NAMI Southwest Washington volunteer LaPointe putting compassion into action
ColumbianMar 26, 2024
Mar. 26—Every Monday morning since 2016,
It's been a part of his weekly routine since he first began volunteering with the organization after retiring eight years ago. Since then, LaPointe has become a board member and leads his own mental wellness social group for seniors in the area.
In August, the
"At some point, we all have a little bit of anxiety or depression. It's normal. When you're willing to recognize that, it makes a huge difference," LaPointe said. "They helped me so much, and I really appreciate what they do here. If I can help that person over there, and make their life just a little bit better, isn't that worth my time?"
Get in touch with NAMI
What:
Where:
Information: 360-695-2823; namiswwa.org/
From
For LaPointe, his dedication to NAMI stems from his personal connection to mental health awareness. His son, who has bipolar disorder, began living with him again in 2016. According to LaPointe, that's when he saw firsthand the challenges his son faced. He was looking for resources and found NAMI.
He and his son began attending a family support group, which offers resources and education to those who have a loved one experiencing mental illness. Not long after, the organization asked if he wanted to start leading sessions.
"I learned that I wasn't the only one — that my son wasn't the only one. The really good thing about a support group is you get a chance to vent," LaPointe said. "You're talking to people that totally understand what you're going through because they're going through the same things, so nobody's judging you."
Increased visibility
NAMI is a national mental health organization with more than 600 offices across
The
In 2019, NAMI Southwest Washington moved into a building at
Schneiderman, who has been an active in NAMI for 18 years, said the organization thrives with the help of volunteers like LaPointe.
"It's very important that we have someone who actually is down in the trenches, like John, who is on the board of directors to share his knowledge of what's going on out there and how we function from a different viewpoint than I can," Schneiderman said.
Opening the conversation
Both LaPointe and Schneiderman said having open conversations about mental health is the first way community members can educate themselves.
"When we were younger, mental illness was that
Schneiderman said NAMI works with local businesses to provide classes that educate people on how to assist someone going through a mental health crisis — without escalating to calling police.
The Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner or LEAP workshop uses evidence-based strategies to help people help their own loved ones. WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) classes provide those in the recovery process with tools to relieve difficult feelings and maintain wellness.
Schneiderman said she also wants to decrease discrimination against those with mental illness, and recognize that we're all human beings.
"When I encounter somebody that's homeless or acting out, I try and visualize them as that small child they once were," Schneiderman said. "Thinking of them as a small child, as your small child, you know, kind of changes the whole paradigm."
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local
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