NAMI Blog

NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties recently completed its first ever NAMI Basics class in Colorado.  We had 9 family participants led by 2 of our dedicated volunteer trainers.  Many thanks to all of them for their efforts in a successful completion. Devoting 6 weeks to gain invaluable information is quite an undertaking.  Julie was an attendee of this first class and she shared her initial review of this class in an earlier blog post.  Below are a few of her thoughts after the conclusion. “NAMI Basics…I can’t believe the 6 weeks is over!  My husband and I completed the course together.  WeRead More

“M-1” is a form approved by the Colorado Department of Behavioral Health that evaluators use to determine if an individual’s behavior is so risky that they need to be held in a hospital against their will. Mental health professionals and police officers often use the term “M-1” to talk about the entire evaluation process. In Colorado Police Officers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Social Workers, Doctors and Nurses are legally able to place a person on an M1 hold. The decision to hold someone is based both on observation and interview. Hopefully, it’s also based on information collected from family orRead More

Many of you know her as the smiling face that greets you or the voice that takes your call at Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network. Her upbeat attitude and inviting smile always ensures you feel welcome. Marilyn Grant is one of those people that just makes you feel right at home. NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties is fortunate to receive some of her generous spirit and infectious energy. As a valued member of our dedicated volunteer team, Marilyn’s ongoing commitment and support enhances our continued abilities at offering exceptional education, support and outreach within Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. Marilyn first became committedRead More

NAMI FaithNet is a group of dedicated volunteers within NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties that reaches out to area faith communities in an effort to make them aware of NAMI programs, as well as other area mental health resources. In doing so, we encourage them to participate in promoting mental health awareness. Currently, only two affiliates in the state of Colorado (NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties and NAMI Western Slope) have active FaithNet involvement in their communities. Tuesday, October 6, 2015, was a National Day of Prayer as part of National Mental Illness Awareness week. FaithNet of NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties hosted an Open House/InformationRead More

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the NAMI Colorado Annual Conference. Denver Health graciously hosted the event at the Rita Bass Trauma Center, which nicely accommodated the growing attendance. As always, the NAMI Colorado team worked tirelessly to make sure this event happened seamlessly. Many thanks to everyone there for their dedicated efforts for a successful outcome. A highlight was the wonderful fellowship among affiliates and a great opportunity to share happenings within each community. It was a wonderful time to see friends, old and new, catching up with them and sharing synergies. This event is a greatRead More

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Julie A. Corbett has joined the NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties Board of Directors. Our board unanimously agreed on this decision after she attended our August meeting and agreed to a nomination. Julie is a seasoned marketing professional who currently works within the mental health field and along with her professional pursuits she brings a personal passion for mental health. Her first involvement with NAMI was after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Since then her involvement has expanded. In addition to her new board role, she also is actively involved with NAMI Walks, servingRead More

Last Saturday, August 29th, seventeen parents attended an informative workshop presented by NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties on the educational rights of students with disabilities, presented by Denver lawyer Jack Robinson. Mr. Robinson discussed: Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), what they need to include and how to advocate to make sure certain services are included He also talked about mediation and due process proceedings when a conflict with the school hasn’t been sufficiently resolved He familiarized everyone with the federal law governing educational rights of students with disabilities and how that legal framework is applied at the individual level One of the majorRead More

August is generally a busy time for most of us. Summer starts coming to an end, kids go back to school and each of us gets back into a routine that tends to lighten up during the warmer months. Our efforts at NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties aren’t much different. There are many important things happening. Let me share a bit below about our upcoming programming. As always, it is FREE of charge. The last week of August was especially busy for us. We began a new 12-week Family to Family Class on August 27th. It required advance registration, but the firstRead More

Last week, I had the great honor to speak to the Parker Rotary. http://www.parkerrotary.org In preparation, I intended to share my own personal story, as well as further build awareness about the classes, support, and outreach NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties offers. I was fortunate to join in the regular meeting before speaking and learned much about the diverse service works the Parker Rotary is involved in, locally and abroad. One project of particular interest, was their Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.) Two participants, both local high school students, shared their experiences from the leadership training camp. Each, enthusiastically made aRead More

Last December, an Arapahoe county family lost their son and brother to suicide. He was only 14 years old. He was mentally ill but, as his mother said, “He was so much more than that.” The boy’s parents had come to our NAMI affiliate for help just a few weeks before his death, having attended a parent workshop in November. At the workshop they found, for the first time, other parents who understood and knew what they were going through because they were dealing with the same problems. They also gained some knowledge and ideas to help them help theirRead More