The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Moore County (NAMI-MC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for those with a brain illness and their families.

NAMI's educational and support meeting will be held Monday, June 1, at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Conference Center -- Room A -- located on the northwest corner of N.C. 211 and Page Road in Pinehurst. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The guest speaker is Linda Evans Wells, an educator and accomplished pianist/vocalist who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1972.

Her program of music and a discussion of her personal experiences with bipolar disorder and her successes in life lasts about 30 minutes and encourages other people who have a mental illness to pursue their dreams.

Dr. Fernando Cobos, a psychiatrist and the medical director of outpatient behavioral Services at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, will receive NAMI-National's 2009 Annual Exemplary Psychiatrist Award for his many contributions to NAMI-MC as well as his work in the community with people who suffer with a mental illness and/or substance abuse. He is also a U.S. Army reservist who has served two tours in Iraq, working with military personnel to cope with the stress of being in combat.

NAMI-Moore County's Linden Lodge, located in Pinehurst, is an adult care home for people with a severe and persistent mental illness.

It is owned by NAMI-MC and operated by Pinetree Community Services.

"Linden Lodge is starting a vegetable garden and would appreciate your support with donations of vegetable saplings (preferred) or vegetable seeds," says a spokesman.

Call (910) 295-1053 for further information.