"With NAMI DuPage: Empathy, Hope and a Road to Recovery"

I am a 62 year-old man.   A few years ago, everything in my life was positive. I was an EVP with a major corporation, and I just had a new grandson.

In April of 2009, though, I was feeling really down and my emotions were moving up and down at random. I had some things happen in my life, but nothing that should have driven me to suicide. One day, though, I "decided to go," and I drank eight ounces of anti-freeze. I did this at work so that it would look like I was poisoned by something being in my orange juice. 

Turns out my staff found me sometime during the day and called an ambulance. I did not wake up for two days. When I woke up, at first I stuck with the story that something must have been in the juice. After about half a day I was interviewed by the police and I told them the truth. I then had to tell my wife, daughters, and sisters.

Their reaction was not one of, "Are you ok?"... it was, "What have you done to the family?"  I was told I wrecked the family. This did not make me any better.  My oldest daughter flew in from Dallas and she was mad at me.  My other daughter was not mad, just unclear.       

I was eventually moved to the 3rd floor at Good Samaritan where I was told I was depressed and they gave me some medicine. I was in for about ten days, and while I was in, a volunteer from NAMI named Susie visited with me one-on-one, and it was the first time I talked to someone that understood how I was feeling. My family didn't know and neither did I. Susie was very supportive and offered examples in her own life.  I realized I was not crazy, but I was sick.

I was given tests and was told that I had Bi-Polar Disorder and Major Depression, and my meds were increased.

I succeeded at moving into recovery for two reasons. The first and foremost was Susie. I don't know where I would be today without her.  The second is the NAMI "Hospital Connections" group. The group is very good. They listen and really hear. They offer suggestions that have worked for them.  While I was in the hospital and then in the out-patient program, I joined with NAMI every chance I had.

I have achieved my success in recovery by not giving up and not missing any meetings. I never missed an opportunity to listen to great advice, and then I found that I also could give advice to my peers. I never forget where I've been and every day I look forward to the future.

For the last one and a half years I have been a "NAMI Hospital Connections" facilitator and I have found this very rewarding.  I was happy to see all the training that went into this program, and we use this training at every meeting.

I need NAMI and I feel NAMI the group needs me. This is very important to me, and it will not end.

I am also looking at being Consumer Advocate for one of the hospitals.

I hope my story holds meaning and brings promise for you and your family.

Regards,

There are many options for Support Groups and they can be found at the following link: http://www.namidupage.org/support/support-groups.   NAMI DuPage reaches over 12,000 people a year through presentations and support groups.  We couldn't do it without your support.

Thank you for your support of NAMI DuPage.