NAMI Baltimore sponsors event telling the stories of those affected by mental illness

The NAMI press release:

“MINDS INTERRUPTED: Stories of Lives Affected by Mental Illness” will be October 26, 8 p.m. at CenterStage Theater 700 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, Md., 21202. Tickets are $20 & $10. Call 410-435-2600 for tickets or order online at www.nami.org/sites/namimetrobaltimore.

One in five American families are affected by chronic mental illness. Currently in the U.S., over 2 million people are diagnosed with schizophrenia. Yet, the stigma of schizophrenia and other chronic mental illnesses is so prevalent that people talk much less openly about these diseases than about others, such as cancer or heart disease. This program promises to lend a hand in changing that.

On October 26, 2009 at 8:00 PM, seven of our neighbors here in Baltimore will gather at Center Stage to deliver a dynamic series of monologues, “Minds Interrupted: Stories of Lives Affected by Mental Illness”. To bring mental illness out of the shadows, family members and individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness like, schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders will offer their heartfelt personal stories of confusion, loss, anger, humor and resilience. This is a unique opportunity to break the code of silence surrounding these traumatic illnesses, and shed light on the dedication and courage of those who live with it day in and day out.

“The stories were really amazing and incredibly evocative. I am so glad I came. You could hear a pin drop in the theatre, the audience was so engaged.” Sante Fe Minds Interrupted audience member

The event is a co-production of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Metropolitan Baltimore and the Compassionate Touch Network. NAMI works to ease the pain and isolation for people with mental illness and their family members through education, advocacy and support. The Compassionate Touch Network is dedicated to promoting education and healing through heart-centered programs including a focus on mental illness through its Monologue Project.

Tickets are $20 and $10. For more information or tickets call 410-435-2600 or please visit our website at www.nami.org/sites/namimetrobaltimore

The event sponsors include Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, People Encouraging People, and University of Maryland Medical Center. A special VIP reception sponsored by Baltimore Mental Health Systems will be held at 6 p.m. for sponsors and officials in the community. Food will be provided by Neopol Smokery.