Recovery Summit II Offers Hope and Inspiration
	Following the overwhelming success of the first Recovery Summit in St. Clairsville last May, the Eastern Alliance Council of Governments, a collaborative of mental health boards representing Washington County and ten of its neighboring counties to the north, elected to repeat this event. On December 5th two of the nation's most prestigious and sought after speakers in the field of mental health are coming to Marietta for "Recovery Summit II."
Amy K. Long is a psychiatric nurse who works as a full-time educator/trainer for the National Empowerment Center in Boston. Ms. Long has shared openly with audiences all around the world her experiences as a consumer of mental health services, weaving her story with passion and humor. She firmly believes and is herself an example that recovery from mental illness is possible. Dr. Dan Fisher is director of the National Empowerment Center and is a practicing psychiatrist at Riverside Community Care in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He brings a unique perspective as both a person who has been treated for mental illness and a psychiatrist. In a recent e-mail he wrote, " I am so impressed by the good work you all have been doing. Your transformation to a recovery-based model is ahead of most areas of the country. In the future, all will see the light. Who can argue against the truth and evidence of those of us who have recovered? That is truly evidence based science." In addition, Doug DeVoe, Executive Director of Ohio Advocates for Mental Health (OAMH), will offer an afternoon workshop on current mental health legislative issues in the state. During Mr. DeVoe's tenure OAMH has progressed from a virtually unknown organization to a recognized leader in mental health advocacy in Ohio and the nation. If two words could characterize Recovery Summit II, they would be "hope" and "empowerment." Few who have not suffered from mental illness can fully understand its devastating ramifications. The stigma of mental illness alone causes many to never disclose their illness, to feel shame, and to resign themselves to a life of maintenance through medication and therapy. We now know that there is hope for recovery, that medication and therapy are important, but not exclusive, components of the recovery process, and that people become empowered to take charge of that process through education and support. Recovery Summit II will be on December 5th at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the event is free of charge and is offered to people living with mental illness in Belmont, Harrison, Monroe, Jefferson, Coshocton, Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties, as well as their families and friends. Lunch, snacks, a commemorative T-shirt and door prizes will be provided. To register, call me by November 21st at the Washington County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (MHAR) Board, 374-6990. Another free educational opportunity will be offered on November 15th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Belpre Middle School. The Washington County MHAR Board and Belpre Middle School are co-sponsoring "Helping Children Cope With Trauma," presented by Dr. Leah Jaquith, director of Washington County Community Mental Health Services. Many parents and teachers have requested this presentation in light of the World Trade Center attack and subsequent military action. To register, please call Karen Waller, guidance counselor at Belpre Middle School, by November 12th. Her phone number is 423-3010. Put simply, the Washington County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Board believes that each individual's mental health is vital to community health. We will continue to offer educational opportunities and mental health services that foster hope and wellness in our citizenry.