Ray Lay is on the national Board of Directors, the Board of Directors for NAMI Indiana, and is considered to be in the In Our Own Voice Hall of Fame, having shared his story over 200 times in presentations of NAMI’s In Our Own Voice program. Ray is an honorably discharged veteran who has had experience with substance issues, a period of being unhoused, time in a correctional facility and hospitalization. He draws on all his experiences in helping others, including with the Veterans Administration. Ray talks with Dr. Ken Duckworth, the Chief Medical Officer of NAMI, about how participating in In Our Own Voice both empowers him and empowers others to get treatment. 

This conversation was part of Dr. Duckworth’s research for the book, You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health--With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families. Hear more episodes of this and other podcasts and nami.org/podcast.