Candlelight vigil sheds light on mental illness

Oct. 08--The Meridian Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) with the help of Weems Community Mental Health Center on Tuesday hosted a candlelight vigil in honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week at the Lauderdale County Annex building.

"We try to do our best to support (NAMI) where we can," said Weems EAP Coordinator Diane Mills. "We want to help reduce the stigma of mental illness."

Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie spoke at the event, reading from a letter he received from a man whose son was having mental health issues.

The man's son was parked near a local business, exhibiting unusual behavior. When a deputy arrived, he determined the man was not a threat, but needed help that may be due to a mental issue. The deputy made sure he got the attention he needed and rescued the two pets he had in the car with him.

"The deputy could have easily arrested (him) and placed him in a jail cell, rather than assessing the situation in the manner that he did and placed (him) in a facility that is giving him the medical attention that he needs," the letter states.

The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors recognized the week with a proclamation during their Monday morning meeting.

"It's just a time to bring awareness of mental illness to the forefront," Josh Todd, Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors president, said. "It's like cancer, it's probably in everybody's family. We are very fortunate in Meridian and Lauderdale County to have organizations willing to help people and families dealing with these issues."

Allyson Kilgore, a past president of NAMI and Virginia Haguewood received awards from the organization for their service.

Haguewood received the Outstanding NAMI Member Award for her 40 years of service to the organization.

"She has just been a good member," Jill R. Walsh, Meridian affiliate secretary, said of Haguewood. "She has experienced the ebb and flow of activity during her years as a member including steady involvement with legislators, the creation of mind matters events, and candlelight vigils that involve much of the public. She continues to be a staunch supporter of the Meridian affiliate."

Kilgore got involved with NAMI at 16.

"Growing up, I was different than a lot of people," Kilgore said. "My family had issues understanding me. So, my family reached out to NAMI to get a better feel for what was going on. I was diagnosed with bipolar at 16. After treatment, I became an advocate for people who may be going through something and may not understand what's going on."

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