MADISON, WI, MAY 8, 2009: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin and NAMI Dane County will be co-hosting the “Mind, Body, Spirit: One Journey” conference on May 29th and 30th at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. The conference welcomes an audience of consumers and their family members, professionals and students that seek to enhance their knowledge about various mental illnesses.

“We are thrilled to welcome Xavier Amador as the conference keynote speaker and look forward to hearing our featured speaker, Dominic Carter,” said Lannia Syren, the new executive director of NAMI Wisconsin.“It’s exciting to host these exceptional presenters.”

Xavier Amador, Ph.D. will be presenting on Friday, May 29. He is an internationally sought-after speaker, clinical psychologist, professor at Columbia University in New York City, and author of eight books including the national best seller I’m Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help! Dr. Amador’s expertise has made him a regular contributor to the Today Show and featured guest on ABC Good Morning America, Prime Time Live, CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, 60 Minutes, CNN, Dateline, ABC’s World News Tonight, Fox News, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and many others.

Dominic Carter will be presenting on Saturday, May 30. He is a nationally known motivational speaker and author of the intensely personal novel, No Momma’s Boy. From a chaotic childhood to a meaningful career attending social events at the White House and interviewing Nelson Mandela, No Momma’s Boy recounts Carter’s tremendous highs and lows and how he survived to become the successful journalist that he is today. Carter has interviewed some of the most influential politicians in the nation. He has also appeared on MSNBC, CNN, FOX, PBS and NPR. Carter attended the State University of New York at Cortland and Graduate School at Syracuse University. He has won numerous awards, and appeared on the cover of the NY Times TV Guide. The NY Times calls him “a force to be reckoned with”.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1980. NAMI National is now an organization serving more than 200,000 people affected by mental illness. NAMI Wisconsin has 35 affiliates serving 48 counties throughout the state, with a membership of nearly 5,000 people. The mission of NAMI Wisconsin is to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illnesses and to promote recovery. The “Mind, Body, Spirit: One Journey” conference promotes the NAMI goal of providing public education and understanding of mental illnesses.
Conference registration is open and exhibit space is still available. Registration deadline is May 22nd. For additional information, a tentative schedule of events and conference registration materials, visit www.namiwisconsin.org/conference.cfm .