Anti-Stigma Project at Regions Hospital

NAMI Minnesota and Regions Hospital are partnering on a project funded by HealthPartners to reduce stigma.  The project began with a survey of the hospital experiences of psychiatric patients, families and providers.  From the survey, several initiatives have already begun, including:

- Personal-story posters are being created for use in the hospitals for the purpose of sharing a person’s story about their mental illness and recovery, and offering words of encouragement and hope. If you are interested in sharing your personal story on posters in the hospital, contact Donna at 651-645-2948, ext. 101 or dfox@namimn.org.

- A brochure is being developed to provide information to family members and friends who visit the hospital on what to expect during their loved one’s hospitalization.

- NAMI in the Lobby volunteers are being recruited to help provide information and resources to family members and friends visiting the hospital on mental illnesses, medications and how to support a loved one. If you are interested in helping, please contact Kate at 651-645-2948, ext. 110.

- Regions Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital will be providing NAMI’s online learning program, Compassion in Action: Recognizing and Responding to Patients with Mental Illness, to their staff. The program can be found online at www.nami.helps.org.

- In Our Own Voice presenters will be at the hospital to share their personal stories on living with a mental illness with staff, family members and friends.

See Feature Story on the project.