Orrin Hatch: “with the untimely death of Vicki Cottrell, Utah's executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill…”

“with the untimely death of Vicki Cottrell, Utah's executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, NAMI, a powerful and compassionate voice who spoke for those who suffer the effects of mental illness has been silenced. Vicki Cottrell's untiring efforts across Utah, in the legislature, in the jails and mental health courts, among community and religious leaders, and among families, will be difficult to replace. The passionate spirit and vision that she shared with her staff will continue. Before working for NAMI Utah, Vicki worked in computer software sales. But after her daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia, Vicki formed her own support group for people who have loved ones with a mental illness. Eventually, she merged her group with NAMI Utah. Over the past 20 years, Vicki has worked for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Utah affiliate. She started as a volunteer teaching classes and worked her way up to the executive director's post. Going the distance to places like Logan was common for her, and she took a message of advocacy around the State. Vicki's influence did not just reach inside Utah's borders, though. Upon hearing of her death, NAMI members and friends from across the country brought forth an outpouring of sympathy. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. expressed his condolences noting that Vicki helped educate many about mental illness and the way new medical treatments help the afflicted lead very productive lives.…”