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FLAG TOUR RAISES AWARENESS IN DELAWARE
Artist promotes mental-health assistance in Dover
January 6, 2004
On January 5, 2004, the Delaware National Art Museum had
a reception for Kristy Worthen for her artwork which is on exhibit. The
next day a Mental Health Flag Ceremony was held at the state capitol.
CLICK HERE for more on the Kristy's Art Exhibit.
Below are photos of the Flag Ceremony.
Lt. Gov's signature on the Mental Health Flag
Image by: McCardinal Photo
By Cathianne Werner-Porterfield, Delaware State News
Published: Jan 06, 2004 - 11:53:25 PM EDT
| DOVER - Kristy Worthen, 25, always wanted to be a professional
artist, but a battle with bipolar disorder almost cost her that dream.
A caring, concerned family, a proper diagnosis and medication bought
that dream back.
Now, Kristy wants to help erase the stigma attached to mental illness
and urge those who need help to get it.
The Arkansas artist is carrying her message through each of the
50 states in the form of a hand-painted flag.
Tuesday, that flag flew high above Delaware's Legislative Hall
in Dover - the 16th stop on its nationwide tour.
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Kristy Worthen, 25, of Arkansas, and her mother, Mary Worthen, unveil
a flag Kristy designed to raise mental-illness awareness throughout
the United States. The flag flew above Delaware's Legislative Hall
in Dover Tuesday, the 16th stop on its nationwide tour.
Delaware State News/Doug Curran |
"Hello, my name is Kristy Worthen," the mental health advocate
said during a special ceremony at Legislative Hall. "I have bipolar
disorder."
As Ms. Worthen continued to address the crowd of lawmakers and mental
health professionals, she explained that after living with her illness
for seven years without an accurate diagnosis or medication, she has been
in a "wellness stage" for three years.
While well, Ms. Worthen has written a book about her ordeal and produced
numerous artworks, among them, the Mental Health Flag.
"The flag flies in honor of all people with mental illness,"
she said as she described the symbolism behind each aspect of the flag's
design.
She said the beaming lighthouse represents herself and her triumph over
illness.
The red trim surrounding the lighthouse is there to remind Ms. Worthen
that without continued treatment she might relapse back into her illness.
The island on which the lighthouse sits represents the loneliness she
felt before diagnosis.
The ocean surrounding the lighthouse is symbolic of the families and
loved ones of a mentally ill person.
The lighthouse's yellow beam represents people who have committed suicide
while struggling to cope with their mental illness.
That is something Ms. Worthen understands too well.
"In 1999 I tried to commit suicide," she said. "I was
in the state hospital for a month."
Many that feel like Ms. Worthen once did don't make it to a hospital,
said Rita Marocco, executive director of Delaware's chapter of the National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
"For every two homicides in the United States there are three suicides,"
Ms. Marocco said. "There are hundreds and thousands of Kristys and
we are so thankful she stepped up."
Ms. Marroco, along with Renata Henry, director of Delaware's Office of
Mental Health, and Lt. Gov. John C. Carney Jr. each spoke at the ceremony
in support of Ms. Worthen and her cause, which has been taken up as a
special project by the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
More information on Ms. Worthen's flag tour can be found on her Web site
at www.netmountain.net/kristyworthen.
Staff writer Cathianne Werner-Porterfield can be reached at 741-8247
or catwerner@newszap.com.
The article below is from http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2004/01/06arkansasartists.html
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Arkansas artist's tour draws attention to mental
illness
Her banner will fly over Dover today
By ROBIN BROWN
Staff reporter
01/06/2004
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A 25-year-old artist from Arkansas arrived Monday night in Delaware
on a mission of mental health awareness that she carries, literally,
from state to state on a banner.
Today, Kristy Worthen's banner will fly over the state Capitol
in Dover. Delaware is the 16th state on Worthen's tour with her
mother, Mary.
Lt. Gov. John Carney said the state faces many challenges in the
field of mental health. For example, he said, the state must help
raise awareness of mental health issues and services, fight misconceptions
and improve access to mental health care, especially in underserved
southern Delaware. But he said improvements are coming.
About 1 1/2 years ago, he said, Delaware's mental health needs
were brought to his attention by Jim Lafferty, executive director
of the Mental Health Association in Delaware, and Rita Marocco,
executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
in Delaware.
Because of them, he said, he set up a panel to study the topic
through the Delaware Health Care Commission he chairs, and its report
is due within months.
Carney and Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker were among many who
praised the Worthens' effort Monday night at a Wilmington reception
hosted by the mental health groups. About 80 people attended.
Lafferty lauded the courage of the young artist, who had attempted
suicide and battled to overcome bipolar disorder, a condition characterized
by extreme mood swings. "I think Kristy and her mom are doing
a great job to highlight mental illnesses, which are real physical
illnesses that can be treated," he said. "It also shows
the power of one or two people like them to make a real difference
in helping people learn about mental illnesses and mental health."
Baker said mental illnesses affect all families, but many people
do not get help because they fear the stigma associated with diseases
that range from schizophrenia to depression. "I think it is
very critically important that we address this issue publicly, openly,
as a society," he said.
Mary Worthen recalled her family's struggle: "In 1999, she
did not know who she was. She thought she was Jesus Christ. ...
I didn't know where to turn when my daughter needed help."
Her daughter, whose autobiography, "Girl In A Blender,"
is scheduled to be published in March, said the importance of trying
to erase the stigma and encouraging those in need to get medical
care drove her to overcome another personal issue.
"I'm very shy, so it's a little difficult," she said.
"In high school I couldn't even stand up and give a book report."
Reach robin brown at 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com.
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The News Journal/GINGER WALL
Arkansas artist Kristy Worthen shows Lt. Gov. John Carney her
banner on Monday in Wilmington. Worthen, who fought bipolar disorder,
is taking the flag - and her message - around the country.
Arkansas artist Kristy Worthen's banner, "Shedding
Light on Mental Health Issues," will be raised over Delaware's
Capitol in Dover at 12:30 p.m. today. The public is invited.
To receive information on mental health treatment
services, visit www.mhainde.org
or call for information and referral:
New Castle County: 765-9740
Kent, Sussex: (800) 287-6423
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An article about Kristy in the Mental Health Association
of Delaware Newsletter is at the link below...
http://www.mhainde.org/pdf/mha-newsletter.pdf
Next Stop on the Flag Tour
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