MDSG-NY Celebrates 40 Years of Service
MDSG-NY Celebrates 40 Years of Service
The Early Days
This article is reprinted from the November 2011 issue that celebrated the 30th anniversary of MDSG-NY.
In honor of MDSG-NY’s 30th anniversary, Li Faustino sat down with Ngaere Baxter, PhD, one of the founders of the organization. Ngaere is currently a clinical psychologist in private practice and an Instructor in Psychology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Q. Back in 1981, you were the director of the Foundation for Depression and Manic- Depression. How did you end up as one of the founders of MDSG-NY? A. I received about 20 letters for proposed pro- jects, one of which was from Rich Satkin and his wife Betty Mackintosh. They said they felt there was a need for a support group for people with mood disorders. I threw out the other 19 letters, and called Rich and Betty, and invited them in to talk about the idea. So from the very beginning, MDSG-NY had plenty of family involvement. In August of 1981 I opened the conference room at the Foundation and put out cookies, and we had our first meeting. Since then MDSG-NY has survived several relocations and moves and continued to grow.
In honor of MDSG-NY’s 30th anniversary, Li Faustino sat down with Ngaere Baxter, PhD, one of the founders of the organization. Ngaere is currently a clinical psychologist in private practice and an Instructor in Psychology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Q. Back in 1981, you were the director of the Foundation for Depression and Manic- Depression. How did you end up as one of the founders of MDSG-NY? A. I received about 20 letters for proposed pro- jects, one of which was from Rich Satkin and his wife Betty Mackintosh. They said they felt there was a need for a support group for people with mood disorders. I threw out the other 19 letters, and called Rich and Betty, and invited them in to talk about the idea. So from the very beginning, MDSG-NY had plenty of family involvement. In August of 1981 I opened the conference room at the Foundation and put out cookies, and we had our first meeting. Since then MDSG-NY has survived several relocations and moves and continued to grow.
Q. Over your years at MDSG-NY, what have been some of the biggest challenges? A. Sustaining the mission. It’s always been worthwhile work, but there aren’t always enough volunteers and facilities to keep things running smoothly.
Q. What has been the best improvement over the years? A. We’ve reached critical mass, and we are an established presence. When I listen to the introductions at lectures it’s clear we’re a solid resource for people who need us, and that the professional community respects us. After all the years spent building up the group, that’s a relief and very pleasing.
Q. What was the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you about MDSG-NY? A. I like that question. Someone once told me that in the end, it’s about the people. You have to listen to what people need, and then do what it takes to meet those needs. If you do that, the organization is going to succeed.
Q. What has been the best improvement over the years? A. We’ve reached critical mass, and we are an established presence. When I listen to the introductions at lectures it’s clear we’re a solid resource for people who need us, and that the professional community respects us. After all the years spent building up the group, that’s a relief and very pleasing.
Q. What was the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you about MDSG-NY? A. I like that question. Someone once told me that in the end, it’s about the people. You have to listen to what people need, and then do what it takes to meet those needs. If you do that, the organization is going to succeed.
Q. What was your worst fear about what would happen with MDSG-NY? A. Oh, I never had fears. I had a lot of hope.
Q. If you could invite one person, real or historical or imaginary, to speak at an MDSG-NY meeting, who would it be? A. Abraham Lincoln. He’s been described as being bipolar and more recently, of having Marfan’s syndrome. We’ve always heard he was de- pressed, and we don’t really know what caused that. Seems he was able to turn it into an advantage. What we do know is that he was a fabulous speaker!
Q. If you could give only one piece of encouragement to someone newly diagnosed, what would it be? A. Hang in there. Just hang in there.
Q. If you could invite one person, real or historical or imaginary, to speak at an MDSG-NY meeting, who would it be? A. Abraham Lincoln. He’s been described as being bipolar and more recently, of having Marfan’s syndrome. We’ve always heard he was de- pressed, and we don’t really know what caused that. Seems he was able to turn it into an advantage. What we do know is that he was a fabulous speaker!
Q. If you could give only one piece of encouragement to someone newly diagnosed, what would it be? A. Hang in there. Just hang in there.
