Julie Fast
2012 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing done by Chato Stewart

Julie Fast received the Mental Health American Journalism award for writing the best mental health column in the United States

Julie A. Fast is a world-leading mental health expert on the topics of bipolar disorder, depression, seasonal affective disorder and mood management. She is the bestselling author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, Get it Done When You’re Depressed and The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder.

Julie is a critically acclaimed national speaker, family and partner coach and sought after media source on the topic of mental health management. Her books have sold over 150,000 copies and her popular websites have received over one million visitors.

Alfred Jefferson
2012 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing done by Chato Stewart

I’m an advocate with epilepsy and situational depression.

I don’t like to sit around doing nothing when I feel something needs to happen, so I joined a NAMI affiliate’s board of directors, 3 committees, 2 councils and I used to be a member of a program that took part in getting the word out to those who should know and those who need to know what’s happening in Hillsborough county.

(Read More about this Mental Health Hero.)

Gayle Bluebird
2012 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing done by Chato Stewart

She claims to be “quaint, quirky, creative, determined, a traveler- nomad, advocate/activist, world changer, mental health innovator, sad, happy, older but young, still wondering what to do when I grow up; looking for companion, world traveler, and last but not least a writer.”

In reality Gayle is a SUPPER HERO Advocate!

Bluebird has been involved in the consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement since it began in the early 1970’s. (Read more about BlueBird at the Mental Health Hero site.)

• www.bluebirdconsultants.com
• http://www.alteredstatesofthearts.com
• Role Plays and Dialogues Manual (PDF)

May 1st – In Memoriam: Charles “Chucky” Sakai Mental Health Hero
Charles Sakai 2011 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon by Chato Stewart
We start off this year’s Cartoon-A-Thon in Memoriam for one of last year’s Mental Health Heroes, Charles “Chucky” Sakais. Charles Mitsuo Sakai died on January 25, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. He was 63 and had a very advanced form of cancer.

I met Charles who let me affectionately call him “Chucky” at the DBSA 2011 conference. We were both part of David Granirer’s Stand-Up For Mental Health comedy show. (See his act below.)

You should remember Chucky as one of our Mental Health Heroes. What a hero he was! Always willing to go the extra mile in his advocacy for mental health! I was happy to meet up with him again at Alternatives in Orlando and give him the caricature original.

I’ll miss you my friend – sleep in peace. A hui hou kakou

With less then 12 hours to the start of the 2012 Cartoon-a-thon for mental health heroes, it’s always good to reflect and remember some of our heroes from last year.

They are still heroes today! Here are some of last year’s Mental Health Month’s cartoon-a-thon Mental Health Heroes!!!

I… love it! You are so talented….and what a great message this campaign of yours highlights. So wonderful that your 8 yr old little girl loves creating too. It’s a great gift to be creative… Chato, thanks for the cartoon tribute. It’s a wonderful campaign to honor Mental Health Awareness Month. I’m delighted to be included in the list of heroes. And tell your daughter I love her rendition!

~Dr. Deb

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