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

George 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 have led him to speak at conferences all over the country.

As someone who received services for his own illness, George sees himself as both a peer and a motivator. Having worked over 10 years as a provider he understands the challenges of large caseloads and budget cuts. And having also worked closely with family members of those 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 while juggling several hats, George advocates and educates using a creative and straightforward approach, while maintaining a sense of humor. He speaks honestly and from the heart, challenging all parties to work harder towards the goals of “Normalcy”, “Breaking the Cycle” and “Getting Beyond Recovery”.

In 2004 he directed a video called Work Works! This grassroots 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 play at conferences upon request.