Full disclosure, it is not easy planning a mental health awareness event in the wake of this week’s news. For eighteen months I’ve sat with individuals, heard their stories, studied their faces, edited their words. It has been grueling and triumphant, depending on the day. Coming into the home stretch my plan was to stay calm, stay focused.

The Kate Spade news was a reminder of the power of creativity, and the black hole when it is lost. Waking up to the news of Anthony Bourdain on the radio was too much. Too sad, too hard to grasp. He was an inspirational human who said, try everything, learn about everyone, admit your mistakes, grow, explore and accept.

I don’t know what Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were grappling with. None of us really will ever know. All we can do is pick ourselves up, look around, and see what we can do to help.

NAMI is one place you can turn for support. We have a chapter right here on Cape Ann, and you probably have one near you too. Malva Crothers was kind enough to explain who they are and how they can be of service to you or a loved one:

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Cape Ann is one affiliate out of 1,000 NAMIs nationally and falls under the umbrella of NAMI Massachusetts of which there 18 NAMI affiliates, including NAMI Cape Ann.

 NAMI Cape Ann, a non-profit, grassroots, community organization, serving the Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by the Sea, Essex and Ipswich communities, provides FREE advocacy, support groups, classes and education, essential to the well-being and recovery, to those who deal with mental health issues.

 If you are concerned about yourself and/or know someone who struggles with mental health challenges…you are not alone…NAMI Cape Ann will help!

 For more information, please visit our site and/or call 978-281-1557.

 Please visit with NAMI Cape Ann at the I AM More Exhibit, June 15th- 17th at the Gloucester Paint Factory.