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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS BIGGER, BETTER THAN EVER

MONTGOMERY—The number of mental health consumers who come together at Shocco Springs for the Alabama Recovery Conference grows bigger every year. This year the crowd totaled about 800 and participants were treated to plenary and workshop sessions from old and new friends. "The most heartening thing of all was to see mental health consumers being served their meals by Associate Commissioner for Mental Illness Kimberly Ingram and her staff, including all of the state psychiatric hospital directors," said Kathy E. Sawyer, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

Commissioner Sawyer welcomed consumers on the first day of the conference and introduced keynote speaker Martha Hawkins from Montgomery. Today, Martha Hawkins is a successful entrepreneur, owner of Martha’s Place restaurant and catering business. But, the story of her troubled years and her ultimate recovery from depression was the subject of her uplifting presentation to the enthusiastic audience. "It’s not about others; it’s about you," Hawkins said in recounting her hospitalization at Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital in Montgomery. According to Martha, her road to recovery began at Greil where she learned a lot, not only about herself, but also about her illness. "I also had to change my attitude, to gain confidence in myself and to realize that I am the only one in control of my thoughts. I can let negative thoughts consume me or I can refuse to pay attention to them," she said to a sea of nodding heads and shouts of affirmation.

Another special feature of the conference was a workshop to discuss plans for an upcoming project to restore the cemetery at Bryce Hospital. The program was presented by Larry Fricks with the Georgia Consumer Council. Mr. Fricks will provide technical assistance as the DMH/MR and the Mental Health Consumers of Alabama make and carry out plans to restore the Bryce Hospital Cemetery, established in the 1800’s.

One of the traditional events of the Recovery Conference is to honor individuals who have been especially sensitive to mental health consumers. Called the RESPECT awards, this honor goes to consumers, family members or professionals who stand out in their advocacy for consumers and the respect with which they treat them. This year’s RESPECT awards went to: Joan Brown, Executive Director, Mental Health Association in Tuscaloosa; Shirley Brundage, East Alabama Mental Health Center, Opelika; Troy Chisam, Albertville; Cynthia Clay, Ph.D., Searcy Hospital, Mt. Vernon; David Eason, Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, Tuscaloosa; Natalie Renee Gordon, Riverbend Mental Health Center, Florence; Danielle Vinzant, DMH/MR Mental Illness Division, Montgomery; Stephen Hogan, Opelika; Ruth Karr, NAMI Huntsville; Nita Linholm, Baldwin County Mental Health; James Little, Bryce Hospital, Tuscaloosa; Fannie B. Long, Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Facility, Tuscaloosa; James Tucker, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, Tuscaloosa; Charles Perry, Thomasville Mental Health Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Vera L. Prchal, Birmingham; James F. Reddoch, Jr., Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, Tuscaloosa; Kathy Roland, Taylor Hardin; Jill Russell, DMH/MR Advocate, Service Area I; Sheila Scott, Cullman; Winston Schepps, Homewood Counseling Services; Christy Whitehead, Alice M. Kidd Facility, Tuscaloosa; The Anniston Star, Troy Turner, Managing Editor and editorial board members Ashley Hall and Nathan Solheim; and Joseph W. Glaister, M.D., Riverbend Mental Health Center, Florence.

Next year’s conference is set for April 30 – May 2, 2002. For further information contact the DMH/MR Office of Consumer Relations at (334) 242-3456.