Jessie Close, a writer, has lived with bipolar illness for most of her life, but wasn’t properly diagnosed until a stay at McLean Hospital in 2004.  She had been diagnosed with bipolar 1 but still struggled to live.  At McLean, the doctors addressed the psychotic element of her illness and began an anti-psychotic medication.  Today, even though she and her doctors still occasionally adjust her medications, Jessie is successfully managing her illness.

Andrew Sperling is the Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  In this position, he leads NAMI’s legislative advocacy initiatives in Congress and before federal agencies. Mr. Sperling works on issues affecting the mental health community with a focus on improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Since 1994, Mr. Sperling has also served as Co-Chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task Force.

Prior to joining NAMI, Mr. Sperling held the position of deputy director of government relations for the National Community Mental Healthcare Council and was a legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Dick Swett (D-NH).

Mr. Sperling earned his bachelor’s of arts degree from Tulane University.  After graduating from Tulane, Sperling attended George Washington University where he received a masters of arts, and in 1992, he earned a law degree from the Franklin Pierce Law Center.