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The Flag Tours Stops in North Carolina
October 10, 2003
The following is from a press release
from the
State of North Carolina Office of the Lieutenant Governor
http://www.ncgov.com/asp/subpages/news_release_view.asp?nrid=1082
Lieutenant Governor Perdue Welcomes Mental Health Flag
To North Carolina Perdue and other elected officials to raise mental health
awareness.
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Raleigh - Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue in conjunction
with the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) and Raleigh
Mayor Charles Meeker raised public awareness for issues that face
the mentally ill. The Mental Health Flag flew atop the North Carolina
Capitol Friday October 10, 2003. NLGA members across the country
are working together to fly the Mental Health Flag at each state
capitol to focus attention on mental health. “Mental health
issues know no boundaries and affect families across our state and
country. Kristy’s story gives hope to us all and underscores
the importance of mental health awareness week in North Carolina,”
said Perdue.
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Mental Health Flag flies above
the Capitol of North Carolina
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Mary Worthen, Cornelia McMillian, and Kristy Worthen
(sitting) |
The Mental Health Flag was designed and hand painted by Kristy Worthen
of Salem, Arkansas. The flag is five-foot by nine-foot with a white
lighthouse trimmed in red, sitting on an island with a beam of light
shining over the water, with the inscription in large, white letters:
SHEDDING LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. It is Kristy’s hope that
the Mental Health Flag will create awareness, to assure that people
who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and those who are still
struggling with symptoms and not yet diagnosed will be able to receive
open access to the new lines of medication that are available today,
and receive access to treatment that will allow them to lead a full
and rewarding life. “Early detection of mental illness is essential
to leading a healthy, successful life,” said Perdue. “If
Kristy’s story encourages one person to go out today and seek
treatment or diagnosis, her effort is a great success.” |
| Kristy Worthen was selected for this project both because of her
artistic ability and her own personal experience with bipolar disorder.
Kristy suffered seven years with no diagnosis and no medication, but
thanks to a correct diagnosis and open access to the new lines of
medication that are available today, Kristy has been in the wellness
stage for the past 3 ½ years and leads a happy, successful
life as an artist, public speaker and mental health advocate. Kristy
and her Mental Health Flag have been to eleven states and one U.S.
Territory. Kristy will participate in Raleigh’s annual Walk for
Hope in Sunday, October 12, 2003, where she will be recognized for
her efforts to raise mental health awareness. |
Kristy Wothen is interviewed by local TV station |
The flag ceremony, from 10:00 to 11:00 at the State Capitol
on Friday October 10, 2003, was open to the public, mental health groups,
elected officials, medical personnel and other mental health advocates.
Past sponsors of the Mental Health Flag Tour include the National Lieutenant
Governors Association, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Pharmaceutica,
Eli Lilly & Company, The Cornell Companies and Southwest Airlines.
Mary Worthen, Jean Carroll , Cornelia McMillian,
and Kristy Worthen |
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Next Stop on the Flag Tour
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