An Advocate's Perspective

Sometimes . . .  Next Steps and Possibilities

Greetings and welcome to another edition of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina's An Advocate's Perspective.  This occasional series by MHA/NC looks at policies and other issues of concern within North Carolina's mental health area.  This edition of An Advocate's Perspective will be, at least for me, most unique.  For after more than three years of sharing my thoughts with you in this format, as well as sharing my perspectives with you in many ways as Executive Director of MHA/NC for the past seventeen years, this will be my last opportunity to do so in this role.  For you see, I am leaving MHA/NC.  It has been quite a ride and a wonderful opportunity, but as the title of this message says, sometimes next steps and possibilities come along.  For me, my next step and opportunity is becoming the Director of North Carolina's Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

Governor Perdue and Secretary Cansler offered and I accepted this new challenge.  I am doing so for many reasons, but most notably for the opportunity to help and serve even more citizens of our great State that experience a mental illness, developmental disability or an addictive disease in their own lives or in the life of a family member.  I have spent the last thirty-two years in a home of advocacy.  First, as I was growing up, I followed the example of my Mom, who had been the Executive Director of MHA in Randolph County.  In my own home, I have served at MHA/NC in one capacity or another for more than nineteen years.  For more than four years, I have given direct service to the Johnston or Guilford area programs.  I have been inspired, moved, and challenged by those I have met throughout this journey.  However, my inspiration in this field began when I was much younger.  I grew up with a wonderful friend who happened to be my cousin, Jeffrey.  Jeffrey was born with a developmental disability.  I never knew that there was any distinction in worth between Jeffrey or anybody else.  It's just who he was - it's just who we were as a family.  Through the years, however, I learned that others struggled with being around, or even the concept of helping from a distance, persons with disabilities.  My life - indeed my calling and my ministry - have been clearly laid out for me from a young age.  I am honored, I am humbled, and I am challenged by being asked to take this next step.

I also realize that over the course of my advocacy, specifically during my years at MHA/NC, I was often intensely outspoken about the deficiencies in the system and about the bureaucracy that inhibited true forward movement on behalf of our citizens.  I also fully realize that criticism can be, will be and should be directed at me if I don't live up to the standards and ideals that I espoused for others.  I hope and believe that, while I will be held accountable by many, the one that I will be held most accountable to is myself.  I have been and continue to be blessed to be in this field of work.  I don't take lightly the effect it can have on the lives of others.  As I make this next step and I look at all of the possibilities, I covet your thoughts, your inspiration, your vision and your prayers.  For you see, the next step in this wonderful journey is not mine, but ours.  Walk with me, fight with me, lead with me for all of the Jeffrey's and their families across the State.  They deserve nothing less from any of us.

In closing, while I said that this is my last Advocate's Perspective in this forum, I hope that I will continue to be able to bring my perspective to you.  Yes, my perspective as Division Director, but ultimately as an advocate, for that is what I am and that is what I will continue to be.  I ask that it be what you are as well.  Thank you for supporting me and MHA/NC over the last seventeen years.  Thank you for the support that you will continue to provide to MHA in the days ahead and thank you for taking this next step with me as we, together, see and experience all of the possibilities for each of us and those around us.  Many rich blessings upon you.

This is one advocate's perspective.

John Tote

Executive Director

Mental Health Association in North Carolina