Speakers To Talk About

Living With Mental Illness

DANBURY — The 2009 One Book, One Community (OBOC) project coordinated by the Danbury Library, Danbury Public Schools, and Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) will present “In Our Own Voice,” a program developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to reduce stigma associated with having a mental illness.

On Tuesday, October 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, two speakers will share their personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Throughout the presentation, audience members will be encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions.

Audience participation is encouraged because the more involvement, the closer the understanding to what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery. The program is free of charge and open to the general public, students, law enforcement officials, educators, health care providers, faith community members, and interested civic groups.

NAMI-CT is a grass-roots affiliate of NAMI National. NAMI’s mission is to eradicate mental illnesses and to improve the quality of life of all those impacted by these diseases.

This year’s One Book, One Community planning committee selected the topic of mental health as its focus and as a result, selected Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg as its selected book. Mr Greenberg tells the story of his teenage daughter’s mental illness and its effects on their family.

Multiple copies of the book are available to check out at the Danbury Library and for purchase at Barnes & Noble and Borders Books & Music.

The 2009 OBOC project is funded by the Friends of the Danbury Library, Union Savings Bank, Danbury Cultural Commission, Savings Bank of Danbury, Danbury Hospital, and Ethan Allen Hotel.

For a complete list of OBOC events, visit online at danburyonebook.org or stop by one of the event sponsors, Danbury Library, or Haas Library for brochures.

For more information about the program contact the Danbury Library Community Relations office at 797-4512.