Presenting the program at the September Morrow County Chamber of Commerce meeting are (left to right) Becky Becker, NAMI Morrow County navigator, Tracie Bayer, NAMI presentations and outreach coordinator, and Jesse Jones, NAMI manager of communications, development and marketing.
Alberta Stojkovic | AIM Media Midwest
At the Sept. 17 Morrow County Chamber of Commerce meeting, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outreach Coordinator Tracie Bayer presented the video “In our own voice,” featuring individuals who have experienced mental illness.
Bayer combined the video with her own personal journey with bipolar II and narcolepsy. She shared insights she gained about her own mental health as she described her symptoms and experience between sections of the video.
She listed what happens when someone struggles with mental illness. Symptoms include self-injury, risky behavior, hallucinations, manic episodes, depression, and misuse of alcohol and drugs. It is behavior which disrupts daily functions.
Bayer’s own story from the age of 13-18 had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder after her mother passed away and the family moved from California to Ohio. At 18, she entered Columbus State and earned a degree in nursing. Nursing had been a major goal for her and for many years she enjoyed working in the nursing profession.
What helped Bayer and individuals in the video was realizing help was needed, having regular counseling with a caring therapist, and acceptance of the health condition. Family support and support in the community or at work is valuable as well as realizing recovery is an on-going process.
Positive self-talk, exercise, yoga, and meditation can also be helpful tools in recovery. Bayer said hobbies, church and her husband helped her the most. She looked at what is next in realizing there are cycles of recovery and relapse. She said it is important to recognize accomplishments and to gain confidence with work and social situations.
In NAMI, Bayer and others share their experience and gain strength and confidence with group support. She began with NAMI as a volunteer with a peer-led support group.
NAMI services and programs are given with no cost to schools, community groups like the chamber, businesses and churches. They also coordinate with other agencies such as HelpLine and Delaware and Morrow Board of Mental Health and Recovery Board.
Jesse Jones, NAMI’s manager of communications, development and marketing, suggested chamber members consider that their associates and employees may be affected in some way with mental conditions.
Speaking about mental illness, Jones said, “It affects all of us, not just some of us when we realize the extent to which mental health conditions affect those at work, neighbors, and their families and those in their circle of acquaintance.”
NAMI Mid-Ohio President Emeritus Becky Becker serves as the Morrow County navigator at the Morrow County Hospital. She is presently offering a family-to-family 8-week educational program. There is no charge for the program for family and friends of those with mental health conditions.
Becker encouraged anyone who wishes to learn about NAMI’s programs and resources, or who wishes to ask questions, to contact her at the Morrow County Hospital during her hours Monday through Wednesday and by appointment. She can be reached at 419-890-1644 or by email at [email protected].
Steve Brown, of Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Board, announced the Meadow Center in Mount Gilead, which has been under construction for major renovations, will have a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Alberta Stojkovic is a correspondent for The Morrow County Sentinel. She can be reached at [email protected].
