Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Your Invited to: "What's Great in Our State" - A Celebration of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week Reception!

Won't you join me at this wonderful event, I will be in attendance as a guest speaker/entertainer...

So save the date: Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Hope to see you there!
~Ashley


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Caring Kid Newspaper Article!



Ashley McDuffee, right, a volunteer with the National?Alliance on?Mental Illness, hands a brochure to Becky Brenan, parent partner with the Family Counseling Center in Gloversville, during the Community Wellness Day on Tuesday at the Riverfront Center in?Amsterdam.
The Leader-Herald/Rodney Minor

Caring kid
High school senior works to raise awareness about mental illness

April 15, 2012
By RODNEY MINOR, The Leader Herald

Ashley McDuffee is surprised at the attention she has received for raising awareness of mental illness.

She recently was honored as one of the medalists for the 2012 Jefferson Awards. She was included in a local TV station's report from the Jefferson Awards. McDuffee's work is even mentioned on the Fonda-Fultonville Central?School District's website.

Yet, as far as McDuffee is concerned, she shouldn't be the one receiving the awards.

"The people who live with [mental illness] every day, who are so incredibly brave. I feel like they should be showcased," she said.

McDuffee's effort to bring more information about mental illness to people is personal. A grandmother was diagnosed as bipolar/schizophrenic and both of her uncles were diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she notes on her blog - mentalillnessawarenessny.blogspot.com

"I have seen the effects [mental illness] had on my family personally and I have seen the struggle that these individuals endure each and every day," she said on the website.

McDuffee said both her uncles are very comfortable with her talking about the fact they have an illness.

"I think it gives them a sense of pride," she said. "They're not embarrassed, so why should I be?"

McDuffee was at the Riverfront Center in Amsterdam on Tuesday, working at the booth for National Alliance on Mental Illness, handing out information to people about mental illness and the organization.

A couple years ago, McDuffee took a NAMI course on how mental illnesses can affect brain chemistry.

As someone who will attend St. Lawrence University, Canton, St. Lawrence County, next year as a biology major - and who has always had an interest in biology - the information fascinated her.

However, it also inspired her to make sure people had information about mental illness.

McDuffee's first task: giving a presentation to the assembled faculty at F-F high school on making more information on mental illness available to students.

"It was nerve wracking, but so cool," she said.

Not only was the school's faculty supportive - with more information about mental illness available to students - it also gave her the opportunity to speak with students.

At one presentation, she recalled, there was one boy who came in who did not seem very interested at all.

However, by the end of the presentation, that same boy talked about his own struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and how it was being treated with medication.

"He was willing to share in that welcoming atmosphere we had created," she said.

McDuffee has found a number of ways to spread her message about the importance of understanding mental illness. She has presented information about mental illness through workshops, speaking engagements and her blog. As the Fonda-Fultonville website - www.fondafultonvilleschools.org - notes, she has spoken to middle school classes during wellness days about how to work with people with mental illness and warning signs of the disease.

"One of Ashley's lessons is titled 'Stigma Busters' where she discusses words associated with mental illness that could be found offensive," the website says.

When she was named a medalist for the Jefferson Awards for 2012, it was noted she appeared in a video for NAMI talking about schizophrenia to an eighth-grade health class.

According to the website for the Jefferson?Awards, www.jeffersonawards.org, the awards began in 1972 to create a Nobel?prize for public service. The awards are presented on two levels: national and local.

"Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a 'Call to Action for Volunteers' in local communities," the website said.

McDuffee was named Miss Mohawk Valley Outstanding Teen for 2010-2011, and was the fourth runner-up in the Miss New York Outstanding Teen 2011. Her platform, of course, was about the importance and awareness and understanding for people with mental illness.

McDuffee said ultimately, the thing she stresses the most to people is the importance of accepting those with mental illnesses, and being educated about how mental illness can affect people.

"We can better understand and support [people with mental illness] with knowledge," she said.

To learn more about McDuffee's work, visit her website at mentalillnessawarenessny.blogspot.com/.

For more information about mental illness awareness and advocacy, visit NAMI at www.nami.org

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Senator Farley's Community Wellness Day ~ Tuesday, April 10th

Please join us at this annual event!
I will be helping out again this year
at our local affiliate informational
booth of NAMI-MFH
National Alliance on Mental Illness,
Montgomery, Fulton & Hamilton Counties.
Stop on by... grab a few brochures and
become aware and educated about Mental Illness!

It's a Great Event with many health fair vendors,
great information and a fun filled event!

Details below...
Hope to see you there :)
~Ashley

Student Voices Loud and Proud - "Breaking the Silence"

Soo... Very excited for the release of this new informational video for the "Breaking the Silence" School Curriculum, "Teaching the Next Generation about Mental Illness"!
It has been a year in the waiting... BUT, well worth the wait.

Last spring I was asked to be a featured in this amazing video!
What an extreme honor and privilege to be a part of this campaign. Won't you consider visiting this site and pass this information along to others, but most importantly educators! We want every school in our Nation to teach the importance of Mental Illness EDUCATION!
Why not start with yours! Visit this link @ http://www.btslessonplans.org

Soo... please view this "teaser" preview video of the original version to be used Nation wide in school districts! Enjoy the video... and this site, and PLEASE consider this curriculum for educators in your district.

My mission is to continue the importance of Mental Health Education and the Prevention of STIGMA...
Remember... Acceptance ~ It's the GREATS gift you can GIVE!
~Ashley

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 2-8, 2011


Please consider informing yourself and others about Mental Illness ... Always... but especially in support of this Awareness Week! Lets continue to educate others about Mental Illness...
Happy Fall! & Many Blessings from Ashley

National Campaign:
Although people live with mental illness throughout the year, in October we set aside a week to raise awareness to guarantee they will be in our thoughts all year long.

In a season we typically associate with changing colors, falling leaves and holidays spent with friends and family it is very important that those living with mental illness have the support and guidance they need.

By donating to NAMI you will ensure that the services, support, education and awareness will be there.

Through our numerous activities, including NAMIWalks, the HelpLine, media outreach as well as the hundreds of support group and education classes offered in communities across the country, NAMI remains steadfast and constant in our efforts to improve lives.

In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), NAMI is asking for your support to continue our efforts to provide valuable resources and services which help improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.


In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI's efforts to raise mental illness awareness.

It presents an opportunity to all NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates across the country to work together in communities to achieve the NAMI mission through outreach, education and advocacy. (learn more)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Bring Change to Mind!


Wanted to share a photo of my uncles and I with our T-shirts to support the National Campaign of "Bring Change to Mind". Please consider checking out the "Bring Change to Mind" link and viewing the Public Service Announcement commercial! Very powerful!
This is my Uncle Bruce and Uncle Richard. They both suffer from Bi-Polar.
Please take time to educate yourself about mental illness! You could change a MIND!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Guest Speaker! Promoting Awareness...


Sooo... excited to be the Guest Speaker at this event.
Here is the invite that has been distributed for guest to attend.
Thank you Jan Willis!


LIVING ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES NOT UNDER THEM
Monday, OCTOBER 11, 2010 –11:30 – 1:00 PM
Holiday Inn * Rt. 30A N. Comrie Ave.* Johnstown
$13.00 Chicken & Biscuits, dessert & coffee
SPECIAL FEATURE: DOUBLE CROWN HOLDER
MISS MOHAWK VALLEY’S OUTSTANDING TEEN
2010 JUNIOR MISS FONDA FAIR
A High School Student, Actor, Singer, Composer
Shares her journey to the Pageant’s Crowns
With a platform of “Mental Illness Awareness”
For a sneak preview visit
WWW:mentalillnessawarenessny.blogspot.com

Complimentary Child Care is available
For information call Gloria (518)853-3126
Reservations Necessary and Cancellations Essential
Sponsored by Johnstown Christian Women’s Club

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Breaking the Silence










A copy of the article they printed on me
in the Volume 7, Summer 2010 Edition of:
BTS E-Newsletter
BTS ADVOCATES BREAK THE SILENCE NATIONWIDE
School & Community Mental Illness Education Projects


BTS raises awareness about mental illness in the classroom and beyond!

Mental Illness Awareness Platform

Ashley McDuffee competed in the Miss New York Outstanding Teen Pageant and was the third runner up at the Miss New York State Scholarship Program. Bringing awareness and understanding for those suffering with mental illness was her platform. Ashley is a BTS advocate and will be bringing BTS to her school this Fall. Check out her blog and video at:

http://www.mentalillnessawarenessny.blogspot.com/

“Together we will make a difference that will change the way America thinks about mental illness in the future.” Ashley McDuffee

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mental Illness Awareness

Take a moment to think about how many people you know or hear about that suffer from a mental illness. Now remember high school. Being a teenager is hard enough, it’s even harder with a serious mental illness.

As a young woman I have grown up with mental illness close to my mind and heart. My grandmother was diagnosed bipolar/schizophrenic and both of my uncles are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have seen the effects it’s had on my family personally and I have seen the struggle that these individuals endure each and every day. I’m very passionate about bringing awareness to the New York media and supporting those who suffer from mental illness. I feel it has been in the shadows of closed doors for too long and needs to be discussed and understood.





I have already started to implement my ideas toward reaching my goals that I have set forth within myself regarding this issue. In my school I have been in contact with many faculty members including our guidance personnel, my principal and the superintendent in an effort to bring education on mental illness into our area schools, starting with mine. I presented my ideas to my entire high school faculty and was pleasantly surprised to see how many of them wanted to support me. My school now makes brochures available so that anyone who wants to discreetly receive information about mental illness may do so. I am working diligently to get a mental illness curriculum into all upper middle school and high school health courses by the start of the new school year. I’m also in the planning process with our guidance team to set up an assembly for all high school and upper middle school students to attend. The assembly will consist of a speaker that will share their personal experiences and help students gain an understanding towards mental illness. I also plan on using my appearances as a teaching tool to help educate people within my community.

Looking on, you will notice that there are many issues with causes and effects related to people with mental illnesses. Turn on your six-o’clock news and nightly you will hear of issues connected to this awful condition. What I would like to do is change the way the media and society portrays these individuals. It is unfortunate that when we watch the news or listen to it on the radio we only hear the reporter’s side of the story. We often mute the untold story of the victim themselves. Education is key and my plan is to make it available.

In regards to this issue, what America needs is knowledge. Knowledge is power. We as individuals are the educators. Together we will make a difference that will change the way America thinks about mental illness in the future.