Another person has joined the campaign to end discrimination against people with mental illness.  Glenn Close, whose sister has bi-polar, is speaking out about removing stigma and creating hope for people living with these illnesses.

Close has appeared on numerous television talk shows with her sister, Jessie, who lives in Montana.  Jessie’s son is also living with schizophrenia and they credit NAMI with giving them the strength to speak out.

They star in a new public service announcement that is airing on several major market television stations.  Ron Howard, who made the movie “A Beautiful Mind”, directed the PSA “film shoot” in New York’s Grand Central Station.  The campaign has received broad support from the mental health community.

Earlier this year, Close helped lead Maine’s NAMI Walks near her home. The campaign Web site, www.bringChange2Mind.com  has had over 80,000 visitors to date and its Facebook community has over 3,000 friends.

see the video here:  “http://blip.tv/play/hMYXgafJfwI“

You could possibly have a walk on role on the FX network’s legal thriller “Damages” by being the highest bidder for an on-line auction! You must be 18 years older to bid and the role is donated by superstar Glenn Close, who is a passionate supporter of creating awareness about mental illness.  All proceeds will benefit NAMI Maine, Ms. Closes’ home state. For more infomation to bid, visit the website at:https://auction01.charitybuzz.com/secure/viewItemDetail.do?auction_item_id=610001

Bid today in the online auction for a walk-on role on FX Network’s legal thriller Damages.

The bid is already hovering around $2000 (out of my budget), but the value is supposed to be $5000!  Could be fun if you have some extra cash and need a tax deduction!

More and more, celebrities are “coming out” and openly discussing their experiences with brain disorders.  Joey Pantaliano, who lives with chronic depression,  is advocating for the removal of stigma and has founded a charitable organization called No Kidding?!! Me, Too!  Their mission is “ to remove the stigma attached to brain dis-ease through education and the breaking down of societal barriers. Our goal is to empower those with brain dis-ease to admit their illness, seek treatment, and become even greater members of society.
The Goal:
Make Brain Dis-ease cool and sexy.  We want a normal conversation in America to be:

   ”I have bipolar disorder/schizophrenia/insert dis-ease”

   ”No Kidding, Me Too!”

Vist the website at: http://nkm2.org/about-us/

I think the idea of using “dis – ease” when talking about brain disorders is really clever and, who knows…..maybe it’ll catch on!