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<span><span><span><span><b>The Institute for Ethics in Public Life invites you to join us for "Mental Health and Civic Responsibility"<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif"> on Wednesday, September 10 at 3:30pm</span> with special guests James Norton, '13, Government and Community Affairs Manager at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New York, and Theresa Bennett, Board President of NAMI Champlain Valley.</b></span></span> <br><br></span></span><div style="margin-left:40px"><span><span>The United States is arguably suffering from a mental health crisis, and current trends are not good. As of 2022, 23.1% of all adults live with mental illness (6% severe), and the problem is much worse for young adults (36.2% of 18-25 yr olds, 11.6% severe) according to the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1757599246170013&usg=AOvVaw3ufp3brKVTbK2uycs5WBTq" target="_blank">National Institute of Mental Health</a>. This follows a trend of increasing incidence of mental illness that now spans decades, and while there has been an uptick in the proportion of those suffering from mental illness seeking help according to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/01/trends-pathways-access-mental-health-care&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1757599246170013&usg=AOvVaw0vrcZVorp5g42yIMtMTM1N" target="_blank">research published</a> by the American Psychological Association, there is no where near enough counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists to meet the need.</span></span><br><span><span> </span></span><br><span><span>As we observe World Suicide Awareness Day on September 10, please join us for a hybrid (in-person and on Zoom) discussion of issues at the intersection of mental health, public ethics, and civic responsibility with representatives from NAMI. <span>This program will highlight how breaking stigma and expanding mental health awareness can create stronger, more inclusive communities where public service and civic responsibility truly reflect the common good.</span></span></span><br><span><span></span></span><br><span><span>The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nami.org/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1757599246170013&usg=AOvVaw23WP68FLEukfW1WFIJW4JQ" target="_blank">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a> is a leader in education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness by providing free signature programs, peer-led support groups, and public awareness initiatives that help build healthier, more compassionate communities.</span></span><br><span><span> </span></span><br><span><span><span><b>James Norton</b>, '13 joined NAMI in 2025 as the Government and Community Affairs Manager after having spent 10+ years at the intersection of behavioral health and justice. Including roles with the State of New York, State of Vermont, NYS Senate, AHEC, EMS, Public Safety, and Fire. He has focused mainly on the opioid crisis and still works with Recovery centers and Harm Reduction groups. James also continues to work as an adjunct professor of criminal justice and volunteer local politics. James graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2013 after majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. </span></span></span><br><span><span> </span></span><br><span><span><span></span></span></span><br><span><span><span><b>Theresa Bennett</b> Theresa Bennett serves as Board President of NAMI Champlain Valley, the Clinton County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. While she does not lead the organization directly, she is a steadfast advocate and supporter of its mission to provide comprehensive services to individuals and families affected by mental illness—ranging from crisis response to long-term recovery.</span></span></span><br><span><span><span></span></span></span><br><span><span><span>As a family member of someone living with serious mental illness, Ms. Bennett brings a deeply personal perspective to her advocacy. She has served on several community boards, including the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and the Community Services Board, where she works to amplify the voices of those often left unheard.</span></span></span><br><span><span><span></span></span></span><br><span><span><span>NAMI Champlain Valley maintains a strong presence in this rural region. Whether accompanying the City of Plattsburgh Police Department during crisis situations or hosting stigma-reducing events like open mic nights at local coffee shops, the organization plays a vital role in fostering connection, compassion, and community awareness. </span> </span></span><br><span><span><br></span></span></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><span><span>Please join us in-person in the Thomas Moran Seminar Room at the Institute for Ethics in Public Life (Hawkins 233) or on Zoom (see below).</span></span><br><span><span> </span></span><br><span><span>Topic: "Mental Illness and Civic Responsibility"</span></span><br><span><span>Time: Sep 10, 2025 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)</span></span><br><span><span>Join Zoom Meeting</span></span><br><span><span><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/83513472861&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1757599246170013&usg=AOvVaw2qWd3iXtB0vJ-8IosQ8LhX" target="_blank">https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/83513472861</a></span></span>
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</div><br clear="all"></div><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><b><font size="2">Daniel Lake</font></b></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">(pronouns: he/him/his)<br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">Assoc. Prof. of Political Science</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">Director, Institute for Ethics in Public Life<br></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">Hawkins 149A</font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2"><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">101 Broad Street</a></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2"><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">Plattsburgh, NY 12901</a></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">(o) <a href="tel:(518)%5645833" value="+15185642217" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">518-564-5833</a></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><b><font size="2"><a href="http://plattsburgh.edu/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">plattsburgh.edu</a></font></b><br></p></div><div dir="ltr"><img src="https://web.plattsburgh.edu/files/914/images/SUNY-Plattsburgh-Email-Logo-2018.jpg"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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