Pat Lovett of Silverdale, known around the state as a tireless advocate for the mentally ill, has been honored by Family Circle Magazine with its annual Halo Award. Lovett was one of only four women to receive the tribute during its seventh year. She appears with the other winners in the January 18, issue of Family Circle, currently on newsstands.

In describing the winners, the magazine says, “The women we honor … deserve recognition for their extraordinary efforts to help others. We hope they inspire you to help make your community and this world a better place!”

Lovett was recognized for her efforts in the field of mental health advocacy in our state. Her work on behalf of the mentally ill and their families stems from the 1982 diagnosis of her own son as bipolar-schizophrenic. Family Circle quotes Lovett as saying “All I wanted was to make sure he got what he needed and deserved. It just turned out that I could help others by doing that.”

In 2003 Lovett was also named a “Giraffe” by The Giraffe Project, a national nonprofit organization. Giraffes are individuals who are recognized for “sticking their necks out” for the common good.

Appointed by Governor Gary Locke to the board of directors for Western State Hospital, Lovett has been active in quality review of patient services throughout the region, has investigated accusations of abuse at Western State and helped ensure appropriate actions were taken to protect the patients.

Her input affects the budgets and policies of mental health programs throughout the state of Washington. Locally, she created a unique support group called Community Voice, held monthly at Kitsap Mental Health Services, which facilitates discussion among families, patients and mental health workers to ensure quality care for patients. She conducts classes, speaks at public rallies and at international conferences. Lovett also acts one-on-one, personally guiding families and patients through the system, offering advice on every aspect of their situation.

In spite of a life-threatening aneurysm, Lovett has rebounded to continue an often grueling routine which includes in-depth site visits at public and private mental health facilities and community centers, searching the streets for lost patients and on at least one occasion, taking into her own home a patient who was turned away from Western State Hospital. “I believe the reason I lived and recovered so quickly [from the aneurysm],” says Lovett, “is that I knew so many people were depending on me to get them the help they needed.”.