For years, Dr. Fred Frese never revealed his own diagnosis to anyone except his family and bosses.
As the psychology director at a psychiatric hospital, he was told it was best if he didn't let word get out that he had schizophrenia.
''Nobody talked about mental illnesses in their families, let alone in public,'' he recalled. ''Nobody told anyone, 'I have a serious mental illness' in those days.''
But all that changed for Frese in 1986, when he quietly accepted a ''mental health consumer'' position on Summit County's Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Board.
Two years later, he decided to go public during a lecture at Kent State University by asking audience members to stand up if they knew firsthand what it was like to live with a serious mental illness.
''I guess I'm the only one standing here, aren't I?'' he announced to the stunned group.
Frese now is widely known as a leading national voice for Americans recovering from a mental illness.
This week, the Akron-area psychologist is receiving a Consumer Leadership Award from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for his efforts.
He'll be honored during a star-studded ceremony Wednesday night at the Paramount The
ater in Hollywood. Emmy Award winner Hector Elizondo and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. are co-hosting.
The annual Voice Awards program was launched five years ago by the federal agency to recognize writers and producers who have incorporated respectful and accurate portrayals of people with behavioral health conditions in film and television.
The ceremony also celebrates community leaders who ''help promote more awareness and understanding and change perceptions'' while living with mental health or substance abuse problems, said Chris Marshall, consumer affairs specialist for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Frese is ''an icon in the mental-health movement,'' Marshall said. He has known Frese for about 15 years through their work together with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Marshall fondly recalls when he first heard Frese jokingly refer to ''the so-called normals'' and learned about his openness and sense of humor.
''He's just been an incredible person,'' Marshall said. ''He's never stopped working on this. He has not stopped talking and has been courageous.
''He's shown that despite having a diagnosis of schizophrenia, he accomplished a great deal.''
Frese, 70, of Hudson was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1965 while serving as a Marine Corps security officer. At the time, he was overcome with delusional thoughts that the enemy was hypnotizing high-ranking U.S. officials from afar.
Severe brain disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that affects about 1 percent of U.S. adults. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices or experience delusional thoughts, such as believing others are plotting to harm them.
The causes of schizophrenia still are unknown, but anti-psychotic medications are available to treat symptoms.
In the decade following his diagnosis, Frese was hospitalized 10 times.
''At one point,'' he said, ''I was declared insane.''
Frese fought through his problems and continued his education, earning a doctorate in psychology from Ohio University.
He served as director of psychology for the former Western Reserve Psychiatric Hospital in Sagamore Hills from 1980 to 1995.
He currently has positions at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rootstown Township and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Recovery project
Frese also works part-time as coordinator of the Summit County Recovery project, a Summit County ADM Board initiative to help consumers recovering from a mental illness.
In the past two decades, Frese has served on national boards, participated in committees for federal agencies and testified before the U.S. Congress about mental health issues.
Frese has written numerous articles and several book chapters about recovery from mental illness and gives about 100 lectures nationwide each year.
''At first, it was very difficult,'' he said. ''I would get up and shake.''
Frese takes medications to control his symptoms.
When he talks, he shares a message of hope: ''So many of us can recover to a pretty good degree.''
His wife of 33 years, Penny, also is an active advocate.
She's heard mental illnesses referred to as ''no casserole'' disorders, because people often don't rally around families and make food for them the same way they do for other illnesses.
The stigma, she said, ''may be worse than the disorder.''
But awards such as the one her husband is receiving this week help, she added.
''I am so glad that they are beginning to recognize people who have weathered the storm and come out on the other side of it and can be an inspiration to people who are facing it,'' she said. ''It's really important for people to understand that these illnesses are common and treatable, particularly in the early stages.
''People can live very fulfilled lives. They don't need to think their lives are over because they have a mental illness.''
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
