He played the skeptical Dr. Spivey in the seminal 1975 film, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but in real life he was Dr. Dean Brooks, the superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital where the movie was filmed. He also was a longtime Everett, Wash., resident, serving on the boards of Western State Hospital in Steilacoom and, in Everett, on the board of Compass Health.

NAMI Washington’s annual walk was successful at raising awareness about mental illness and raising funds for local NAMI affiliates. More than 1,000 people walked on May 18 and participated in the rally and information fair at Kirkland’s Marina Park.

Despite the blustery and cloudy day the crowd assembled and walked with signs, T-shirts and banners before being greeted by the Mariner Moose and listening to music by Down North. Radio personality and columnist Patti Payne emceed as prizes were awarded for best team T-shirt, best slogan and the winner of the Mental Health Quiz.

NAMI Washington is pleased to announce that Cheryl Strange was elected to fill the position vacated by John Turner on the Board of Directors. She brings extensive experience with the mental health and criminal justice systems. 

Strange is vice president of the Behavioral Health and Reentry Division at Pioneer Human Services of Tacoma. She previously served with the state Department of Corrections, in the Health Services Division, and with the state Department of Social and Health Services, in both the Mental Health Division and the Division of Development Disabilities.

NAMI Washington board member Dr. Helen Teresa “Trez” Buckland was honored with the 2013 Expanding Horizons Award at the annual Navos “Bigger than Breakfast” event.

The NAMI National Board voted to approve NAMI Washington for rechartering at the May meeting.

To be rechartered, NAMI WA was required to submit documentation of compliance with the Standards of Excellence developed at the national level. The rechartering of the state organization was a precursor to affiliate rechartering.

The first NAMI legislative luncheon was held on April 1. NAMI members from all corners of the state, representing 11 NAMI affiliates, came to Olympia and met with representatives from 18 legislative districts.

Updated: Here's a summary of legislation related to mental health pending in the Washington Legislature in Olympia as of March 18, 2013. For the latest information on these and other bills, go to apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo.

You can review NAMI Washington's legislative agenda here.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention has released an ambitious national strategy to reduce the number of deaths by suicide.