Tuesday, October 07, 2003

NAMI Participates in Congressional Symposium
NAMI press release - " From Washington D.C.’s Congressional Symposium to a silent, solitary, candle-lit moment of remembrance in Bird City, Kansas, U.S. citizens are participating in the nation’s observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), October 5-11. It is an opportunity to advocate with federal and state lawmakers, civic club members, faith-based and social groups – or educate through schools, news media, even sidewalk information tables at a Wal-Mart – for and with people living with mental illnesses. As The Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness, NAMI embraces MIAW and works with partners, professionals and fellow advocates to heighten understanding about serious mental illnesses and achieve access to treatments that work for the 18 million Americans affected by them..."  
  

Group urges education about mental illness (Louisiana)
Story in The Advocate - "About 70 people gathered Monday on the steps of the State Capitol to talk about erasing the stigma of mental illness and correcting misconceptions about its treatability. 'The population in general is very uneducated about mental illness,' said Adrian Berry, executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Louisiana. Berry was one of several speakers during the event, which marked the start of Louisiana's Mental Illness Awareness Week."  
  

Machine provides a virtual glimpse into mental illness
Story in The Oregonian - " The machine is the size of a small suitcase, black, bland, innocuous. But inside lies a glimpse of the pain and confusion of schizophrenia. Portland-area residents Monday were able to try out the machine to help people experience what life is like for those with severe and persistent mental illness. Fitted with goggles and earphones, users enter a virtual world, where hallucinations and voices bombard them from all sides. John Holmes, executive director of The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Multnomah County, which helped bring the machine to Portland for two days of public events to kick off mental illness awareness week, said he hopes those who use the machine will walk away with more empathy of an often misunderstood and stigmatized population."  
  

Families get help finding way around mental health system (Pennsylvania)
Story in the Observer-Reporter - "When a child is diagnosed with a mental illness, the family experiences a variety of emotions. Thanks to the new Family Partner Program through NAMI of Southwestern Pennsylvania, helplessness in navigating the system won't be one of them. The pilot program, being offered only in Washington and Indiana counties, provides emotional and technical support after a child is diagnosed with a mental illness."  
  

Man launches hunger strike for mental health (Canada)
CBC-New Brunswick story - "A New Brunswick man is on a hunger strike to bring attention to mental health services in the province. Robert MacKay wants the Department of Health and Wellness to allow mental health patients to run programs for their peers. He says policies exist to allow this to happen, but for some reason, no programs are in place."