WASHINGTON - The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a paper entitled Inclusive Livable Communities for People with Psychiatric Disabilities (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/LivableCommunities.html), calling on Congress and the Administration to fully include and integrate people with psychiatric disabilities into America’s livable communities. Let people with psychiatric disabilities become part of the American dream.

Our annual meeting will be held on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00AM to Noon at the Clarion Hotel, which is located at 314 W. Bijou St.  The featured speaker will be Michael George, LCSW, CAC III from the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.  His topic will be "The Recovery Model."  The cost is $12 that covers a brunch and the program. People can call the NAMI-CS Office at 719-473-8477 for information or to register.

COMPETITIVE TRAIL FUNDRAISER IS A GO!
In the Winter Newsletter, I told you about a potential Competitive Trail Ride Fundraiser and promised additional details. I am delighted to report that the Air Force Academy gave their approval for our Ride for the Mind Competitive Trail fundraiser to be held  June 6th-8th. Additional details, benefits NAMI-CS, and what can you do to help - are covered below.

Why Give To NAMI?
As America's largest organization of consumers and families, NAMI stands at the forefront of supporting those whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness, and is leading the way in transforming America's mental health care system.

From blazing trails in addressing the education and support needs of families and consumers, to advocating for access to treatment and services; from supporting remarkable advances in research, to bringing serious mental illness into the mainstream of health issues, NAMI has worked steadily for more than 25 years to truly become the Nation's Voice on Mental Illness.

To find out more about the programs and services that your gifts make possible, visit the About Us page. Then, use one of the links on this page to make your generous gift of support today. Your financial support is vital to this ongoing movement. Simply put, we cannot do it without you.

Arlington, VA - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released the responses of five presidential candidates to a detailed questionnaire about mental healthcare issues.

"Mental health is part of the national dialogue on healthcare," said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "We offer the candidate responses as part of the process of public education."

"One out of four Americans are affected by mental illness at some point during their lifetimes. It does not discriminate between Democrats and Republicans."

Specific answers to 24 questions have been provided to date by Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama.