MENTAL HEALTH FLAG MAKES A STOP IN TOPEKA, KANSAS
March 17, 2004

Kristy Worthen brought the Mental Health Flag to Topeka, Kansas on March 17, 2004 (St. Patrick's Day) to educate the public and elected officials on the needs of the mentally ill. The Master of Ceremony was Mike Hammond and was well attended by consumers, family members, elected officials and NAMI-Kansas. The Mental Health Flag is touring all fifty state capitols to bring awareness to mental health issues, help erase stigma, and dispel the myths that surround mental illness.

Kristy Was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1999 after suffering seven years of severe mood swings with no diagnosis and no medication. After a suicide attempt in December of 1999, Kristy was correctly diagnosed and now with medication, that is right for her, she is no longer having mood swings. Kristy is leading a successful, independent life as a freelance artist.

In 2002, Kristy designed and hand-painted the Mental Health Flag in hopes of bringing positive awareness to mental health. Arkansas Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller was so impressed with Kristy's message that he asked other Lt. Governors nationwide to fly the Mental Health Flag at their state capitols. Kristy is now traveling to each state capitol to speak out on mental health issues. The Mental Health Flag has been an extraordinary tool in letting the media, elected officials, consumers and families know there is hope and there is help. Kristy wants others to know that if they are struggling with a mental illness, or know someone who is struggling with a mental illness, to please seek help so they can move forward with their life.

Robert Haggard, Kristy Worthen, Mary Worthen, Susan Bernstein (NAMI Washburn), Lieutenant Governor, John E. Moore, and Administrative assistant, Adriene Metzenihin
	Kansas Lt. Governor John Moore's signature

Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Statehouse sponsored by Kansas Mental Health Coalition
click here to view flier
- from the website of Keys for Networking, Inc. (Kansas Parents Information and Resource Center) at: http://www.keys.org/pdf_files/advocacydayflyer.pdf

Next Stop on the Flag Tour