Bipolar expert will speak at National Alliance dinner

FRANKLIN

Lizzie Simon, nationally known author of "Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D," will speak at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Western Tidewater's annual dinner today, May 13, in Franklin.

The dinner-program will be held at the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Drive in Franklin. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $12 and may be purchased by calling Carol Evans at 562-2988 no later than Saturday. Scholarships to attend are available for those with limited income.

Simon's talk, titled "What Bipolar People Want their Friends and Family to Know," focuses on her own experiences with bipolar disorder, stigma and wellness.

Her interactive presentation will connect with young people, adults and mental- health providers alike.

In the past three years, Simon has been a frequent guest lecturer on the subject of bipolar disorder. In 2004, Simon developed an educational forum with Dr. Gary Sachs from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital. The events in Detroit, Atlanta and St. Louis were sponsored by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Simon has a regular column in BP, a magazine for bipolar people. She has published several pieces about bipolar disorder (CosmoGirl!, The Providence Journal, Moxiemag.com, The National Education Service Reaching Today's Youth).

Since writing "Detour," Simon has been recognized nationally as a leading advocate for people with mental illness. She was awarded a Helping Lives Move Forward Reintegration Award in 2003 alongside Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Rosalyn Carter.

She is a founding member of Leadership 21, a committee of young advocates created by The Bazelon Law Center in Washington, D.C.

"Last spring we were fortunate to have Lizzie Simon visit the Washington College campus in Chestertown, Md.," said Sheila M. Barry, a professor at Washington College. "She presented a wonderful program. She connected with my students in a way which is not possible to achieve through readings or videos.

"Bipolar disorder became a reality for them through someone very close to their age. The value of this is immeasurable. Their journal entries following her visit showed me the depth of the impact."

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) Western Tidewater is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of those affected by serious mental illnesses, including consumers of mental health services and their family members. NAMI works to accomplish its mission through support, family and consumer education, advocacy for research and services, and public education.