"In Your Own Voice" Presentation

In Our Own Voice Presentation

Sponsored by: Office of Counseling Services & NAMI
Date & Time: Thursday February 5th 3-5pm
Location: Presidents Box, Freeman Center

You are invited to attend the In Our Own Voice Presentation which is
being sponsored by The Office of Counseling Services in conjunction with
our local NAMI-Hampton Roads Affiliate. This will be a kick-off event
for the new campus group initiative, called NAMI On Campus, which is
being formed for the first time at Christopher Newport University. This
presentation is open to the campus community and representatives from
Student Affairs are asked to attend as this will be an interactive
presentation and discussion among students and faculty related to
reducing the stigma of mental illness on college campuses. A description
of the event follows:

"In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique public education program developed
by NAMI, in which two trained consumer speakers share compelling
personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving
recovery. The program was started with a grant from Eli Lily and
Company. IOOV is an opportunity for those who have struggled with mental
illness to gain confidence and to share their individual experiences of
recovery and transformation. Throughout the IOOV presentation, audience
members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience
participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience
members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it
is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery." A
promotional video of this presentation can be found at:
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=In_Our_Own_Voice

Following the presentation by consumers, an informal discussion and
social hour will be held between faculty and students. The PSI CHI Honor
Society and student representatives of NAMI On Campus will be
facilitating a discussion regarding CNU's campus community, ways in
which students can be better served/supported with mental illness, and
ways in which NAMI On Campus can serve a vital function in educating,
advocating, and reducing the stigma of mental illness. Refreshments will
be provided.