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MENTAL HEALTH FLAG TOUR STOPS IN ILLINOIS
May 11, 2004
The following news release is from: http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=14&RecNum=3043
Visit this site for links to video and audio clips of the Lieutenant Governor's
news conference.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2004
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn unveils and signs special mental
health flag during Mental Health Rally and Lobby Day
SPRINGFIELD,IL- Today Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn unveiled and signed
a special mental health flag during Mental Health Rally and Lobby Day
to bring awareness to the importance of mental health care.
The flag, designed by Kristy Worthen - a bipolar disorder patient - is
on tour as part of a national initiative sponsored by the National Lieutenant
Governor’s Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally
Ill. Illinois is the 28th state to raise the flag at its state capitol.
"Kristy Worthen's courage, hope and perseverance are an inspiration
to all of us,” said Quinn. “Illinois is proud to be a part of
the Shedding Light Tour, bringing Kristy's story to Illinois and letting
her voice be heard on behalf of everyone suffering from a mental or emotional
disorder."
The original hand-painted flag was created by Worthen to draw attention
to the need for improvement in the lives of people with mental illnesses
through access to accurate information, resources and appropriate medications.
Worthen is touring the nation telling her story and highlighting the mental
health needs in all 50 states.
To date, the flag has flown in 27 states and has been signed by each lieutenant
governor.
The National Lieutenant Governor’s Association is seeking to rally
public awareness of the need to improve the lives of people with mental
illnesses through the “Mental Health Flag Project,” which depicts
the symbol of a beacon from a lighthouse and the inscription “Shedding
Light on Mental Health Issues.”
Quinn was joined by representatives of the Mental Health Association in
Illinois, state legislators and mental health advocates in pointing out
the needs of people suffering from bipolar disorder and the numerous other
mental health disorders.
“Mental illness is an education issue as well as a public health
issue,” said Quinn. “Every state must build awareness concerning
the importance of diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.”
The Shedding Light flag has already flown over the state capitols of Alabama,
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Rhode island, Tennessee, Texas Vermont and Washington D.C.
In August 2001, Quinn walked across Illinois from the Mississippi River
to Lake Michigan on behalf of decent health care for everyone, including
mental health care.
Kristy Worthen looks on as Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn signs
the Mental Health Flag
From the Week.com News 25 at http://week.com/morenews/morenews-read.asp?id=4359
Needs Awareness
Posted May 11, 2004 4:25pm
Bringing awareness to the needs of mentally ill patients was the focus
of an event in Springfield Tuesday.
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn signed a special mental health flag that
is on a national tour.
The flag was designed in by Kristy Worthen of Arkansas, who was diagnosed
in 1999 with bi-polar disorder.
''It flies in honor of all people with a mental illness, but also as
a tribute to those who help to assure that people who have a mental illness
will have open access to treatment and new lines of medication that are
right for them,'' said Worthen.
To date, the flag has flown in 27 states and been signed by each Lieutenant
Governor.
Next Stop on the Flag Tour
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