Community Challenge | Mentally Ill Helped by Groups

This editorial was printed in the Courier-Journal on November 28, 2011.

Surely, you have not forgotten that October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink is the signature color of the cause and still widely displayed around town in the form of the recognizable pink ribbon logos. Celebrating strengths has become the model for many groups' efforts, including those that work to improve the lives of people with severe and persistent mental illnesses, and their color - red - is on the rise.

As one of the 1 in 12 women diagnosed with breast cancer, I applaud the women and men who have helped bring this disease to the forefront. When we make inroads in the treatment of life-threatening disease, such as cancer, we want to celebrate our victory. Two major walks for Breast Cancer occurred in Louisville in October and each raises impressive funds for the cure.

But I want to bring to your attention the accomplishments and needs of the second group. Those "survivors" who live with a severe and persistent mental illness are becoming more vocal in our community thanks to treatment, medical and social. They celebrate their recovery with walks, conferences, art and talent shows, and a variety of fundraising events. They believe they are on the threshold of change and that in years to come their reasons to celebrate will grow too. We, their families and friends, join with them in celebration and to raise awareness.

To these survivors, pharmaceutical relief is only the first hurdle in the race to recovery. The other hurdles include finding safe housing, employment, education, access to treatment, reintegration into the community and case management services. Without supports in each of these areas, even those who take medication will find their horizon of recovery very limited.

Walk a mile in the shoes of a person who suffers the darkness of depression, the confusion of schizophrenia, or the mania of bipolar disorder and remember the groups in the Louisville area that work to aid these individuals. They are Bridgehaven, NAMI Louisville, Seven Counties, and Wellspring. Respectively, they offer day programs, education and support for families, mental health services, and supported housing. I invite you to join us in Louisville for Bridgehaven's annual breakfast/fundraiser on November 30. Bridgehaven has recently pioneered a program new to Kentucky that was developed and tested in 1997 under a National Mental Health Institute study. This program enhances cognition in those experiencing residual cognitive deficits and other negative symptoms. Make a contribution to research. Research may find treatment for the most severe and persistent forms of mental illness just as the discovery of the HER2 gene won a great battle in the treatment of the most invasive form of breast cancer. The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation funds research in brain disorders, from autism to schizophrenia.

Cancer survivors like to say cancer cannot break one's will. The mental illnesses, which can take our wills from us for a time, cannot break them either. As 2011 winds down and 2012 looms large, please remember these groups who work so diligently to improve the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Their chosen color is red and though not as prevalent as pink, we hope it will become so. To see red rise, visit Wellspring's website and click on "red cap video."

LIZ COOMES

Louisville 40241

Liz Coomes worked for NAMI Kentucky and has volunteered for NAMI Louisville, Bridgehaven, and Wellspring. - Editor