NAMI IL – Oct. Mental Health Education Conference

The information below has been taken from NAMI Illinois’ website. The information is scattered so I apologize in advance if something is inaccurate.

NAMI Illinois 2009
Mental Health Education Conference

Dates: October 16-18, 2009

Location:

Westin Chicago Northwest
400 Park Avenue
Itasca, Illinois 60143
630-773-4000

The schedule can be found here.

Registration fees:

$100 for mental health consumers
$150 for professional members
$225 for professional non-members

Social Work Information Sessions and Open Houses

*This will be a list that will be updated over time. If you know of any events related to graduate school, social work, psychology, or working with those with mental illness, please let me know.


Adler School of Professional Psychology

They have multiple Open Houses / Information Sessions.

They’ll also be at the UIC Professional School Fair and the Idealist.org Graduate School Fair (listed in another post).

DePaul University Graduate Schools

Graduate School Open House

Sept. 30, 2009 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Student Center 120 A&B
(Requires registration at above link)

According to the site:

Programs in each of the following Colleges will be represented:

College of Communication
College of Computing and Digital Media
College of Law
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
School of Education
School for New Learning
School of Public Service

(Based on the drop-down menu, this appears to include Social Work and Psychology)

Loyola – School of Social Work

MSW Information Session

Wednesday September 16, 2009 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

School of Social Work Open House

Friday October 9, 2009 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Lewis Towers Beane Hall (13th Floor)

* I cannot find similar information for the Psychology Department

Northwestern University

Northwestern focuses more on counseling than on the type of program I’m interested in so I’m not listing their information.

University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration

Master’s Information Session

November 14, 2009 from 10:00 AM – 12 noon
SSA Room W-1

University of Illinois – Chicago

Jane Addams School of Social Work – MSW Information Sessions

Many dates, see link for listing

also

Professional School Fair

October 8, 2009 from 3 pm to 7 pm
UIC Events Pavilion – 725 West Roosevelt, Chicago

Multiple grad schools will be in attendance, including the Adler School of Professional Psychology.

Idealist Graduate School Fair : 10/12/09

The information below has been taken from the Idealist website.

Idealist Graduate School Fair – Chicago

This event is FREE

Date: October 12, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m

Location:

University of Illinois at Chicago
UIC Forum, Main Floor, Main Hall A and B
725 W Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL

PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS:
At the fair, you will have an opportunity to meet graduate admissions representatives from various programs to discuss professional development through graduate education. You will also have a chance to attend a free information session offering advice on graduate degree options, the application process, financial aid, and deciding when to attend graduate school after spending time in the working world.

Schools around the country will be attending. Here is the list.

Schedule:

5:30pm – 6:15pm Panel Discussion: Admissions Process and Financial Aid

PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS:
This is an opportunity for you to listen to a panel of graduate admissions representatives talk about the graduate admissions application process and financial aid. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and talk about your experience in applying to graduate school.

6:30pm – 7:15pm Panel Discussion: When and What to Study

PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS:
This is an opportunity for you to listen to a panel of graduate admissions representatives give advice about deciding when to attend graduate school after spending time in the working world and and choosing the right program for you. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and talk about your experience in applying to graduate school.

Oct. DBSA Greater Chicago Meetup

The information below has been taken from their Meetup calendar page.

Educational Meeting, Making Sense of Stress in Depression, Bipolar & Anxiety

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 7:15pm

Location:

The Devon Bank, lower level
6445 N. Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

Details:

Dr. Erin Woodhead, Making Sense of Stress and the Blues in Depression, Bipolar and Anxiety Disorders.

Sept. DBSA – Greater Chicago Meetup

This information has been taken from their Meetup calendar page.

Educational Meeting, OCD and How it Relates to Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Date: September 14th

Time: 7:15pm

Location:

The Devon Bank, lower level
6445 N. Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

Details:

Dr. Salstrom will discuss Obsessive -Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and How it Relates to Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Seoka Salstrom, Ph.D., is on staff at the Anxiety and Agoraphobia Treatment Center in Northbrook.

DBSA 2009 National Conference – 9/10/09 – 9/13/09

DBSA is having a conference in September. Registration appears to still be open but scholarships are no longer available. I won’t be attending as I don’t have the funds.

The fees are listed under Registration Center.

The information below is copied off the DBSA website.

DBSA 2009 National Conference

Find empowerment through “PEER CONNECTIONS” this September as DBSA hosts a conference of compelling keynote presentations, educational workshops, and pre- and post-conference institutes. DBSA offers a unique peer-centered perspective for individuals living with depression or bipolar disorder, as well as for family members or health care providers looking for ways to best help their loved ones, patients, or clients by partnering with them on their path to recovery.

September 10-13, 2009
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

Schedule at a Glance

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DBSA Chapter Leadership Forum (CLF)
Separate registration required.

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Conference Meet & Greet

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Consumer Pre-Conference Institute
Wilderness Tips for the Comeback Trail:
Reclaiming Joy & Balance
Presented by Victoria Maxwell

Family Pre-Conference Institute
The “Nature v. Nurture” Debate: Overcoming Guilt & Stigma
Presented by Jehannine Austin, PhD

12:00 noon
CONFERENCE OPENS

12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Conference keynotes, general and breakout sessions

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
DBSA Support Groups (depression, bipolar disorder, family & friends)

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friends Reception Fundraiser (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast with Peers (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration. Several low-cost meal options also available onsite.

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
“Indy Walk” (short walk through downtown Indianapolis)

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference keynotes, general and breakout sessions

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
President’s Lunch (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch with Peers (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration. Several low-cost meal options also available onsite.

1:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Conference keynotes, general and breakout sessions

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
DBSA Support Groups (depression, bipolar disorder, family & friends)

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Stand-Up Comedy Show (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast with Peers (optional*)
*Purchase ticket with registration. Several low-cost meal options also available onsite.

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
“Indy Walk” (short walk through downtown Indianapolis)

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference keynotes and general sessions

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Work Post-Conference Institute
Successfully Navigating the Complexities of the Workplace
Presented by Karen Fuqua, PHR, CSP, CCP

Peer Specialist CE Post-Conference Institute
Managing Effective Peer-Led Groups
Presented by Donna Dykstra
and Lisa Goodale, ACSW, LSW

Attempting to Make Friends

I’m more comfortable with weird people than with “normal” people. “Normal” people scare me. I’m afraid that they’ll judge me and reject me because of my weirdness. I feel like I don’t know how to fit in and often say something wrong.

Sometimes I feel paranoid, other times I feel justified. An example of the latter are my interactions with the head of Rescue Group R, whom I’ve talked to in person on at least five different occasions for at least half an hour each time. I’ve been offering to foster a small dog and asking about adopting a dog. While she said that she’d personally review our application and look for a dog for us from the shelters she gets dogs from, we never heard back from her. I figured it was because she bit off far more than she could handle and doesn’t know how to delegate tasks. Each time I see her, she seems to be trying to handle everything herself, despite the presence of volunteers. This last time, there was a dog listed online that I was interested in. I was able to meet her at an adoption event and asked her about the dog. During our conversation, I got the sense that she must not like me as she was lying to my face about the dog. She said it had a different weight and disposition from what it said online in a way that seemed designed to contradict the qualities I said I was looking for. WTF? I don’t know what I could’ve done or said to have this happen. Who knows, maybe she wasn’t lying and was simply mistaken. Either way, I’ve given up on this group.

It’s often suggested that you volunteer in order to make friends as you’ll be meeting people who have a shared interest. Rescue Group R is yet another lost opportunity.

I’ve also tried making friends with people in my building. A few weeks ago, I tried having a “get to know your neighbor” event in the backyard. Despite talking it over with two people, no one showed. I used the time to read the newspaper outdoors.

New people have also been moving in. I got a really strange reception from one couple. The first time I went to say “hi” to the newcomers, who looked no more than a decade older than myself, I was greeted by the female half who seemed to have no interest in chit chatting. All I got from her was that they moved from Texas and that I should try again the next day at the same time. The next day, I heard talking before I knocked. After I knocked, silence. I tried again and heard what might’ve been a door chain. After the third knock, the woman finally opened up the door and said “I’m not interested in hanging out right now” and shut the door. Bizarre. Either way, I know I did the proper thing in attempting to welcome a new neighbor.

Using Medicaid and My Psychiatry Appointment

My laptop is now up and running! Thankfully the warranty was upheld and my husband was able to install Windows and other programs.

We’re still waiting to hear back about the paper shredder.

We were able to see three doctors so far, including a psychiatrist.

First was the Primary Care Provider (PCP) who you have to go through to get referrals to see specialists. Specialists have a $2 copay. We were told that we could only get three referrals apiece. How long it is until we can get more referrals I don’t know. We have to call up again and ask.

Also, vaccines aren’t covered for people 18 and above. This means we’ll be paying for the flu vaccine out of pocket. Dominick’s is offering it for $28 I think. Does anyone know of a cheaper place?

Next was a gynecologist who strangely, I needed a referral for. I would’ve thought that Medicaid and health insurance in general would want women to see gynecologists because of all of the expensive care that could come with something going wrong with the reproductive system. Then again, one of the problems with the current health care system is that it doesn’t value preventive care.

Our psychiatry appointment went well. While the doctor was by no means personable, he seemed knowledgeable and listened to our concerns, whereas the psychiatrists at Stroger didn’t. We both got our medications adjusted. Hopefully this will help things get better.

In addition, all the medications have been covered without a copay.

According to Illinois Health Connect, we can see a therapist without a referral. Strange since everyone else seems to require one. We still have to pick one and make an appointment.

I really hope I don’t jinx myself by saying this but this is the best luck I’ve had with doctors in a long time. Looking up doctors that work at a reputable hospital definitely seems to be a good way to go. Unfortunately, not everyone takes Medicaid. Some of the doctors we still need will have to be outside the hospital. Here’s hoping it works out anyway

Our Need for Marriage Counseling

As some things get better, other things get worse.

So it is with mental illness and my marriage. Whereas I used to be good one day and depressed the next, I seem to be stabilizing. I’ve even had enough energy to go on a cleaning spree earlier this week, and have started building a giant cat tree, a project I meant to start weeks ago.

However, my husband is still depressed. He rarely leaves the apartment, and when he does it’s only when I ask him to run quick errands. I go out on weekends to festivals on my own. While it’s a major accomplishment for me to be able to do this, it still means that he needs his medications adjusted.

Our fights have been getting better and worse at the same time. While they’ve become less frequent, their severity has changed. Not long ago, we were stuck in a cycle in which one or both of us would be irritable, his anxiety would kick in, and my tolerance for conflict would be so low that I’d become severely depressed, even suicidal.

We still curse at each other when fighting, but it’s become more personal and hurtful on both sides. It’s reached the point where I no longer see my husband’s part of the fight as an example of irritability (a symptom of bipolar) but real anger, absent of mental illness.

I won’t go into further detail, as I’m not looking to badmouth him. I want this relationship to work and I do love him.

We have scheduled a lot of doctor’s appointments, but not a therapist. Of all the people, this is the hardest person to select, because unlike other care providers, it’s difficult to start over with a new person if you don’t like the one that you’re seeing.

If anyone has suggestions on good couples’ counselors that truly understand mental illness and take Medicaid, please let me know.

Ridiculous Landlord Restrictions on Dogs

I blame my landlord for why I don’t have a dog, despite looking for one since March.

I’m extremely irritated at him. When looking for an apartment, my husband and I specifically looked at apartments that allowed dogs. Despite the popularity of dogs in Chicago and in the area we were looking at, it was difficult to find a decent apartment that both allowed dogs and didn’t limit their weight to under 25 pounds.

One of the reasons we picked this apartment is because the lease specifically says we could have a dog if we paid a deposit. My landlord said the max weight was 40 pounds but seemed to be flexible.

It turns out his flexibility on weight has to do with the floor that we’re on, not the dog. For months we looked for a dog that was under 40 pounds. This was extremely difficult, since I like large breed dogs and need a dog that’s good with cats. We did find an excellent dog, but the shelter’s adoption counselors were unreasonable. This earned them a very pointed review on Yelp.

Then a 90 pound dog moved into our building. I gained hope that our landlord would become flexible on weight restrictions and I could finally have a dog. Instead, after a greyhound group talked to him, I came learn that not only was he not a dog person, but that he was also completely ignorant about dogs. He allowed the 90 pound dog because it was on the first floor. Because I’m on the third floor, my weight limit is 40 pounds. He equates the weight of the dog with the amount of noise the dog will make. Anyone who knows about dog breeds and the differences between small, medium, and large dogs knows this is absurd.

Small breeds were generally bred to be either lap dogs or to hunt small game. Small dogs are often yappy (think Chihuahas and toy breeds) and/or very active (think Jack Russell Terriers or Rat Terriers). Dogs that bark at nothing and run around all over the place can easily be noisier and more of a nuisance than a large dog that is mostly active outside and alarm barks, if that.

Medium and large dogs can be bred for many different reasons. While some breeds may be very active, like labs, they generally don’t jump all over the furniture if properly trained. This also goes for barking, unless of course if the dog has anxiety or is in a noisy area. Hounds baying can be very loud, since they were bred to be able to communicate with their handlers over large distances. Others dogs, bred to be guard dogs, would alarm bark. Then there are breeds that would likely never bark, even at an intruder. An example of this is a greyhound, the breed that I was trying to adopt.

Greyhounds, as racing dogs rather than hunting dogs, are less likely as a breed to be aggressive toward cats, and are quiet. Despite their heritage, they don’t need a lot of exercise. In addition, they’re tall, a trait that I love.

Rather than take breed or even an individual dog’s characteristics into account, my landlord was adamant about having an arbitrary weight limit. The most I could talk him up to was 50 pounds. Because of this, the greyhound group decided not to adopt a dog to us, even if they could find a dog of that weight (most of their dogs are bigger than that) because of the strictness of my landlord. I can’t blame them for it. No rescue group would want to risk having a dog returned to them. It costs a lot of money to process adoptions and find places for dogs, and their mission is to find a permanent home for dogs, not have them get bounced from place to place.

Despite my problems with other rescue groups, such as their not returning phone calls and emails or being overly protective of their animals, this time I squarely place the blame on my landlord because he’s the one being unreasonable.

I understand his concern about other tenants being disturbed by the noise a dog might make. But suggesting that a large dog jumping off the bed would be so loud as to upset other tenants is absurd. First, a large dog would climb or walk, as its legs are long enough to not require jumping. More generally, my husband and I are by no means light people. How can you say a dog over 50 pounds walking around would create a racket when a human weighing more than 4x that is okay? Furthermore, sounds don’t transfer easily around the building. I don’t hear anyone else except when they’re using the main door or the interior stairs.

At this rate, I wonder whether I’ll get a dog or a job first.

Readers who are not dog people may wonder why I am so fixated on getting a dog. I’m a cat person myself. However, I grew up with large dogs and have always intended to have my own. Dogs are great for personal security and that of property as their mere presence, if big enough, can ward off an undesirable person. Their need for regular walks and bathroom outings allows me to develop a schedule not based on what TV shows are on. In addition, it forces me to get out of the house and exercise, a huge thing for someone with depression. However, because of the depression, I need a dog that has a low to medium energy level. Furthermore, a dog provides companionship and affection, something that also helps with depression. Remember, certain breeds of dogs are often used as therapy animals, as are patient cats. Dogs, like other pets, require a lot of care. It’s therapeutic to be able to take care of another creature, even if you aren’t fully able to care for yourself. It takes a knowledgeable person to be a responsible dog owner, so dogs aren’t for everyone, but I know they are for my husband and I.