On Thursday former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, 82, will do what she has done for over 30 years – bring together doctors, policy makers and consumers to draft policies that will decrease stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses and promote positive policy change on mental health issues.
Mrs. Carter’s annual Symposium on Mental Health Policy is one of the best kept secrets in the ranks of mental health advocacy. Although the symposia are not open to the public, they can be viewed in realtime on the Carter Center’s website. The idea is to bring stakeholders together – not only to listen to each others’ problems but to create solutions that address the needs and goals of all.
I like to think that things happen when they happen for a reason. There are no coincidences in life, just synchronicity. How else can you explain Congress debating health care reform in Washington on the same day that Rosalynn Carter opens this year’s symposium, entitled Fixing the Nation’s Broken Behavioral Health Care System? It’s destiny – good karma.
So when you get to work on Wednesday check your calendar for Thursday and Friday. Make some time to listen in to the symposium – even for a few minutes, for a little inspiration. Sometimes, just listening to others care so deeply about what you care for and hearing how badly they want to help you is enough to get you through the day.
Someone wants to help you. Her name is Rosalynn.
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