Last night, I attended an amazing "Legislative Social" hosted by our local NAMI Fairfield (CT) affiliate.  What an evening of possibility, of hope. Thanks to the efforts of this strong NAMI chapter and its members, about a dozen state legislators and an audience of over 100  were there to hear about Supportive Housing, Young Adult Services, School-based Services, and Mental/Medical Community Health Services. There were presentations and stories from successful programs such as Bridge House (International Clubhouse Model, in Bridgeport CT),  Yale's Integrated Care Partners Project,  supported housing programs, YAS (young adult services) and a new initiative for School Based Health Centers in Connecticut.

Especially in the beginning, when a family is dealing with a loved one's mental illness, it's easy to become embroiled in the emotion of it all. In this television interview, I discuss the 5 points to remember about mental illness in the family.

Sure, it's not the story you usually get in the media:  Someone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective actually has a life. This person loves, works, contributes, has useful skills - and is an active participant in his/her own treatment. But in the NY Times this week, Benedict Carey's article is there on the front page: Lives Restored:A High-Profile Executive Job as Defense Against Mental Ills.1 Keris Myrick, 50, the chief executive of a nonprofit organization, has found ways to manage her illness - and thrive. Will this happen for my son, Ben?  I don't know - but I can hope.  I can't expect, but I will dream.  For, right now, there is progress in his life that I hadn't dared to dream about even one year ago.

This week, I taped an interview with the PBS show To the Contrary, which I hope will make it to the air. The show is in its 20th season, and is billed as "A Discussion of Issues from Diverse Perspectives." I am thrilled that this show has selected to discuss Ben Behind His Voices, and allow me to share our story with its viewers, along with the messages of understanding, respect, hope, and the need for better services and more research.  I'm finding, though, as I work the media circuit, that coverage is very much dependent upon what the interviewer wants to bring out,  whether he/she has even read the book, and their personal experiences with mental illness. Right before we taped this one, the producer shared something with me that I found disturbing, and wonder if you do too.