Hays man named top Kansas NAMI fundraiser
Published on -7/26/2011, 3:09 PM
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By DAWNE LEIKER
Hays' National Alliance for Mental Illness supporter Tom Pitner, who has been involved with the organization for more than 10 years, recently was named the top Kansas NAMI individual fundraiser for 2011.
"Tom has been a tremendous advocate for the group," said Ann Leiker, director of the Center for Life Experiences. "He's a tremendous resource for family members."
NAMI meets the first Monday of every month and is a grassroots advocacy group for people with mental illness and their families and friends, Leiker said.
Placing in the top 10 fundraisers for the last several years, Pitner said he first became involved with NAMI when his son, Tim, committed suicide in 2000.
"It was after that I began searching for a support organization," he said.
The Hays chapter of NAMI was launched a few years later through efforts of Pitner, Marilyn Heier Caldwell, formerly of Grainfield, and Valery Rule, Hays.
Pitner said he would encourage anyone who has been diagnosed with mental illness, or has a friend or family member who has been diagnosed, to reach out to the local NAMI affiliate, despite what might be considered a "stigma" attached to mental health issues.
"We need people not only to step up to the plate with dollars, because that's always an important function, but more importantly, if people have a need (for NAMI services) they should make the effort to come and see what we do," Pitner said. "It certainly helped me over the years, and I think other people would find it helpful."
Monday meetings are designated into three focus areas: 6 to 7 p.m., peer connection group; 7 to 8 p.m., educational component, open to anyone; and 8 to 9 p.m., set aside to address family needs.
Serving as a mental health resource center, NAMI not only provides emotional support but also assistance in finding employment and educational information in the form of books, tapes, pamphlets and other materials.
Between 12 and 15 individuals attend monthly NAMI meetings, where they connect with others who have gone through similar circumstances dealing with mental illness, either themselves or with a family member or friend.
"Caregivers give of themselves, but they don't do a whole lot for themselves," Leiker said. "This is one way they can reach out and find out they're not alone. They can hear from other people who are going through the same thing."
