Dear NAMI Supporter, Mental illness affects everyone, nearly 60 million Americans every year. I know personally what that feels like. In 1999, I revealed my own diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and my ongoing struggle with addiction. It’s hard to talk about because of the stigma associated with mental illness. Ultimately, I wrote about the challenges I faced in my book, A Common Struggle, to help me better understand my own experience and inspire others. Too often, we’re afraid to talk about mental illness. Some face shame and discrimination for their mental health conditions. As a result, many don’t access the care they need. With your support, NAMI is working to change that. They are educating the public and bringing awareness to mental illness, advocating for more scientific research funding to improve treatment and offering resources to individuals and families affected by mental illness through education and support programs like NAMI Family-to-Family and the NAMI HelpLine. These programs are making a difference — letting people facing mental illness know that they are not alone and offering hope and understanding to replace stigma and fear. This holiday season, please continue to support this important work with your generous donation. When I went public with my story, NAMI embraced me as part of their extended family. And I’m proud to have worked alongside NAMI to combat the stigma associated with mental illness and advocate for a more just and fair mental health care system. But we need you with us. In order to change the way people view mental illness, we must build a movement of support that is too strong to be ignored. I hope you’ll join me this holiday, and help send a gift of hope to people affected by mental illness today. Sincerely, Patrick J. Kennedy

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Date:07/16/2015
Dear NAMI friends, Tonight I invited Kathy Bayes to speak at a group that I belong to called 100+ Women - a National organization with a local group. We gather four times a year and by nominating and listening to three presentations at each of the meetings we vote for a nonprofit organization and then each of the women write a check to that organization for $100. Well,,,,,, I didn't realize that Kathy couldn’t speak, but that I, a member and person nominating the organization had to speak! So I took Kathy’s handouts and prayers from Anne Koehl (Women’s Care Centers director) that the Holy Spirit be with me and I spoke from my heart! We were the winners!!!  That means that a check in the neighborhood of $6500 will be presented to NAMI Fort Wayne at our next meeting in October!! I love this group and I was able to articulate the significance of its presence here in Fort Wayne!!  I am so proud of all this group has done and that I am a part of it! Hugs, Kellie

Debbie, who wrote this letter, no longer meets the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder.
She overcame through learning DBT skills and now teaches them at www.DBTpath.com

The views and opinions expressed in this article/video are those of the authors and may or may not reflect official NAMI policy, practices or philosophies.

“Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the fut

ure. I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do. ”
― Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

DEAR AMY: Several weeks ago I read a letter in your column from “Angry Sister” that broke my heart. This young woman has been adversely affected by her sister’s instability and her frequent and disruptive moves back to the family home. She asked if she is a terrible person. No!

I grew up with a sibling who is mentally ill and is now considered disabled. With community support my sib lives in an apartment, with visits from our family members who help with housework.

At times we have had a strained relationship, until a year ago when I attended a Family-to-Family 12-week program provided by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

The volunteer facilitators have family members who also are ill, and the support was overwhelming. This led to my understanding, and brought both of us so much healing. There is no charge for this valuable program. You will do your readers a great service by providing this information: nami.org. -- Grateful

DEAR GRATEFUL: The family support offered through NAMI is excellent — I should have recommended it. Thank you for following up.

March 1, 2015
Appearing in Sundays Journal Gazette
"Ask Amy" Column