"REALITY IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES"

Kellie Meyer, M.A., Criminal Justice Director and Development Director for NAMI Indiana (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will share an overview of NAMI Indiana's programs and initiatives. For over 4 years, Kellie has engraved the name of NAMI Indiana everywhere she’s gone. Kellie has taken Public Education to heart and has been relentless in her efforts to make NAMI a household name. She travels the state spreading NAMI Indiana’s message to diverse groups: local affiliates, mental health centers, community meetings, government agencies, hospitals and businesses.

Through writing grants, procuring “in-kind services” from various agencies, and developing relationships with funding providers, Kellie has been able to double NAMI Indiana’s operating budgets to accommodate the increased programs, support and advocacy efforts. She launched a statewide billboard campaign with the message, “Treatment is Possible.” She is a co-author and facilitator of NAMI Indiana’s Criminal Justice Training Program. This program trains prison personnel about mental illness and is now being adopted for jail and community corrections personnel. As a result among those trained, “use of force” has decreased by as much as 70%. She is currently working to develop CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams) for local law enforcement agencies across the state and works closely with those already in existence. Kellie may be reached at 1-800-677-6442 for additional information about these programs. In addition, she has planned the next statewide Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit to be held in Indianapolis on Friday, March 23, 2007. If space allows, registration can still take place online at www.namiindiana.org through Thursday, March 22, 2007.

Karla (Dyer) Buchanan has been NAMI Indiana's "In Our Own Voice" Coordinator since 2004. For the past 2 years, Karla has been integral in growing and implementing NAMI Indiana’s consumer programs. She is a state trainer for Peer-to-Peer and NAMI C.A.R.E. as well as national trainer for “In Our Own Voice.” Under her leadership, all of these programs have soared to new heights. With over 100 presentations a year throughout the state in the IOOV program and with ever-increasing requests, Karla is now concentrating her efforts solely on the growth of this initiative. Reaching over 3,000 people in two years, the impact of hearing personal testimonies about mental illness has been sensational and has provided much positive feedback. Karla will tell her story of dealing with mental illness as a primary consumer of mental health services. Ms. Dyer is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and will share experiences of her dark days, self-harm, coping strategies, successes, hopes and dreams.
Mike Kempf, a long-time member of NAMI, is active in NAMI Indiana in public policy, development, and criminal justice initiatives. The message he delivers is a personal account of mental illness from the perspective of a primary care-giver and father. His presentations address issues of stigma, socialization, and communication concerns with parents and their children who suffer from brain disorders. He is the father of four children. One is afflicted with a physical disability and one suffers from a mental disorder. He shares about the actions and reactions his family has encountered on their personal journey. Mr.Kempf is retired from Indiana Bell and is a dedicated volunteer.
 

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