May 26 - Mental illness is not a barrier to success according to Dave Dahl, founder of the company that makes Dave's Killer Bread. Dahl recently visited with patients and staff at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem to share his story of recovery from mental illness and drug addiction.

"I draw strength from accepting who I am," said Dahl. "It's been 10 years now. If I can do it, you guys can too."

Thanks to the Oregon State Hospital's vocational services programs patient Ben Chase has gone from wallflower to working with confidence with fellow patients. Chase works as a consumer host at the Empowerment Center at OSH.

Oregon State Hospital staff and patients put on their walking shoes to raise awareness about mental illness Sunday, May 22, for the ninth annual NAMI Northwest Walk along Portland's waterfront. More than 100 hospital employees, patients, family members and friends made up "Team OSH," raising more than $13,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Health. This was the first time OSH had such a strong presence at the event.

"Not bad for our first year," said team captain, chief of medicine Brian Little. OSH had the single most successful fundraising team, even beating the corporate sponsors. "I'm so proud of everyone who turned out to support the important work of NAMI."