Unmasking Mental Illness in Wheeling
NAMI-Wheeling provides a family support networkBy SCOTT McCLOSKEY Staff Writer
Article Photos
WHEELING - Families came together to support each other and pray for those who suffer from mental illness during the National Alliance on Mental Illness' annual candlelight service Sunday evening at the First Christian Church in Wheeling.
"This is the beginning of Mental Illness Awareness Week ... It marks the 30th anniversary of the formation of NAMI," said Joyce Scott, president of NAMI-Wheeling.
Scott said the service is an effort by the local support group to help shed light on the subject of mental illness and to help people recognize it as an illness like any other.
"It is an opportunity for the families to come together, as well as the consumers ... We just hope that someday people will see mental illness as an illness," she said. "We are still making progress, but there is a long way to go."
The Rev. Maggie Sebastian, pastor of First Christian Church delivered a message of persistence and hope with her sermon of "Unmasking."
Sebastian said people need to be encouraged to "unmask" mental illness.
"We need to be able to be open about our illnesses and not be discriminated against and know that we are in a loving community," she said.
Seven candles were lit during the service for the seven days that the nation will lift up the concerns of people with mental illness and their families.
At the conclusion of her sermon, Sebastian simply said, "Let us unmask mental illness, let us allow the healing of body, mind and spirit to happen in a climate of love and understand."
In addition to the annual candlelight vigil, NAMI-Wheeling is involved with many community activities that offer understanding, encouragement and support to all who are faced with mental illness and their families.
Active for more than 20 years, Wheeling-NAMI conducts monthly "care and share" meetings to provide information and support for families and individuals with mental illnesses.
In the past 10 years, the support group has mounted an anti-stigma program called "Breaking the Silence" for 14 local middle schools. The program provides information about mental illness that is designed to erase the stigma of the illness and promote tolerance and understanding. The group has a similar program in local churches, as well.
Recognizing the local need for an informal, social and educational center for mental health consumers, NAMI-Wheeling also opened a drop-in center called the Marian House-NAMI Drop-In Center in 2004. The center, located next-door to the Catholic Neighborhood Center in Wheeling, is open three days a week for consumers of mental health services who want a place to socialize and participate in various activities.
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Misslynn
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10-18-09 10:43 PM
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Shame on you. Shame on ALL of you. NAMI is an organization that is privately funded to help those suffering from mental illness and their families. This organization in no way burdens the finances of the federal government and in no way belongs in political discussions. Mental illness is devasting, even more so than cancer. Those suffering from mental illness are offered no cure, ever. There is no chance of remission and no hope of recovery. Mental illness wrecks the lives of the individual and their families. NAMI exists to provide assistance, education, and support for all that are affected by mental illness. I mention again, NAMI is privately funded and has nothing, nothing to do with Limbaugh or any other politician. Shame on you, especially the individual making fun of the kind person who is pictured in this article. What a poor sense of judgement to poke fun at a person's appearance as opposed to the way they are living their life and what they give back to our world.
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wonderwhy
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10-07-09 10:30 AM
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thanks baaaaaaaasman! you little sheeple you.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-06-09 10:15 PM
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Czar Wars! L M A O! When going gets tough, the losers cry to the Editor (or Janitor in this case)!
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Shark88
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10-06-09 10:13 PM
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Since we are on the mental topic... A man goes to a shrink and says, "Doctor, my wife is unfaithful to me. Every evening she goes to Larry's bar and picks up men. In fact, she sleeps with anybody who ask her? I'm going crazy. What do you think I should do?" "Relax," says the shrink, "take a deep breath and calm down. Now, tell me, exactly where is Larry's bar!"
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 9:01 PM
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Uh OH! "Reported to the editor". I'm sure that will go on your "permanent record". I'm sure you're both very concerned. YAWN!
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Destroyallmonsters
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10-06-09 8:34 PM
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Wow, you two(gymjones & formerohiovalleyresident) should get a room.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-06-09 8:32 PM
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Considering that the real “Jim Jones” of Jonestown fame was arrested for having sex with men in LA in 1973 and was noted for having sex with both male and females church members voraciously regardless of their age, picking the name Gym Jones is well, pretty friggen dumb! Just trying to keep up with all the (pervert) Jones!
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GymJones
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10-06-09 8:08 PM
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Consider you two idiots reported to the editor. What is it with you FAUX-CONSERVATIVES and pedophilia and gay behavior? It seems that every other post from you twats involves some sort of deviant behavior. If your going to be a-holes, at least do it in a constructive manner. Notice I never make things up about you two rimjobbers being pedo's.
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:57 PM
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Mmmm,mmm,mmm, Barack Hussein Obama!!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:57 PM
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wonder for sheep czar!!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:55 PM
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Nancy for reach around czar!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:55 PM
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How about someone who would make a great czar, TED NUGENT FOR GUN CZAR!!! From my cold dead hands!!!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:53 PM
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Elliot Spitzer for Ho Czar!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:52 PM
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Bill Clinton for Cigar Czar!!
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bassman
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10-06-09 6:52 PM
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Ted Kennedy for Bridge Czar!!
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 4:56 PM
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Thebudman - One useful piece of advice if you are carrying. If a cop pulls you over for anything at all, have your hands where he can see them when he approaches your car, inform him upfront before you even reach for your wallet and license. That simple consideration and courtesy has kept me from getting any kind of a ticket 100% of the time. Plus, it's a safety factor for you because surprises make them nervous and nervous isn't good.
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 4:50 PM
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Thebudman - What I carry depends on the weather and how I'm dressed. I'm not familiar with "The Judge", but a 9 is a good choice. I often carry one of those, but I also have a .40 and a lightweight .38. I prefer to carry concealed so I make my choices accordingly.
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Thebudman
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10-06-09 4:42 PM
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No, I believe GymBob is from Walton's Mountain originally, not sure.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-06-09 4:39 PM
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Is GymJones really Joseph Jones, the "accused" child molester in Wheeling? Or just family? Can't tell them apart from the posts.
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Thebudman
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10-06-09 4:37 PM
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Gray===What do you carry? I was at a gun show on Sunday. Saw "The Judge", but picked a 9mm instead.
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 3:56 PM
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When law enforcement asks to see my permit, which has occasionally happened - I think twice in 10 years maybe - I produce it and they "run" it just like any cop would "run" a driver's license. In fact, when they "run" a driver's license in this state, the fact that you also have a carry permit shows up. So, at any traffic stop, I always let them know so they don't get surprised or nervous.
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 3:48 PM
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walksabout - You were at the Commodore Lounge? That is not one of my frequent places to go. I hit it occasionally if a good friend is playing. You allude to "Hag's writer". You referring to Glenn Martin? He wrote a number of Haggard's tunes. He's great fun to hang out with and share stories. He's been around long enough to have a bunch of good ones, too.
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GymJones
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10-06-09 3:48 PM
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Not according to the state of TN, GAYSONGS. Whose the liar now, Emmy? It's amazing what you retards type on this message board in relation to your real identities. It doesn't take a genius to cull through the cached pages of Google. Dumbdick!!!
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Graysongs
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10-06-09 3:43 PM
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wonderwhy - Your scum bag pal Gym is a lying sack of shiat. I have a perfectly valid and current carry permit. Of course, you're either too stupid or a practicing liar yourself when you tell folks how your firearms are "registered" when the state of WV has no such registration.
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GymJones
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10-06-09 2:52 PM
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lulz
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