NAMI NH staffer's caregiver story featured in National Speak and Be Heard Campaign
In November 2009, Annette Carbonneau, NAMI NH’s Community and Volunteer Developer was invited to take part in the National Speak and Be Heard... Living With Bipolar Depression campaign. The campaign was launched in the Spring of 2009 with a national essay contest. People with Bipolar Disorder and caregivers of people with Bipolar Disorder were invited to submit their personal stories of recovery. The essays were reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of a Psychiatrist, a Family Practitioner and the President of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Three consumer essays and one caregiver essay were to be chose from all those submitted nationally.
Annette submitted an essay about being the caregiver of a son with Bipolar Disorder and her essay was the finalist for the caregiver category. Annette was flown to New York City to take part in a media event to raise awareness about Bipolar Disorder. Journalists representing local and national media were invited to a round table discussion where Annette, the panel of judges and the other 3 finalists shared their stories. Also attending the event to share her family’s story was actress and Dancing with the Stars celebrity, Debi Mazar. The event was filmed and will be used nationally to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma associated with Bipolar Disorder and any mental illness.
To read Annette's essay, A Journey with Mental Illness, please visit: http://www.facingbipolar.com/speak-caregiver-stories.aspx.
Pictured: Actress, Debi Mazar (front row, center) with Annette Carbonneau (front row, left) and
other participants and judges in the Speak and Be Heard... Living with Bipolar Disorder campaign.