Awareness week focuses on mental health

UCO musicians will continue to play for about 20 minutes after the official end of the vigil, allowing time for reflection and conversation in the park.

There is no cost to attend the vigil.

Day of prayer

An Interfaith Day of Prayer for mental illness will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 9 at the state Capitol.

The two-hour gathering features representatives of various religions. Speakers include Rabbi Vered Harris; Pastor Wayne Lawson; Rev. George Young of the Edmond Interfaith Alliance; and Adam Soltani, a member of the local Muslim community.

The event is free.

Luncheon

The Champions for Change fundraising luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at The Greens Country Club, 13100 Green Valley Dr.

Dr. R. Murali Krishna, Carol and Jim Hetherington and John Kennedy will be honored for their efforts to help the mentally ill.

Krishna, who will be introduced by Stanley Hupfeld, is the president and chief operating officer of Integris Mental Health and the James L. Hall Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit. He is the founder of the R. Murali Krishna Family “Eliminate the Stigma” award.

The Hetheringtons are founding members of NAMI Oklahoma City Metro and are “tireless mental health advocates,” Israel said. They will be introduced by Oklahoma City police Capt. Robert Nash, who is involved with the department's Crisis Intervention Team — a group of officers specially trained to help the mentally ill.

Kennedy will be introduced by former lieutenant governor Jari Askins. Kennedy, of Irish Realty, is a generous supporter of NAMI Oklahoma's annual fundraising walk, Israel said.

Tickets to the luncheon are $65 per person.

For more information or to buy tickets, call 230-1900.

Q&A

A question and answer session will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Saint Anthony RAPP Foundation Conference Center on the fourth floor of Saints Medical Plaza, 535 NW 9.

“Ask the Doctor” experts include psychiatrists, therapists, art therapists, an attorney and others. They will answer your questions about all aspects of mental illness and recovery.

People who have diagnosed mental illnesses and their loved ones particularly are encouraged to attend the free session.