Grassroots campaign addresses mental illness in the community
“It’s a slow painful journey when your loved one is dealing with mental illness,” Carol Gramelspacher said.
Her own experiences with mental illness are now painful memories that drive her to inform families of what “they did not know they needed to know” about their loved ones’ challenges.
The mother of four, who has lived in Jasper for 33 years, became aware of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) through her son’s struggles with mental illness. “I was sitting in the lobby of the (court) proceedings waiting to hear my child’s fate,” she said. “I was able to connect with NAMI and they were able to connect me with a hospital that has a dual-diagnostic program. Due to a lack of funds, few hospitals that I know of have a dual-diagnostic program.”
Through NAMI, Ms. Gramelspacher and her son were directed to a hospital that provided dual-diagnostic treatment. These programs treat individuals for substance dependency and mental illness. “They (NAMI) were a tremendous help to me during that time.”
Before the journey with her own child, Ms. Gramelspacher witnessed paranoia, schizophrenia and manic depression manifest in her mother and brother. Consequently, her brother disappeared about six years ago. “I did not know what I needed to know to help them,” she said.
Faren Levell, the director of Memorial Hospital’s Behavioral Health Center, introduced Ms. Gramelspacher to NAMI during that time with her son. Through his guidance and expertise, she is attempting to bring the NAMI family to Dubois County to educate family members of loved ones with mental health issues. “I do this for my mom and all the families that are out there.” she said. “I do this for my mom. I lost her and I did not know what I needed to know.”
NAMI is a grassroots effort that formed in 1979 as a mental health advocacy organization. The group offers education, advocacy and support for those suffering psychiatric illness and their families. The nonprofit estimates that nearly 61.5 million Americans experience some form of mental illness each year.
As she was exploring the impact of mental illness on those individuals in the justice system, Ms. Gramelspacher volunteered at the community corrections center for a year assisting participants in building their self-esteem. The program called Jumpstart was designed to help participants gain a job once they were released. “I wanted to observe what their (participants) thinking was when it was separated from their actions; to find out what was going on in their minds,” she said. “Entrance to incarceration is a turnstile arrangement for many. They come out with the same motivation that got them in there in the first place and due to a lack of change, they end up right back in.”
Ms. Gramelspacher doesn’t want to characterize all criminal acts as having a source in mental illness, but she still attributes much of society’s struggle with crime to undiagnosed and untreated mental illness.
The first step towards establishing the organization in Dubois County happens Thursday, May 22, when a special presentation is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Hospital Mary Potter Room. Sharon “Sam” Luzader, the retired director of community support services for Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center, will speak at the gathering and topics covered will include education, resources, and support for families caring for those living with mental illness.
She has been involved with NAMI for two years now and recently completed the third session of NAMI Family-to-Family. Family-to-Family is a weekly gathering of families to give information and resources to empower them with the knowledge so they can, “know what they did not know they needed to know.”
She hopes that the Thursday evening gathering will introduce families to NAMI, along with the other resources available to this community through Memorial Hospital and volunteer groups designed for the welfare of those challenged with mental illness. Sticking with its grassroots, NAMI will become a part of the community if the families that attend take the opportunity to create it here. “Those that decide to create it will stay with it,” Ms. Gramelsphacher said.
The key to the success of the establishment of the program locally is in the family participation. “These aren’t paid positions. These are people who gather to share their time and experience,” she explained. “They do this as a paycheck of the heart.”
Ms. Gramelspacher likes to refer to a quote she heard when she first became involved with NAMI.
“Every individual wants three things; shelter, food — including spiritual food — and a Saturday night date (someone who cares, someone who loves),” Ms. Gramelspacher said. “Without one of those, we don’t survive very well. This is what NAMI is about.”
EVENT
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is hosting an educational program sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Families of those with mental illness and anyone with an interest in the topic is welcome.
Sharon “Sam” Luzader, the retired director of community support services for Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center in Evansville, will speak about education, resources and support for families caring for those living with mental illness.
Families who have been helped by the National Alliance on Mental Illness will share their stories. Attendees are invited to be heard or to simply listen and learn.
This presentation is tonight, May 22, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Potter Meeting Room at Memorial Hospital, 800 W. 9th Street in Jasper.
The presentation is free. For more information or questions, contact Carol Gramelspacher at 812-639-8081.
