Mental-health conference planned at SUNY Plattsburgh

Sept. 29--PLATTSBURGH -- Jennifer Ayers-Moore knows first hand that many people who suffer from mental illness also have unique gifts to share with the world.

"My brother is a very talented musician, and not only that, but also a very intelligent man," she told the Press-Republican of her sibling, Nathaniel Ayers.

In addition to having schizophrenia, Ayers is a Juilliard-trained cellist and the subject of the 2009 film "The Soloist."

STIGMA

One day while homeless on the streets of Los Angeles, he caught the attention of Los Angeles Times Columnist Steve Lopez, who was struck by the beautiful sounds Ayers was evoking from a violin that had just two strings.

Lopez befriended the man and shared his story in a series of columns, which later led to a book and, ultimately, the film about Ayers.

He was lucky that someone looked beyond his tattered clothes to see his talent, Ayers-Moore said, because too often, people judge individuals with mental illness without ever getting to know them.

"The biggest thing with mental illness is the stigma, and the fact that people with a mental illness are always judged by their appearance or just something about them that's different than we would call the norm," she said.

EVENT AT SUNY

On Thursday, Oct. 9, Ayers-Moore, who founded the The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation for the Artistically Gifted Mentally Ill, will speak about the stigma surrounding mental illness at the Keys To Recovery Conference at SUNY Plattsburgh.

The free, full-day event, which will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in the Angell College Center, is presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Champlain Valley (NAMI:CV).

It will feature two keynote speakers, including Ayers-Moore and Respect International founder Joel Slack, as well as 16 workshops, some of which incorporate themes from Ayers' life.

Just a few of the topics to be explored in these sessions are the therapeutic effects of music; the connection between mind, body and spirit; humanizing homelessness; and wellness, self-care and management.

"The entire community could benefit from it," Amanda Bulris, executive director of NAMI:CV, said of the conference.

The goal of the event, she noted, is not only to spread awareness, but also provide hope to people who are affected by mental illness themselves or as a peer, family member or service provider.

Though it is not necessary to register for the conference in advance, attendees are encouraged to do so by visiting nami-cv.org, where a schedule of speakers and workshops is also available.

Even those who do preregister must confirm their attendance during the registration period from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. on the day of the event.

Bulris noted that people may come and go from the conference as they please.

ONE IN FOUR

In addition, her organization has planned a number of other events throughout October, which it has designated as Mental Health Awareness Month.

The Clinton County Legislature recently proclaimed Oct. 5 through 11 as Mental Health Awareness Week in the county, as well.

During that time, local businesses will be asked to display green ribbons in support of mental health.

NAMI:CV will also be posting promotional signs, including one featuring a large green ribbon, in Plattsburgh'sTrinity Park throughout October.

The organization is encouraging people to take creative pictures next to the sign and submit them to its Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

In addition, volunteers will be on hand in the park between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays in October with free mental-health information and promotional materials.

After all, Bulris noted, one in four people are affected by mental illness, which is more than heart disease and cancer combined.

"It's just something that people, unfortunately, are afraid to talk about," she said.

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Email Ashleigh Livingston:alivingston@pressrepublican.comTwitter: @AshJLivingston

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