Mental health group honors reporter for homeless series

December 4, 2008

Northwest Suburban National Alliance on Mental Illness/Northwest Suburban recently announced its four nominees were named winners in the NAMI Illinois awards program.

Todd Shields, a reporter for Pioneer Press, Northwest Group, received the John Rowley Excellence in Journalism Award.

The award recognized "a member of the print or electronic media who, through their efforts, has contributed to the fight against stigma or raised awareness of mental health issues."

Contributing to the award-winning series "No Place to Call Home," Shields wrote four articles detailing daily life of the homeless, including the mentally ill, on the streets of Arlington Heights and in the shelters of McHenry and Lake counties.

"Fighting stigma head-on," the nomination states, "he actually lived life as a homeless person, for a period of time, in order to gain insight to the struggles of the homeless community.

"He became personally connected with several of these persons and gave them support as they lived through their desperate daily ordeals. ... Through his journalism, Mr. Shields brought awareness to our communities, not only of the trials of homeless mentally ill persons, but also of the courage which many possess."

A team of Pioneer Press reporters wrote articles on help centers, food pantries, counseling and crisis intervention centers, as well as the NAMI affiliates in the north and northwest Chicago suburban area.

Other winners included:

* Doctor Maxim Chasanov was named Psychiatrist of the Year. The award recognizes "a physician who either through direct care to consumers or their involvement with, and support of, a NAMI Illinois affiliate, has contributed to the lives of NAMI Illinois members."

* Star Roberts was named Outstanding Family Support Group Facilitator service and to the NAMI Family Support Group program.

Roberts is the long-standing facilitator for NAMI Northwest Suburban's Family Support Group which meets monthly at the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, Hoffman Estates. After her young-adult son committed suicide, Roberts began her mission to tell his story, connect with others through her personal experiences, and encourage them to never give up hope for their own loved ones.

"Not only does Roberts facilitate the family support group, but she also answers NAMI Northwest Suburban's telephone HelpLine - ensuring that all who reach out for help receive a caring reply. ... She took her grief and turned it into a positive energy to help others," stated the nomination.

* Donna Watt was named Outstanding Consumer Support Group Facilitator for her exemplary service and dedication to the NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group program.

Watt is the founding facilitator for NAMI Northwest Suburban's Connections Recovery Support Group, which has been meeting weekly at the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health.

Free NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group meetings are available in Arlington Heights, in Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Hoffman Estates and Park Ridge.
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