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WHAT’S WRONG WITH WILLIE?
(Talking honestly with kids about the stigma of mental illness)
“I don’t recall being afraid of very many things growing up. Not the usual childhood culprits, anyway- the dark, the bogeyman or monsters under my bed.
“Besides an odd phobia of ambulance and fire engine sirens, one of my few fears was of Willie, an older man whom lived in my neighborhood.
 “…Whether we responded to Willie with fear or ridicule, I now know that we kids all had one thing in common: Ignorance tainted our view of Willie, and we lacked even the most basic understanding of mental illness.
“Since then, unfortunately, not much has changed. The lack of understanding about mental illnesses continues to breed fear, shame, stigma, and stereotypes. One in four Americans is affected, directly or indirectly, by mental illness. Eliminating the stigma is vital, as is increasing our knowledge of the disease.”
MENTAL ILLNESS AT A GLANCE
 -”The most common reason for hospital admissions nationwide is psychiatric disorder.
-”Mental illnesses affect about 54 million people in the United States and are far more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease or arthritis.
-” About 12 million children under age 18 suffer from mental disorders such as autism, depression, and hyperactivity.
-”Depression and anxiety disorders are the two most common metal illnesses, affecting nearly 19 million adults in the United States each year.”
CLUBHOUSE STANDARDS…….(STANDARD #3)
 “Members choose the way they utilize the clubhouse, +and the staff with whom they work. There are no agreements, contracts, schedules, or rules intended to enforce participation of members.”
MENTAL HEALTH DAY…
 Monday, October 2 the clubhouse hosted a mental health luncheon for the community. Clubhouse members gathered in the big room upstairs and feasted on a special meal prepared by our Shelly and the Kitchen Unit. Long tables were set out in three rows extending toward the main door. They were beautifully decorated in fall decor (leaves, pumpkins, etc.). Be it known that we did not “rake leaves” indoors after the meal; we carefully picked them up and set them aside for future use.
 Before the meal, members listened to a very informative guest speaker: Rick Cagan the executive director of NAMI (National Alliance For the Mentally Ill). The mission of NAMI Kansas is as follows: They are “a self-help, state-wide affiliate of the national organization of families, consumers and friends that provides support, advocacy and education dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals affected by mental illnesses.”
DONATIONS WORK UNIT…
Cooler weather is moving into town, yet our donations keep coming in. During holiday season many folks donate Christmas items. A big thanks to all our regular volunteers who help each week with donations. Remember also we have furniture for sale to active clubhouse members at low set prices. Nearly every type of donated items are utilized by members. Way to go everyone for keeping our donation unit remaining efficient!
~John Jage
 The Thrift Shop has been going pretty good because of Betty M. and yours truly. When Betty’s around that is, and not out making money in the TEP mowing job. Thanks also to Ellen O., Wendell B., and all others who have helped get the Thrift Shop into shape.
I almost forgot…….we also need to say thanks to Lester H.. He has worked hard and long …….. To all these colleagues we say, “KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!”
In other news, here’s the secret word…….. we’ve been getting some new stuff. And yours truly has donated some of my own stuff..
To one and all then we say THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!
Les P and Wendell B
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK…
So much of the time consumers are thought of as just people in a crowd, but in reality we are persons and individuals trying very hard to enjoy the fruits of this big globe……. And everyone is special, each in our own individuality,
We have our individual pursuits of happiness. We strive to regain our sense of consistency. We reach for a healthy tomorrow and work not to be consumed by the failures that we have known…. For negativity and low-self esteem has been many, many people’s downward fall.
It brings us joy to know an honest and real smile. And kind words bring us feelings of healing.
I am a person and I have a mental disorder that has been with me for many years. But I do not let it hold me down......My name is Lester and I have been at FREEDOM HOUSE for over a year. Coming here has been very rewarding, and not just in the sense of drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes…...I have true friends who stand with and share feelings of forgivingness and kindness.
I care and have feelings that all around me are like me. And like my friends here in Freedom House I work each day to not let my faults and issues slide me
into sadness, though I still have my ups and downs……....And so it is that life is still very beautiful for me even though I have a mental disorder.
Let me close with well known words: ......I AM OKAY...YOU ARE OKAY!
Blessings And Love,
Lester
Thanksgiving…
Throughout history, most cultures have had some sort of celebration to mark the end of the harvest. Almost all of these have incorporated some ritual to give thanks.
In the 1500’s, Spanish-Americans celebrated to thank God for rescue from dire circumstances.
The first North American celebration was in 1578 in Newfoundland by the Martin Frobisher expidition (vainly seelking a Northwest Passage to the Pacific.) Canadians trace their Thanksgiving to that event and celebrate the 2nd Monday in October.
The US traces its celebrtion to the Pilgrims and 1620/21. In that Winter, half of the Pilgrims died from hunger and disease. Thanks to the local Native Americans, the Pilgrims were able to adequately grow crops and to successfully hunt and preserve wild game. By the end of fall, 1621, they felt they could survive another winter.
The fourth Thursday in November was offically declare a holiday by President Lincoln in 1863.
The holiday is observed by Federal, State and local governments and almost all businesses (including major retailers). Most Americans celebrate the day with friends and family, parades, football and eating – and eating – and eating (does 5 to 10 pounds sound familiar?) The following day, Americans engage in that day of self-punishment and warfare called “The first day of Christmas Shopping”.
THANKSGIVING MEAL…
Continuing a tradition of now near thirty year the clubhouse will host an annual Thanksgiving Day meal. For the past ten years community churches and the Jewish Temple have sponsored this in respective years. This year, as for the past six, Shawnee Heights Methodist Church Youth Group and the congregation will sponsor this event. Their super work on that day includes cooking, serving, clean-up, and then…….DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS!! So really to paraphrase a popular commercial of recent years this is “two, two, two ‘events’ in one.” And for all their efforts through these many years we are most grateful.
PUMPKINS AND HAY RACK RIDE…
    
Meyer’s Pumpkin Paradise welcomed a van load of members to their farm on Oct. 25. In addition to giving free pumpkins to the fifteen colleagues who headed north too the farm, everyone also received a free hayrack ride. Cool, low, gray clouds hung in the air necessitating jackets and sweaters for everyone. With the fall weather and the calm farm field it was easy to be transported to the scary mood that comes with Halloween’s arrival. No Ichabod Crane, no headless horseman of literature was seen in the corn field; only rows and rows of pumpkins
VAN RIDES:
All rides cost 25 cents except the 8:00 PM rides. These are free.
MON., WED., FRI. (8:00 AM & 4:00 PM)
TUES. & THURS. (8:00 AM, 4:00 PM, & 8:00 PM)
HOLIDAYS (10:30 & 4:00)
MEALS:
All meals are 50 cents except Sunday’s, which costs 25 cents
MON.-FRI. (NOON)
MON.- WED.-FRI. (4:00)
TUES. & THURS. (4:30)
SUNDAY (1:00)
CLUBHOUSE HOURS:
MON., WED, FRIDAY (9-5)
TUES. & THURS. (9-9)
SUNDAY (12-4)
HOLIDAYS (12-4)
FREEDOM HOUSE
815 W. 5TH
TOPEKA, KANSAS 66603
(785) 232-6960
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