Mental Illness has been much in the news lately. Not long ago we were blasted with media reports about the gunman in the Virginia Tech massacre who had a mental health history. Unfortunately the public is often left to conclude that all people with mental illnesses are violent, which of course we at Kadima know is far from the truth. What we can state for sure is that mental illness is highly prevalent. One person in five experiences some form of mental illness, including drug addictions, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders, at some point in their lives. The majority of people with mental illness pose no threat to anyone. The real problem is that there are not enough public mental health programs to meet the needs of this affected population.

That's why an agency like Kadima is so vital to our community. The onset of a major mental illness means that someone has experienced an alteration of his or her brain chemistry. People suffering from this illness may experience delusions, hallucinations, extreme mood swings, poor concentration, and impaired functioning. With proper medication, these symptoms can be stabilized, and individuals can lead productive lives in the community. But that community can be a very intimidating place. Mental illness isolates and ostracizes, produces loneliness and despair. It can take away one's independence, one's dignity, and sometimes a home, a family, and a reason to live.

Because of Kadima we are making a difference in the lives of those who struggle with these brain diseases, and in the lives of their family members. Kadima began with four families who established the Gruskin home for their adult children in 1984. Kadima now owns and operates 21 homes for clients, in addition to the Charfoos building in Southfield which houses the Zussman Activities Center, a place where clients can gather to feel like a family. Clients can choose from art and drama activities, a meditation and relaxation class, and a class on current events. An exercise class will be starting soon. The Activities Center also offers ping-pong, chess, puzzles, music, DVDs, and client support for each other. The Shabbat lunch is by far the most popular activity.Ê Ronit Goutkovich organizes the cooking of a delicious lunch with fresh baked challah.Ê She lights candles, blesses the wine (grape juice) and the challah, gives a D'var Torah, and plays Israeli music, as a warm family feeling permeates the room. The Zussman Activities Center is funded by the annual Kadima Golf Classic that takes place in July.

Kadima services from 150-175 clients and 13-16 seniors with a grant from the Jewish Fund. We are in the middle of our Operational Fund and we are in second place in funds donated to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan. With about another $95,000 donated we will max out our contributions at the Community Foundation! The Community Foundation includes a matching opportunity, where they will match one dollar for every two dollars that we donate in Kadima's name!!

My goals for Kadima are already being realized. As the parent of a young adult with mental illness, I struggled during my daughter's adolescence with no parent support group that could give me some guidance and consolation with my problems. I vowed then and there that one day I would change that, and I am so proud to say that today Kadima has expanded its mission to serve families dealing with sons and daughters younger than age 18 who are struggling with mental illness. Kadima, this wonderful mental health agency whose mission is to enhance the quality of lives for individuals and their families affected by psychiatric disabilities, can now help mothers and father of elementary, middle, and high school kids. We are calling this new division the Kadima Youth Initiative. Kadima now runs a Family Advocacy Support Group for families of children with behavioral issues and emotional disorders. In addition to this support group for young families, the Kadima Youth Initiative has empowered the Educational Conference Committee to work very hard to put together a day of learning and exploration at Oakland University on November 16, 2007, entitled "When Mental Illness First Appears: Advocating For Our Youth At Risk." We hope to attract university students and professors, mental health professionals, families with affected children, and educators to tackle subjects such as the juvenile justice system, diagnosis and treatment issues affecting our youth, pharmacology updates, advocacy and resources in our public schools for children, suicide identification and prevention, psychotherapy, and advocacy and resources in our community. We hope to accomplish a lot, and I hope to see you all there.

Please join us at our Kadima Golf Outing on July 16th at the Tam O'Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield, and our exciting Kadima Benefit at the MAX to hear Joshua Nelson and his Kosher Gospel Singers on the evening of September 25th.

Gail Katz President

Janette Shallal, MSW, ACSW Executive Director