Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry today said that the Granholm-Cherry administration is committed to improving the care and quality of life of persons with mental illness. To underscore that support, he participated in a special event symbolic of the administration’s commitment to increasing awareness of mental health issues. The event centers around Kristy Worthen, an Arkansas woman who has bipolar disorder.

"I created my flag as a symbol of hope for all people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness," Worthen said. "It is my desire for the flag to focus attention on each state’s mental health needs. I want to let others know there is hope, and there is help for people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness."

"I commend Ms. Worthen on her journey to make us all more aware of the concerns of persons with mental illness," Cherry said. "Her work on this issue has helped erase some of the stigma many persons with mental illness face, because she tells her story with unflinching honesty and is indeed blazing a trail of advocacy for others to follow."

Michigan is making strides towards improving its mental health system, Cherry noted. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm established the Michigan Mental Health Commission in December, the state’s first commission charged with the task of making changes within Michigan’s mental health network. The commission will be meeting throughout 2004. Members of the commission, including Senator Beverly S. Hammerstrom, were on hand for the event as well.

"Ms. Worthen is an excellent ambassador, and we have received her message loud and clear," said Hammerstrom. "We share her desire to erase stigma associated with mental health while improving the quality of and access to mental health service in Michigan."

Senator Hammerstrom, who also chairs the Senate Health Policy Committee, presented Worthen with a Senate Resolution in recognition of her efforts and the Shedding Lights Tour.

Lieutenant Governor Cherry participated in today’s event because raising awareness of mental health issues is a key initiative of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA).

The NLGA is seeking to rally public awareness of the need to improve the lives of people with mental illnesses through the "Mental Health flag project" launched by Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. After signing the flag and meeting Worthen, Rockefeller was certain her flag, which depicts the symbol of a beacon from a lighthouse and the inscription, "Shedding Light on Mental Health Issues," could become a national symbol of hope.

Sponsors of the tour include the National Lieutenant Governors Association, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Mental Health Association, Southwest Airlines, AstraZeneca and Marriott Hotels.

Representatives of the Michigan Mental Health Association and local mental health officials also participated in today’s ceremony in support of this recognition of the needs of patients of bipolar disorder and numerous other mental health disorders.