Each month there are a variety of observances with the goal of holding our attention in this busy and noisy world.
November may not seem like a warm month, but I feel that it’s a month of warmth. We typically gather for Thanksgiving with family and friends and express our gratitude for one another and all that we have in our lives while enjoying fellowship and a good meal.
On Veterans' Day we honor and thank all who served in the military to protect our country. And November is also National Family Caregivers month.
So it seems like the ideal time to have a conversation with JoAnna VanTine, a woman who experienced the serious consequences of her ex-husband's mental illness and PTSD for which he did not seek treatment or help.
He served in the Marines and even met with a group of fellow veterans from time to time who shared their ailments but he never felt comfortable enough to say that he was having issues too.
As we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, let's think about not only the men and women who serve and have served; let's think about their family members and how they are impacted by the experiences their loved ones have.
JoAnna works for NAMI Northeast Region PA as the community engagement and volunteer coordinator and often leads support groups and education programs for family members of individuals living with mental illness. She also recently became trained to reach NAMI Homefront to offer support for family members of veterans with mental illness.
If you are someone with a mental illness or if you are a friend, family member or caregiver of someone with a mental illness, know that you can find support through your local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Of course you should seek treatment and therapy for any illness, but if you feel like you would like to have the support of people who have walked in your shoes and conversation with people who get it, reach out to your local NAMI Chapter. Support groups and programs are run by facilitators who have lived experience with mental illness.
If you live in Northeast PA, visit NAMI Northeast Region PA.
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Please be aware that an account has popped up on Instagram that is impersonating me. My account is: realfunny_wine_girl_jeannine (you can also tell by the fact that my account is the one with over 3,000 posts and over 900 followers). The fraudulent account using my name Jeannine Luby, my Funny Wine Girl logo, and exact bio is "funny_winegirljeannine". PLEASE report them for impersonating me and block them. Instagram has yet to do it despite my three reports and a handful of friends trying to help me.
I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart and the bottom of my wine glass.
