Annual NAMI Mercer Conference
Harvest of Hope 2012

Theme: Empowering Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

Thank you all participants in this successful event!  Event pictures at right.

Two special authors

Event Details:

Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012

8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville

Funded in part through a grant from the Bunbury Company.

Keynote Speaker:
Randye Kaye

Randye Kaye is a national voice talent, actress, and part-time newscaster and classical music host on NPR affiliates WSHU-FM and AM. While raising her children, she was a full-time morning personality for a top-rated Connecticut radio station in addition to her voiceover, on-camera, and theatre work.

During that time, her son Ben was going through confusing and often terrifying changes: what she later learned had been the symptoms of gradual-onset schizophrenia. Randye credits NAMI with helping her through this very painful period and inspired her to become a NAMI Family-to-Family teacher and the Connecticut State trainer for this educational course.

After leaving Morning Radio behind, Randye was asked to write about Ben's illness and recovery, and how it had affected her family. The result is "Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope" (September 16, 2011, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers). Randye speaks frequently to professional providers and families about the process of coping with the challenges – including stigma – when mental illness strikes a loved one. She hosted the talk show "Issues and Answers" on Connecticut TV, and recently appeared on the educational DVD, "Dealing with Stigma in Mental Illness." She is also a gifted audiobook narrator, including titles for Live Oak, Soundprints, Brilliance Audio and Spoken Arts.

Randye is currently working on a new book, "Happier Made Simple."

Closing Activity: Rhythm Connection
Sheila Riley-Massa, MPA, LCAT, MT-BC

A joyful, inspiring drumming circle. This activity is an evidence- based wellness method of improving the immune system and reducing stress. No musical experience required. Drums provided or make your own at the conference.

Sheila is a Board-certified music therapist at Capital Health Regional Medical Center on the inpatient mental health unit. She has worked in the field for more than 30 years and has seen many positive outcomes from using music as a therapeutic tool.