, Thornton Office of Brief and Specialized Services.
Thornton;
May 12th Thornton Recreation Center, Thornton. * * *
The hours are from 7 AM until noon, but you do In addition to the information given us by Maryann
have to get there before 7 to get signed in and be Hewicker, CRC has now begun a program called
told where to go! Community Engagement Supervision (CESE).
Many people signed up at our last family meeting The Community Reach Center, in partnership with
but there are still some slots open. Please call Adams County Probation, Adams County Public
Lindy Schultz at 303-853-3679 if you want to join Defender, Adams County District Attorney, and
in this fun and very beneficial outreach. Last year, Adams County Sheriff’s Department, have started a
the Center had a Tremendous response from the program to provide intensive treatment and
general public and we’re to have an even bigger supervision of adults who have committed crimes
response this year. who also have mental illnesses. This program,
called CESE (Community Engagement Supervision
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and Evaluation), is similar to the PACE program These classes will be held in Thornton at the
started in Boulder and reported about in last Rainbow Center located at 2160 East 88th Street on
month’s edition. Tuesday nights beginning March 6th 13th, 20th, 27th,
ad also April 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 6:30 to 8:30
The CESE Program will allow consumers assigned P.M. For ore information, please contact Alicia Nix
to the program to meet with their probation officer, at 303-617-2822 or Cheri Bena at 303-485-9022.
their therapist, attend groups, attend psychiatric
appointments, and receive medications all at the Activities remaining for the month at RBC include
Gateway Building. Michelle Webster, MA, on Friday, March 23rd, a State Capitol tour, 1-2
CACIII, a therapist on the Forensics Team is the P.M. Saturday, March 24th, free day at the
lead therapist for the program. The probation Botanical Gardens from 1-3 P.M.; Tuesday March
officer for the program is Chris McLeod, a 27th from 12:30-2:30, the Patch Adams movie, and
probation officer with Adams County Probation on Saturday, March 31st – a Wildlife Watch from 8-
who has special training and experience in working 12. While all these activities are free, you need to
with people on probation who also have mental contact the Rainbow Center regarding
illnesses. She has moved her office from the transportation to outside activities. Rainbow’s
Probation Department to the Gateway Building in phone umber is 303-287-2902.
order to best serve the needs of the consumers
assigned to the CESE program. FROM NAMI COLORADO
NAMI-CO has received a small grant to host an art
The goals of the program are to provide appropriate exhibit with the theme: Access Through the Eyes
treatment to consumers with mental illnesses who of the Consumer. The art will be exhibited at the
are also on probation, to decrease the number of 2007 Annual Meeting of the College of Psychiatric
consumers with mental illnesses who are in jail, and and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) April 15-18 in
to reduce the criminal activity of consumers with Colorado Springs. NAMI-CO is inviting consumers
mental illnesses by providing them with appropriate to take photos of their experience with access to
treatment. mental health services - - positive, negative or
interpretive. NAMI-CO was able to purchase 34
Submitted by Libbi Palmer disposal cameras that will be distributed amongst
* * * * the various AFFILIATES. People who are partici-
pating will need to be NAMI members.
Rainbow Center
Participating instructions and releases are available
Another new program at the Rainbow Center
at the Rainbow Center and at all CRC’s offices.
(RBC). These are Parent Empowerment
One photo from each participant will be exhibited
Workshops. Their goal is to provide parents and
and prizes will be awarded to the top three photos.
caregivers with tools to help deal with children who
Photos will be judged by the Colorado Artists’
have mental disorders and how to become to
Guild.
become their child’s Case Manager. These 7-week
workshops are FREE along with free child care (and
snacks). Come and find out: * How other parents New from NAMI National
may feel just like you; * The different stages f
dealing with our child’s diagnosis; * How to NAMI Launches New Legislative Action
navigate the school system; * How to build a Center. Since 2003 NAMI’s web site has
Partnership with schools; * How to keep featured online information and tools to help
communication respectful; * What to do when your you understand current legislation affecting
child seems out of control; * How to log your people with mental illness and to take action
child’s behavior and mood and why you should give by contacting your representatives. This
it a try; * Partnering with our child to solve new Legislative Action Center will most
problems; * And of Great Importance . . . Tips for importantly will give you access to
taking care of yourself! Congressional voting records in order to find
out how your legislators voted on issues
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important to you. No sign-in required. Just "Wonderful. It captured how painful and
click and go. isolating losing a loved one can be." -
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
Other Upcoming Events Awards:
Semi-Finalist 2002 Sundance Screenwriting
Screening the Movie Institute
Semi-Finalist 2006 Women in Film Fund
“Jumping Off Bridges” Finalist 2002 Chesterfield Fellowship
Competition
When: Monday, April 23rd at 7:30 pm Best of 2006 Green Cine's Best
Where: Regis University, Student Center Undistributed Films from 2006 Festival
Who: Anyone who is interested Screenings
How much: Free
Tool For Awareness
What: "Jumping Off Bridges" is a story An estimated 57.7 million Americans,
about an adventurous group of four best approximately 1 in 4, suffer from a mental
friends in the trenches of adolescence, and disorder.
centers on the a teen's struggle to come to
terms with the suicide of his mother. The Mental disorders are medical conditions
film depicts a powerful, resonant that can range from mild depression to
examination into the impact of suicide on more serious conditions such as anxiety
those left behind. The film's writer and disorder, major depression, schizophrenia,
director (Kat Candler) shares that much of bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive
the film is autobiographical, "Growing up, disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress
my friends found sport in jumping off disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality
bridges. It didn't matter how high. They disorder (see next pages). They effect a
were reckless, crazy bunch who never person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to
flinched at danger. It was a great way to relate to others, and daily functioning,
escape our everyday lives, school, our making it difficult for sufferers to cope with
parents, heartache...just being with each the ordinary demands of life.
other was the bond that glued us together." Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Director,
Candler hopes the film allows people to talk Leadership Development & Behavioral Health
about loss and creates awareness of mental Promotion. Regis University F-12, 3333 Regis
health issues. Boulevard, Denver, CO 80221 Phone: 303-458-
4323
Reviews:
"The film Jumping Off Bridges is a If any one (families, staff or consumers) is interest-
heartfelt, thoughtful, and accurate depiction ed in nominating someone for an award at the 2007
of what life is like for those left behind BHI GALA, be aware that the deadline for sub-
when a loved one or friend commits mission is Friday, April 6, 2007. If you need a
suicide." - Counseling Today Magazine nomination form, please call Carolyn Hall or Kim
Payne at 303-340-2348 or Greg Gonzalez at 303-
"Understanding another's pain is not an 739-9951 or family members can call me.
easy thing to do. Jumping Off Bridges is
the story of the process of healing - in the Hope to see you at the Family meeting on
family and between friends." - American Wednesday, March 28th.
Counseling Association
Sincerely,
Mickey Shayne
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