Lighting the Way May 5
Contributed by The Gillespie Agency

The Mental Illness Recovery Center (MIRCI), with the S.C. Department of Mental Health, the University of S.C. School of Medicine and other supporters, is celebrating the 185- year history of mental health in S.C. The Lighting the Way: Mental Health in S.C. celebration will be held Saturday, May 5, in honor of seven generations of people who were cared for in the S.C. State Hospital, also known as Bull Street. This will be the last opportunity for the general public to experience the history of the hospital and grounds before the land is redeveloped. Many community organizations such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield of S.C. have made substantial donations to the Lighting the Way project. These donations have helped support MIRCI's mission- to provide a lifeline to those in recovery from mental illness as well as the homeless community in the Midlands.

Advance tickets will be available at the Mental Illness Recovery Center at 3809 Rosewood Drive and online at lightingtheway.mirci.org. The cost to attend the morning symposium is $10 per person. Afternoon tours will be $10 per person. Those interested in attending the symposium as well as taking a tour can participate in both for $15. Silent auctionreception tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple.

Lighting the Way celebration

9 am- Noon A Symposium on Mental Health in S.C.

Historians will offer intriguing information on the progress of mental health in the state.

Presentation by Dr. Peter McCandless, author of "Moonlight, Magnolias and Madness" and professor at College of Charleston

A retrospective display, coordinated by the State Museum and Historic Columbia Foundation, will include artifacts that will chronicle the progress of mental health in S.C.

Symposium tickets include lunch.

12:30 pm- 2:30 pm Tours of the S.C. State Hospital and Grounds at Elmwood and Bull Streets in Columbia

Tours will be provided by knowledgeable guides who will weave a historical and visual path through the state's approach to mental health.

Transportation for the tours will be provided by USC shuttles.

7 pm- 10 pm Silent auction and reception at the Columbia Museum of Art

Proceeds from the silent auction will support the housing and homeless programs of MIRCI.