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Consumer & Family Affairs

Ken Werner & dr. Fisher

NARBHA Consumer & Family Assistant, Ken Werner, Ed.D. (left) and Daniel Fisher, M.D., Ph.D,

Commissioner, President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (right)

 

Dear Consumers and Family Members,

        My name is Kenneth Werner, and I am a person with a mental illness.  My treatments began in 1993 at the age of 40 years, and shortly after completing my graduate studies at Northern Arizona University.  I had received counseling support as a graduate student, but my depression kept getting worse, so I moved back home to live with my family in Florida.  In 1993, I was involuntary hospitalized in a state mental health crisis unit because I was having suicidal thoughts, which was followed by two more hospitalizations, one of which was directly from the workplace.  In time I was able to accept my mental illness as a medical problem that required treatments and follow-along supports.  Although my family had a history of mental illness, this fact was never shared with me.  The signs and symptoms of my mental illness were present at the age of 10 years, but in 1963 most families were not aware of mental health issues in children.  Read  Ken's Introduction Letter here....

 

Want to Get Involved?

NARBHA needs the combined voices and diversity of all its members and families!

Where do you stand on recovery principles, or treatments and services with respect to children with mental illness, youth in transition, substance abuse disorders, family support services, crisis interventions, vocational rehabilitation, and post-secondary educational opportunities for persons with mental illness?  The State of Arizona is facing serious financial difficulties with respect to continued services and supports for persons with mental illness.  Your involvement with NARBHA sends a strong message that you wish to have your voice heard in designing your own future and quality of life outcomes.

I need your help, and your insights into how we can build a better recovery oriented system of care for persons with mental illness.  Please don't hesitate to contact me at my NARBHA phone or work address if you would like to discuss any of your concerns, or if you would like to learn more about how you can participate on NARBHA Committees, or apply for the two part-time employment opportunities we have posted for Consumer Affairs Coordinators in our Individual & Family Affairs Office.

I am just one consumer!  We want you!

Kenneth M. Werner     

Consumer & Family Affairs

(928) 774-7128 x 1024

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