Gaines Lyons was born in Little Rock and grew up in Cleveland.  He served in the Navy for four years, studying Chinese-Mandarin and spending time in Japan and the Philippines.  After returning to the U.S., he graduated from the University of California Berkeley with a degree in Japanese Language and Literature.  He later worked for Project Return Peer Support Network as a mental health advocate, campaigning for the passage of the Mental Health Services Act, and he served as editor of Peer Support News for ten years.  Mr. Lyons currently sits on the Mental Health America Village Board of Advisers.

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