Hopes and the Practicality of N.A.M.I. - DE
For the most part when one categorizes or "pigeon-holes" people there can be confusion, hard feelings or out and out anger. Yet in the early 1980's that's exactly what NAMI-DE chose to do. They felt that it was necessary to force the acceptance into society a group of people who were quickly becoming banished.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Delaware (as I was told was the name for the organization in 1980) found a need for mentally ill individuals to be accepted in the community. Much of the public at that time feared and/or 'looked down' upon those who had some type of mental disease. Yet many patients in the overcrowded state hospital were functional, could hold jobs, and with a little support could do well in society.
That is where NAMI-DE took a role. By using grants through the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency the leaders of NAMI-DE created a program of housing where patients could live in homes instead of the hospital and thereby live more satisfying lives. To do this the Alliance leadership had to convince members of the general public that the new neighbors would be safe neighbors and that housing prices would not plummet. With help from wrap-around small business -- landscaping, re-sale furniture, and construction as examples -- and by support from property management people were able to live in these homes safely and satisfactorily as their behaviors were shown to be as normal as anyone.
To convince the public to accept these people the Alliance had to think like the public. The 'guy on the street' had his opinions of just where everyone should be categorized. Some were mentally ill, some were family members, others were professionals while others were simply interested parties. Finally came the public which always seemed to be the last to know anything, yet included the most esteemed decision-makers -- [as however one looked at it. There was always 'peppered' into the public] a couple of local politicians including only the sensible ones who kept their lips tight.
In truth, many people did not notice the crossovers in these groups. The highs and lows of Teddy Roosevelt were not discussed. The depressive side of Abraham Lincoln did not come up in awareness. Even the buoyancy and self-medication with cognac of Winston Churchill was not noticed. Virtually everyone has some claim to mental illness at sometime in their life. Certain individuals in Delaware communities just wanted information and did not have to be lectured. Others, though they had questions, were shown that there was no reason for fear. Instead misconceptions and stereotypes were shown to be untrue and the public, sometimes helped by understanding politicians, and other times convinced by the NAMI-DE board, realized that the new residents only wanted a glimpse of a better life that American society could offer. Real estate prices were not coming down [unless they tanked for other reasons (such as recession)] -- in fact in most all cases the new residents turned out to be fine neighbors. Instead of having large bills thrown at the residents and their families by the state hospital the new result was that each person's earning capacity rose as they found a place in the community.
It is true that sometimes I get frustrated by NAMI-DE because every time I contact them they return me to the 'walking mental patient' category and refer me to the mental health consumer group. I get tired of receiving leaflets asking me to call "Suicide Prevention" each time I visit the NAMI-DE office. But I just have to know that their nature is just that -- they are still categorizing me. Yet how can I blame them? Thirty years ago it did not look like I was going to get well at all. Thirty years ago was the last time I interfaced with NAMI-DE in any value until recently. Sure, my father had worked leading NAMI-DE and with the housing arm of the organization, he HAD to see people taking different responsibilities as some of us adopted roles of subservience. So as I approach the board years later how could I expect to be treated any differently? As will be shown in the next post of this blog I am a different person completely. It is a story as different -- and in some ways similar -- as to "Flowers for Algernon".(which influenced the film "Charly".) At this time I am convinced that my overall mental functioning has never been better in an emotional, spiritual way. My manner is now one of true sanity -- at least for this writing. Though not 'high'-- I know I am improving.
As our society changes so too do our organizations. NAMI-DE does not have the same name as it used to have. Now it is called, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness -- in Delaware". In keeping pace with our times it is involved in counseling for all groups, the role of families, hospital monitoring, monetary concerns when treating disease, housing, advocacy, a knowledge base for professionals, public outreach and promotion as well as providing client and family-based support counsel and meetings. One of the more important thrusts taken by NAMI is the research and publications offered by a central U.S. office.
My parents landed on NAMI-DE when they were in despair about my condition in the early 1980's. Their friends Ms. Jill Shute and her husband had started the organization. Over any other organization they chose it to console their needs. I can remember my father distinctly telling me,"We never thought you were an alcoholic because we knew you were mentally ill." Why did I have to be more complicated than the average "Joe"? Was he really trying to tell me that he thought I was another Winston Churchill? What should I expect now? -- Perhaps a call from 'The Board'? How about bombs from my ancestral Germany? Bob Does Everything Backwards: Writing Out of an Illness
I have to remember that just by being 'crazy' does not mean that I am 'insane'.
Thank you --
Very truly yours,
Robert N. Franz
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Delaware (as I was told was the name for the organization in 1980) found a need for mentally ill individuals to be accepted in the community. Much of the public at that time feared and/or 'looked down' upon those who had some type of mental disease. Yet many patients in the overcrowded state hospital were functional, could hold jobs, and with a little support could do well in society.
That is where NAMI-DE took a role. By using grants through the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency the leaders of NAMI-DE created a program of housing where patients could live in homes instead of the hospital and thereby live more satisfying lives. To do this the Alliance leadership had to convince members of the general public that the new neighbors would be safe neighbors and that housing prices would not plummet. With help from wrap-around small business -- landscaping, re-sale furniture, and construction as examples -- and by support from property management people were able to live in these homes safely and satisfactorily as their behaviors were shown to be as normal as anyone.
To convince the public to accept these people the Alliance had to think like the public. The 'guy on the street' had his opinions of just where everyone should be categorized. Some were mentally ill, some were family members, others were professionals while others were simply interested parties. Finally came the public which always seemed to be the last to know anything, yet included the most esteemed decision-makers -- [as however one looked at it. There was always 'peppered' into the public] a couple of local politicians including only the sensible ones who kept their lips tight.
In truth, many people did not notice the crossovers in these groups. The highs and lows of Teddy Roosevelt were not discussed. The depressive side of Abraham Lincoln did not come up in awareness. Even the buoyancy and self-medication with cognac of Winston Churchill was not noticed. Virtually everyone has some claim to mental illness at sometime in their life. Certain individuals in Delaware communities just wanted information and did not have to be lectured. Others, though they had questions, were shown that there was no reason for fear. Instead misconceptions and stereotypes were shown to be untrue and the public, sometimes helped by understanding politicians, and other times convinced by the NAMI-DE board, realized that the new residents only wanted a glimpse of a better life that American society could offer. Real estate prices were not coming down [unless they tanked for other reasons (such as recession)] -- in fact in most all cases the new residents turned out to be fine neighbors. Instead of having large bills thrown at the residents and their families by the state hospital the new result was that each person's earning capacity rose as they found a place in the community.
It is true that sometimes I get frustrated by NAMI-DE because every time I contact them they return me to the 'walking mental patient' category and refer me to the mental health consumer group. I get tired of receiving leaflets asking me to call "Suicide Prevention" each time I visit the NAMI-DE office. But I just have to know that their nature is just that -- they are still categorizing me. Yet how can I blame them? Thirty years ago it did not look like I was going to get well at all. Thirty years ago was the last time I interfaced with NAMI-DE in any value until recently. Sure, my father had worked leading NAMI-DE and with the housing arm of the organization, he HAD to see people taking different responsibilities as some of us adopted roles of subservience. So as I approach the board years later how could I expect to be treated any differently? As will be shown in the next post of this blog I am a different person completely. It is a story as different -- and in some ways similar -- as to "Flowers for Algernon".(which influenced the film "Charly".) At this time I am convinced that my overall mental functioning has never been better in an emotional, spiritual way. My manner is now one of true sanity -- at least for this writing. Though not 'high'-- I know I am improving.
As our society changes so too do our organizations. NAMI-DE does not have the same name as it used to have. Now it is called, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness -- in Delaware". In keeping pace with our times it is involved in counseling for all groups, the role of families, hospital monitoring, monetary concerns when treating disease, housing, advocacy, a knowledge base for professionals, public outreach and promotion as well as providing client and family-based support counsel and meetings. One of the more important thrusts taken by NAMI is the research and publications offered by a central U.S. office.
My parents landed on NAMI-DE when they were in despair about my condition in the early 1980's. Their friends Ms. Jill Shute and her husband had started the organization. Over any other organization they chose it to console their needs. I can remember my father distinctly telling me,"We never thought you were an alcoholic because we knew you were mentally ill." Why did I have to be more complicated than the average "Joe"? Was he really trying to tell me that he thought I was another Winston Churchill? What should I expect now? -- Perhaps a call from 'The Board'? How about bombs from my ancestral Germany? Bob Does Everything Backwards: Writing Out of an Illness
I have to remember that just by being 'crazy' does not mean that I am 'insane'.
Thank you --
Very truly yours,
Robert N. Franz
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