Rhonda Moreland of Americus has returned from a four-day mental health leadership conference held earlier this month in New Orleans. The meeting, for state executive directors, state presidents, and state council presidents, was sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Moreland, one of three representatives from Kansas, is state consumer council president for the NAMI-Kansas.
Moreland said that the conference also included discussions and presentations about recovery, public relations, and medical parity, which is a major goal of the organization.
NAMI is emphasizing “how important that is, that mentally ill people be considered the same as physically disabled and that, I believe, is still being debated,” Moreland said.
Focus also is being placed on encouraging people to talk about their mental illnesses.
“People need to not be afraid to open up that they have a mental illness, and that was talked about,” she said. “We try and help people in the support group not be afraid to do that.
“NAMI is a great organization; they’ve helped a lot of people, and I’m one of them.”
NAMI also is planning the annual NAMI Walk, scheduled for May 10 at Washburn University in Topeka. Teams of walkers will need to complete packets to participate in the event. More information may be had by calling Moreland, 794-7163.