|  |

Welcome to NAMI La Crosse

If you have a family member with mental illness and you are looking for support, you have come to the right place. If you have a diagnosis of mental illness, we have resources for you, too. We are part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the only non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives not just of individuals with mental illness, but of the entire family. If you or your loved ones have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder or similar brain disorders, we can help. And we have special programs designed for parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, childhood depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and other illnesses.

We know that families can be confused and overwhelmed when confronted with a diagnosis of serious mental illness. We've been there too. NAMI La Crosse County members are families and professionals who understand what you are going through. By helping each other, we all gain new insights and understanding, and we make the world a better place for those coping with mental illness.

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month starting at 7:00pm the location is the Congregational Church on the corner of Losey and Main Streets in La Crosse WI. Meetings are held in the months of September – November and January – May. We have three outings a year. We have a Pot Luck Picnic in August, a Christmas Party in December and a Boat Trip in June.

                 November 15th is the November Educational Meeting.  We are having an Advocacy Workshop.  Come learn how to contact your government officials on the City, County, State and National Level.  We will also talk about being a Stigma Buster.

                 Our Annual Christmas Party will be on December 4th.  It is a family event.  We start the fun at 3:30 and eat at about 5:45. The party is at the South Side Neighborhood Center  which is on the bus route and is handicapped accessible.  Please call Beth 608-779-1554 with your reservation or questions.
                 On the menu is Norwegian Meatballs or Vegetarian Lasagna.

                 January 17, 2012  A film called: WHEN MEDICINE GOT IT WRONG   NAMI’s History: PBS Documentary  The film shows the origins of the dramatic grassroots movement that resulted in NAMI’s founding in 1979 and helped revolutionize treatment.
In the 1970s parents got sick and tired of being blamed for causing their adult children’s mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Many psychiatrists and medical school textbooks perpetuated the myth of the “schizophrenogenic mother,” which identified “bad parenting” as the “cause” mental illness. Today, mental disorders are understood to be medical conditions involving genetics, biology—including neurochemical activity in the brain—and environmental factors.

Following film there will be a community discussion on the treatment of Mental Illness.

There are three ways to connect with other NAMI La Crosse members:

• NAMI Support Group  meet regularly in La Crosse. We have a support group for family members/caregivers of people suffering with a mental illness and support groups for individuals with a mental illness diagnosis who are working toward recovery.
• NAMI Education Classes  provide in-depth understanding of mental illness, coping methods and resources. Our classes are designed for small groups with a common focus: families of an adult with mental illness; parents of a child or adolescent with mental illness.
• NAMI Monthly Meetings bring in expert speakers to talk about topics from the latest in brain research to coping skills for caregivers to legal and insurance issues.

All our family programs are offered free of charge. You don't have to join NAMI to participate, although we believe that once you discover what we are trying to do to improve the lives of so many who are dealing with mental illness, you will want to be part of the NAMI community.

If you can't find what you are looking for on our site try the NAMI Wisconsin, the NAMI Minnesota or the NAMI National site, or you need help right now finding a resource for your family member, contact NAMI La Crosse County directly by calling 608-779-1554 or emailing Info@NAMILaCrosseCounty.org. We will do our best to listen and offer guidance based on our members' experience.

Browse the links below for different topics of interest.

• Illness (by diagnosis)
• Medications
• Recovery
• Children & Adolescents
• Legal Matters
• Treatment
• En Español
• Special Needs Trust

Related Files

|  |