Mental Health Flag Tour Kristy Worthen

The Mental Health Flag flies and brings about awareness of mental health issues. The flag is five foot by nine foot with a white lighthouse trimmed in red, which sits on an island with a beam of yellow light that shines out over the ocean with the slogan, “Shedding Light On Mental Health Issues.”

The idea for the flag originated when the executive director of NAMI-Arkansas, Pauline Charton, asked Kristy Worthen if she would like to design posters or other art work to be put on display to help with awareness for “May Is Mental Health Month 2002.” After working with Marietta Dantino-Fryer, Art Professor of Cheney University in Pennsylvania on a flag to honor the victims and families of 9-11, Kristy came up with the idea to design a hand painted mental health flag to focus positive attention on mental health issues, help erase stigma, and dispell the myths that surround mental illness. It was a hugh success.

What does the flag mean? The island represents how Kristy felt before her diagnosis. She felt alone and was afraid to admit that she needed help, afriad that no one would understand her illness. The white lighthouse represents Kristy's feelings after her diagnosis. She felt relieved to learn that mental illness was an illness just like cancer, heart disease or diabetes and that with a correct diagnosis and medication, which was right for her, she had a path to follow to move forward with her life. The red trim on the light house reminded her that there was the danger of relapse if she did not take her medication or keep her doctor appointments. The ocean represents all of those who are still struggling with mental illness and have not received a correct diagnosis and medication. The waves represent those who have lost their lives due to mental illness. The beam of light shinning out over the ocean represents Kristy's advocacy work, letting others know there is hope, there is help, and that her wish for them is that they too can get the help that they need to move forward with their lives.

Now you'll want to start with Arkansas for the rest of the flag story.