Depending on who you ask, George could be known as “the guy from the paper”, “the musician”, “the mental health advocate”, or just “the guy with the beard"....

George V. Nostrand does not have degrees from Harvard, Princeton or Yale. In fact he never graduated from college. But his life experiences and his reflections on the value of work in recovery from mental illness, along with his honest and constructive criticism of the mental health systems and communities have lead him to speak at conferences all over the country.

George comes from a unique perspective. As someone who received services for his own illness, he can speak directly to people with mental illness with true empathy and understanding. Having worked over 10 years as a provider he understands the challenges of large caseloads and budget cuts. And having also provided support to family members struggling with mental illness, he understands the frustration and confusion that comes along with trying to navigate the system and get quality care.

Walking the line between these realms and juggling several hats, George has been able to advocate and educate effectively in many different situations. He speaks honestly and from the heart, with a straightforward approach, challenging all parties to work harder towards the goals of “Breaking the Cycle” and “Getting Beyond Recovery”

In 2004 he directed a video called Work Works! This documentary-style video reached over 30 states in about a year and a half and received rave reviews for its “real-ness” from wide audiences. Today there are copies from Maine to Hawaii.

Also a musician, George has been known to include music in his presentations, (or at least try to sell copies to people there).