CHEYENNE - Kristy Worthen lived a relatively normal life in Arkansas until about age 14, when she began having severe mood swings that grew in intensity through her teenage years.

By the time she was 21, Worthen had become delusional, was having hallucinations and attempted suicide.

Then, in 1999, after seven years of living with mental illness, Worthen was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she finally got access to the medical treatment and medication she needed.

"Not all medications worked the same, and options are available," she said Friday of treating the chemical imbalances in her brain that cause the disorder.

She said she has now been in the wellness stage of bipolar disorder for five years and now leads a happy, successful life as a free-lance artist and mental health advocate.

Worthen painted the Mental Health Awareness Flag to bring about awareness of mental health issues. The flag's main element is a white lighthouse, which she said represents her feeling of relief after her condition was diagnosed. The lighthouse emits a yellow beam of light, to signify shedding light on mental health issues.

"It is my hope that the Mental Health Flag will help focus attention on each state's mental health needs, bringing hope and help to all those who suffer from mental illness," she said.

To that end, Worthen is touring the nation with the flag, raising it at all 50 state capitol buildings. Friday, Wyoming became the 36th state to host the flag and participate in the National Lieutenant Governors Association's Mental Health Awareness Flag "Shedding Light Tour."

The flag has been signed by President Bush and is also being signed by all 50 members of the Lieutenant Governors Association, including Wyoming Secretary of State Joe Meyer.

"It's a privilege to sign the Mental Health Awareness Flag and to participate in this flag tour," Meyer said. "Positive awareness of mental health issues is important to all of us."

Worthen's mother, Mary, who is touring the country with her daughter, described the family's experience with Kristy's condition.

"Most people think mental illness is something that happens to someone else. That's what we thought," the elder Worthen said.

But she said it is actually relatively common, and about 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness.

"It is a chemical imbalance in the brain," she said. "It is not a character flaw, personal weakness or lack of moral character."

Capital bureau reporter Bill Luckett can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at bill.luckett@casperstartribune.net.