nancy pizzo boucher

Nancy Pizzo Boucher

I am the ninth of thirteen children born into a first generation Italian American family. The importance and value of family has been an enduring force in my life. I taught special education for 24 years in public schools, starting programs for children with behavioral challenges. My responsibilities included screening, observation, and evaluation; developing and implementing goals with students; consulting with teachers, administrators, and parents; and providing in-service assistance to staff. I loved my job , and was always attentive to and thankful to each of my students who taught me how to become a better teacher.

I am well aware of the challenges facing families and their children when dealing with a serious condition, not yet totally understood .

Twenty four years ago my youngest son got sick with a serious mental illness and our family's life as we knew it veered off course. We were catapulted into a wilderness that we were not equipped to navigate. There we landed bereft with anguish and helplessness about how to support our son who was so sick and how to support our family who was falling apart.

I retired from teaching 4 years early, and became a student again - seeking to learn what might help ease the suffering for all of us in our family. It has been an arduous journey.

Today I am a dedicated advocate and work to highlight the importance of a combined treatment approach that focuses on strengthening the person as well as on treating the illness. I have written three books about our family's experiences and learning in an effort to reach out to others on this path- to lessen isolation and stigma, and to share both pragmatic tools and hope.

Both of my sons have contributed to these three books:

Getting My Night Vision

Replanting Lives Uprooted by Mental Illness, a practical guide for families

Defusing the Mental Illness Crisis Triangle, Safety Procedures for Families to Follow During Crises at Home

My husband Richard has become my north star when I am losing my way.

My advocacy work that has contributed to my understanding and knowledge of mental illness has included : participating both locally and nationally with NAMI, being a family speaker at NAMI Maine CIT training, being a family speaker for Voices of Recovery out of Portland, Maine, doing workshops and speaking at Family support organizations in Mass., giving advocacy talks at public libraries, writing op-eds relevant to mental illness, and speaking at relevant public legislative hearings.

I have a BA in Sociology and a Masters in Special Education.

https://youtu.be/hS8PDOue3EI (link to an interview that I did )