CUMBERLAND - Sherri Zimmerman has struggled with what she calls "so-called mental illness" for 20 years.

So-called, she said, because she has what's know as the "hearing aspect."

One day while cleaning, she heard her stepfather's voice as clear as a bell telling her not to worry because her mother would be taken care of. In seemingly perfect health, he died the next day.

Such an occurrence doesn't make a person schizophrenic or bipolar, she said. It's been documented around the world that people hear their loved ones' voices and see their spirits.

Zimmerman will be one of the speakers at an annual event for Mental Health Month. With the theme, A Path to Success For Individuals With Disabilities, the conference will focus on how people can get back into the workforce and the community. Sponsored by the National Alliance on the Mentally Ill of Allegany County, it will be held Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 701 E. First St.

The author of two books, "Success After Insanity: Healing Hearts of the Mentally Ill," an autobiography, and "Timeless Health: Ways of Living in an Unscheduled World," Zimmerman moved to Junction, W.Va., two years ago and has purchased land where she intends to build a sanctuary for mental health.

She is working to get funding to build the board and care home she plans to call the Imagine Healing Center, named for John Lennon's song, "Imagine."

Jerry Ruby of NAMI coordinates the event and said it's important to educate the public but that people with a mental illness must help themselves as well.

"I think a big part of recovery is being passionate about something," he said.

He admits it's difficult for a person diagnosed with a mental illness to return or enter the work force because of the stigma often associated with the disease.

"The hardest part in healing for the mentally ill is dealing with the scorn and slander that's going on while you're trying to heal," he said. "You even get it from your families; it's very painful. ... Some think you can snap out of it."

Ruby is an advocate for having people understand that mental illness is a brain illness just like Parkinson's or cerebral palsy.

Jeff Vanderhout, also of NAMI, said he believes the key is "wellness, recovery and coping."

"You have to understand there is a purpose of life, and the purpose is not to be ill, but your purpose is to contribute to your family, your friends, your community," he said. "I often tell everybody there's a talent within you. All you have to do is find that talent and share it."

Other speakers for the event will be Tonya Gilchrist of Independence Now, Debbie Williamson of the Division of Rehabilitation Services and Pam Rose of the Western Maryland Business Resource Center.

For more information, call (301) 689-2133.

Maria Smith can be reached at msmith@times-news.com.