The Catskill Chronicle

ALBANY, NY (November 10, 2011) – The weekend of November 4, 5 and 6, 2011 saw hundreds of mental health advocates from across the state gather for the NAMI-NYS (National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York State) Educational Conference at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. 

A highlight of the weekend was the Keynote Address "The New Frontier – One Mind on Brain Research" delivered Friday evening by former Congressman, Patrick J. Kennedy. A dynamic, eloquent and charismatic speaker, Kennedy shared his passion on mental health reform and research before a mesmerized audience, which included a dozen local advocates, members of Friends and Advocates for Mental Health, the Sullivan County affiliate of NAMI.

In the photo at left are former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Eileen Geysen, President of Friends and Advocates for Mental Health.

Congressman Kennedy is a constant champion advocating for the understanding of mental health issues and parity for mental illness and research of the brain, both during his 16 years in Congress and since his retirement earlier this year.

During his tenure in Congress, Kennedy was the author and chief House sponsor of the Wellstone-Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which expanded access to mental health services to more than 100 million Americans.  He has also authored and co-sponsored dozens of bills to increase the understanding and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Since leaving office in January, 2011, Patrick Kennedy has devoted his effort to promoting research into neuroscience. He has created an initiative called “One Mind for Brain Research” – a united public and private research campaign to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure all major brain disorders that afflict close to 100 million Americans. More than eleven years ago, then-Congressman Kennedy disclosed his own bipoalr disorder diagnosis to his constituents in Rhode Island. Today, this descendant of a celebrated political dynasty is savoring life after Congress and has launched this new enterprise in public service that links his journey in living with bipolar and addiction to the latest trends in neuroscience.

FAMH President, Eileen Geysen was thrilled to meet with the Congressman and enthusiastic to hear his passion and commitment to people recovering from mental illness.

Locally, Friends and Advocates for Mental Health (FAMH) is primarily a family support and advocacy organization – also providing social and recreational opportunities for people recovering from serious mental illness. If someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness, you are not alone –FAMH can help – with education, advocacy, referral. For additional information, phone 845-794-1029.