Friday, April 30, 2004

NAMI Walks 2004
Press release at the NAMI web site - "Tens of thousands of Americans will take to the streets beginning this weekend, May 1-2, to raise public awareness that recovery from mental illnesses is possible. NAMIWALKS are part of the Campaign for the Mind of America, sponsored by NAMI (the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) during Mental Health Month." See also the page at the site devoted to NAMI Walks.  
  

Minnesotan Honored with Prestigious Mental Health Award
PR Newswire story at Yahoo - "After more than 30 years of work as a relentless mental health advocate, Minnesota State Advisory Council on Mental Health and Mental Health Association of Minnesota member, Bill Conley is recognized as the 2004 Welcome Back Award honoree for his efforts toward destigmatization of depression. ... Always interested in the mechanics of things, including those of society, its politics and solutions, Mr. Conley has puzzled over legislation that marginalizes people with depression and other mental illnesses. He began his work after answering an employment advertisement for a lobbyist and has been eradicating unfair policy ever since. During his tenure with the Mental Health Association of Minnesota, Mr. Conley has eliminated irrelevant mental health hospitalization questions, worked to increase access to care and helped erase stigma in the workplace." See also the web site of the Welcome Back Awards.  
  

Immigrants lack access to mental health care (Canada)
Toronto Star story on the book The Tormented Mind, by Caroline Fei-Yeng Kwok - "a self-published account of her travels in the torturous world of bipolar disorder, the treatments and demeaning attitudes she's endured and how it feels to be a Chinese immigrant with an illness that carries a cultural 'shame'." The story also notes two Toronto mental health centers - Across Boundaries and Hong Fook Mental Health Association.