Over 200 Oregonians joined together for Mental Health Awareness Day 2009 filling the lobby and rallying on the front steps of the state capitol in Salem.  NAMI Oregon (chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) with the aid of volunteers, partners and supporters, organized and promoted the all-day event. 

Consumers had an opportunity to meet with legislative leaders and agency representatives at an early kick-off breakfast hosted at the Mission Mill Museum supported by Oregon Health Forum, Oregon Community Mental Health Coalition and NAMI Oregon.  Guest speakers included Senator Margaret Carter, Richard Harris (Assistant Director for the State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, Addictions and Mental Health Division) and Bob Joondeph (Executive Director for Disability Rights Oregon, formerly Oregon Advocacy Center), among others.  Sen. Margaret Carter spoke loud and clear about the need to speak up for Oregonians' mental health.  Repeat after me, she said, "I went to the rock to hide my face and the rock cried back 'This is no hiding place!'"  Bob Joondeph emphasized the necessity of both a quality state hospital and community based mental health services, without which the state hospital would be unsustainable, stretched far beyond capacity. 

Testimony began around 8:30AM at the capitol and Room 50 in the basement was scheduled with presentations throughout the day.  OFSN Executive Director, Jammie Farish and MidValley Regional Director, Kris Anderson each shared part of their story and some of the insight they have gained as parents, family members, and advocates.   Several attendees commented that legislators were expressing a strong preference to hear from consituents "what is working best," prior to engaging in any discussion about the budget.